2022-12-27 12:40:00
GERMAN SCARY "DUNKELFLAUTE"
By SCHALK CLOETE Research Scientist Independent
ENERGYCENTRAL - Dec 20, 2022 - It looks like a long month of the dreaded "Dunkelflaute" is finally drawing to a close with winds returning to Germany. This is just one of the many problems (https://bit.ly/3jeG6nd) with the green ideal, especially applicable to Northern regions: No matter how much capacity is installed, there will always be times when wind and solar generate very little power for weeks on end.
The push to greater electrification will only make this problem worse. For example, transitioning from gas boilers to heat pumps will strongly increase winter peak load, requiring expensive expansions of transmission and distribution networks and backup power plants to secure supply during the Dunkelflaute. Electric vehicles also become considerably less efficient in winter, adding further load at the least convenient times.
How will the 55 GW of generation from coal, gas, and nuclear be replaced during weeks of wind-still winter in mid-century Germany? Batteries are a complete no-go for energy storage over such long timescales and power-to-H2-to-power will be super expensive due to the low round-trip efficiency and the cost of storing hydrogen. Most probably, natural gas and even coal will stick around much longer than green advocates envision.
-----
Earlier:
2022, November, 25, 10:40:00
GERMANY'S ENERGY PLAN €54 BLN
The German government has announced it will introduce a €54bn package of measures aimed at supporting German companies and households amid rising energy prices.
2022, October, 24, 12:15:00
GERMANY'S ENERGY CRISIS HELP €200 BLN
This €200bn package is expected to include a €96bn subsidy scheme which was introduced earlier in October 2022.
2022, October, 20, 14:20:00
GERMANY'S GAS WINTER HOPE
"If we continue to meet our savings target of at least 20% in Germany, if three LNG terminals start operating at the beginning of next year at the latest, and if the expected winter-related decline in imports and the rise in currently low exports remain moderate, then we can get through the winter without a national gas emergency," he said in a statement.
2022, October, 19, 11:40:00
GERMAN NUCLEAR CONTINUATION
Germany could face power shortages this winter without the supplies of Russian gas on which its economy has relied.
2022, October, 7, 10:20:00
GERMANY'S GAS REDUCTION
The head of Germany's Federal Network Agency, which would be in charge of gas rationing in the event of a supply emergency, repeated his warning a week ago that consumption was too high.
2022, October, 6, 13:10:00
GERMAN ENERGY SUPPORT 200 BLN EUROS
European countries should guard against distorting the common market with billions in state support and must maintain a level playing field
2022, October, 6, 13:05:00
GERMAN ECONOMY DROP
Germany is rushing to minimize the impact of surging energy costs after Russia curtailed supplies of natural gas in retaliation for sanctions imposed after its invasion.
