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0 pointscoldpie3y ago0 comments

Unfortunately, energy storage is still an unsolved problem. Research on batteries may get us there soon, but today they aren't feasible. It's very much worth putting effort into both approaches. IMO the best outcome is a wide variety of clean energy sources and storage solutions, so the best solution can be chosen for a given geographical/political/etc situation.

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3 comments · 3 top-level

toomuchtodo3y ago

Solar and batteries are already cheaper than fossil fuels in most markets. Nuclear isn’t competing with renewables, it’s competing against batteries and almost free renewables that charge them.

Nuclear is still possibly a great fit for niche locales where renewables aren’t feasible at all. Not a nuclear hater by any means (we need every innovation we can get), just show your math.

https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.365.6449.108

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conradev3y ago

CATL is working on sodium batteries as a lithium replacement shipping in 2023

Form Energy is working on iron air batteries as a new class of multi-day energy storage, launching its first test installation in 2023

The US passed a tax credit for energy storage, to encourage building more pumped storage capacity

Congress is working on transmission line permitting reform

There are some good reasons to be optimistic in the near term

rapsey3y ago

> Unfortunately, energy storage is still an unsolved problem.

Mechanical, lithium based, flow, heat, compressed air, pumped hydro are all types of batteries that are able to store quite large amounts of power today or in the near future. Certainly cheaper than fusion has any hope to be within 20 years.

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