O preço da energia na Alemanha disparou para R$ 5.864/MWh devido ao dunkelflaute, o terror das renováveis, enquanto o custo médio no Brasil gira em torno de R$ 600/MWh

Energy Prices In Germany Soared to R$ 5,864/MWh Due to Dunkelflaute, The Terror of Renewables, While Average Costs in Brazil Are Around R$ 600/MWh

Written by Noel Budeguer

Published on 13/12/2024 at 15:52

Updated on 13/12/2024 at 15:53

1 person reacted to this.

The dunkelflaute, Windless Cold Phenomenon, Drastically Reduces Solar and Wind Energy Generation in Germany, Pressuring Demand and Exposing the Fragilities of Renewable Sources

Germany’s electric grid is at its limit. At 5 PM yesterday, wind and solar energy generation stagnated across the country (as well as in neighboring Denmark) and electricity prices soared to €936 (R$ 5800) per megawatt-hour.

The dunkelflaute Phenomenon

The Germans refer to dunkelflaute as the windless cold, a perfect combination that strangles photovoltaic energy production and halts wind turbines at the same time. Typical of cold anticyclones with low temperatures, this phenomenon further raises heating demand across the region.

The term comes from the German words dunkel (dark) and flaute (calm), but the quiet and dark winters in Germany have never weighed so heavily on the electricity bill as in recent years.

ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW

The Need for Clean and Transitional Energy

Operators of the German electrical grid faced difficulties meeting demand due to low wind and solar production. This serves as a reminder that renewable energies are intermittent and require investments in storage and alternatives for clean energy. Or, at least, in reliable transitional energy.

The electricity price in Germany has risen 585.23% since the beginning of 2024 in the spot index. The closure of nuclear power plants forced the country to reopen some coal-fired plants. Fortunately, resorting to gas reserves will not be a problem this winter.

With 98% capacity at the beginning of November, German reserves currently hover around 87%, which is sufficient to get through the cold season. This is one less problem to worry about.

Energy Prices In Germany Soared to R$ 5,864/MWh Due to Dunkelflaute, The Terror of Renewables, While Average Costs in Brazil Are Around R$ 600/MWh

The dunkelflaute, Windless Cold Phenomenon, Drastically Reduces Solar and Wind Energy Generation in Germany, Pressuring Demand and Exposing the Fragilities of Renewable Sources

The dunkelflaute Phenomenon

The Need for Clean and Transitional Energy

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Energy Prices In Germany Soared to R$ 5,864/MWh Due to Dunkelflaute, The Terror of Renewables, While Average Costs in Brazil Are Around R$ 600/MWh

The dunkelflaute, Windless Cold Phenomenon, Drastically Reduces Solar and Wind Energy Generation in Germany, Pressuring Demand and Exposing the Fragilities of Renewable Sources

The dunkelflaute Phenomenon

The Need for Clean and Transitional Energy

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With billions in loans, China is rebuilding Nigeria’s railway network from scratch, abandoning the British colonial tracks that have turned to scrap and creating a corridor of over 1,300 km to take the load off the roads of Africa’s largest economy.

Austrian engineers have developed an inflatable concrete technology that transforms flat slabs into domes using only air pressure, eliminating scaffolding and temporary forms, and potentially changing the way bridges, tunnels, and curved roofs are constructed worldwide.

Australia prepares to dredge 96.5 million m³ in Moreton Bay to deepen, widen, and realign channels of the Port of Brisbane, in a project of up to 25 years designed to accommodate larger ships and enhance maritime safety and regional port efficiency.

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A British company has installed in the middle of the ocean the world’s first floating platform that generates electricity 24 hours a day from the temperature difference between the surface and the depths of the Atlantic, without relying on wind or sun.

Amid the United States’ economic blockade, China delivers 15,000 tons of rice to Cuba as part of a 60,000-ton donation personally approved by Xi Jinping. The package includes 80 million dollars and solar panels for hospitals.

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