Now 2022 is over, the figures are in for all the main electricity generation types. For the first time ever, wind and solar delivered more electricity in 2022 than gas, nuclear, hydro or coal. In total, that’s a record one-fifth of the EU’s electricity last year. We can thank the “triple crisis” of Russian gas cuts, the 500-year record drought’s effect on hydro, and the unexpected French nuclear shutdowns for the renewed drive for wind and solar. … [Read more...]
Climate change, “wind droughts” and the implications for Wind energy
What effect will changing trends in regional wind speeds have on the future of wind energy? Very large, considering that a small change in wind speed has a big effect on the power output of a turbine (it’s related to the cube of the wind speed). Hannah Bloomfield at the University of Bristol first looks at the “wind drought” experienced in Europe this year which saw SSE in the UK report a 32% drop in power from its renewable assets. Meanwhile, … [Read more...]
The man who wanted to change the world – portrait of a climate visionary
Award-winning director MariĂ«tte Faber’s documentary “The man who wanted to change the world” has, in her words, come to the end of the line. After countless screenings and a decent clutch of awards, she has decided to make it available for all to see. Whilst climate visionary Peter Westerveld’s work, a key aspect of the film, was not directly related to energy, it was about reversing the momentum of dangerous climate patterns. The techniques … [Read more...]
