Reposted from the NoTricksZone
By P Gosselin on 6. February 2021
Green energy and COVID-19 lockdowns are playing energy Russian roulette with people’s lives. Perfect winter storm brewing.
A winter blizzard is set to strike Central Europe, bringing with it the potential to wreak power outage havoc. Temperatures will plummet to as low as -15°C accompanied by bone-chilling high winds. Closed shops due to COVID-19 are leaving citizens unprepared. A protracted power outage would be devastating.
In the coming hours, a high pressure system situated over Scandinavia and storm Tristan to the south will collide over central Europe and develop into dangerous weather conditions over one of Europe’s most populated regions, North Rhine Westphalia Germany.
Watch the Kachelmann forecast (in German) here.
There are some major problems with this storm that will test the German power grid stability and even possibly the citizens’ ability to fend for themselves.
Power grid at risk: hours of freezing rain
First will be the band of freezing rain that is forecast across the Ruhr region of North Rhine Westphalia. According to Kachelmannwetter.de, the freezing rain period could last hours and thus lead to heavy weight loads on power transmission structures as ice builds up. Lines could collapse.
High winds – even heavier loads
To make matters worse, high winds will further exacerbate the loads on the already ice-coated power transmission infrastructure – thus increasing the probability of power line structural failure and an ensuing power blackout, which in turn could cascade and threaten the European power grid.
Winter blackout not unprecedented
Such a blackout would not be unprecedented. In 2006, a major European blackout was caused by a disconnection of a powerline crossing in northwest Germany. The power outage quickly cascaded across Europe, extending from Poland in the north-east, to the Benelux countries and France in the west, through to Portugal, Spain and Morocco in the south-west, and across to Greece and the Balkans in the south-east.
Also just last month a major European blackout was narrowly averted. The cause: wintry weather, which was mild compared to what is forecast to hit soon.
November snow storm 2005
Wintry weather causing a blackout also occurred on November 25, 2005, in northwest Germany when the region was hit by a snow storm. Power transmission lines, which had been poorly maintained over the previous years, collapsed under the weight of ice and caused a large blackout. According to power company RWE, around 250,000 people in 25 municipalities lost power.
Grid more destabilized than ever – unsteady green energies
Another problem with this weekend’s coming storm – in addition to high winds and ice – is the fact that Germany’s power grid is more unstable than ever – thanks to the wildly fluctuating supply from wind and solar energy. Also a number of baseload-providing nuclear and coal power plants have been taken out of service, thus further destabilizing the country’s and continent’s power grid.
Power grid winter Russian roulette with people’s lives
The forecast weather conditions mean almost zero solar energy, and the expected high winds may necessitate the shutdown of wind turbines or cause wild feed-in fluctuations. One thing is certain, the grid will be challenged over the coming hours and days.
Most likely the grid will hold up and keep everyone out of the cold and darkness. But the bad news is that in the wintertime the country’s power grid has turned into a game of energy roulette and citizens have to rely on “a little luck” every time the weather turns stormy and frigid cold – thanks in large part to disastrous energy policies by the German government.
The worst time for any blackout is during a period of blizzard and bitter cold. People can freeze to death quickly. In such times they rely more than ever on a stable power supply.
What if there’s a longer term blackout?
For my wife and I here in northwest Germany, we would be toast.
With this weekend’s forecast high winds and temperatures dropping to near -15°C, we’d not only lose both power but also heat. Our natural gas furnace is controlled electrically, so it would cease to function too. Within hours the house would turn very cold and uninhabitable. We don’t have a woodstove or a fireplace. We’d have to move in with friends or relatives who have wood heat.
It would not be possible to go out and buy a generator to power the furnace because the stores are closed – due to Corona! I’ve got a gas bottle for the barbecue grill, but it’s almost empty. And I can’t fill it because the shops are closed – due to Corona. What a time for a lockdown – just when people need to be preparing the most.
