[Gandalf_The_Gray]

the ideal grid would have 75% of it full power requirement supplied by nuclear plants with the remaining 25% by gas turbines

But "NUCLEAR" power is expensive you say...

The power isn't expensive, the investment in the infrastructure is and largely because of the long, dragged out licensing process. Every plant built has to start from ground zero, answering the same objections every time. The environmentalists have effectively stopped any development of nuclear power in this country.

What we need to do (if we had a DOE w/ balls) is design a modular plant utilizing best available technology. Nothing off the table, pebble bed reactors, thorium fuel cycle, &c, &c. Then revamp the licensing process to allow "type certification" which would permit private companies to build the modular plants where needed w/out years of fighting with the envirowheenies.

Problem solved!
G

[Scrambler Bob]

G,

The follow on to my ‘smart remark’ is: Instead of pumping the Columbia back up itself, just stop it in place until needed. Saves the friction losses both ways. Get the one, or Al Gore to help, with a single spoken word.

Glad to see you mention thorium!

Of course your well thought out scheme will not get past the (offensive and crude, but true, descriptors ommited) industry-killing progressives.

But I love the simplicity of it!