Huge Global Study Just Smashed One of The Last Major Arguments Against Renewables - There could be enough worldwide energy storage for grid use to power the entire planet
We just got some massive news in the ongoing drive to switch to renewable energy: scientists have identified 530,000 sites worldwide suitable for pumped-hydro energy storage, capable of storing more than enough energy to power the entire planet.
Pumped-hydro is one of the best technologies we have for storing intermittent renewable energy, such as solar power, which means these sites could act as giant batteries, helping to support cheap, fully renewable power grids.
As of now the sites have only been identified by an algorithm, so further on-the-ground research needs to be done. But it was previously assumed there were only limited suitable sites around the world, and that we wouldn't be able to store enough renewable energy for high-demand times – which this study shows isn't the case at all.
No cooling water is required as it is in fossil fuel systems, which means the electricity demands of the plant itself are reduced, and of course there are no greenhouse gas emissions. Impact on the environment is kept down to a minimum because it doesn't involve any natural river systems.
The scientists say sites like the ones they've identified can operate at maximum power for between 5 and 25 hours. There's another benefit to this type of hydroelectric power system as well: it can start up quickly.
"Pumped-hydro energy storage can go from zero to full power extremely quickly – it takes only a few minutes," says one of the team, Andrew Blakers from ANU.
[My note] For example, it has been said that the massive capacity available just in the Congo in Africa, is enough to power the Southern half of the African continent. It remains for countries to stop warring with each and share investments to build it, along with the grid to distribute the power.
See www.sciencealert.com/scientist…
#environment #renewableenergy #gridstorage
from Beiträge von Danie van der Merwe https://ift.tt/2uFqAnQ
via IFTTT
Pumped-hydro is one of the best technologies we have for storing intermittent renewable energy, such as solar power, which means these sites could act as giant batteries, helping to support cheap, fully renewable power grids.
As of now the sites have only been identified by an algorithm, so further on-the-ground research needs to be done. But it was previously assumed there were only limited suitable sites around the world, and that we wouldn't be able to store enough renewable energy for high-demand times – which this study shows isn't the case at all.
No cooling water is required as it is in fossil fuel systems, which means the electricity demands of the plant itself are reduced, and of course there are no greenhouse gas emissions. Impact on the environment is kept down to a minimum because it doesn't involve any natural river systems.
The scientists say sites like the ones they've identified can operate at maximum power for between 5 and 25 hours. There's another benefit to this type of hydroelectric power system as well: it can start up quickly.
"Pumped-hydro energy storage can go from zero to full power extremely quickly – it takes only a few minutes," says one of the team, Andrew Blakers from ANU.
[My note] For example, it has been said that the massive capacity available just in the Congo in Africa, is enough to power the Southern half of the African continent. It remains for countries to stop warring with each and share investments to build it, along with the grid to distribute the power.
See www.sciencealert.com/scientist…
#environment #renewableenergy #gridstorage
from Beiträge von Danie van der Merwe https://ift.tt/2uFqAnQ
via IFTTT
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