Dunkelflaute

chrissteel said:
unherd.com

Germany's 'Dunkelflaute' is causing an energy crisis in Europe

A new German compound noun is currently gaining traction in international news: Dunkelflaute. It describes weather that is cloudy and windless — in other words, the kind of conditions that highlight the vulnerabilities of renewable power production. Germany is currently experiencing a prolonged...
unherd.com unherd.com

Europe's energy mess
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Switzerland - with their hydroelectric - be like: “meh”
 
These are the sorts of issues the US wouldn't have to worry about as much when it comes to renewables, given our much wider diversity in climate and environmental conditions.

One of many ways in which the US's geographic scope and diversity makes us among the most privileged nations ever. Some people like to attribute our nation's great success to our supposedly unique sense of rugged individuality, but IMO a lot more of it is explained by geography and natural resources. As is illustrated by this meme I've always enjoyed:

 
Bobfripp said:
Drill, baby, drill. amirite?
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That was essentially the plan before Russia invaded Ukraine and everyone guilted Germany into enacting sanctions on Russian natural gas. Germany has mostly stood by the ban and now imports most natural gas from the US and UK mostly via ocean tankers. germany still imports and burns natural gas and it costs more money and pollution to get the gas. I really think they made a huge mistake going away from nuclear.
 
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