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UK Grid Operator Asks Coal Plants To Be Available For Backup
Oil Price ^ | Dec 12, 2022 | Josh Owens

Posted on 12/12/2022 4:06:23 PM PST by george76

As temperatures in the UK plummet, National Grid, the transmission system operator, asked two contingency coal-fired power plants to be ready to send more electricity to the grid on Monday if needed.

"We've issued a notification to warm two winter contingency coal units. This measure should give the public confidence in Monday's energy supply," National Grid said today, as temperatures dropped and snow fell in London, creating traffic chaos.

...

With low temperatures and low wind speeds, wind generated just 7.6% of Britain's electricity on Saturday, National Grid ESO said on Sunday. Natural gas generated 62.0% of electricity, more than nuclear 14.4%, wind, and biomass 4.9%. Coal accounted for 3.9% of UK electricity supply on Saturday.

Although the two contingency coal plants were not used today, this was the first time the grid operator has asked those coal units to be on stand-by since the UK postponed in the summer the previously planned closure of several coal-fired plants or units.

In September, Uniper said it would keep a unit at a coal plant in the UK available until the end of March 2023, six months after the original date for closing the unit this month. This extension is driven by the need to boost the UK energy supply through what will be a difficult winter.

(Excerpt) Read more at oilprice.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Government; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections; United Kingdom
KEYWORDS: britain; coal; coalplants; coalpowerplants; electricity; england; nolongergreat; powerplants; unitedkingdom
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1 posted on 12/12/2022 4:06:23 PM PST by george76
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To: george76

How much ‘tricity from Solar? Hydro? Hamster Wheels?


2 posted on 12/12/2022 4:08:47 PM PST by Paladin2
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To: george76

So funny. Have to love those idiot brits.


3 posted on 12/12/2022 4:19:35 PM PST by ChuckHam
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To: george76
Yeah, because with coal generation plants, you just hit a button and it happens instantly.

heavy sarcasm

4 posted on 12/12/2022 4:19:51 PM PST by BipolarBob (The party never stops until someone calls the cops.)
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To: george76

“UK Grid Operator Asks Coal Plants To Be Available For Backup”

Did the coal plant owners explain to the “UK Grid Operator” that Greta made them TEAR DOWN their coal power plants?


5 posted on 12/12/2022 4:20:23 PM PST by BobL (By the way, low tonight in Estonia: 19 degrees)
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To: george76

Coal and Nat Gas will be needed for the foreseeable future. Unless Green Energy nutjobs want to freeze to death in the winter.
France as an example is ~80% nuclear-generated electricity. And, ~20% coal/nat gas power. Why? Because nuclear power plants are a constant output source. The coal/nat gas is needed to meet demand surges.


6 posted on 12/12/2022 4:20:52 PM PST by ocrp1982
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To: george76

Isn’t coal a no-no fossil fuel? Shame on the UK. Did they consult with the Swedish meatball?


7 posted on 12/12/2022 4:21:39 PM PST by 353FMG (Secretly practicing my Putin swagger..)
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To: george76
Uniper said it would keep a unit at a coal plant in the UK available until the end of March 2023

HOW DARE YOU!!

8 posted on 12/12/2022 4:26:55 PM PST by grobdriver (The CDC can KMA!)
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To: ChuckHam

No Schadenfreude please.
We have unpredictable, America-hating Brandon in the W.H.

We don’t know what kind of sh*t he has in mind for us.


9 posted on 12/12/2022 4:27:11 PM PST by 353FMG (Secretly practicing my Putin swagger..)
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To: george76

Big wind
and Big sun
when winter comes
can’t get it done


10 posted on 12/12/2022 4:28:06 PM PST by nascarnation (Let's go Brandon!)
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To: george76

“low wind speeds” is often mentioned, but rarely do you see other wind problems, such as “high winds” which cause shut-downs, or shut-downs of wind farms following single incidents such as fire, etc.

what a scam.


11 posted on 12/12/2022 4:30:10 PM PST by MAGAthon
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To: ocrp1982

>>The coal/nat gas is needed to meet demand surges.<<

Fauci would say:”Flatten the demand curve”.


