Portugal runs for four days straight on renewable energy alone

[TheIrishman]

Portugal runs for four days straight on renewable energy alone

http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/may/18/portugal-runs-for-four-days-straight-on-renewable-energy-alone

<< Portugal kept its lights on with renewable energy alone for four consecutive days last week in a clean energy milestone revealed by data analysis of national energy network figures. Electricity consumption in the Iberian country was fully covered by solar, wind and hydro power in an extraordinary 107-hour run that lasted from 6.45am on Saturday 7 May until 5.45pm the following Wednesday, the analysis says.

News of the zero emissions landmark comes just days after Germany announced that clean energy had powered almost all its electricity needs on Sunday 15 May, with power prices turning negative at several times in the day – effectively paying consumers to use it. Oliver Joy, a spokesman for the Wind Europe trade association said: "We are seeing trends like this spread across Europe - last year with Denmark and now in Portugal. The Iberian peninsula is a great resource for renewables and wind energy, not just for the region but for the whole of Europe."

James Watson, the CEO of SolarPower Europe said: "This is a significant achievement for a European country, but what seems extraordinary today will be commonplace in Europe in just a few years. The energy transition process is gathering momentum and records such as this will continue to be set and broken across Europe."

As recently as 2013, Portugal generated half its electricity from combustible fuels, with 27% coming from nuclear, 13% from hydro, 7.5% from wind and 3% from solar, according to Eurostat figures. By last year the figure had flipped, with wind providing 22% of electricity and all renewable sources together providing 48%, according to the Portuguese renewable energy association. >>

[alyssa85]

It is a great development. Pretty much all these countries have to import coal or gas to generate electricty, so if they can generate via renewables, it should start to improve their trade deficits. Sucks for those countries who export coal or gas though.

[Evildrum]

What happened on the fifth day?

This is interesting to see a Country actually attempting to change for the better. Its not viable in other parts of the world but at least they can take advantage of all that sun.

[Spendulus]

It is a great development. Pretty much all these countries have to import coal or gas to generate electricty, so if they can generate via renewables, it should start to improve their trade deficits. Sucks for those countries who export coal or gas though.

It's a great development?

All it takes to achieve this goal is to crank electricity prices up to where nobody can afford them.

Also it's a lie.

Heating buildings and cooking for the country do not run on electric. 

The headline is this -

Portugal runs for four days straight on renewable energy alone

In the body you see a more accurate statement -

Portugal kept its lights on with renewable energy alone for four consecutive days last week in a clean energy milestone

[countryfree]

It is a great development. Pretty much all these countries have to import coal or gas to generate electricty, so if they can generate via renewables, it should start to improve their trade deficits. Sucks for those countries who export coal or gas though.

It's a great development?

All it takes to achieve this goal is to crank electricity prices up to where nobody can afford them.

Also it's a lie.

Heating buildings and cooking for the country do not run on electric. 

The headline is this -

Portugal runs for four days straight on renewable energy alone

In the body you see a more accurate statement -

Portugal kept its lights on with renewable energy alone for four consecutive days last week in a clean energy milestone

No, it's real, check the Portuguese page:
http://zero.ong/consumo-de-eletricidade-em-portugal-foi-assegurado-durante-mais-de-4-dias-seguidos-por-fontes-renovaveis/

This is about all electricity consumption is the entire country. But I'm not really surprised. Portugal is very lucky regarding renewables with lots of wind from the ocean and good sun. But we shall consider we may at the time of the year when the consumption is at the lowest. There's no more need for heating, nor for air conditioners yet.

[Spendulus]

It is a great development. Pretty much all these countries have to import coal or gas to generate electricty, so if they can generate via renewables, it should start to improve their trade deficits. Sucks for those countries who export coal or gas though.

It's a great development?

All it takes to achieve this goal is to crank electricity prices up to where nobody can afford them.

Also it's a lie.

Heating buildings and cooking for the country do not run on electric.  

