In Germany we already often have more energy than we can use and wind turbines have to be shut down so the power grid doesn’t get overwhelmed. What we need most right now (here in Germany) is more grid expansion and not necessarily more energy production. Also, not every store of energy has to be lithium batteries.
Comment on Can somebody please explain why the world hasn't gone nuclear yet?
naiki@slrpnk.net 8 months agohmmmmmmmmmm u do have a point, but i mean lithium is running out and we need a constant influx of power (power grid, no batteries) like with nuclear, we could never afford to use batteries for all the energy in the planet. also i THINK that hydro disturbs the ecosystem (fish n stuff cant get through) but im not sure how true that is considering that they can always just open a gate for fish to pass, like with that online dorbell.
Lemmchen@feddit.org 8 months ago
GreyEyedGhost@lemmy.ca 8 months ago
In fact, sodium batteries seem to be taking off and the only downside they have compared to lithium batteries is battery density, which isn’t a problem for grid storage.
aupag@feddit.org 8 months ago
Why do you think Lithium is running out? There is enough Lithium that could be mined if there was enough political will (and sometimes price signals).
Besides, we might also use other battery types, such as Redox-Flow for long term storage.
The current “backup” plan is to produce Hydrogen or P2G continuously, store it, and use it in cheap, inefficient gas turbines for the week every few years (without large grid interconnectivity) where there is a prolonged Dunkelflaute.