Emeritus Prof Christopher MayDec 12

As Dale Vince (Ecotricity) points out, all that is required to reduce energy prices (specifically electricity) in the UK is to remove the requirement from the auction system that the price is dictated by the highest bid (nearly always that made by gas).

Breaking the link with gas prices (and allowing each energy source to be supplied at its actual bid price) would immediately reduce energy prices across the country.

Moreover the Govt. has the power to do this, they just don't!

#energy
h/t FT

Show threadGeofCoxDec 12

@ChrisMayLA6

As I understand it, the reason for maintaining prices at levels required by gas generation is that at lower prices the private gas generators are not viable - so the owners won't keep them going to cover any gaps in renewable generation - so the problem is not regulation, but private for-profit ownership.

Show threadEmeritus Prof Christopher May

@GeofCox

Indeed, which is why battery technology is so crucial - to remove the stranglehold gas has over bridging renewable energy gaps

Dec 12 at 6:40amWeb
Show threadAndrocatDec 12
@ChrisMayLA6 @GeofCox Meanwhile, the solar and wind costs around half - where does that money go? Are the solar and wind providers just getting a massive windfall?
Show threadUkeleleEricDec 12
@ChrisMayLA6 @GeofCox Depends on the sort of batteries, though. Hydro storage, salt batteries, and newer types of battery all have a part to play. And also, we need to make it more viable for people to use slightly less by charging more per unit and less on standing charges (there is little incentive on a low-level user using slightly less at the moment).
Show threadSellaTheChemistDec 12
@ChrisMayLA6 @GeofCox Only up to a point. Battery storage will not do several days of calm, cold and darkness (oh we do love the word Dunkelflaute!). So gas backup is needed. The question is at what cost.
Show threadDamonHDDec 12
@sellathechemist @ChrisMayLA6 @GeofCox thus my advocating H2 in existing/new methane stores which could cover dunkelflaute(n), though parting CEO of National Grid was seemingly downbeat on that prospect recently.
Show threadDavid SDec 12

@sellathechemist @ChrisMayLA6 @GeofCox

It would be good to know how often the "gas backup" has actually been used for more than a day over the past few years

Show threadDavid SDec 12

@sellathechemist @ChrisMayLA6 @GeofCox see also

https://climatejustice.social/@ketan/115707427930254790

Ketan Joshi (@[email protected])

Attached: 1 image Your daily reminder: Fossil fuels = blackouts The extreme weather impacts of relying on fossil fuels has been directly responsible for a massive, catastrophic increase in the frequency and duration of blackouts in the US. Coal, oil and gas are directly and undeniably responsible for this, and we don't even get close to tackling this trend unless we stop using them. https://www.utilitydive.com/news/power-outages-extreme-weather-jd-power/805658/

Climate Justice Social