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> I'm a supporter of nuclear, but this trope is overplayed. This winter Germany derived 5-10% of their electricity from natural gas - and even that is mostly du
by tablespoon 5y ago
> I'm a supporter of nuclear, but this trope is overplayed. This winter Germany derived 5-10% of their electricity from natural gas - and even that is mostly due to cogeneration of heating, not for electricity needs. This cogeneration runs even if renewables provide a surplus. Calling Germany's electricity grid is "reliant on Russian gas" doesn't reflect reality
Do they have the grid capacity to support people using more electric space heaters and less gas for heat?
My home uses gas heat. I suppose if there was some kind gas shortage I have to turn the thermostat down to the minimum needed to keep the pipes from freezing, then use space heaters to bring in-use rooms up to a livable temp.
- greenicon 5y agoSpace heaters are currently not feasible in Germany due to high electricity cost (which could be fixed by reducing taxes on electricity used just for heating). Nevertheless, the way forward are heat pumps anyway.
- tablespoon 5y ago> Space heaters are currently not feasible in Germany due to high electricity cost (which could be fixed by reducing taxes on electricity used just for heating). Nevertheless, the way forward are heat pumps anyway. But you've got to have both tactical and strategic responses, and the tactical solution may entail taking a hit from higher prices (though if that hit can be mitigated by other policy changes, like temporarily reducing taxes, that should be pursued as part of the tactical solution). Tactical/short term: massively reducing gas use and trying to mitigate the short-term consequences by keeping nuclear online to power electric space heaters: Strategic/long term: Switching all the buildings over to heat pumps powered by green energy.