One of the biggest logistical issues regularly cited with switching to a renewables based electricity grid is the problem of generation timing. That is, while renewables can now produce electricity at or below the cost of fossil fuel based systems such as coal plants, they can’t do it 24/7. Sometimes the wind just isn’t blowing or the sun isn’t shining or your temperature differentials aren’t high enough or whatever. To counteract this, there is talk of building giant sized super batteries and some more esoteric options are under discussion such as using electric cars as mobile batteries to power the grid. It’s unlikely that many people will be thrilled at the idea of plugging their car into the wall and having it’s batteries drained instead of charged.
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I’m not the biggest fan of criticizing other writers, especially ones that are much more experienced and accomplished than I am, but the op-ed Tom Friedmann threw up in this mornings New York Times column demands a reasoned critique. Because, frankly, the only way you can buy into what it says is if you’re on hallucenogenic drugs or own stock in the company described.
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