The headline is this -

Portugal runs for four days straight on renewable energy alone

In the body you see a more accurate statement -

Portugal kept its lights on with renewable energy alone for four consecutive days last week in a clean energy milestone

No, it's real, check the Portuguese page:
http://zero.ong/consumo-de-eletricidade-em-portugal-foi-assegurado-durante-mais-de-4-dias-seguidos-por-fontes-renovaveis/

This is about all electricity consumption is the entire country. But I'm not really surprised. Portugal is very lucky regarding renewables with lots of wind from the ocean and good sun. But we shall consider we may at the time of the year when the consumption is at the lowest. There's no more need for heating, nor for air conditioners yet.

Bull.  There are all kinds of needs for energy other than electric.  Many, many things run on various fossil fuels and always will.  For example, a concrete manufacturing plant.  Cars and trucks.  

I pointed out the lie.  Headlines says the "country ran on renewables alone."  Then down below you see it was the electric grid.  That's a fraction of total energy consumption.

[catch.me.if.you.can]

It is cheaper and better than the TAP pipeline.

[Spendulus]

Portugal runs for four days straight on renewable energy alone

http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/may/18/portugal-runs-for-four-days-straight-on-renewable-energy-alone

<< Portugal kept its lights on with renewable energy alone for four consecutive days last week in a clean energy milestone revealed by data analysis of national energy network figures. Electricity consumption in the Iberian country was fully covered by solar, wind and hydro power in an extraordinary 107-hour run that lasted from 6.45am on Saturday 7 May until 5.45pm the following Wednesday, the analysis says.

News of the zero emissions landmark comes just days after Germany announced that clean energy had powered almost all its electricity needs on Sunday 15 May, with power prices turning negative at several times in the day – effectively paying consumers to use it. Oliver Joy, a spokesman for the Wind Europe trade association said: "We are seeing trends like this spread across Europe - last year with Denmark and now in Portugal. The Iberian peninsula is a great resource for renewables and wind energy, not just for the region but for the whole of Europe."

James Watson, the CEO of SolarPower Europe said: "This is a significant achievement for a European country, but what seems extraordinary today will be commonplace in Europe in just a few years. The energy transition process is gathering momentum and records such as this will continue to be set and broken across Europe."

As recently as 2013, Portugal generated half its electricity from combustible fuels, with 27% coming from nuclear, 13% from hydro, 7.5% from wind and 3% from solar, according to Eurostat figures. By last year the figure had flipped, with wind providing 22% of electricity and all renewable sources together providing 48%, according to the Portuguese renewable energy association. >>

And how much energy was used to produce these panels, transport and install them?  How much energy will be used to maintain them? 

I bet you you'll not get back the energy you already spent on building and installing these arrays, even after 25 years of useful life of these panels.

At 30% efficiency, the net energy equation is negative.

So it's a lie on it's premises, as well as being a lie as to the domain of the claim?

[designerusa]

Portugal runs for four days straight on renewable energy alone

http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/may/18/portugal-runs-for-four-days-straight-on-renewable-energy-alone

<< Portugal kept its lights on with renewable energy alone for four consecutive days last week in a clean energy milestone revealed by data analysis of national energy network figures. Electricity consumption in the Iberian country was fully covered by solar, wind and hydro power in an extraordinary 107-hour run that lasted from 6.45am on Saturday 7 May until 5.45pm the following Wednesday, the analysis says.

News of the zero emissions landmark comes just days after Germany announced that clean energy had powered almost all its electricity needs on Sunday 15 May, with power prices turning negative at several times in the day – effectively paying consumers to use it. Oliver Joy, a spokesman for the Wind Europe trade association said: "We are seeing trends like this spread across Europe - last year with Denmark and now in Portugal. The Iberian peninsula is a great resource for renewables and wind energy, not just for the region but for the whole of Europe."

James Watson, the CEO of SolarPower Europe said: "This is a significant achievement for a European country, but what seems extraordinary today will be commonplace in Europe in just a few years. The energy transition process is gathering momentum and records such as this will continue to be set and broken across Europe."

