Latest news with #EnergySecurity
Telegraph
14 hours ago
- Science
- Telegraph
Exploding cars and power cuts: how heatwaves will trigger ‘net zero meltdown'
Net zero technologies will backfire during heatwaves, Ed Miliband has been warned. Heat pumps, electric cars and solar panels are among the various decarbonisation initiatives being pushed by the Energy Secretary to help the UK reach net zero by 2050. But these technologies are at risk of breaking down, exploding and causing power cuts, and may need to be turned off in hot weather, experts have warned. A report commissioned by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero warned that much of the energy grid and infrastructure was at risk from warm weather over 27C (81F). Britain is set to have its first heatwave of 2025 this weekend, with health officials warning of a risk to life from temperatures of more than 30C. The report offers multiple warnings about the fallibility of net zero technologies in such temperatures. Solar panels In temperatures above 25C, solar panels become less effective by up to 0.5 per cent for every degree, the report warns. Heat also can speed up degradation of the panels themselves. Scientists say they are safe in weather up to 50C but they become significantly less efficient on days where the sun is at its most powerful. Two measures to address the solar panel shortcomings include creating 'oversized' products that are better able to handle heat, but need even more space. Simply turning the solar panels off in heatwaves is another way to prevent them being damaged in the long term by exposure to high temperatures. Curtailing solar energy production in the event of extreme heat would allow 'renewable energy supply to remain operational following extreme heat events', the report authors say. The technical shortcomings of solar panels have been well documented, but Mr Miliband has repeatedly pushed ahead with expanding solar energy production. The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero is considering installing solar panel canopies over car parks and Mr Miliband recently stated his desire for every new-build home to come with solar panels as standard. Heat pumps Newly built homes will all come with heat pumps as standard by 2027 under expected new regulations, but this technology is not without its own issues. Heat pumps broadly work by drawing in heat from the outside – the air, water or ground – and transferring it into the home. Unlike conventional boilers, heat pumps are able to cool a home, as well as to heat it. This will lead to greater electricity usage in future summers than in the past. Currently, only one in 20 homes have air conditioning but with the Government pushing heat pumps as an eco-friendly alternative to boilers this is expected to rise. The report states: 'Significant growth is expected in domestic cooling demand, driven by rising temperatures and increasing adoption of heat pumps for heating and cooling as part of the UK's decarbonisation strategy.' A 2021 government study found that the peak energy demand for cooling could increase from 12GW to 19GW by 2100. This is likely to be in the evening. However, this spike comes after the peak of solar power generation and there could also be insufficient energy production to meet the demand for cool air. The issue is worsened during heatwaves because solar panels perform suboptimally and may be switched off. In 2022, when the UK breached 40C for the first time in recorded history, the UK was close to having insufficient electricity to meet demand as a result of decreased output and efficiency. The study authors warn that the combination of heat-inhibited energy generation, high demand for cooling and peak usage in the evening could lead to load shedding and rolling power cuts. The report authors write: 'The increased loading on electricity networks caused by active cooling may coincide with the periods of direct heat impact on the energy system. 'These factors may compound to increase the likelihood of electricity shortfalls and load shedding.' The last Conservative government declared that 600,000 heat pumps would be installed annually in British homes from 2028. But Labour has refused to commit itself to this pledge, first announced by Boris Johnson in 2020, and reports suggest the target is to be scrapped. Electric cars Another net zero goal that Mr Miliband had to relax was the Tory plan to ban the sale of new petrol or diesel cars by 2030. This is still in place, but hybrid vehicles can now be sold until 2035. Electric vehicle batteries struggle in hot weather and pose efficiency concerns, as well as safety woes. Lithium-ion batteries degrade quicker and break down sooner in temperatures above 35C. This level of heat can also lead to slower charging times, inhibited power output, and 'irreversible damage to the batteries', the report states. As well as subprime performance, the heat can also cause the batteries in electric vehicles to catch fire and blow up, the report warns. 'Prolonged operation under high temperature can overwhelm [battery energy storage] cooling systems posing safety risks such as thermal runaway and explosions,' the document says. 'Prolonged exposure and operation under extreme heat are expected to pose a significant challenge to their optimum and safe operation.' Nuclear power The Government is pushing ahead with its switch from greenhouse-gas-emitting power generation such as coal, oil and gas to renewables, which includes nuclear. The National Energy System Operator quango that manages the network is looking to go without gas at some point this year. It is hoped that 95 per cent of energy is from renewables by 2030. Nuclear is considered to be key in allowing for this transition to occur and Mr Miliband has announced several billion pounds of extra funding for Sizewell C, and Rolls-Royce is now approved to begin manufacturing football-field-sized SMR reactors. But the extreme heat report found nuclear power plants are also potentially vulnerable to hot weather and may have to be taken offline for safety reasons. Extended hot weather accelerates degradation of the sites, the report warns, as well as making the water needed to cool the reactors less readily available. The electricity output of nuclear power plants decreases by up to 0.5 per cent for every 1C increase in ambient air temperature and the reactors are slower to cool down. Extreme heat also makes nuclear power plants less efficient. 