March 9, 2009

Utility AEP plans backyard energy storage | Green Tech - CNET News

Utility AEP plans backyard energy storage | Green Tech - CNET News

Both grid and neighborhood scale storage technology to cope with the vagaries of wind and solar produced electricity will need to come a long way to be cost effective. Nevertheless, it's encouraging to see companies and researchers devoting resources to new developments in this field.

We hear little about this in the popular media, which may lead people to believe incorrectly that solar and wind are direct replacements for baseload power from nuclear, hydro and coal. Without storage capacity, they will continue to be bit players on the electricity stage.

Let's remember these are real costs to added to the sources of renewable/alternative electricity when they grow beyond today's minuscule contribution they will make to our electricity supply.

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