Your first graphic shows "reliables" in 2021 vs. "reliables" in 2030, and indicates a 17 percent reduction in reliable energy over the course of the next 6 years or so. The graphic represents "coal retirements," but are other retirements included in that mix? For example, if the SLRs for several nuclear plants were NOT granted, nuclear retirements would also be occurring. And, there will be retirements of plants that are gas-fired as well (OPPD is planning one). How will those requirements affect the slope of that EPA line?
While it is interesting, that graphic could be far more powerful by adding the projected demand over that same period, and the capacity of renewables that would be required to meet that demand, absent scalable storage. Such a depiction would clearly show the magnitude of new capacity needed, and the importance of keeping what reliable capacity we have available now.
Very nice essay, sir. Thank you. A few comments:
Your first graphic shows "reliables" in 2021 vs. "reliables" in 2030, and indicates a 17 percent reduction in reliable energy over the course of the next 6 years or so. The graphic represents "coal retirements," but are other retirements included in that mix? For example, if the SLRs for several nuclear plants were NOT granted, nuclear retirements would also be occurring. And, there will be retirements of plants that are gas-fired as well (OPPD is planning one). How will those requirements affect the slope of that EPA line?
While it is interesting, that graphic could be far more powerful by adding the projected demand over that same period, and the capacity of renewables that would be required to meet that demand, absent scalable storage. Such a depiction would clearly show the magnitude of new capacity needed, and the importance of keeping what reliable capacity we have available now.
Oh, to be a grad student again...