In Defense of Electricity Markets
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In Defense of Electricity Markets
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Re: In Defense of Electricity Markets
#2I, for one, want Gen IV small-modular nuclear reactors built.
They solve all our climate change-related challenges AND they eat the waste of older generation reactors.
I fail to see why we're not investing in more nuclear over solar and wind (whose components are not usually recycled)
Re: In Defense of Electricity Markets
#3I, for one, want Gen IV small-modular nuclear reactors built. They solve all our climate change-related challenges AND they eat the waste of older generation reactors. I fail to see why we're not investing in more nuclear over solar and wind (whose components are not usually recycled)
Small modular reactors have almost nothing but disadvantages compared to the good old large-scale PWRs.
The ONLY advantage of SMRs is that they are easier to build because only a handful of companies in the _world_ possess technology to build reactor vessels for large-scale PWRs. And none of them are in the US.
Re: In Defense of Electricity Markets
#4I, for one, want Gen IV small-modular nuclear reactors built. They solve all our climate change-related challenges AND they eat the waste of older generation reactors. I fail to see why we're not investing in more nuclear over solar and wind (whose components are not usually recycled)
This has almost nothing to do with the topic at hand, which was a commentary on the value of a functioning market for electricity (I hesitate to call it a "free" market because any electricity market ends up having a lot of rules).
I personally think Gen IV nuclear reactors have stuff-all chance of competing in such a market, but if somebody believes otherwise and wants to put up the dollars to try, all power to them.
Re: In Defense of Electricity Markets
#5Counterpoint: electricity markets are terrible for reliability.
Markets are great, but there are no pricing signals for reliability. You won't know that your grid will collapse at the first strong breeze, until it happens (see: Texas).
Theoretically, it can work because companies might invest in reliable generation, in the hopes of getting $$$$$$$$$ when the spot price goes up through the roof. But in practice, pretty much nobody wants to wait 5-10 years between "income events".
And it's even worse in Europe. It's just a story of utter market failure.
Re: In Defense of Electricity Markets
#6[deleted]
Re: In Defense of Electricity Markets
#7Counterpoint: electricity markets are terrible for reliability. Markets are great, but there are no pricing signals for reliability. You won't know that your grid will collapse at the first strong breeze, until it happens (see: Texas). Theoretically, it can work because companies might invest in reliable generation, in the hopes of getting $$$$$$$$$ when the spot price goes up through the roof. But in practice, prett…
There are capacity markets, and the article spends a good portion talking about them (or more specifically why they believe energy only markets are superior).
Re: In Defense of Electricity Markets
#8Counterpoint: electricity markets are terrible for reliability. Markets are great, but there are no pricing signals for reliability. You won't know that your grid will collapse at the first strong breeze, until it happens (see: Texas). Theoretically, it can work because companies might invest in reliable generation, in the hopes of getting $$$$$$$$$ when the spot price goes up through the roof. But in practice, prett…
How is it worse in Europe? Where in Europe is it worse?
I can't remember the last time the grid failed.
Re: In Defense of Electricity Markets
#9I, for one, want Gen IV small-modular nuclear reactors built. They solve all our climate change-related challenges AND they eat the waste of older generation reactors. I fail to see why we're not investing in more nuclear over solar and wind (whose components are not usually recycled)
Small modular reactors have almost nothing but disadvantages compared to the good old large-scale PWRs. The ONLY advantage of SMRs is that they are easier to build because only a handful of companies in the _world_ possess technology to build reactor vessels for large-scale PWRs. And none of them are in the US.
We have yet to see, as they've yet to truly enter the market.
So far, the record's not been good for large plants -- they tend to go way over budget and schedule. Case in point: Vogtle.
Re: In Defense of Electricity Markets
#10Electric water heaters have long been in demand response programs, but new upgrades improve their ability to shift energy based on real-time conditions without leaving customers with cold water. Roughly 18% of household energy goes towards water heating, though many buildings still use fuels like natural gas.
Would love to hear more on this point. Which companies are doing the integration?