UK Wind Drought July 2018
August 27, 2018
By Paul Homewood
Repost from Ed Hoskins:
UK Wind Drought July 2018
Introduction
July 2018 was an exceptional month for fine anti-cyclonic weather in the United Kingdom.
The result was that overall wind power capacity for the month was significantly reduced to 11.7% [utilisation], less than half the normal annual capacity percentage in 2017 of 27.3%. On the other hand Solar PV power was at an maximum performance in the fine weather resulting win a capacity figure for the month of 21.2% as opposed to the annual capacity figure for 2017 of 10.3%.
This post outlines the detail of this significant variability which posed very significant problems to those managing the grid.
Read the full post here.
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NOT A LOT OF PEOPLE KNOW THAT 
This continues a trend that became apparent in June – to the extent that I switched investments from wind to solar generators. Greencoat UK Wind reported in the 6 months to end June that generation was about 6% below their anticipated figure due to low wind speeds in May and June. I invest in wind and solar on the basis that if I have to pay a fortune for uneconomically-generated electricity I might as well recover some of my losses by getting a return from the companies that live off the consumer subsidies.
I read with interest yesterday’s poignant posting: “Drought In Central Europe Reveals Cautionary ‘Hunger Stones’ In Czech River.” In light of it, should we propose noting the current and subsequent “wind drought” episodes on the immobile turbines’ “hunger blades?”
The current political situation in Australia on the question of intermittent power dependency is interesting and a good foretaste of what my happen in the U.K. once Brexit calms down.
The “stopthesethings” site is very comprehensive.
I have just topped up my spare gas cylinder in my all electric flat!
Germany also appears to be waking up. Meanwhile, what with Brexit and all that, the UK seems to be still stuck like a rabbit in the Paris headliights.
Get ready, if anti-cyclonic weather settles over the UK this coming winter it could be costly!
‘European gas prices hit three-year highs and are set to keep rising as companies scramble to store enough gas for winter’
“Energy bills are expected to rise when the temperature falls this winter, as the price of gas soars amid a squeeze on supplies and storage.
The price for winter gas is close to 50pc higher than it was this time last year and experts expect prices to rise further, with costs passed on to households and businesses.
Supply jitters have unsettled the market in the wake of a cold spring, while the rising price of oil and carbon allowances drive costs higher still. Although major energy companies typically buy about half their gas a year before it is used, many smaller firms secure a tenth of their supply in advance, threatening higher bills for consumers or financial strain for providers…….”
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2018/08/26/european-gas-prices-hit-three-year-highs-set-keep-rising-companies/
Only a matter of time before our inane energy policies start to have a real detrimental effect on the wellbeing of UK citizens.
“…Get ready…”
A few weeks ago, there was an interruption of gas supply for two days to about three thousand households in East Sussex. The gas network operators swung into action, and there was little real inconvenience, because the weather was good. However, fixing it required calling in engineers “from all over the South-East.” It makes one think…what will happen if “a perfect storm” of problems” should affect our infrastructure – gas or electricity or water or roads – in the middle of winter?
And our “government” is doing what about it? It is their job to protect all it’s People from this sort of disaster, especially as it was caused just by governmment, Labour in collusion with the Conservatives. Once it was the conservative lot who protected the Country and People whilst Labour ruined it, now it is reversed, conservatives steal!
Relying on weather-dependent power is a recipe for blackouts and disaster.
Why can’t our moronic, blinkered Government grasp this simple fact?
Because they are obsessed with “climate change” and because they are technologically-challenged. In other words we are ruled by an establishment of idiots.
And because they and their mates are making loads of cash from the Scam.
“Why can’t…”
According to Parkinson of Parkinson’s Law fame there is always in any organization “One man who Can” – DO things that it is, despite being surrounded by fools. Nowadays, I suspect, the fools are so prevalent that even this last avenue to salvation no longer exists.
Hate to mention it, but my power company and others have announced rate reductions due to the Trump tax cuts. While the reductions are modest, it is money not coming out of my pocket.
And we hate you mentioning it (:-))
Which is why I mentioned it. 🙂
Not only the tax cuts, but Trump just lowered the boom on the cutting of coal-fired power plants. As he so cogently pointed out, it is a matter of national security as well as cost. Pipelines can be bombed or otherwise put out of commission as can other forms of “sustainable” power. Coal, however, to quote him is “indestructible” and plentiful. He is about protecting the power grid.
By the same token, he points out that manufacturing our own steel and aluminum is also a matter of national security.
Reblogged this on Climate Collections.
Co2 emissions will increase as the nuclear stations are retired. Wind turbines will require regular backup from gas and coal plants
On the plus side – isn’t this wind drought a net positive for consumers? Electricity generated by wind is far more expensive than the gas-generated electricity it would have otherwise displaced off the grid (even at the elevated gas price) – so long may the wind drought continue. Even better if it helps highlight the idiocy of our politicians and their obsession with climate change.