“The grid cannot handle the load” has always been BS. Full stop.
Comment on On renewable energy, it’s time to debunk the ‘transition minerals’ narrative (commentary)
Hamartiogonic@sopuli.xyz 4 weeks ago
Regarding those minerals, Li, Ni, Co and Mn play an important role in electrification, but they don’t have to. It’s just that in recent decades we’ve built the production chains necessary for producing LIBs (Li-ion batteries), and now we’re kinda stuck with that technology. Recently, NIBs (Na-ion batteries) started to become viable, and I really hope they manage to ramp up production quickly. Seems like the author of that article was thinking of LIBs all the time and forgot about NIBs. The problem is, it takes a long time to build the production capacity and production chains.
Then there’s also copper. It’s kinda hard to ignore that one, since we can’t really electrify things when the grid can’t handle the load. Also, electric motors require lots of copper, so I can imagine that the demand for copper will remain high in the coming decades.
spankysalmon@fedinsfw.app 4 weeks ago
IrateAnteater@sh.itjust.works 4 weeks ago
Depending on where you are, the grid can’t even hand current loads. There’s absolutely work that needs to be done to keep up.
spankysalmon@fedinsfw.app 4 weeks ago
I never said the grid is perfect as is. Just that those saying it cannot handle EVs are blowing smoke.
Notice how few politicians whined about the grid when it came time to talk about data centers? At least not until it came time to reconcile plans against reality…
Notice how the politicians supporting data centers didn’t say “no” from the start, like they always do with pushing EVs?
HerbGrower@slrpnk.net 3 weeks ago
You can charge an EV on a regular socket. Unless you are driving a lot that would be enough.
The majority of car journeys are less than the distance I cycle to work. You don’t need fast charging for that. When you need it is on the rare occasion you do make a long distance trip. So 100+ kW at motorway service stations and perhaps a few others scattered around is really all you need.
Other places a lot of people park like work and shops could have a few moderate speed ones too, but even where we have them here most people with EVs don’t really use them much. Still, having a few would be pretty helpful for those without home charging options. An hour to charge kind of speed would be fine if it is while shopping, multiple hours if its at work.
TraipsersWill@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
“The dividends to shareholders can’t handle the load” is the correct phrasing. Underinvesting in infrastructure maintenance and expansion, and in R&D, solely in order to re-distribute the wealth.
To the major shareholders.
HerbGrower@slrpnk.net 3 weeks ago
Isn’t the copper largely an easy one to recycle though? Just offer some drug addicts their next hit and they will provide you with recycled copper.
Hamartiogonic@sopuli.xyz 3 weeks ago
Yes, copper recycling totally works, just like Fe, Al, Pb, Au and Ag. It’s just that the total mass of copper currently in circulation isn’t enough for our ambitious plans. We need a lot more of it to electrify everything. Also, more HVDC lines need to be built, and normally they are made of aluminum, so we’re going to need more of that as well.