Renewables don't work

[EternalOptimist]

[BlasterBates]

More than half never read beyond the headline. They're a valuable propaganda tool.

Gates is right, but he is talking more in the sense that the sheer scale of the problem demands better solutions - including renewables - than the ones we have invested in now, which is different from the 'renewables won't cut it' spin of the Reg coverage. If you've seen his TED presentation he talks about the need to reduce carbon emissions to zero, the Kaya Identity and the need to decarbonise:

**

A solution that works needs a response far greater than the market has so far delivered, delayed in part by the efforts of people who argue we don't even have a problem ...


Bill Gates: Innovating to zero! | TED Talk | TED.com

Your quite right when Bill Gates says

Gates told the Financial Times that the only way current technology could reduce global emissions is at “a beyond astronomical cost” and that innovation is the only way to reach a positive scenario.

So what he means is that the current technology is perfectly acceptable.

Obviously I misunderstood, I thought that what he was saying was the only way current technology could reduce global emissions is at “a beyond astronomical cost” and that innovation is the only way to reach a positive scenario.

sorry about that.

[EternalOptimist]

Your quite right when Bill Gates says


So what he means is that the current technology is perfectly acceptable.

Obviously I misunderstood, I thought that what he was saying was the only way current technology could reduce global emissions is at “a beyond astronomical cost” and that innovation is the only way to reach a positive scenario.

sorry about that.

Only a few short years ago we were told that these renewables were economical and could compete with coal oil and gas on the open market. He was crowing about some third world hell hole that managed to produce half its lecky through wind on one night for half an hour.
Now they need billions spent on R&D in order to get to where he claimed they were years ago.

Put the goalposts down pj.

[pjclarke]

That's a bit harsh on Denmark .

[pjclarke]

So what he means is that the current technology is perfectly acceptable.

We could parse this all day, what he did not say is renewables don't work, which were the words you put in his mouth.

[BlasterBates]

We could parse this all day, what he did not say is renewables don't work, which were the words you put in his mouth.

Can we agree on ....

the only way current technology could reduce global emissions is at “a beyond astronomical cost”

[pjclarke]

Only a few short years ago we were told that these renewables were economical and could compete with coal oil and gas on the open market.

*

Gates' remarks are informed by the need to get to zero carbon emissions, which is a rather more ambitious, but still necessary goal than mere grid parity. As to the 'billions', we should divert some of the 0.7% of global GDP that currently goes on fossil subsidies. But we won't.

HTH.

[pjclarke]

Can we agree on ....

the only way current renewables technology alone could reduce global emissions to the degree necessary to prevent dangerous climate change is at “a beyond astronomical cost”

We've known that for some time, hence most environmentalists favour a mix of renewables, carbon capture and carbon-neutral technologies, plus massive investment in helper technologies such as HVDC to distribute power long distances to solve the intermittance problem and better storage.

I think that captures Gates' meaning a little more accurately.

[d000hg]

That's a bit harsh on Denmark .

Does Denmark accurately represent the terrain, weather and population density of the world's developed nations?
You might as well hold Scotland up as an example why Netherlands should base all their energy needs on non-tidal hydro.

[EternalOptimist]

This is the border between the Dominican republic and Haiti.
The country on the left is a 'green paradise' fully embracing renewables. The country on the right has stuck with fossil fuels.

The poor sods on the left in Haiti ,have had to burn nearly every bit of wood they can lay their hands on for fuel for cooking , warmth and light.