Domestic rooftop PV does not generally require reinforcement of the distribution grid, unlike solar farms, wind farms or new thermal generating capacity. On the contrary it may reduce the need for it by generating electricity close to where it is consumed, especially when combined with battery storage, and particularly if future EV charging demands on the distribution grid are taken into account.
Not to detract from your wider point, but ‘duck curves’, ‘cannibalisation’, and ‘capture prices' are real concepts that are worth taking into account and discussing - just that they will likely be sorted in very decentralized ways.
The problem isn’t the economists who’ll surely tell you that 1kW of supply should be valued the same as 1kW of demand reduction in a unified non discriminatory market. The problem is the vested interests that stop that happening !
I think fears of a 'death spiral' for electricity grids has receded because electrification will mean increased loads to be handled by the distribution companies. In Europe and Australia there are much fewer regulations on rooftop solar compared to the USA eg in the UK no planning consent is required. Distrbution company permits are either automatic in the case of small arrays or handled by the installers quickly without involving the consumer. I may do a blog post about the terrible way the USA obstructs buildings-based solar!
Domestic rooftop PV does not generally require reinforcement of the distribution grid, unlike solar farms, wind farms or new thermal generating capacity. On the contrary it may reduce the need for it by generating electricity close to where it is consumed, especially when combined with battery storage, and particularly if future EV charging demands on the distribution grid are taken into account.
Not to detract from your wider point, but ‘duck curves’, ‘cannibalisation’, and ‘capture prices' are real concepts that are worth taking into account and discussing - just that they will likely be sorted in very decentralized ways.
Now I want to know what they mean !
I've discussed some of them on my substance page. Check also Julien Jomeaux's page
Hi David, trying to preorder your book but discount code TOKE30 isn’t working, have I misremembered it?
Dear Martin, Sorry about that, but the discount period has ended now. That's why the code doesn't work. But I hope you can still buy the book!
The problem isn’t the economists who’ll surely tell you that 1kW of supply should be valued the same as 1kW of demand reduction in a unified non discriminatory market. The problem is the vested interests that stop that happening !
I think fears of a 'death spiral' for electricity grids has receded because electrification will mean increased loads to be handled by the distribution companies. In Europe and Australia there are much fewer regulations on rooftop solar compared to the USA eg in the UK no planning consent is required. Distrbution company permits are either automatic in the case of small arrays or handled by the installers quickly without involving the consumer. I may do a blog post about the terrible way the USA obstructs buildings-based solar!