The Alternative Green Energy Thread

JKenH

Electricity production rising, but RE dipping – IEA

The latest International Energy Agency Monthly Electricity Statistics report, which includes July 2021 data, shows that for total OECD members:

• Total net electricity production was 945.1 TWh in July 2021, up by 6.4% compared to June 2021 and down by 0.3% compared to July 2020. From January to July 2021, total net electricity power production was 6182.7 TWh, up by 2.7% compared to the same period in 2020.
• Total renewable electricity production was 262.0 TWh in July 2021, down by 3.0% compared to June 2021 and down by 2.9% compared to July 2020. Solar production was 52.7 TWh in July 2021, down by 4.9% compared to June 2021 and up by 13.4% compared to July 2020. From January to July 2021, solar power production was 308.9 TWh, up by 17.6% compared to the same period in 2020.

https://www.modernpowersystems.com/news/newselectricity-production-rising-but-re-dipping-iea-9165710

JKenH

Technology saves us: Oxford sees a $26 trillion gain from net zero

Decarbonisation is no global burden, but a bonanza for those quick to seize it

The denialist industry and its front-groups no longer waste effort arguing over climate science. That narrative no longer has traction. Their next line of defence is to deter action by playing up the enormity of the task. 

Extinction Rebellion is their useful idiot. This is not just because it is an offshoot of the extreme anti-capitalist group Rising Up, and therefore plays to the "watermelon" theme: that environmental crusaders are green on the outside but red on the inside.

It is also because these Puritans make net zero seem so hard and so threatening. They want to shut down the affluent lifestyle, dismantle the modern industrial economy, and stop us eating meat.

Greta Thunberg is more careful – amazingly so for her age – but she too slips into this "de-growth" agenda at times. It is fodder for the Kremlin bots working relentlessly on social media to pollute our minds.  

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2021/10/20/technology-saves-us-oxford-sees-26-trillion-gain-net-zero/

JKenH

“Global stillness” has been accused of threatening wind speeds to fall across Europe and boost energy prices

Experts have blamed the growth phenomenon known as “global stilling.” This has reduced measurable wind speeds across the world’s continental surfaces by as much as 15% since 1980.

https://eminetra.co.uk/global-stillness-has-been-accused-of-threatening-wind-speeds-to-fall-across-europe-and-boost-energy-prices/746638/

JKenH

New ways of measuring grid inertia will support integration of renewable generation

Without an accurate measurement of inertia, transmission system operators (“TSOs”) curtail renewable generation, for example, Irish TSO Eirgrid has a system non-synchronous penetration limit of 65%. Clearly, in a world where Governments are keen to see greater use of renewable generation to support environmental objectives, curtailment of renewable output is undesirable, and there is a need to find a way to lower the amount of conventional generation required for grid stability.

https://watt-logic.com/2021/11/05/measuring-grid-inertia/

JKenH

The Net Zero Strategy: disappointingly one-dimensional

A review of the Government’s Net Zero strategy.

https://watt-logic.com/2021/10/25/net-sero-strategy/

QrizB

JKenH said:

New ways of measuring grid inertia will support integration of renewable generation
https://watt-logic.com/2021/11/05/measuring-grid-inertia/

and

JKenH said:

The Net Zero Strategy: disappointingly one-dimensional
https://watt-logic.com/2021/10/25/net-sero-strategy/

Thank you, two interesting articles - in quite different ways!

JKenH

UK has ‘real problems’ with burning wood for electricity, admits Zac Goldsmith

European scientists have called on the UK and EU to end the classification of biomass as carbon neutral, and say the burning of wood will increase global warming for decades to centuries.

The classification relies on the wood that is burned being replaced in new trees, but scientists argue there will be a short-term “carbon debt” while they regrow that will contribute to destructive global warming in coming decades.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2021/11/06/uk-has-real-problems-burning-wood-electricity-admits-zac-goldsmith/

JKenH

‘World first’: Deeside Power Station provides inertia and reactive power to National Grid ESO

Old story from June but I missed it at the  time.

Deeside Power Station, a combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) power plant, is providing inertia and reactive power to National Grid Electricity System Operator (ESO) in what is believed to be a “world first”.

Triton Power’s CCGT plant in Flintshire has started supplying the critical system support services to keep Britain’s power system secure without generating any electricity, reducing the need for carbon emitting generators to come online and enabling the generation of more wind and solar power.

Under the terms of the six-year stability contract, awarded in January 2020, it will provide the grid with support services including inertia and reactive power, which helps to keep the electricity system running at the right frequency to reduce the risk of power cuts.

It will achieve this through using a small amount of power from the grid to spin the rotors and provide stability.

https://www.energylivenews.com/2021/06/24/world-first-deeside-power-station-provides-inertia-and-reactive-power-to-national-grid-eso/

JKenH

Soaring gas prices boost 'green' hydrogen

Surging natural gas prices mean the cleanest form of hydrogen is now the cheapest to produce, new research has suggested, giving the green technology a major boost after years of being held back by cost. 

Making hydrogen by splitting water using electricity from renewable sources costs almost a fifth less in Britain than using power produced by natural gas, according to calculations from market intelligence group ICIS. 

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2021/11/11/soaring-gas-prices-boost-green-hydrogen/

michaels

JKenH said:

Soaring gas prices boost 'green' hydrogen

Surging natural gas prices mean the cleanest form of hydrogen is now the cheapest to produce, new research has suggested, giving the green technology a major boost after years of being held back by cost. 

Making hydrogen by splitting water using electricity from renewable sources costs almost a fifth less in Britain than using power produced by natural gas, according to calculations from market intelligence group ICIS. 

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2021/11/11/soaring-gas-prices-boost-green-hydrogen/

Interesting and positive if true - but doesn't electrolysis cost basically depend on the cost of electricity which, because it is the marginal energy source, is currently tied to the high price of gas?