Thanks for an interesting article. I keep having this argument with my son in law who is fully on board with "The energy transition". He keeps telling me that we have this enormous installed capacity in renewables and I keep telling him that it doesn't matter how much installed capacity we have, at night when the wind is not blowing there is little electricity being generated from renewables. His answer is ah yes but we have battery backup and I have to explain that backup for renewables is gas not batteries. He thinks that if only we could get rid of all gas then electricity would be much cheaper. What can you do?
Excellent article, thank you. Regretfully, I believe the Government do not care how many frail, vulnerable people die as a result of the cold. Indeed, they probably welcome it.
Jamie, thanks for the article. A few points I’m unclear on:
Even if new gas licences were approved now, wouldn’t production be years away? How does that address the short term winter risks you’re highlighting?
You mention wind dropping in winter. Are you referring to onshore, offshore or both? Offshore wind in particular tends to be stronger and more consistent in winter, so I’m interested in what dataset you’re using.
Net zero policy also includes large scale home insulation aimed at reducing overall heat demand. How does reduced heating demand factor into the supply balance you’re describing?
I would argue that wind power has no place in a humane world which values all life due to the amount of wildlife which gets mown down by wind turbines.
I still think nuclear anything is a hugely dangerous thing but that appears to be an old-fashioned view these days.
However, it's the stupid political policies made by vain hubristic unintelligent over-promoted idiots like Milliband that make me want to scream, make me scared of the future awaiting us all, make me absolutely despair.
My grandmother lived in a terraced Victorian house with an outside loo, a cold tap in the kitchen, smelly town gas for the stove, no electricity upstairs, no water upstairs, no fridge, open coal fires. She lived to a ripe old age but she was always slightly unwell because she was poor with no proper facilities.
Ed Milliband clearly didn't have a poor Victorian grandmother so he has no real idea of the poverty and hardship he is willing to impose on people.
Thanks for an interesting article. I keep having this argument with my son in law who is fully on board with "The energy transition". He keeps telling me that we have this enormous installed capacity in renewables and I keep telling him that it doesn't matter how much installed capacity we have, at night when the wind is not blowing there is little electricity being generated from renewables. His answer is ah yes but we have battery backup and I have to explain that backup for renewables is gas not batteries. He thinks that if only we could get rid of all gas then electricity would be much cheaper. What can you do?
Stop talking to him about it
Yes, probably a good idea.
Excellent article, thank you. Regretfully, I believe the Government do not care how many frail, vulnerable people die as a result of the cold. Indeed, they probably welcome it.
Jamie, thanks for the article. A few points I’m unclear on:
Even if new gas licences were approved now, wouldn’t production be years away? How does that address the short term winter risks you’re highlighting?
You mention wind dropping in winter. Are you referring to onshore, offshore or both? Offshore wind in particular tends to be stronger and more consistent in winter, so I’m interested in what dataset you’re using.
Net zero policy also includes large scale home insulation aimed at reducing overall heat demand. How does reduced heating demand factor into the supply balance you’re describing?
Cheers
Makes me want to scream with impotent rage!
I would argue that wind power has no place in a humane world which values all life due to the amount of wildlife which gets mown down by wind turbines.
I still think nuclear anything is a hugely dangerous thing but that appears to be an old-fashioned view these days.
However, it's the stupid political policies made by vain hubristic unintelligent over-promoted idiots like Milliband that make me want to scream, make me scared of the future awaiting us all, make me absolutely despair.
My grandmother lived in a terraced Victorian house with an outside loo, a cold tap in the kitchen, smelly town gas for the stove, no electricity upstairs, no water upstairs, no fridge, open coal fires. She lived to a ripe old age but she was always slightly unwell because she was poor with no proper facilities.
Ed Milliband clearly didn't have a poor Victorian grandmother so he has no real idea of the poverty and hardship he is willing to impose on people.