🚀 go-pugleaf

In sci.physics jg <jg@nospam.com> wrote:
> On 10/03/2013 1:49 AM, jimp@specsol.spam.sux.com wrote:

<snip>

>>> So the coal station runs flat out even when demand is low?
>>
>> Now that is a really stupid thing to say.
>>
> 
> Would be if any of the above was really true.

Coal plants are base generators.

Base generators run flat out all the time.

When peaks occur, peak generators go on line.

Peak generators are usually something like a gas turbine that comes up
to power relatively quickly, i.e. a few minutes. Base generator take from
many hours to days to come up to power.

>> However, coal station do have to run at a fairly high level even when
>> demand is low because it takes a long time to get a coal plant operating.
>>
>> The is why coal is used mainly for base load.
>>
>> To cover peaks most places use gas turbines, which can come up to speed
>> in minutes instead of hours.
>>
> 
> Needs to be a better way to address that too.

Frogs also need some way to keep from banging their ass when the jump.

In the real world neither has a better solution.
 
> PV cells lower the base load requirement some of the time.

The base load is 24/7.

> If they ever approached meeting the base load many arguments would 
> become more valid, but the requirement for options to meet peak load are 
> likely to prevent that for the intermediate future.

That will never happen because the base load is 24/7 and running the 
base generators at anything less than full output is highly inefficient.

>>> Still manages to provide 45% of all electricity worldwide.
>>
>> Got a source for that wild assed number?
>>
> 
> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electricity_generation

Read your own link; the worldwide portion of electricity produced by
Solar PV is 0.06%.

Solar thermal is 0.004%.

<snip>

>> Nor do lolly shops ship all the lolies overseas.
>>
> 
> They do here, local supply is a major issue. And the cost of 
> distribution as with electricity outweighs the cost of the fuel or 
> generation.

Again, you must live in the boondocks.

Every city here has gas pipes.

<snip>

>> Nope, most of my hot water usage is during the day.
>>
> 
> It's still 1/4 of household energy use.

Not here it isn't, and little water is heated with electricity here.

<snip>

> Maybe you gas is very cheap, our gas bill is about $400 pa with most of 
> it for hot water.

Yes, gas is cheap here and getting cheaper around the world.

The majority of my annual gas bill is winter heating.


-- 
Jim Pennino