curious_geoff t1_ixd3g97 wrote
How much emissions would it take to mine, smelt, transport and install all the metal for this grid you speak of?
glambx t1_ixd8c9f wrote
Eh, negligible, compared to the benefits.
The main problem with solar and wind are intermittency. One (partial) solution is a massive rollout of battery storage, which would have a thousand times that environmental impact.
If you can reduce the need by time and location shifting intermittents across the country? That's an absolute win.
If you're interested, though:
Lots of information and links to cost analysis there.
giltwist t1_ixdgv4x wrote
> One (partial) solution is a massive rollout of battery storage
Isn't that why we're experimenting with mechanical energy storage like pulling train cars full of rocks or pumping water uphill?
glambx t1_ixdhm7m wrote
Problem is that the amount of energy storage we need to convert 100% to renewables is enormous. Pumped hydro works just fine but takes a massive amount of area and the right topography. Compressed underground air storage also works, but is geology-specific.
The right answer is a blend of wind, solar, and nuclear fission, but there's still a ton of (mostly ignorant) folks against nuclear power.
urmomaisjabbathehutt t1_ixdakzx wrote
Since grids need to be maintained and upgraded for a variety of reasons including efficiency lowering overal running costs, maintenance advances such as increasing fault tolerance and reliability and benefits to customers brough by smart grids regardless of energy source used
the same emissions as if they were upgraded without being used with renewable energy in mind but since renewables will be part of the use and replacing polluting sources like coal and the grid more efficient the total annual emissions should be lower compared than currently
who knows, traditional energy suppliers may preffer to pocket the revenues that should had been used to maintain it and keep upgrading it till it roots instead and then claim it is not fit for purpose, at the end of the day those corporations are there to increase shareholders profit let the next CEO and/or tax payer deal with it
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