https://www.masterresource.org/japan-energy-policy/japan-stock-up-on-fossil-fuels-2021/
Japans chilly Winter forecast:
Fossil Fuels Deliver
Fossil fuels are the preferred energy source in many countries for tough winter conditions as they are the only dependable and affordable fuel source—alongside nuclear—in cold and snowy conditions.
Wind turbines work only in certain geographical regions and in certain months when wind speed is optimum. But in cold weather, they are not reliable. According to the government of Canada,
the operation of wind turbines in a cold climate such as Canada’s involves additional challenges not present in warmer locations, such as: Accumulation of ice on wind turbine blades resulting in reduced power output and increased rotor loads; Cold weather shutdown to prevent equipment failure; and Limited or reduced access for maintenance activities.
For these reasons countries like China and Japan depend heavily on coal, natural gas, and oil, instead of the highly unreliable wind and solar. The Japanese authorities know they cannot leave millions to freeze in the cold and have decided to stock up enough fossil fuels to sustain during the winter. S&P Global notes, “Japan’s demand for coal, LNG, crude and fuel oil for power generation as well as city gas and kerosene for heating was robust in January as a result of severe cold spells.” The scenario is likely to repeat this year.
Other Countries Too
Winter energy crises across are of great concern the world over. The Japanese are very close to China, a country which in recent years has experienced severe energy shortages during winters due to its reluctance to increase coal consumption. A partial coal ban in northern provinces caused severe winter heating problems in recent years.
This year, news agencies in China predict widespread power blackouts in more than a dozen provinces as the country is critically short of coal and some power plants have stopped producing coal power due to high coal prices.
Japan, which has a bird’s eye view, is aware of the power shortage in China. So, to avoid similar situation at home, Japan will not restrict the use of coal, natural gas and oil during winter months.
The demand for oil and gas is not just in Japan. The UK, too, is highly reliant on imported natural gas for winter heating needs, and analysts have urged the country to secure its resources before winter induces a power demand surge.
“If the winter is actually cold, my concern is we will not have enough gas for use for heating in parts of Europe. … it won’t only be a recessionary value, it will affect the ability to provide gas for heating. It touches everybody’s lives,” said Amos Hochstein, the US State Department’s senior adviser for energy security.
The Future is Now
The combined rise in demand for fossil fuels from Europe, China, India, Vietnam, and Japan has led to an increase in coal and natural gas prices. Investors see a “natural-gas crunch spilling into crude market, lifting oil prices.” OPEC, in its newly released World Oil Outlook 2045, observes that “oil will be leading energy source for decades (at least until 2045) as crude reaches 3-year highs.”
The demand for fossil fuels and the sharp increase in fossil fuels prices indicate that these energy fuels still dominate the global energy sector. The winter rush for fossil fuels also confirms their effectiveness in delivering reliable energy during cold weather.
https://wattsupwiththat.com/2021/10/06/chinese-and-indian-climate-policy-power-crisis-worsens/
As China scrambles to recover from a severe coal shortage caused by Xi Jinping’s “non-negotiable” climate directives, their coal, gas and electricity buying spree is triggering shortages in India, Europe and Britain, and perhaps even the USA.
What has caused China’s electricity shortages, and is Beijing’s carbon-neutral goal solely to blame?
Sixteen of mainland China’s 31 provincial-level jurisdictions are rationing electricity as they race to meet Beijing’s annual emissions reduction targetsThe price of thermal coal, used for power generation, has been soaring all year and hit new highs in recent weeks
Orange Wang and Cissy Zhou
Published: 9:00am, 28 Sep, 2021Non-negotiable carbon reduction targets have forced many local provincial governments in China to impose rushed measures such as widespread power cuts, although an urgent shortage of coal has also emerged as a likely reason for the power supply crunch that is sweeping the nation.
China’s power supply crisis ratcheted up a notch over the past week with more than half of the country enduring power cuts, making it one of the most extreme examples of energy rationing in the nation’s history, especially considering the impact it is having on regular households.
Power cuts are commonplace in China and are usually restricted to industrial users, but their frequency has risen since the second half of last year and have now been extended to households.
…
Last month, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), the country’s top economic planning agency, criticised the “energy consumption intensity” of nine provinces – Guangdong, Jiangsu, Yunnan, Fujian, Shaanxi, Guangxi, Ningxia, Qinghai and Xinjiang – for actually increasing their energy use instead of reducing it. Following the warning, the nine provinces stepped up their efforts to cut power, with little impact felt by customers.
“An additional 10 provinces failed to meet their progress targets in the reduction rate of energy consumption intensity, and the situation of national energy saving is very severe,” NDRC spokeswoman Meng Wei said.
…
“Xi’s dual carbon targets are politically non-negotiable. Accordingly, they have become a catalyst for all manner of policy – certainly including the power generation and consumption controls,” said Cory Combs, an analyst with consultancy firm Trivium China.
…
Read more: https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3150313/what-has-caused-chinas-electricity-shortages-and-beijings
India’s coal crisis is also worsening – largely as a result of China’s last minute scramble for adequate stocks of coal and gas to survive the Winter (h/t JoNova).
India’s coal crisis brews as power demand surges, record global prices bite
Reuters / Oct 4, 2021, 22:20 IST
CHENNAI: Indian utilities are scrambling to secure coal supplies as inventories hit critical lows after a surge in power demand from industries and sluggish imports due to record global prices push power plants to the brink.
