There is never surplus power with a network of a few "turn it on as needed" intensive industrial uses like haber-bosch reactors for ammonia, dessalination plants and electrolysis for aluminium or other metals...right?

[–] WaterWaiver@aussie.zone 2 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago) (1 children)

Generally not, no. Most manufacturers would rather turn it off as needed rather than turn it on as needed. Unpredictable outputs require unpredictable staffing rosters, introduce more risk into plant operations and does not give confidence to customers ("we need to delay your shipment").

Desal would need very big reservoirs to be able to erratically run, but perhaps that is done off peak in some places? Aluminium is complex, you can't let it cool too much otherwise you risk the whole process solidying (no recovery, requires rebuilding entire smeltery).

[–] Gsus4@feddit.nl 1 points 7 months ago

fair enough, makes sense, I was trying to think outside the box of "storing" the power as pumped hydro or batteries...but I guess where they exist, these industries still welcome the negative prices when they happen :)

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