Posted on 08/07/2022 10:28:24 AM PDT by Oldeconomybuyer
Berlin has realized it will never again import as much energy from Russia as before the Ukraine war. So the challenge is to wean Germany off its dependence on Russian energy sources, and quickly. The question is how.
Starting this week, German hard coal-fired power stations are restarting operations, which were being phased out because of the hugely detrimental climate impact on a world already ravaged by global warming. Germany's goal had been to phase out all coal-generated electricity by 2038.
But now, the government is swallowing the bitter pill of allowing coal-fired power back onto the grid.
At the beginning of 2021, a tonne of hard coal would go for $64 (€63) on the world market. Now, the price has risen close to $400. Some 7.4 billion tonnes of hard coal were mined last year, half of it in China. But coal-mining countries meet their own needs first, and only 1 billion tonnes end up being traded on the global market.
Given the fact that electricity prices are rising dramatically, there are huge incentives for operators of decommissioned plants to make every effort to get them back on the grid.
(Excerpt) Read more at dw.com ...
LOL
Coal-powered cars are the future, comrade.
President Trump warned them about being dependent on Russian energy.....
Indulging in BS fantasy collapses when you are facing cold, hunger and the rioting and mayhem that follows. I guess they are not laughing at Trump now.
Another win and ‘told you so’ for Trump.
Who got the last laugh, EU dipsh*ts?
Green energy for thee, but not for me.
They should shift back to nuclear.
What impact does China substantially increasing its use of coal for power have on climate change.
What impact does China substantially increasing its use of coal for power have on climate change.
That’s not hard to figure: Germany has proven reserves equivalent to 154.6 times its annual consumption. This means it has about 155 years of Coal left (at current consumption levels and excluding unproven reserves).
And they don’t have to kiss Putin’s ass to get it. Just Greta’s...
Of course I don’t actually believe in climate change as an issue. If I did, though, I’d promote nuclear power all around.
And actually, if they can further develop small nuclear, I very much do favor it. I don’t like mega plants, a shut-down or hiccup causes too much trouble. But many small generators are pretty resilient, I think. If one is down for maintenance, no problem.
They could send a few engineers to West Virginia to learn how to burn clean energy with coal. I live between two huge coal burning giants and the air is clear. I do remember the old days when you came home with a black face if you went to Nashville. And you wheezed through winter.
I don’t know about Chinese plants, but modern American coal plants are pretty pristine. And they are a very reliable base provider for the grid. I like natural gas too, but there is nothing wrong with coal.
Actually, I like wind and solar. Whatever works. But they are only niche providers. They can never be reliable power sources at the grid level.
See my post 16. I agree with you. I used to work in coal plants. Modern plants are very clean.
Heidi is coming to get you!
Safe nuclear’s the answer.
And plants built on safe soil - not on cheap land on fault lines like Japan and California have done.
Before the war in Ukraine, 50% of the coal for Germany's power stations was imported from Russia.
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