Preparedness for when

Frugalsod

MrsLurcherwalker wrote: »

It's the word MULTIPLE that concerns me the most, how many is multiple? and what had caused them ALL to have breakdowns on the same day?

Are they all breakdowns? It would not be inconceivable that the plant owners collaborated and agreed a one day "breakdown" so that the government will accelerate the approvals process for new generating plants. Also it is not really in the interest of the generator companies to have excess capacity. That costs money to maintain and does not generate any income. Also shortages allow them to bid for more valuable contracts from the National Grid, so making even more money without having to invest at all The power generators should be nationalised immediately and allow the national generator company to plan scheduled maintenance at times that will be least inconvenient.

[Deleted User]

Multiple breakdowns is what is written in the article, not the detail of those breakdowns, but multiple on the same day smells to me of rancid herring!

ivyleaf

Mrs LW according to the BBC news website this last happened in February 2012, and before that in 2009.

So it's not unprecedented, and as Frugalsod says, if necessary, companies will be asked to limit their use for a short time to ensure domestic supplies continue. So don't worry YET....(I daresay we'll all be worrying if we get a long cold winter!)

[Deleted User]

Well we've still got the power supply but today isn't cold and mid winter so although there will be the evening 'spike' I hope the National Grid have their finger on the pulse. I'm not worried IVYLEAF, we have enough sensible things by way of preps to let us be very comfortable should the power go down for any reason, I'm actually wondering what the actual 'real' situation is with the generating capacity as the government seem to really want us to take aboard the message that there isn't a capacity and supply problem at all despite the reports we seem to get every year in the media that there will be power shortages in the coming cold season. I'm a born sceptic though so don't listen to my doubts!

Frugalsod

ivyleaf wrote: »

Mrs LW according to the BBC news website this last happened in February 2012, and before that in 2009.

So it's not unprecedented, and as Frugalsod says, if necessary, companies will be asked to limit their use for a short time to ensure domestic supplies continue. So don't worry YET....(I daresay we'll all be worrying if we get a long cold winter!)

Yes but that is also a great excuse to practise living far more frugally anyway. Cutting the power needs down significantly will allow you to find out what you can get by without. So if energy prices rise then you will be better insulated against any potential price rise than many.

pineapple

elaine241 wrote: »

I have pitch forks, a log splitting axe, hand axes, knifes, several types of gun and plenty of ammo ,,,,,,,,,,, hand "hackers", garden forks, chainsaws, etc etc

Backs slowly away...:eek:

maryb

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/energy/11975069/Power-plant-breakdowns-force-National-Grid-to-issue-alert.html

This seems to suggest they are actually having to use the demand side management for the first time rather than just bringing onstream the "peakers" - which happens quite often.

I'm surprised because as Mrs L says, it's not cold, though it is quite still and windless so no wind power, and I thought they had recovered from the Ferrybridge fire - we drove past it a few weeks ago and it seemed to be steaming away quite merrily.

Not a good sign for the sort of cold clear still days and plummeting nighttime temperatures we get with a high pressure system in winter

edit: reading it again, it looks as if they are going for demand management in priority to bringing mothballed plants online. So maybe it's just a change of approach because it's cheaper that way round rather than a sign of running out of options

dragonette

It might not be cold in some parts of the country, but several days of cold, still mist and fog has meant a lot more heating being used in my area. Everything felt damp, and so, colder.

Energy supplies are always a concern for me. I suspect most of us will be ok, just wondering what year its going to be when it doesn't all muddle on ok

jk0

maryb wrote: »

edit: reading it again, it looks as if they are going for demand management in priority to bringing mothballed plants online. So maybe it's just a change of approach because it's cheaper that way round rather than a sign of running out of options

http://www.theguardian.com/business/2015/nov/04/national-grid-issues-urgent-call-for-extra-power

Severn Trent sold power to the National Grid at £2,500 per megawatt hour during the afternoon, industry sources confirmed, compared with the typical price at that time of about £60.

I bet they don't get asked to do that again. £2.50 per unit!

jk0

BTW, I guess this is why TPTB are so keen for us all to have smart meters, isn't it?

Once about 90% of people have them, I dare say that your supply conditions will change so that anyone can have their supply cut off if there is a crisis.

Don't fall for it, folks.