Mar 282023

For the first time, renewables (solar, wind etc.) surpass coal as a source for the US electric grid.

 

In 2011 EIA had this chart:

US Primary Energy Flow by Source and Sector

So the news is good, renewables increased from ~4% in 2009, powering the grid (according to EIA), to ~21% , powering the grid (according to EIA) in 2022. (Insert smiley face and celebration balloons here.)

BUT…

BUT…

BUT…

NATURAL GAS PRODUCES CO2, JUST LIKE COAL. NATURAL GAS IS A GREENHOUSE GAS PRODUCER WHEN BURNED–JUST LIKE COAL.

And natural gas has increased its market share of the utility industry to ~37% and is now the largest source of feed for utility scale power generation.

Yes, I understand the US utility grid is not ready for either DERs, the effective wheeling of solar/wind generated power, or decentralized control of the grid. (Insert oil and gas emoji here.)

So, in the Climatebull’s ongoing commitment to balance, we present a different perspective on our dystopian future. We bring you a message from an unnamed US oligarch:

“We are moving in the right direction, but too slowly. In the mean time, buy more crap from us.”

Back to the climate issue…

We are in deep shit.

(Insert news distraction here.)

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