• Mihies@programming.dev
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        9 days ago

        Where did you find this info? I found this “Battery storage is planned as well, with as much as 600 megawatts eventually possible if approved” which assuming it’s 600MWh, it’ll provide less than an hour worth of energy. But even 3GWh covers only 4 hours.

        • rbos@lemmy.ca
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          9 days ago

          @kindtoeveryone in another thread:

          The exact figures:

          735.5 MW AC 2,942 MWh

          Verified from Minnesota PUC and EQB.

          Also, overnight you won’t be needing the full output, I would guess. And I’m sure they can draw on other sources.

          • Mihies@programming.dev
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            9 days ago

            So it is 3GWh. Better than 600MWh. While the power requirement during nights might be less, it’s still a problem, specially during winter (short days, clouds, heat pumps etc.). And you need to charge those batteries as well which significantly lowers the power output during the day.

              • Mihies@programming.dev
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                8 days ago

                Pumped hydro is better, but not available everywhere.

                Depending on geography, but yes, it’s rare that you have all requirements for it (hill, river etc.)

                I expect sodium-ion batteries to be the main type of storage going forward, but who knows?

                These certainly seem like the future. There is also fusion, but it won’t be feasible in near future if ever.

                • PuddleOfKittens@sh.itjust.works
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                  7 days ago

                  Honestly fusion isn’t worth talking about. The closest fusion has gotten to a viable power plant is Quaise, the geothermal startup that uses a maser (microwave laser) for drilling.

                  Speaking of which, geothermal might well be the main baseload power plant.

                  • Mihies@programming.dev
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                    7 days ago

                    Fusion is still making progress, though. Slowly, but progress nevertheless. I’m not sure how geothermal is viable in general but if we can harness it, it might do very well also for heating.