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The time has finally come for geothermal energy

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160 points riordan | 2 comments | 17 Nov 25 13:55 UTC | HN request time: 0.002s | source
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1970-01-01 ◴[17 Nov 25 15:27 UTC] No.45954403[source]▶
It always has been. Our problem is switching over existing infrastructure without asinine complainers ruining the revolution. We can't even declare total victory with LED bulbs over incandescent. The war to have solar plants over more coal is falling back to coal thanks mostly to AI. Pushback on geothermal will arrive, I guarantee it.
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parineum ◴[17 Nov 25 15:51 UTC] No.45954657[source]▶
> The war to have solar plants over more coal is falling back to coal thanks mostly to AI.

Also, due to solar not panning out at scale.[1]

More seriously, coal is just cheaper and, with incentives being removed for green energy, it's the cheapest and fastest option to deploy. It's dead simple and well understood reliable power.

[1]https://apnews.com/article/california-solar-energy-ivanpah-b...

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dalyons ◴[17 Nov 25 16:04 UTC] No.45954835[source]▶
Wild take. New coal is not cheaper. There have been no new coal plants built in the US since 2013.

That solar plant you linked is an obsolete experimental technology. Obsolete because regular PV became so much cheaper.

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1. parineum ◴[17 Nov 25 16:17 UTC] No.45954975{3}[source]▶
> New coal is not cheaper.

I see yow it can read that way but it isn't what I said. Coal plants exist, either shuttered or running low loads due to financial incentives (not favoring them).

Studies show solar is cheaper but businesses continue to choose coal. I think the entity who's entire existence depends on them making the correct financial choice is a much better indicator of economic reality than a study made by people who have zero stake (at best) in the game.

I'm all for green energy but I also don't think people are stupid.

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2. amanaplanacanal ◴[18 Nov 25 12:39 UTC] No.45964878[source]▶
The figures I have seen seem to show that newly installed solar and wind is cheaper than running existing coal plants almost everywhere.

What businesses are choosing coal?