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from the job-of-the-future-solar-panel-washer dept.
Most new wind and solar projects will be cheaper than coal, report finds:
Almost two-thirds of wind and solar projects built globally last year will be able to generate cheaper electricity than even the world's cheapest new coal plants, according to a report from the International Renewable Energy Agency (Irena).
The agency found that the falling cost of new windfarms and solar panels meant 62% of new renewable energy projects could undercut the cost of up to 800 gigawatts (GW) worth of coal plants, or almost enough to supply the UK's electricity needs 10 times over.
Solar power costs fell by 16% last year, according to the report, while the cost of onshore wind dropped 13% and offshore wind by 9%.
In less than a decade the cost of large-scale solar power has fallen by more than 85% while onshore wind has fallen almost 56% and offshore wind has declined by almost 48%. Francesco La Camera, Irena's director general, said the agency's latest research proved the world was "far beyond the tipping point of coal".
He said: "Today renewables are the cheapest source of power. Renewables present countries tied to coal with an economically attractive phase-out agenda that ensures they meet growing energy demand, while saving costs, adding jobs, boosting growth and meeting climate ambition."
(Score: 2) by HiThere on Friday June 25 2021, @03:04PM (1 child)
One can hope that the price for energy storage will continue to drop, and it may, but there's no particular reason to believe that it will, at least as far as electric batteries are concerned.
If the graphene-based batteries work out, then it will probably continue to drop. If we remain dependent on Lithium, then that's likely not the case. The cheap sources of Lithium are already being worked out, and new sources will need to be found, or new techniques for extracting it. Of course, new approaches may be developed, but the schedule for "new discoveries" isn't knowable in advance.
Javascript is what you use to allow unknown third parties to run software you have no idea about on your computer.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday June 25 2021, @07:45PM
I find it silly that we are working so hard on Lithium for non-mobile energy storage.
Weight doesn't mean nearly as much for energy storage that can just sit on the floor all day every day.
I would gladly pay half as much for something that weighs 4 times as much in the realm of whole house storage.