From: stephen@sprunk.org

On 13-Apr-14 16:32, hancock4@bbs.cpcn.com wrote:
> On Sunday, April 13, 2014 4:39:49 PM UTC-4, Stephen Sprunk wrote:
>> Nukes have high fixed costs and low variable costs, so you want to
>> run them at full power 24x7. ...
>
> I don't understand.  All that means is that if you reduce output,
> you're not saving all that much money in fuel costs.

You save a little on fuel, but that's a negligible cost overall.

> But by your statement, you then must spend money to absorb excess
> power.

You don't want to "absorb" excess power; you want to shift it from
off-peak periods to peak periods, which can be done relatively cheaply
and easily with pumped storage.  That keeps your expensive nuke
operating (and making profits) 24x7 yet allows you to vary _net_ output
to match demand.

S

--
Stephen Sprunk         "God does not play dice."  --Albert Einstein
CCIE #3723         "God is an inveterate gambler, and He throws the
K5SSS        dice at every possible opportunity." --Stephen Hawking

--- SoupGate/W32 v1.03
 * Origin: LiveWire BBS -=*=- UseNet FTN Gateway (1:2320/1)