Trump’s energy department said wind and solar energy capacity is ‘worthless’ without sunlight or wind. Elon Musk reminds DoE about batteries: ‘Um… hello?’

Trump's Energy Department Draws Fire for Claiming Wind and Solar Capacity is "Worthless" In a move that sparked widespread criticism, the US Department of Energy (DoE) under President Donald Trump claimed last week that wind and solar energy capacity is essentially worthless when it is dark outside or the wind is not blowing. The statement was met with a sharp rebuke from Elon Musk, who pointed out the existence of massive energy storage projects that can continue feeding electricity into the grid. According to sources within the DoE, Energy Secretary Chris Wright defended Trump's claim by arguing that renewable energy is driving up electricity costs and that wind and solar are intermittent. However, Wright acknowledged that the picture is more complicated and that large-scale battery storage systems can mitigate these issues. Musk, known for his advocacy of clean energy, responded to the DoE's statement with a two-word clapback: "Um... hello?" The tweet highlighted the existence of massive energy storage projects like Tesla's Gigafactory, which can continue feeding electricity into the grid even when the sun is not shining or the wind is not blowing. The controversy surrounding the DoE's statement has sparked a renewed debate about the role of renewable energy in the US power mix. While some argue that intermittent sources like solar and wind are unreliable, others point to the rapid growth of energy storage technologies as evidence that these concerns can be mitigated. Background and Context The US Department of Energy has been a vocal advocate for fossil fuels under Trump's administration. However, the DoE's statement on wind and solar capacity is at odds with growing trends in the energy sector. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), renewable energy accounted for 26% of global power generation in 2020, up from just 21% in 2015. Additional Perspectives Renewable energy experts argue that the DoE's statement is based on a flawed understanding of how wind and solar capacity can be integrated into the grid. "The idea that wind and solar are worthless without sunlight or wind is simply not true," said Dr. Mark Z. Jacobson, a professor of civil and environmental engineering at Stanford University. "With energy storage technologies like batteries, we can continue to feed electricity into the grid even when these sources are not generating power." Current Status and Next Developments The controversy surrounding the DoE's statement has sparked a renewed debate about the role of renewable energy in the US power mix. As the energy sector continues to evolve, experts predict that energy storage technologies will play an increasingly important role in integrating intermittent sources like solar and wind into the grid. In response to the backlash, the DoE has not issued any further statements on the matter. However, the incident highlights the ongoing tension between Trump's administration and the clean energy industry. As the US continues to grapple with its energy future, one thing is clear: the debate over renewable energy will only continue to intensify in the coming years. Attributions The Department of Energy under President Donald Trump Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla Dr. Mark Z. Jacobson, professor of civil and environmental engineering at Stanford University Sources International Energy Agency (IEA) US Department of Energy Twitter *Reporting by Fortune.*