Re:Why did renewables become so cheap so fast? (2020)
by elric on Sunday February 27, 2022 @06:38AM
(#30487359)
> If gas cuts out one can use an electric stove.
That statement seems to conveniently ignore the reality of how electricity is generated and how much of it is available.
Cut off the gas supply without adequate notice, and the power grid will fail.
Re:Why did renewables become so cheap so fast? (2020)
by periheli0n on Sunday February 27, 2022 @06:54AM
(#30487452)
In practice there will be gas rationing.
By the way, is the German power grid really reliant on gas to such an extent?
Re:Why did renewables become so cheap so fast? (2020)
by admax88qqq on Sunday February 27, 2022 @07:26AM
(#30487730)
It's not that the grid is reliant on gas, it's that if people switch from gas to electric for heat quickly, the grid might not be able to handle the sudden extra load.
Re:Why did renewables become so cheap so fast? (2020)
by periheli0n on Sunday February 27, 2022 @08:30AM
(#30488222)
Either way, it is known how much gas is available. It can also be estimated fairly reliably how much gas will be used a couple of days in advance, given the weather forecast. Therefore a gas shortage will be known in advance, and contingency measures will be taken, both for gas and electricity.
Re:Why did renewables become so cheap so fast? (2020)
by emteycz on Sunday February 27, 2022 @07:09AM
(#30487600)
Germany is the richest affected country. There will be deaths in the eastern EU if this is done without massive western financial support, any COVID-related budget will be dwarfed 100x by what is needed for this, no eastern state has nearly enough money for it even if they dedicated their entire budget.
Death? Hardly. Most German homes are well isolated and can be heated quite efficiently. If gas cuts out one can use an electric stove. Same for cooking, one can use an electric hob.
So hardship—yes, especially for the poorest living in undermaintained homes and no resources to upgrade. Germany will certainly put in support programmes for those affected.