Europe appears to be leading the global pack in terms of greater warming, and extreme drought. Of course, those things happened long before the Industrial Revolution too. But they do seem to be occurring more frequently now. Could this affect electricity generation. Will drought add layers to an energy crisis?
How Drought Could Add Layers to Energy Crisis
We were already in an energy crisis owing to fossil fuel leading global warming. However, that tail is chasing the dog, so to speak because this is affecting alternative energy efficiency too. Matt McGrath turned the spotlight on this in BBC Science on August 13, 2022.
- Scarce water is essential for cooling coal and nuclear power stations.
- Energy output from hydro power has fallen by 20% overall in Europe.
- Higher temperatures are robbing solar panels of their full potential.
European Union energy reserves were already under pressure following the Ukraine invasion. Now drought is adding layers to a multi-faceted energy crisis that was already a challenge.
More Energy Challenges Stacking Up In Europe
The exceptionally hot weather is affecting nuclear electricity generation, especially in France which has half its reactors off line. These often take cooling water directly from adjacent rivers. “Once the water in the rivers is very low and very hot, basically you have to stop cooling down nuclear power plants.
“That’s because the water that’s released is dangerous for fish and other species in the rivers,” Prof Sonia Seneviratne, from ETH Zurich explains. However, French authorities are allowing some generators to release very warm water back into the rivers as a temporary measure.
The situation is further complicated by the fact some affected nations share energy resources too. France and United Kingdom, for example have cooperative agreements. They are entering uncharted waters at this time. Could this be a foretaste of winter, when icy temperatures return peak demands?
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