Alas, the most problematic part of the energy curve is the “Duck Curve”, of which only natural gas has been identified as a solution so far.
The setting of the sun does not coincide with higher winds. The elevated winds are deep at night when everyone’s asleep but the grid is actually 1/2 power usage IIRC compared to daytime usage. Not really the 7pm period where solar grossly diminishes (sun is low enough that solar barely contributes anymore), but the day is hot enough that Air Conditioners run, and everyone is home doing laundry or other energy-costly tasks since they’re still awake.
Wind turbines generate the most energy at night, they actually complement solar quite well.
Alas, the most problematic part of the energy curve is the “Duck Curve”, of which only natural gas has been identified as a solution so far.
The setting of the sun does not coincide with higher winds. The elevated winds are deep at night when everyone’s asleep but the grid is actually 1/2 power usage IIRC compared to daytime usage. Not really the 7pm period where solar grossly diminishes (sun is low enough that solar barely contributes anymore), but the day is hot enough that Air Conditioners run, and everyone is home doing laundry or other energy-costly tasks since they’re still awake.