tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7597656451205429515.post5326047405054538994..comments2024-02-16T17:52:44.944-06:00Comments on The Nuclear Green Revolution: Nuks and the Grid: "Smart Grid" Verses Smart Grid DesignCharles Bartonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01125297013064527425noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7597656451205429515.post-20590609412060564142009-12-02T16:29:54.569-06:002009-12-02T16:29:54.569-06:00The smart grid I would like to see is one that del...The smart grid I would like to see is one that delivers power from the generator of choice to the customer, like UPS.<br /><br />The independent generators would compete on a level playing field with no subsidies and all external costs added including atmospheric waste dumping fees, and therefore would have to use realistic pricing. The solar farm could offer solar power at 45 cents/kWh, the wind farm could offer wind power at 5 cents/kWh, the nuclear plant could offer power at 7 cents/kWh etc. <br /><br />The grid would add appropriate shipping and handling fees. The fees for kWh's from a distant wind farm on a low capacity factor line would be much higher than for a local fossil or nuclear plant. On peak fees would be higher, especially from distant sources.<br /><br />Consumers would go on line and purchase whatever type of power they want. Of course when the wind stops blowing or the sun goes down the lights will go out for consumers dependant only on those sources. Consumers who prefer intermittent sources can purchase backup power from conventional plants, but that will be much more expensive. Or they can install a massive battery on their property which they will have to pay for and maintain, and they will have to pay for the additional kWh's lost going in and out of storage.<br /><br />Bill HannahanAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7597656451205429515.post-4624207107456740832009-12-02T12:15:57.524-06:002009-12-02T12:15:57.524-06:00Charles! The common sense you outline in this blog...Charles! The common sense you outline in this blog is not going to be accepted by solar/wind proponents because they operate completely outside the boundaries of any common sense, wrapped up in their fantasy dreams.<br />The massive power grid needed to interconnect scattered unreliable low density power sources will not be built anytime soon.<br />The only Smart thing that can be made, with the least investment and material use, is to place mass produced medium sized nuclear plants near the places of consumption and utilize existing power grid, with minor grid improvements, to interconnect between adjacent power plants for back up reliability during refueling or other shut down maintenance needs.Frank Kandrnalnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7597656451205429515.post-70946495787173395882009-12-02T09:28:09.654-06:002009-12-02T09:28:09.654-06:00The so-called "Smart Grid" comes in seve...The so-called "Smart Grid" comes in several flavors. The classic flavor is one where the power system tries to keep the power flowing to as many customers as possible. The intelligence is used to keep the power flow reliable, safe, and economical.<br /><br />The new flavor is less palatable. It revolves around charging customers more for power when they most need it, like hot summer afternoons (in exchange for cheaper power at 2 AM). The deluxe topping for this version of the "smart grid" has the power company turning off your air conditioning or resetting the thermostat.<br /><br />The unreliability of power from renewables such as wind and solar plays directly into the "strengths" of the smart grid of the second flavor.<br /><br />I am sure there are some who are studying the control and pricing power offered by the second flavor smart grid, the "opportunities" to invoke the control and pricing driven by unreliable renewable power sources, and thus ways to benefit themselves financially from the mess that results.<br /><br />While the much more reliable power from nuclear sources can't eliminate all power shortages (and thus possible financial gamesmanship via the smart grid), it certainly can minimize shortages compared to renewables.donbnoreply@blogger.com