Without heat at home, we could just stay at a hotel, right? Wrong. They’re closed too – because of COVID. So are bars and restaurants.
All the ingredients for a perfect disaster
Across the country, many people face the same scenario. Most would somehow get by, I’m sure. But if a blackout should occur, many will risk freezing to death in large part because of the self-inflicted green energies grid instability and the Corona lockdowns making it impossible for them to prepare properly.
We can almost see the perfect disaster brewing.
Unfortunately, this is what the government has left its citizens with: hope for the best! A game of energy Russian Roulette. The winter bullet is in the chamber. We can only hope to miss it.
Quebec 1998 had freezing rain that collapsed many of the metal transmission towers. Windmills will require electricity to device the blades or they will break. The blades have a maximum wind speed envelop to operate in so many will be shut down but need electricity for various maintenance functions.
If Leftist enviro-wackos get their way, the next major energy source won’t be wind, solar, Light Water Reactors, Fusion Reactors or LFTRs….. it’ll be furniture..
Anyone with a natural gas line should get a 99% efficient ventless gas fireplace – either one that goes into an existing fireplace or a stand alone. My winter gas bills have decreased by about 20% since getting mine and getting a fire going in the fireplace is as easy as turning a knob.
Not legal here. For our backup in BC, the little gas stove has to be vented outside. Can/t figure out why because the gas stove produces much more flame if you run a burner and the oven.
I feel for them. Here in the canadian prairies we are experiencing a typical Siberian high pressure system, -30 and below and of course no wind.
Our Alberta wind power assets now delivering 0.75% of rated installed power, 15mw from 1781mw installed
Good thing Trudeau is giving money for more turbines
Only need 200,000 more
http://ets.aeso.ca/ets_web/ip/Market/Reports/CSDReportServlet
6″ snow due tonight another 8+ due tuesday night.
200 +/- gallons #2 oil in tanks. generator full as well as 12 gallons in cans for it. well out front.
100 gallon propane tank for oven 85%.
thats normal for me.
although this year will be investing in whole home generator.
second nature, never even think about it. semi rural area here.
Scaremongering.
Rahmstorf writes in Spiegel today, this coldwave is a clear sign of Climate Disruption cuased bY the Global Warming.
He is an activist, not a scientist. He shame science.
As are all the rest of the so-called “climate scientists” who push the AGW propaganda.
PS
We can be happy to have some CC, imagine the temps without 😀
BTW, if there is something near a “doomsday scenario” as a degree over 30°C or the cold snap now, you can be sure, Rahmstorf is the first to cry “fire” ….
The screen-shot of the German video weather forecast shows heavy snowfall extending into Great Britain.
This is obviously a mistake.
Humanity was assured in year 2000 by Dr. David Viner, a senior scientist at the climate research unit (CRU) at the University of East Anglia, that: “Within a few years winter snowfall will become a very rare and exciting event” and “Children just aren’t going to know what snow is.” (Ref: https://wattsupwiththat.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/snowfalls-are-now-just-a-thing-of-the-past-the-independent.pdf )
German engineering ingenuity is prevailing and electricity grid has not failed during last several days of wintry weather.
German political class is saved from embarrassment once again.
9th January, no wind, no solar, Germany is heavily importing from Romania, where failure happens. In second Europe is split to two separated electrical islands. There was 15 seconds where frequency in west part drops. Only quick reaction of Czech and Slovak nuclear, hydro saved situation. Europe was on brink of massive blackout thanks to German ingenuity to build unstable network.
‘Another problem with this weekend’s coming storm – in addition to high winds and ice – is the fact that Germany’s power grid is more unstable than ever – thanks to the wildly fluctuating supply from wind and solar energy. Also a number of baseload-providing nuclear and coal power plants have been taken out of service, thus further destabilizing the country’s and continent’s power grid.’
Nonsense again. At this point Germany has a power surplus – just look at the electricity export figures. The grid is one of the world’s most stable. Germany had worse weather in 2018.
