Hydro and geothermal (at current technology) are minor, secondary at best sources of energy for any major industrial country. Some tiny ones with just right geographic features may rely on them more (like Iceland), but that just isn't an option for any of the major countries.
Anti Nuclear morons funded by big Oil and coal more than likely.
Geothermal can produce a lot of power, if a country has the right prerequisites for it (e.g. Iceland). Many rivers in the UK are especially good for hydroelectric generators, but the trouble is getting the funding for them compared to people wanting go "all in" on solar panels and wind turbines. Unless you're in the peaks of Scotland, wind turbines just aren't that effective.
A lot of the anti-nuclear sentiment was and still is ultimately funded by the oil and coal industries, but it's a cultural thing now: anything with "nuclear" in the title instigates a knee-jerk response.
As a replacement for batteries, hydrogen has extremely nice energy density per weight (not so much per volume.) So it can potentially make renewables a bit more desirable due to storing energy.
Even so-called "renewable" energies aren't; solar panels and wind turbines have an extremely short lifespan before they have to be replaced, and their output is so unreliable that they're little more than a novelty.
When people use "renewable", I always presumed it was the source, not the method, of the generated energy. I conflate the source with finite.
I can, in a steam plant. A steam turbine doesn't care where the steam came from as long as the temperature, pressure, and flow rate are what it wants. If the boiler can handle the fuel and the fire is the right temperature and size, you're in business.
Or just skip the fermentation step and burn it solid in a boiler. Like coal or trash, the emissions going up the flue will be a hassle* to corral and there's ash to deal with. Better than sending it straight to a landfill and simpler than trying to ferment "whatever".
Oh, ya know, if you live in the more rural states, just ask the local rednecks to begin producing their moonshines for fuel instead of consumption, lol.
"Look Mr. Revenuer, this corn squeezin aint for me. It's for my truck."
It is easier to store liquid mass than a Solid. The raw vegetation would take up too much space.
Nope, no they can't. Not in any truly meaningful amount. I mean, we all (Texans) witnessed how reliable said sources of energy are in inclement weather. Texas is HUGE, and transmission of any power from those sources eats a huge percentage of power. In addition, the upkeep of wind is stupid expensive. You will realistically NEVER get a ROI on them energy-wise. The ONLY reason there are so many is b/c of the stupid amount of subsidies keeping them in operation. If those go away, every windfarm in Texas shuts down the next day.
This is where renewable become usable. At the homestead level...not even in the community, town or city level. Small battery bank in our outbuilding that's well ventilated coupled to solar array on your rooves (home & barn if you got it) along with one or two well-situated vertical wind turbines. Charges your battery packs & runs some/all of your home and the excess can be sold off to the grid if you even want to be connected.
