The problem is all the other months
Not if you combine with other technologies. Who would ever have imagined glaciers vanishing?
But of course it's easier to ignore that. Ironic. One of the nuclear plants in France is out because the river it's on can't provide enough water.
That does not sound well managed, either too much or too little.
It's an exchange price. If there's a surplus anywhere in Europe, you can sell it. Only, in true capitalistic style, price is driven by offer and demand. And if there's far more offer, prices go negative. Of course, in practice nobody is buying.
maybe store some excess energy in all those EV batteries after IC vehicles are outlawed.
Doesn't sound ideal. You 'd need to service the battery first and there are far too many models. But I agree it could be done. It could even be financially viable.
that sounds like a more expensive energy approach
It isn't. Also, it's not destined to use those fake trees in large groups. The idea is placing them in cities. Where trees have to go for one reason or another.
Mini turbines are very cheap. Since they're not big, safety is a lot less of a worry. And it can't even hurt birds...
except for when the wind doesn't blow... I think there is an opportunity for solar shingles on residential roofs, but still expensive.
Over here, a lot of houses' roofs have been covered like that for years now. But the big energy boys still have to open up to the idea that production is decentralised.
Modern nuclear is a "relatively" clean bridge technology to power us for the next century. By a century from now we will have much more effective solutions. France is experiencing maintenance issues with their aging nuclear infrastructure. They were early adopters decades ago.
Yes, in one case because the river runs dry. I imagine that's not the only case...
It is still considered part of the western world.
I don't know John. I don't see much happening to iron out the obvious disadvantages of Brexit.
fossil fuel remains as the go to solution for energy on demand when the wind isn't blowing and the sun isn't shining.
indeed.. I don't recall saying that, but the entire zero carbon argument ignoring all the sundry inputs is not very well informed.
China's wind and solar only provides some 2-3% of their total energy demand. They are reportedly building something like 2 new coal power plants a week.
Last year, they started building 33 MW of coal plants, versus 120 MW of solar. Doesn't even include hydro. There's also a govt setup that sells generators, small water- and windturbines to people in rural areas.
they understand the value of inexpensive energy for economic growth and quality of life, so pursue an all of the above policy, which includes coal for now.
Anybody who's not a complete idiot, should understand that zero-growth is what we need. You can't keep growing you economy, unless some other part of the world is the victim. See what's happening to wood. Prices are going steeply up. The Chinese are buying up a lot of wood worldwide. They make stuff from wood and sell it back to us.
They can do that, because wages are low. And that's the crux.
straw man.... India is poised to be most populous nation projected to exceed China this year
In my mind, the people make the country. Not vice versa.
It feels a little like the end of the Roman Empire... With the politicians and generals fiddling around about pronouns, and hypothetical existential threats, ignoring the real threats (some coming from within).
JR
Indeed.
You are forgetting two very important factors:
- Food. Nowhere on earth are there more obese people than in the USA. I don't think so many Americans over-eat and under-exercise. I suspect it has to do with HFCS and stabilised fat.
- Decadence. Guys like Epstein are an example. But it is everywhere, disgusting decent people. If that stays too long, you go into witch hunts like the 70's satanic church hype. Some innocent people have spent a large part of their life in prison because of that. A few died, either as a result of suicide or lynching by a mob. And they're only now getting released.
These were two important factors in the end of the Roman empire too. Some observers will have noticed that in the case of the USA too.