> Nuclear power is not dispatchable.
replyI mean it is, its just slower.
but if you have batteries, then you can divert the power to the batteries to keep them topped up.
While technically possible, given that the vast majority of the cost is capex and not fuel and given that it is already five times the cost of solar and wind when producing at 100% 24/7, setting literal piles of cash on fire might be more economic than using it to dispatch electricity.
replyIf you're using it to charge batteries it's just five times more expensive than equivalent solar or wind.
French nuclear stations are roughly as fast as combined cycle gas (to turn off at least)
replyThe point is, with enough battery, you don't need fast despatch for things like water/gas/nuclear, because the battery does that for you. In the UK the 11gwhr we have (about 1/2-1/3 of one hours consumption) is more than capable to do the balancing.