Distributed Generation and the Intermittency of Renewable Energy
When we generate energy from renewable sources, we normally contemplate putting it on the grid. But then the issue arises: What about intermittency, and the need to back it up with dispatchable sources? People often forget that distributed generation does not face that challenge – whether it’s used at home, or in the commercial/industrial arena.
Here’s an article that highlights the use of concentrated solar power (CSP) in enhanced oil recovery. Obviously, I’d be happier if that oil stayed where it was, but if you’re hell-bent on extracting it, and you need lots of heat to facilitate the process, CSP is sure better than burning more fossil fuels.
Just a side note on messaging- I prefer to use the term “variable”to “intermittent” when describing variable renewable resources such as wind and solar. Intermittent implies that they are on/off, while variable better describes what actually happens – power output changing over time.
It’s a losing battle, since most writers have adopted intermittent, but I see no reason to join them.
Good point. Noted for the future.
That makes sense, but of course it does not negate the problem.
Tom, I feel the same way about my preference for the phrase “climate disruption” as both more accurate and descriptive than either of the broadly used “global warming” and “climate change” (both of which sound like they were focus-group tested to minimize impact and dilute meaning).