5 ms·

It typically takes 11-12 years for a nuclear plant to get built including planning and construction [1]. Is the idea that we'd build the data centers now, and

It typically takes 11-12 years for a nuclear plant to get built including planning and construction [1]. Is the idea that we'd build the data centers now, and finish the nuclear plants to power them 11-12 years from now? https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Typical-timeline-of-a-nuclear-plant-construction-and-start-up-project-Source-IAEA_fig5_304660691 https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Typical-timeline-of-a-nu...

leonidasrup 12d ago
For wind turbine project from design and planning to operational use-takes approximately 4-7 years. An offshore wind turbine project requires about 7-10 years. https://jmhpower.com/how-long-does-it-take-to-build-a-wind-turbine/ https://jmhpower.com/how-long-does-it-take-to-build-a-wind-t...
- triceratops 12d ago
  > For wind turbine project from design and planning to operational use-takes approximately 4-7 years. That's still better than 11-12 years. How long does a solar farm take? If residents' opposition is rooted in higher power prices, data centers could just pay extra instead until the new capacity comes online. Seems like a cheap way to pay off opposition. > An offshore wind turbine project requires about 7-10 years. Given this article is about Pennsylvania, it'll probably take millions of years.
  - leonidasrup 12d ago
    > How long does a solar farm take? 24–48 months, but for a data center that has to run 24/7 you need to also build a gas power plant. https://www.pvfarm.io/blog/utility-scale-solar-project-development-stages https://www.pvfarm.io/blog/utility-scale-solar-project-devel... https://globalenergymonitor.org/research/betting-big-data-centers-us-now-leads-world-new-gas-power-development https://globalenergymonitor.org/research/betting-big-data-ce...
    - triceratops 12d ago
      Or use batteries. Also residential and industrial use will be lower at night. So the existing grid supply may also be enough.
      - leonidasrup 12d ago
        In many places the contraty is true, peak electricity prices are after sunset, during night.
        triceratops 12d ago
        > peak electricity prices are after sunset The famous evening duck curve, when people go home and cook and turn on heating/cooling appliances. California is able to flatten that out with batteries alone. https://eticaag.com/battery-storage-and-the-duck-curve-march-29-event/ https://eticaag.com/battery-storage-and-the-duck-curve-march... > during night When everyone's asleep? Serious doubt, please show your sources.
        no-name-here 12d ago
        The 2024 NYT infographic also has a nice visualization of how batteries flattened the evening curve as of then: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2024/05/07/climate/battery-electricity-solar-california-texas.html?unlocked_article_code=1.qk0.aDOa.5SNsIkE259D5&smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare&sgrp=c-cb https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2024/05/07/climate/batte...
        leonidasrup 12d ago
        > When everyone's asleep? Serious doubt, please show your sources. Lot of industry, especialy heavy industry, chemical plants are running 24/7. For expensive night prices see electricity prices in Europe, expensive natural gas, coal power production with carbom tax. https://app.electricitymaps.com/map/zone/DE/live/fifteen_minutes https://app.electricitymaps.com/map/zone/DE/live/fifteen_min...
- no-name-here 12d ago
  Adding to the sibling comment, from your link: * The longest piece for wind is "Approvals and permits" which takes up to 5 years of the 4-7y. * The building part "takes approximately 3-6 months" for building wind. So wind can be built far faster if we're willing to speed up approvals and permitting. And even if corners are cut for approvals/permitting, the worst case for a wind turbine failure is a lot better than a nuclear failure.

leonidasrup 12d ago

For wind turbine project from design and planning to operational use-takes approximately 4-7 years. An offshore wind turbine project requires about 7-10 years. https://jmhpower.com/how-long-does-it-take-to-build-a-wind-turbine/ https://jmhpower.com/how-long-does-it-take-to-build-a-wind-t...

triceratops 12d ago
> For wind turbine project from design and planning to operational use-takes approximately 4-7 years. That's still better than 11-12 years. How long does a solar farm take? If residents' opposition is rooted in higher power prices, data centers could just pay extra instead until the new capacity comes online. Seems like a cheap way to pay off opposition. > An offshore wind turbine project requires about 7-10 years. Given this article is about Pennsylvania, it'll probably take millions of years.
- leonidasrup 12d ago
  > How long does a solar farm take? 24–48 months, but for a data center that has to run 24/7 you need to also build a gas power plant. https://www.pvfarm.io/blog/utility-scale-solar-project-development-stages https://www.pvfarm.io/blog/utility-scale-solar-project-devel... https://globalenergymonitor.org/research/betting-big-data-centers-us-now-leads-world-new-gas-power-development https://globalenergymonitor.org/research/betting-big-data-ce...
  - triceratops 12d ago
    Or use batteries. Also residential and industrial use will be lower at night. So the existing grid supply may also be enough.
    - leonidasrup 12d ago
      In many places the contraty is true, peak electricity prices are after sunset, during night.
      - triceratops 12d ago
        > peak electricity prices are after sunset The famous evening duck curve, when people go home and cook and turn on heating/cooling appliances. California is able to flatten that out with batteries alone. https://eticaag.com/battery-storage-and-the-duck-curve-march-29-event/ https://eticaag.com/battery-storage-and-the-duck-curve-march... > during night When everyone's asleep? Serious doubt, please show your sources.
        no-name-here 12d ago
        The 2024 NYT infographic also has a nice visualization of how batteries flattened the evening curve as of then: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2024/05/07/climate/battery-electricity-solar-california-texas.html?unlocked_article_code=1.qk0.aDOa.5SNsIkE259D5&smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare&sgrp=c-cb https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2024/05/07/climate/batte...
        leonidasrup 12d ago
        > When everyone's asleep? Serious doubt, please show your sources. Lot of industry, especialy heavy industry, chemical plants are running 24/7. For expensive night prices see electricity prices in Europe, expensive natural gas, coal power production with carbom tax. https://app.electricitymaps.com/map/zone/DE/live/fifteen_minutes https://app.electricitymaps.com/map/zone/DE/live/fifteen_min...
no-name-here 12d ago
Adding to the sibling comment, from your link: * The longest piece for wind is "Approvals and permits" which takes up to 5 years of the 4-7y. * The building part "takes approximately 3-6 months" for building wind. So wind can be built far faster if we're willing to speed up approvals and permitting. And even if corners are cut for approvals/permitting, the worst case for a wind turbine failure is a lot better than a nuclear failure.