Sunday, December 14, 2008
This Day in the History of German Short-Sightedness
On this day in 2001, the German Bundestag approved a plan to shut down all German nuclear power plants within 20 years. This was the 'green' plan. German electric power generation is recently divided thus: 62% coal and natural gas (mainly lignite, brown coal); 26% nuclear; 4% hydroelectric; and, 8% green renewable (solar, wind, geothermal, wood and waste). Germany is the leader in the world in solar power generation and in the top three for wind generation and there are huge Danish built windmills all over the place. Still they have yet to crack 10% and as the electrical needs of their 83 million people continues to rise, the 700 plus billion kilowatt hours they generate each year will have to come from somewhere. Think fossil fuels or keep the nukes going.
In light of the current inability to develop meaningful renewable sources, German leadership has been preparing to do an Emily Litella about closing down any more of the country's 17 nuclear plants. They are planning to build 30 or more coal burning plants. That's not awfully green.
Whenever you hear an American politician talk about us getting, within 10 or 20 years, a substantial portion of our power from the wind or the sun or rape seed oil or switch grass or pond scum, or all of the above and the kitchen sink, just recall how little the clever and industrious Krauts have been able to accomplish, despite a determined effort and substantial government support.
It is a lesson we here in America should learn. Again.
Nukes are good. Windmills are bad. Solar only works when the sun is shining. You make the call.
In light of the current inability to develop meaningful renewable sources, German leadership has been preparing to do an Emily Litella about closing down any more of the country's 17 nuclear plants. They are planning to build 30 or more coal burning plants. That's not awfully green.
Whenever you hear an American politician talk about us getting, within 10 or 20 years, a substantial portion of our power from the wind or the sun or rape seed oil or switch grass or pond scum, or all of the above and the kitchen sink, just recall how little the clever and industrious Krauts have been able to accomplish, despite a determined effort and substantial government support.
It is a lesson we here in America should learn. Again.
Nukes are good. Windmills are bad. Solar only works when the sun is shining. You make the call.
Labels: Electrical Power, German "Green" Inability
# posted by Roger Fraley @ 10:26 PM 