This week gives us a chance to put that to the test – in Germany, UK, Belgium and the Netherlands. Let’s see how rock-steady too-cheap-to-meter renewable energy is looking in a weeks time in those countries. A risky prediction – how exhilarating! Gotta love Karl Popper.
Had we ?
It may be stable, but icy rain and masses of snow may break them down physically, you understand the difference ? I doubt it.
You forgot, the Jan. 8 near breakdown was result of a cold coming earlier as foreseen in France. (what about wind predictions dead on time ? )
ROFLMAO.
That’s why it chopped itself in half a few weeks ago…
Really griff, whatever you tell yourself.
You KNOW your comments are a load of bollocks.
https://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/germanys-stressed-grid-is-causing-trouble-across-europe
https://www.dw.com/en/winds-of-change-push-german-power-grid-to-brink/a-52701005
And the amount of money that NEEDS to be spent to maintain even a slight semblance of stability is ridiculous, and causes Germany’s electricity price to be by far the most expensive in the world
https://www.statista.com/statistics/263492/electricity-prices-in-selected-countries/
Germany has a power surplus when renewables are producing more power than needed, whereupon the country actually pays for its neighbours to take it.
In the Great Blizzard of 1993, the town where I lived at the time (in the South) was buried under about 18” of snow. Completely unprepared, even I-75 to Chattanooga was shut down. It took about three days just to get the roads clear. Most power was restored within that timeframe, except our street, which due to a quirk of zoning and rigid and uncaring union rules, was without power for six days. Thankfully we had a gas fireplace lit by matches. But we had to huddle in the living room all night each of those six days – the bedrooms were far too cold. So my sympathies to the German people. I hope you find a way to stay warm.
If you can get to central America, you can walk into the United States and claim to be a refugee. They will give you a court date, which you can ignore, and let you go. it will be years before the catch up to you.
Plus they give all illegals free vaccines at the border.
Yes, and they promise the illegal aliens free medical care, and free housing, and free education, and a monthly welfare check. What’s not to like?
Of course, Biden is, in effect, buying future votes for Democrats, and aiming to turn Red States to Blue States.
The more illegals he can import, the more votes the Democrats get. If I were an illegal alien in the U.S., I would vote for the people who invited me in, and paid me so handsomely when I got here, and that would be the Democrats.
If I were a poor person in any part of the world who was looking for a change, I would be heading for the southern U.S. border.
Traitor Joe is showing he cares more about illegal aliens than he does about the American people. Actually, he cares more about retaining political power than he cares about the American people. The illegal aliens are just a means to that end.
Our news are very special 😀
We have from north to south a difference of temperature about 20°C
What do these idiots claim ?
Freezing temps and lot of snow in the northern part of Germany and up to 20°C in the southern part.
Somewhere I saw connections to special friend Rahmstorf 😀
That air came directly from Africa.That’s why we had orange snow in the pyrenees.
https://youtu.be/xKPnPIuzTlM
Yes, here at some places in southern Germany too, but there where never 20°C despite the fact the air came from Sahara.
There was an idiot seeing somewhat with 20°C and, aha AGW – temperature… Facepalm….
PS
Yes, there was a connection to Rahmstorf, our actual weather is result of what ???
drumroll, fanfares….
Climate change !
No, really ?
Yes, what else ?
The sudden stratospheric warming is humans fault, DOOM
Somewhere in the news he published his BS these days.
-15C – that’s wicked (LOL)
I live in Regina, Saskatchewan Canada and the overnight temp was -38C and at noon it is only -33C.