Over half of India’s 135 coal-fired power plants have fuel stocks of less than three days, government data shows, far short of federal guidelines recommending supplies of at least two weeks.
Prices of power-generation fuels are surging globally as electricity demand rebounds with industrial growth, tightening supplies of coal and liquefied natural gas.
India is competing against buyers such as China, the world’s largest coal consumer, which is under pressure to ramp up imports amid a severe power crunch.
Original article here:
India's coal crisis brews as power demand surges, record glo ..
Original article here:
From WUWT(with its massive following and comments)
Empty gas stocks, windless days, disrupted supply lines, CO2 certificates, soaring inflation, blackouts, bitter cold and other forebode a winter of discontent across Europe.
Recently Bloomberg reported on how Europe was on the path to a severe energy crisis this winter, with risks of blackouts.
Dutch TTF #gas priced in #crudeoil equivalent now trading at $148/barrels . If not arrested soon it will be surging diesel prices next, thereby supporting the middle barrel, and oil prices in general. #OOTT #ONGT pic.twitter.com/QP9aERpho9
— Ole S Hansen (@Ole_S_Hansen) September 15, 2021
Germany’s N-TV also reports a dire picture, writing “Europe’s gas storage facilities are largely empty, and supplies are not flowing as they should.
Already surging energy prices are forcing the first companies to close factories in Europe, and German companies like BASF and copper producer Aurubis are complaining about extremely high prices for energy sources.
U.S. investment bank Goldman Sachs is warning of “almost empty gas storage facilities” and that “Europe faces an acute energy crisis.” Utilities across Europe have already announced massive price hikes.
Another problem, according to N-TV: Companies are struggling to get supplies of raw materials and semi-finished goods. “Inflation in Germany has already climbed to its highest level in almost 30 years.” Prices for raw plastic, for example have skyrocketed since late last year.
Tripled prices
The price of gas in Amsterdam has already more than tripled since the beginning of the year. The reason, according to N-TV, are interrupted supplies from Russia, and production from Europe’s North Sea gas fields “has also been curtailed”! Also “CO2 tax and oil price drive up fuel prices,” reports N-TV.
Phaseout of coal, nuclear worsening the problem
Adding to the European energy supply woes: “Europe has recently experienced an unusual wind lull”, which has forced Germany to ramp up its coal (lignite) fired power generation, which, according to N-TV, “is in the process of being phased out.” The price of burning coal is also more expensive, thanks to the now higher price of CO2 emission certificates.
metmike: Some of us have been saying that this was inevitable(for over a decade, actually) because of the ignorance of discarding fossil fuels and focusing almost entirely on the fake green energy.
Original article here at the Boe Report:
Reposted at WUWT, along with robust comments:
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Scissor
Reply to Chris
October 6, 2021 5:05 am
The connection between CO2 and food will become apparent. The connection between natural gas and fertilizer production will also become apparent.
Attacks on CO2 and attacks on fossil fuels are attacks on food and on life itself.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Mike Maguire
Reply to Scissor
October 6, 2021 10:57 am
“The connection between CO2 and food will become apparent. The connection between natural gas and fertilizer production will also become apparent”
You nailed that one Scissor!
Another secret about fossil fuels: Haber Bosch process-fertilizers feeding the planet using natural gas-doubling food production/crop yields.
https://www.marketforum.com/forum/topic/39215/
By John Droz, Jr. -- October 4, 2021
https://www.masterresource.org/alliance-for-wise-energy-decisions/eer-10-04-2021/
Of special interest in this issue is a videoby Jason Isaac of the Texas Public Policy Foundation on the role of wind and solar in wounding the Texas electricity grid.
Greed Energy Economics:
Short video: The Great Texas Freeze of 2021
New legislation would set Michigan wind turbine tax table
Europe’s energy crisis goes from bad to worse as Russia keeps firm grip on supply
Renewable Energy Health and Eco-consequences:
Slaughter of the seabirds
Crippling Cost of Ontario’s Obsession With Wind Power: 71% Increase in Power Bills
Wind Energy:
Conservation group backs permanent moratorium on Great Lakes turbines
Wind turbine collapses hours before official launch
New Documentary: Headwind”21
The List of Wind Energy Rejections the Sierra Club Doesn’t Want You to See
Turbine Noise Nuisance Case Uncovers Wind Industry’s Culture of Lies & Deceit
Solar Energy:
Solar trade woes cast a pall over Biden’s climate goals
Thirst for renewable energy creates a rural conundrum
The Backyard Battle for New York’s Climate Future
Vermont Does Something Right about Solar
Nuclear Energy:
Fukushima studies show wildlife is doing nicely without humans
Fossil Fuel Energy:
How cheap fracking was killed by Green lies and Russian propaganda
Fossil Fuels are a strategic asset
It Looks Like America’s Energy Future Is Still Going to Be a Gas
China rations electricity amid coal shortages and climate push
The Next Plandemic – China’s Faux Energy Crisis
Miscellaneous Energy News:
Are Big Electric Utilities But A Circle of Corruption Today?
Clean Electricity Performance Program A Corporatist Takeover
Looming European energy crisis: A lesson in averages that won’t soon be forgotten
Australia’s big Tesla battery sued for not helping during coal power station failure
Energy efficiency savings rival total Wind & Solar generation
Manmade Global Warming — Some Deceptions:
Climate narcissism
Climate change gets the blame for simple bureaucratic failures
South Pole posts most severe cold season on record
Stossel Sues Facebook Alleging Defamation Over Fact-Check Label