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‘Energy independent’ Uruguay runs on 100% renewables for four straight months
(theprogressplaybook.com)
this post was submitted on 18 Nov 2023
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My country of Belgium. Unless by "100 % renewable" you include fossile gas generation "offset" by summer's overproduction (which would be disingenuous).
Middle of January: 100% overcast for weeks on end with only 8 hours of daylight, some days with little to no wind. Geography does not support more hydro or any geothermal generation. Country is way too densely populated for meaningful biomass fuel production (not that it is a climate-friendly practice anyway).
Maaaybe there is a stretch argument to be made about offshore wind/water, but we have relatively little coastline and very busy waterways due to having some of the busiest shipping ports of Europe, so I doubt even in the most optimistic scenarios this can fill the gap during the winter season.
For any meaningful definition of the concept, we can't be 100 % dependent on nationally-sourced renewables until we figure out much much denser and cheaper long term storage solutions. Which is alright - maintaining existing nuclear reactors is an option (barely due to legaislative sabotage pushed by the "greens" but a couple gigawatts is nothing to scoff at) and more importantly we are part of the EU which will hopefully allow us to buy southern European solar/wind via HVDC lines in the future, and we're already very dependent on French nuclear. (Also we don't have to be 100 % independent to push for renewables, perfect mustn't be the enemy of good and all that)
Yeah, I think this is the future for small, densely populated countries without clear sources of renewable energy
Doesn't Belgium just import electricity from the European energy grid? You guys have access to Norwegian hydro, German coal, and French nuclear.
Yes, in rather large amounts since we aren't always self-sufficient (even with fossil gas).
Almost all of continental Europe is part of one, synchronous grid. Right now I'm using electricity simultaneously being produced in Belgium, Portugal, Ukraine, Turkey, and even Morocco; although for accounting purposes we calculate the difference at the border, electrons don't care.
You intentionally ignored the part about being overcast for weeks during the winter, the time of the year where they need the most energy. Tell me how solar can heat up the entire country when it's overcast and there are only 8 hours of day light, which reminder, is covered by the overcast weather that stays for weeks
I think you are forgetting on part of the message.
Sure on average over the year you can produce enough electricity, but how do you heat houses in december, January and February when there is almost no sun ?
Vatican City /s
I think that there are constraints for certain countries, but the majority probably could. And when they can't, it should be solved by cooperation and trade, IMHO.
Then maybe those countries shouldn't exist.
Though that's based solely on your example.