As recently as 2013, Portugal generated half its electricity from combustible fuels, with 27% coming from nuclear, 13% from hydro, 7.5% from wind and 3% from solar, according to Eurostat figures. By last year the figure had flipped, with wind providing 22% of electricity and all renewable sources together providing 48%, according to the Portuguese renewable energy association. >>

this is very exciting news for sure.. countiries must stop using fossil fuels, nuclear energy to generate energy immediately. they must use renewable enegry resources to get energy..using these resources is really important our planet's future.

[Gohs]

This new turn is a good one. Portugal can now generate electricity at a cheaper rate and boost the its economy.

Clean technology is always cheaper.

[alyssa85]

And how much energy was used to produce these panels, transport and install them?  How much energy will be used to maintain them? 

I bet you you'll not get back the energy you already spent on building and installing these arrays, even after 25 years of useful life of these panels.

At 30% efficiency, the net energy equation is negative.

Not much more than the energy it costs to set up a coal or gas-fired generator plant. The cost of setting up each type of plant is broadly similar. But with the renewables, the inputs - sunshine and wind - are free. It is a massive burden on an economy to have to import coal and gas - costs money, contributes to your trade deficit and depresses GDP.

So good for Portugal, hopefully this can bring down their deficit - and if they produce enough they can even start exporting surplus electricity to Spain.

But I can understand the coal and gas producers screaming and hollering - they've lost a customer!

[alphatv]

This is a quite development. Hope other countries will follow the same in coming years

[Slow death]

And how much energy was used to produce these panels, transport and install them?  How much energy will be used to maintain them? 

I bet you you'll not get back the energy you already spent on building and installing these arrays, even after 25 years of useful life of these panels.

At 30% efficiency, the net energy equation is negative.

Not much more than the energy it costs to set up a coal or gas-fired generator plant. The cost of setting up each type of plant is broadly similar. But with the renewables, the inputs - sunshine and wind - are free. It is a massive burden on an economy to have to import coal and gas - costs money, contributes to your trade deficit and depresses GDP.

So good for Portugal, hopefully this can bring down their deficit - and if they produce enough they can even start exporting surplus electricity to Spain.

But I can understand the coal and gas producers screaming and hollering - they've lost a customer!

Knowing politicians will seek to maintain the balance on the one hand we have the polluters and the other we have to bring the solution to minimize pollution building sources of renewable energy, but the companies that produce nergy with Fossil fuel will not want to stay with losses. In my opinion it had taken a long time to have clean energy.

[Spendulus]

And how much energy was used to produce these panels, transport and install them?  How much energy will be used to maintain them? 

I bet you you'll not get back the energy you already spent on building and installing these arrays, even after 25 years of useful life of these panels.

At 30% efficiency, the net energy equation is negative.

Not much more than the energy it costs to set up a coal or gas-fired generator plant. The cost of setting up each type of plant is broadly similar. But with the renewables, the inputs - sunshine and wind - are free. It is a massive burden on an economy to have to import coal and gas - costs money, contributes to your trade deficit and depresses GDP.

So good for Portugal, hopefully this can bring down their deficit - and if they produce enough they can even start exporting surplus electricity to Spain.

But I can understand the coal and gas producers screaming and hollering - they've lost a customer!

Knowing politicians will seek to maintain the balance on the one hand we have the polluters and the other we have to bring the solution to minimize pollution building sources of renewable energy, but the companies that produce nergy with Fossil fuel will not want to stay with losses. In my opinion it had taken a long time to have clean energy.

A single nuclear power plant would produce TEN TIMES the power of that expensive, finicky solar farm that Portugal would like you to believe is so wonderful.

And that nuclear solution would run day and night, instead of just when there was bright sunlight.

[vokain]

And how much energy was used to produce these panels, transport and install them?  How much energy will be used to maintain them? 

I bet you you'll not get back the energy you already spent on building and installing these arrays, even after 25 years of useful life of these panels.

At 30% efficiency, the net energy equation is negative.

Not much more than the energy it costs to set up a coal or gas-fired generator plant. The cost of setting up each type of plant is broadly similar. But with the renewables, the inputs - sunshine and wind - are free. It is a massive burden on an economy to have to import coal and gas - costs money, contributes to your trade deficit and depresses GDP.

