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The Forum > Article Comments > Why won't politicians stop lying about 'reliable renewables'? > Comments

Why won't politicians stop lying about 'reliable renewables'? : Comments

By Geoff Carmody, published 27/4/2017

What happens if politicians dont stop lying? Houston, we have a problem.

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Geoff,

I'd make two points. I hope you will respond.

First, there is a lack of valid evidence to support the contention that 2C to 3C increase in global mean surface temperature this century would negatively impact the global economy or human well-being - refer: IPCC AR5 WG1 Chapter 3, NAS review of "damage function" used in IAMs, Tol (2013) Figure 3 (free access to Working Paper here: http://www.copenhagenconsensus.com/sites/default/files/climate_change.pdf ). Ignore the energy line on the chart for now. I expect it is probably incorrect. We can discuss why if interested.

Second, carbon pricing almost certainly will not succeed, for reasons I explain here: https://anglejournal.com/article/2015-11-why-carbon-pricing-will-not-succeed/
For the similar reasons no policies that will damage economies will be politically and economically sustainable over the time they would be required.
Posted by Peter Lang, Thursday, 27 April 2017 9:25:57 AM
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Two points from this essay.
Don`t put all your eggs in the one basket.. (not original I know)
and
Why won`t politicians stop lying.
Full stop.
Posted by ateday, Thursday, 27 April 2017 10:22:26 AM
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Where the hell is Don Quixote when you need him.

What a wordy way of saying renewable power generation is a catastrophe, forced on us by idiots too dumb to see the CO2 global warming scare is a fraud, or, more likely with this one, looking for an avenue for crony capitalism opportunities & a quick buck.

We recently saw a ratbag socialist [Labor] government in South Australia blowing up a perfectly useable coal power station. Yes that's right, one of those brilliant engineering wonders that supplied cheap reliable electricity, while feeding the flora. This stupidity probably bought them a few green votes, but guaranteed expensive power for those who can't afford it.

I wonder how long it will be before we see sensible governments blowing up, [down] these ugly useless windmill towers?"
Posted by Hasbeen, Thursday, 27 April 2017 10:43:58 AM
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Most points well made and cogent! The only renewables that support either base load and affordability? Remain solar thermal, which can and does compete on more than equal terms on rollout costs, reliability and base load requirement, with coal, is solar thermal. And here we only need look at working examples in California or Arizona, for substantiated evidence from private entities, investing/risking their own money.

Moreover, the fuel is forever free! the only drawback is the energy wasting and costly grid/distribution system it needs to be connected to.

After that we have homemade biogas, generated on the premises of the users, created in modest digestors, and then used to reliable provide power, whether the wind blows or the sun shines! Every family produces enough biological waste to power their domiciles 24/7 and create endless free hot water. Further, if food scraps are added, able to produce a salable surplus. However if the gas is scrubbed and the diesel replaced with a totally silent ceramic fuel cell, then the available energy quotient is doubled as is the energy coefficient, which at 80% is the best in the world? And that option also includes endless free water and complete energy independence! And the very reason our "politicians" aren't behind or regulating its timely roll out! TBC.
Alan B.
Posted by Alan B., Thursday, 27 April 2017 10:55:39 AM
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Why do politicians lie about renewable energy (which has proved to be not all that energetic)? Because they are ignorant. They are arrogant and and cannot back down after they have accepted and added to lies. That's all I've got time for, but the list is probably endless.
Posted by ttbn, Thursday, 27 April 2017 11:09:44 AM
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This is a very wordy article lacking in rigour and so is well below the standard of Geoff Carmody's usual output. That said, to make a couple of points -

1) The standard capacity factor (average output) of windfarms is about 30 per cent. Its more for offshore installations, about 35 per cent I think. PVs are about 18 per cent.

2) Electricity grids typically keep a certain portion of generating capacity in instant readiness, in case something goes wrong with the stuff being used. The reserve requirements when renewables are on the network are much larger, and complicated by the fact that wind can cut out any time with no "inertia". When conventional plants go down they take a while to stop spinning, but wind farms go off straight away. Real problem.

3) All planning for the network has to be done on the basis that there will be times when none of the renewables will be contributing at all, and those times may be the periods of heaviest demand.

4)Given all that it is obvious that repeated assurance by activists that renewables are cheaper that conventional power is straight nonsense. They require additional investment to use and are a nightmare to manage once in operation.
Posted by curmudgeonathome, Thursday, 27 April 2017 11:11:08 AM
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