12 posted on 12/12/2022 4:31:08 PM PST by 353FMG (Secretly practicing my Putin swagger..)
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To: 353FMG

We’re on the way to catching up with the brits. I have no doubt about it.


13 posted on 12/12/2022 4:35:34 PM PST by ChuckHam
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To: george76

Green Energy vs Freezing. No contest.
Coal Plants back online.


14 posted on 12/12/2022 4:36:01 PM PST by tennmountainman ( Less Lindell CONS, More AZ Style Audits)
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To: tennmountainman
Green Energy vs Freezing. No contest.

Klaus would prefer you freeze.

15 posted on 12/12/2022 4:54:50 PM PST by E. Pluribus Unum (The worst thing about censorship is ████ █ ██████ ███████ ███ ██████ ██ ████████.)
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To: tennmountainman

Alittle to late to “ unback” senile Joe’s sanctions, eh? senile Joe’s sanctions backfired, miserably, ….and Vlad says Checkmate, again, and again.


16 posted on 12/12/2022 5:32:33 PM PST by delta7
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To: ocrp1982
Not anymore:

From Wikipedia:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_power_in_France

Crisis since late 2021 After scheduled maintenance during the summer of 2021, some power plants were not back in service in late 2021. In October, Stress corrosion cracking at Civaux Nuclear Power Plant led to the decision to shut down both blocks for long term repair.[47] In December 2021, this was extended to both blocks of Chooz Nuclear Power Plant, as all four plants use the same type of reactor, N4, the most modern in operation, with grid connection in the late 1990s, commercial operation since early 2000s. By end of April 2022 it was reported that 28 of France’s 56 nuclear reactors were offline.[48] French nuclear energy production has fallen to the lowest level since 1993 and it is expected to fall short by at least 25% compared to usual production levels in the winter of 2022/2023.[49] As of February 2022, EDF expected 2022 production to be 295–315 TWh, and 300–330 TWh for 2023.[50] On 19 May 2022, EDF adjusted its French nuclear output estimate for 2022 between 280 and 300 TWh,[51] and with the expectation of checks and repairs to be completed, the 2023 French nuclear output estimate was not changed (300–330 TWh). Considering the overall control and repair program, nuclear generation for 2024 may be impacted.[47] On 21 February 2022, S&P Global Ratings and Moody's downgraded the credit rating of EDF citing the technical issues at its nuclear power plants.[52] In July 2022 the French government announced its plans to fully nationalize EDF.[53] As of early September 2022, 32 of France's 56 nuclear reactors were shut down due to maintenance or technical problems.[54][55] In 2022, Europe's driest summer in 500 years had serious consequences for power plant cooling systems, as the drought reduced the amount of river water available for cooling.[56][57]

BABY ITS GONNA GET COLD INSIDE!

Nuclear power was introduced in large quantities in France following the 1973 oil crisis according to the Messmer plan. This was based on projections that large amounts of electric power would be required. In the end too much nuclear power capacity was installed, and this has led to relatively low production, load following, and high electricity exports.[7] France exported 38 TWh of electricity to its neighbours in 2017.[8] However, the country still becomes a net importer of electricity when demand exceeds supply, such as in cases of very inclement weather, like in February 2012 when "Germany powers France in cold despite nuclear u-turn" as "France heavily relies on electric heating", which "means that during cold snaps, French electricity demand goes through the roof, forcing the country to import"

They are setting up to be in some serious do do...

17 posted on 12/12/2022 6:07:27 PM PST by frogjerk (More people have died trusting the government than not trusting the government.)
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To: BipolarBob

Most coal plants don’t keep more then a couple days worth of coal on hand because you have to keep turning it to keep it from igniting. Assuming these plants have been sitting idle and coal must be shipped in.


18 posted on 12/12/2022 6:38:08 PM PST by Mean Daddy (Every time Hillary lies, a demon gets its wings. - Windflier)
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To: george76

.


19 posted on 12/12/2022 7:02:49 PM PST by sauropod (Fascists also buy Comcast cable packages" - Olby - Wanna buy mine?)
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To: Mean Daddy

‘you have to keep turning it to keep it from igniting’


I didn’t know that. Is it due to moisture?


20 posted on 12/12/2022 7:25:50 PM PST by Not_Who_U_Think
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