whatyareckon

Claims about an inevitable wind and solar transition show wishful thinking is no match for the laws of physics. Sunset (a daily occurrence, for the uninitiated) and calm weather (also a common and natural phenomenon) are where the physical reality begins; and the much-heralded shift to an all-wind and solar-powered future begins to unravel.

Then comes the laws of thermodynamics, which mean overblown claims about giant batteries soon being able to store enough power to meet daily demand – whenever wind and solar output routinely collapse – will remain in the realms of fantasy.

True enough, the wind and sun cultist – like ideologues of all shades – isn’t the strongest when it comes to logic and reason and struggles miserably when it comes to maths and physics.

Sterling Burnett, on the other hand, proves to be rather solid on all those counts.

Physics Is Why Renewables Can’t Power Modern…

Goldilocks-thinking is the basis for the wind and solar transition, which relies on power sources that can only operate when conditions are “just right”.

When the weather turns nasty, giant industrial wind turbines simply turn off. When there’s no wind, they produce nothing; when winds hit gale force, they produce nothing.

Solar panels aren’t any more resilient.

A few fluffy clouds give them grief.

Hailstones make short work of them; a blanket of snow and ice cuts their production to nothing, even when the sun is shining.

A hurricane or tornado soon tears them to worthless shreds.

As the wind and sun cult would have it, however, the answer is always more wind and solar capacity, not less.

Their central and founding myth is that solar panels and wind turbines are gradually, inevitably replacing conventional generators, especially coal-fired power plants.

Meanwhile, back on Earth, the weather is…