In November the voters of Regina elected a city council with a majority of those on the progressive left – their first act was to try and pass a vanity resolution preventing any company involved in fossil fuels from sponsoring city events or advertising on city properties. Thankfully, our provinces Premier spelled out the facts – if SaskPower and SaskEnergy (our crown corporations responsible for electricity and natural gas – 95% fossil fuels) were prevented from such sponsorships it would withdraw the voluntary surcharge provided to the city coffers in lieu of property taxes and might move the corporations out of Regina (10,000 jobs gone from the city). The council retreated, but it will be back with some other silly vanity resolution
The council should be down on their knees thanking SaskPower for electricity which allows people to plug their cars’ block heaters in so that they can start their car to get to work and electricity to power our forced air natural gas furnaces and thanking Sask Energy for a reliable supply of natural gas for our furnaces. I remember growing up in the 1950s in Edmonton (further northwest of Regina by about 1,000km) and my father having to get up in the middle of a cold January night to shovel coal into the furnace to keep us warm.
Politicians = idiots
Temps were actually lower since there was a wind chill – -45C by one account!
My monthly electricity bill in the winter is about $90 CDN and about $145 CDN
A few years back here in Ontario our electricity was so high we installed a new wood stove ( an old one came with the house when we bought it) – when one month’s winter heating bill was $780.00 The woodstove has more than paid for itself. We’re in the area of eastern On that was affected by the ’98 ice storm so yeah we have back up on everything now.
During the coming week we will maybe have down to -38°C
What energy source will they use to de-ice the EV charging ports? or is that hidden in the VW software?
It’s called Putinwende.
Could the cold be related to the SST
https://apps.ecmwf.int/webapps/opencharts/products/w_sst?area=Europe&base_time=202102071200&level=sst&valid_time=202102071200
I think that it is due to this, … https://earth.nullschool.net/#current/wind/isobaric/500hPa/overlay=temp/orthographic=28.50,65.15,491/loc=-9.009,50.772
Meanwhile….
Work resumes on disputed Russian-German undersea pipeline – ABC News (go.com)
Belgium’s grid supply for today.
They’ve just announced that nuclear will be shut down in 2022.
Switching off 60% of your electric ! That’ll be interesting, how you going to charge all the electric cars & what about the UK we rely on that 1GW interconnection to keep our lights on
You wouldn’t believe how dumb most Belgian politicians are, especially PS and Ecolo/Groen.
“& what about the UK we rely on that 1GW interconnection to keep our lights on”
And what about when all the nations surrounding Germany go 100 percent unreliables? Where will Germany get its electricty then?
Germany survives because surrounding nations supply fossil-fuel-based or nuclear-based electricty when Germany runs short. If all nations are using unreliable windmills and solar, in a situation like the one brewing, none of them would have anywhere to go for electricity once the windmills and solar panels stopped working.
Powering the whole world with windmills and solar panels is a pipedream. It’s completely impractical. Wake up, alarmists!
The Green’s only viable option for reducing CO2 is to promote a transition to nuclear-based electricity. Anything else is a deadend.
It will be blamed on global warming/climate change. Weather not seen for at least 1,000 years, all because you drove that evil car to work, and had the audacity to turn your thermostat above 10C.
… or rather , not at all like toast. More like freezing.
14 major inter-connectors got shut off earlier this month due to grid frequency getting out of control in Croatia. This lead to France and Italy having to disconnect all major industrial users.
A massive surge in demand due to exceptionally cold weather could be the last straw and EU will be hit by Adelaide syndrome.
It’s the Economy Stupid. No it’s climate change. Send me in again coach my head has cleared.
We’ve just had our first 30 minute electricity blackout of this winter.
With the beast from the east setting in I expect more to happen.
Home: Stock of firewood, a 5kVA generator and power commutation circuit + 5 jerrycans of gasoline. Not sure how much this is legal though.
Job: One more nastier than the previous winter ops to survive, don’t try this home kids, we are trained professionals.
Overall: Green Germany is fun for those with a thing for zombie apocalypses.
Well, I for one will pray for you.
If a disaster does happen (and I pray it does not), perhaps the government might actually learn a useful lesson and reverse it’s headlong rush into an energy apocalypse.
Politicians tend to only learn a lesson after their voters start throwing them out.