So good for Portugal, hopefully this can bring down their deficit - and if they produce enough they can even start exporting surplus electricity to Spain.

But I can understand the coal and gas producers screaming and hollering - they've lost a customer!

How do you manufacture and transport solar panels and wind turbines again? Coal and gas.

I bet they increased their trade deficit by buying solar panels. Probably on a loan or subsidies too. At government levels of efficiency.

[alyssa85]

And how much energy was used to produce these panels, transport and install them?  How much energy will be used to maintain them? 

I bet you you'll not get back the energy you already spent on building and installing these arrays, even after 25 years of useful life of these panels.

At 30% efficiency, the net energy equation is negative.

Not much more than the energy it costs to set up a coal or gas-fired generator plant. The cost of setting up each type of plant is broadly similar. But with the renewables, the inputs - sunshine and wind - are free. It is a massive burden on an economy to have to import coal and gas - costs money, contributes to your trade deficit and depresses GDP.

So good for Portugal, hopefully this can bring down their deficit - and if they produce enough they can even start exporting surplus electricity to Spain.

But I can understand the coal and gas producers screaming and hollering - they've lost a customer!

Knowing politicians will seek to maintain the balance on the one hand we have the polluters and the other we have to bring the solution to minimize pollution building sources of renewable energy, but the companies that produce nergy with Fossil fuel will not want to stay with losses. In my opinion it had taken a long time to have clean energy.

A single nuclear power plant would produce TEN TIMES the power of that expensive, finicky solar farm that Portugal would like you to believe is so wonderful.

And that nuclear solution would run day and night, instead of just when there was bright sunlight.

Have you checked out Portugal's climate? There is plenty of bright sunlight. Nuclear power stations are expensive to build - they are better suited to cold climates that don't have the benefit of sunshine (or strong wind as Portugal gets from the Atlantic).

[Spendulus]

And how much energy was used to produce these panels, transport and install them?  How much energy will be used to maintain them? 

I bet you you'll not get back the energy you already spent on building and installing these arrays, even after 25 years of useful life of these panels.

At 30% efficiency, the net energy equation is negative.

Not much more than the energy it costs to set up a coal or gas-fired generator plant. The cost of setting up each type of plant is broadly similar. But with the renewables, the inputs - sunshine and wind - are free. It is a massive burden on an economy to have to import coal and gas - costs money, contributes to your trade deficit and depresses GDP.

So good for Portugal, hopefully this can bring down their deficit - and if they produce enough they can even start exporting surplus electricity to Spain.

But I can understand the coal and gas producers screaming and hollering - they've lost a customer!

Knowing politicians will seek to maintain the balance on the one hand we have the polluters and the other we have to bring the solution to minimize pollution building sources of renewable energy, but the companies that produce nergy with Fossil fuel will not want to stay with losses. In my opinion it had taken a long time to have clean energy.

A single nuclear power plant would produce TEN TIMES the power of that expensive, finicky solar farm that Portugal would like you to believe is so wonderful.

And that nuclear solution would run day and night, instead of just when there was bright sunlight.

Have you checked out Portugal's climate? There is plenty of bright sunlight. Nuclear power stations are expensive to build - they are better suited to cold climates that don't have the benefit of sunshine (or strong wind as Portugal gets from the Atlantic).

Plenty?  Expensive?  Better suited?

I think you need to look in depth at these things before talking.  They are simple numerical cost versus production issues, right?  So which is "best" is simply which produces the most energy for the least money?

[zenitzz]

I think Portugal could well be in a sweet spot geographically of plenty of sunshine, wind and hydro opportunities. but not much country have good spot in geography.

[catch.me.if.you.can]

Oil reserves will last for 30 to 40 years. Solar energy is infinite.

[Racey]

I think Portugal could well be in a sweet spot geographically of plenty of sunshine, wind and hydro opportunities. but not much country have good spot in geography.

We in the UK may just have the right approach for our energy needs.

Maybe we can use all the hot air spouted by politicians, its an ongoing 24 hr thing.

Seriously though, that is great for Portugal, we only need the PTB to give up the Tesla secrets free energy for all then.