ClimateJuly 8, 2026
intermittency
/ˌɪntərˈmɪtənsi/
Definition
The characteristic of being inconsistent, periodic, or not continuous, specifically referring to renewable energy sources that do not generate power around the clock.
Etymology
The word stems from the Latin 'intermittens,' meaning 'ceasing for a time' or 'interrupted.' It entered Middle English to describe things that periodically stop and start.
In the news
The article uses the term to describe the inherent nature of wind and solar power, which requires large-scale batteries to store energy for times when the sun is not shining or the wind is not blowing.
Trump promised to cut electric bills in half. His energy policy is doing the opposite, new analysis finds
Read the full article ↗CNN