Are solar and wind really killing coal, nuclear and grid reliability?

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Published:
May 31, 2017

New research from UT Austin examines the effect of increased amounts of renewable energy on electric grid reliability and the status of nuclear and coal-fired power plants. In a new op-ed published in The Conversation, Energy Institute Postdoctoral Researcher Dr. Joshua Rhodes, Institute Deputy Director Dr. Michael Webber, Institute Research Associate Dr. Todd Davidson and Graduate Research Assistant Thomas Deetjen note that significant amounts of solar power would increase annual grid management costs by $10 million, while reducing annual wholesale electricity costs by $900 million. The article also points out that new natural gas combined cycle power plants can be built for about one-sixth the cost of a new nuclear plant, are almost twice as efficient, and can be added in smaller increments, making them easier to finance. For more, read the entire op-ed and coverage of this new research in Vox.