Re: [Pen-l] smart grid question

[Shane Mage <shmage@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

On Jun 9, 2009, at 11:57 AM, Gar Lipow wrote:

....But if we are going to produce 60% or more of our electricity from variable
sources like wind and sun, a smart grid is a necessity. Without a
smart grid (and for that matter without long distance transmission)
you need unacceptably expensive levels of storage...

Why should that be so?  Storage is a very simple matter--electrolytically produced hydrogen can be stored at every place electricity is generated and used to release that electricity via a fuel cell whenever needed.  Once mass production of the needed components has been achieved the costs would be very reasonable and surely much less than the capital costs and transmission losses from long-distance transmission.  Decentralized production, not a centralized grid however "smart," is what will be needed.

Shane Mage

This cosmos did none of gods or men make, but it

always was and is and shall be: an everlasting fire,

kindling in measures and going out in measures."

Herakleitos of Ephesos

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