“A stalking horse for gas” is a powerful image and a neat description of the seemingly innate allergic reaction some have to renewables: ANYTHING but renewables, I hear them cry. Could it be that renewables are anathema, or at least counterproductive, to those after huge profits and privatisation.
Why, I can put solar panels on my roof and, voila, I don’t have to pay anyone for my power.
“A stalking horse for gas” is a powerful image and a neat description of the seemingly innate allergic reaction some have to renewables: ANYTHING but renewables, I hear them cry. Could it be that renewables are anathema, or at least counterproductive, to those after huge profits and privatisation.
Why, I can put solar panels on my roof and, voila, I don’t have to pay anyone for my power.
I wonder how many times you’re going to have to write a variation of this piece, John.
Thank you for continuing to fight the good fight against nonsense.
I would be interested in your thinking on baseload power
Perhaps a follow-up post.
Already done, nearly 15 years ago. Needs a bit of updating, but hits the main points
https://johnquiggin.com/2009/07/22/the-myth-of-baseload-power-demand/
I thought you had.
Pretty sure I've seen that covered many times, but I'm too lazy to look for it.
"Baseload" was invented by the owners of coal-fired generators, basically because it's too expensive to make them follow demand.
When Sydney, BRISB have an 'East Coast Low' and the sun doesn't shine for 9-10 days
'Baseload' power separates civilisation from something that..
isn't.
We've heard it all before, and it's still nonsense.