Anytime anyone uses the term 'energy independence', correct them to 'strategic energy interdependence'.
Anytime anyone uses the term ‘energy independence’, correct them to ‘strategic energy interdependence’.Energy independence is one of those phrases that’s casually thrown around that gets right up my nose. In the 21st Century, it’s a meaningless concept. Vast amounts of energy cross borders constantly, just as iPhones, cars, and jelly beans do. Further, it’s frequently used in arguments against renewables, as if oil, gas, and coal are somehow magically different.
But this summer’s European energy crisis is about more than just Russia’s gas. After Fukushima and it’s likely, Germany looked at the amazing growth of renewables, the very strong grid reliability that they were maintaining, and decided that it was finally time to let nuclear go. It closed some reactors immediately, and scheduled more for additional closure.
Older reactors require increasing amounts of maintenance. A variety of critical components degrade due to heat and radiation, and must be replaced. Various forms of steel embrittlement are a concern that must be monitored. And maintenance on reactors is a big deal. It’s not like driving your car in for an oil change. Standard maintenance is scheduled years in advance.
However, that problem with aging reactors I mentioned is kicking the French fleet’s butt. A group of France’s reactors, the N4 series, has experienced unexpected corrosion on critical pipes. That’s taken another 12 reactors offline unexpectedly this year. 30 of France’s 56 reactors are currently offline, some of them due to deferred work from 2020 and 2021, and over a third is unplanned due to corrosion.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Putin Threatens to Let Europe ‘Freeze' Over Winter, Raising Risk of Energy RationingRussian President Vladimir Putin threatened Wednesday to stop all energy supplies to Europe.
Read more »
Food crisis: Europe farmers slow production due to the energy crunchSome farmers in Europe are shutting operations and reducing production because of the energy crunch, adding to the global food crisis
Read more »
The U.S. can't solve Europe's energy crisisEurope is entering the most treacherous terrain yet in its bid to move away from Russian energy — and the U.S. can only provide limited help, at least for now.
Read more »
The consequences of Europe’s energy crisis by ViewsroomAs Russian President Vladimir Putin cuts off gas through a key pipeline, Breakingviews columnists discuss the response from UK and European governments, how the shutdown could have some longer-term benefits, and when Russia will feel the squeeze of lost revenue.
Read more »
LIVE: Charlie Crist holds news conference in Jacksonville on property insurance crisisWATCH LIVE: Gubernatorial candidate Charlie Crist holds a news conference in Jacksonville on the property insurance crisis.
Read more »