Generation storage and substitute chemistries

Rows of photovoltaic panels at Williamsdale solar farm.

PhotographSolar arrays at Williamsdale. Their nameplate rating, annual output and dependable delivery are separate quantities in the power calculations.Grahamec · 6 December 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Source · Credits and details · Open full-size image

Stacked mass bars show the different elemental shares in chalcopyrite, alumina and lithium iron phosphate. Copper is about 34.6 per cent of pure chalcopyrite and aluminium about 52.9 per cent of pure alumina.

Fixed worked exampleChemical composition supplies one conversion. Ore grade supplies another. Recovery supplies a third. The feedstock calculator applies all three, so a compound, an ore and refined metal remain separate quantities.Sovereign Capacity Lab calculations prepared for Luke Nathan Hayes · 7 November 2026 · Strange But True Public Source Licence · Source · Credits and details · Open full-size image

The upper plot shows solar output peaking near midday against a constant one gigawatt load. The lower plot shows stored energy rising during daylight and falling overnight.

Fixed worked exampleIllustrative repeated day: 6 GW of solar nameplate at 25 per cent capacity factor supplies a constant 1 GW load with 20 GWh of usable internal storage and 95 per cent efficiency in each direction. The plot separates instantaneous power from stored energy. Weather and seasonal adequacy need their own time series.Sovereign Capacity Lab calculations prepared for Luke Nathan Hayes · 7 November 2026 · Strange But True Public Source Licence · Source · Credits and details · Open full-size image