Gas has essentially the same climate impacts as coal: 50 % of the emissions when burned, but the methane leaks during extraction and transport etc are so potent, that gas ends up being same as coal for GHG, just lower particulates. The idea that replacing coal with gas is cleaner is a wonderfully successful lie. Plus, most gas is NOT actually been replacing coal, but rather delaying the transition to clean electricity.
I understand the objection, but it overlooks that gas powerplants can and are used at lower (and declining) capacity factors than the coal ones they replace. Gas turbines, particularly aeroderivative ones, can start in minutes and ramp in seconds. My local coal plant takes 48 hours to raise steam and each unit can only modulate down to 40% or so. This leads to either wind/solar curtailment, or the use of expensive storage when the carbon-free generation could otherwise be transmitted and sold.
This really struck me in an article in a mainstream industry rag (Power Mag) about some turbines being installed in Germany. They were intended to have a capacity factor of 10% or so now, decreasing to 3% or less in decade.
Additionally, the maintenance and staffing at gas turbines is far lower than at coal steam plants, so they are far more economical to run at low capacity factors.
Gangsters and solar. Who knew?! Though I have heard the claim that renewable developers are ripping us off despite their pretty tight margins.
As far as the litany of environmental objections to solar farms, I've heard 'em all here, though rarely the floating panel refuse. Interesting system they have for onsite solar. Seems to work well.
Geothermal would seem to have the advantages of: (1) allowing for rapid build out; and (2) opportunities to ingratiate themselves with US business/political community (because the drilling expertise will need to come from somewhere).
Lol, yeah, just run electrical conduit across the straight? Oh, and pass the HK national security law to make sure everything goes smoothly while they're at it?
Gas has essentially the same climate impacts as coal: 50 % of the emissions when burned, but the methane leaks during extraction and transport etc are so potent, that gas ends up being same as coal for GHG, just lower particulates. The idea that replacing coal with gas is cleaner is a wonderfully successful lie. Plus, most gas is NOT actually been replacing coal, but rather delaying the transition to clean electricity.
Gas is an incremental improvement over coal and thus not worth the generational investment.
I understand the objection, but it overlooks that gas powerplants can and are used at lower (and declining) capacity factors than the coal ones they replace. Gas turbines, particularly aeroderivative ones, can start in minutes and ramp in seconds. My local coal plant takes 48 hours to raise steam and each unit can only modulate down to 40% or so. This leads to either wind/solar curtailment, or the use of expensive storage when the carbon-free generation could otherwise be transmitted and sold.
This really struck me in an article in a mainstream industry rag (Power Mag) about some turbines being installed in Germany. They were intended to have a capacity factor of 10% or so now, decreasing to 3% or less in decade.
Additionally, the maintenance and staffing at gas turbines is far lower than at coal steam plants, so they are far more economical to run at low capacity factors.
Gangsters and solar. Who knew?! Though I have heard the claim that renewable developers are ripping us off despite their pretty tight margins.
As far as the litany of environmental objections to solar farms, I've heard 'em all here, though rarely the floating panel refuse. Interesting system they have for onsite solar. Seems to work well.
Well spoken learned a lot
One thing I really wish was mentioned is that for Taiwanese quality of life they don't need to electrify every vehicle, just the scooters!
Anyone who's been to a major city knows how obnoxiously loud they are, you can't sustain a conversation near any major road in Taipei.
There are several options available already but I wish Ricky would have touched on any government incentives to swap them over to electric.
The scooters cause a lot of air pollution in Taiwan too. Electrifying them would be great for local air quality.
Agreed. I was in Taiwan for about a month and I was struck by how bad the air in Taipei could be
Super insightful; thanks Ricky!
Fascinating interview. Thanks for sharing.
Geothermal would seem to have the advantages of: (1) allowing for rapid build out; and (2) opportunities to ingratiate themselves with US business/political community (because the drilling expertise will need to come from somewhere).
Look at what happened to HK over the past few years (with all the crackdowns). That does not seem realistic at all.
Lol, yeah, just run electrical conduit across the straight? Oh, and pass the HK national security law to make sure everything goes smoothly while they're at it?