Comment Re:Net energy? (Score 1) 580
Of course. But it might still be a good way to balance a grid with a lot of variability from renewable sources. Having to dump your electricity on the market at negative prices is a bad thing as it just increases the cost of electricity at the times when there isn't an excess.
This could fix that. much wind/solar? Turn on the petrol synthesizers to absorb the cheap excess power.
Then again, maybe the capital cost would be too high to justify anything else than running the synthesizers 24/7. I have no idea.