The Climate, Environment and Energy Thread

[LP]

I just sat through a panel discussion on the future of batteries as a limiting factor for the uptake of SolarPV, Wind and other "green energy" solutions. The panel was convened after one group correctly identified the growing threat to funding of renewables due to stalled progress on the battery front, primarily with increased interest in nuclear as a low / no carbon alternative, the writing must be on the wall surrounding some renewable and battery credentials if these groups are starting to talk about "the issues".

I was hoping to hear some discussions of innovations, instead I was shocked at the solution offered, it wasn't some new silicon or iron based battery, no far from it, they ignored many new technologies and went straight to the tried and true, pumped hydro!

The irony that these people would suddenly identify pumped hydro as a green energy solution, they even rephrased it as a "Water Battery!"

For years the very same SolarPV and Wind power groups have been telling us how evil hydro is, methane emission, environmental vandalism, loss of habitat, flooding, etc., etc., and yet the moment they feel renewable funding is being threatened by growing interest in base load alternatives they offer pumped hydro as "the battery solution" for renewables.

These people can't possible lay straight in bed, they must sleep all forked up, the whole event just exposes their true focus which is dollars not the environment!