'Extreme heat may therefore force nuclear plants to reduce operations or shut down, straining the electrical grid during periods of high electricity demand,' the report states. A government spokesman said: 'The best way to tackle extreme weather is to tackle the climate crisis. 'Our robust electricity system is already set up to cope with extreme scenarios. We will continue working with our partners to ensure future energy infrastructure is resilient to all hazards, including extreme heat, securing the safe, secure and resilient supply of electricity as we move to clean power.' 'Lacks real-world perspective' Michael Kelly, Prince Philip professor of technology at the University of Cambridge, said the report is missing key information from hotter climates. He said the real-world examples of Arizona and Riyadh show grids are more robust than believed. 'While they say things that are right, it is a bit over-alarming in the sense that people with enough notice would make the changes necessary,' Prof Kelly added. 'What they have done is just take models and data for the UK. 'They are right as far as it goes – but to the extent that it is used to spread doom and gloom, I would say they are probably overstating their case because they have not compared it. 'It is lacking any validation from a real-world perspective.' Richard Tice, the deputy leader of Reform UK, said: 'Another government report highlights yet more risk of net zero. 'Solar panels and heat pumps may not work in heatwaves, exposing us all to risk of blackouts and major disruption. 'This will require ever more back-up systems, thus ever more extra cost. This means net zero bills will go up not down.'
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
G7 and guests meet without Trump as conflicts top the agenda
The Group of Seven (G7) summit begins a final day of deliberations in Canada on Tuesday, but without a key player: US President Donald Trump. On Monday evening, Trump's spokeswoman announced that the US president was returning to Washington early from the Canadian Rocky Mountain resort, due to the conflict between Iran and Israel. Israel launched attacks on Iran on Friday and retaliatory strikes between the two enemies since have threatened to ignite a wider conflagration across the entire region. Trump's early departure is a setback for the G7, as the meeting was seen as a test of unity in the face of major international problems. The summit was due to address Russia's ongoing war on Ukraine, in a session attended by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Tuesday. Zelensky had also planned to hold bilateral talks with Trump. Trump made it clear that he did not in any case plan to join a joint initiative for further sanctions against Moscow. He suggested that the Europeans could take the lead and expressed scepticism about US sanctions. The G7 leaders also plan to discuss energy security on Tuesday with partner countries attending the summit as guests, including: Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung. Alongside the host Canada, the G7 consists of the US, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Italy, Japan - and the European Union. Russia was excluded from the group - previously the G8 - after it annexed Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula in 2014. That left the remaining members united in their values as Western democracies, though significant differences have emerged between the US and the others since Trump's return to power.
Mint
4 days ago
- Politics
- Mint
At G7 summit, PM Modi's stern message against Pakistan – ‘if any country supports terrorism, it will pay the price'
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 18 reiterated India's stand against terrorism while thanking global leaders for condemning the Pahalgam terror attack, the Ministry of External Affairs said in its update on the prime minister's participation at the Outreach Session on Energy Security at the 51st G7 Summit in Kananaskis, Canada. In his address at the session, PM Modi also urged the leaders to galvanise global action against terrorism and underlined the need to take strict action against those who promote and support terrorism, the Ministry said in a statement. "For global peace and prosperity, our thought and policy must be clear – if any country supports terrorism, it will have to pay the price for it," the MEA quoted PM Modi as saying without naming Pakistan. The G7 summit was the first multilateral event attended by Modi after the conclusion of Operation Sindoor – India's precision strikes on terror camps in Pakistan last month, in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people, mostly tourists, in the popular hill station of Jammu and Kashmir. The G7 summit was the first multilateral event attended by Modi after the conclusion of Operation Sindoor – India's precision strikes on terror camps in Pakistan last month In his address at the Outreach Summit, PM highlighted the need to ensure energy security for all through a sustainable and green pathway and elaborated upon India's global initiatives such as ISA, CDRI and the Global Biofuels Alliance, towards this objective. Calling for attention to the concerns and priorities of the Global South, PM Modi noted that India took it as its responsibility to bring the voice of the Global South to the world stage. "Unfortunately, the Global South countries suffer the most from uncertainty and conflicts. They are the first to be hit by crises related to food, fuel, fertilizer, and finance. India considers it its responsibility to bring the priorities and concerns of the Global South to the world stage," The PM also highlighted India's experience in democratising the use of technology and its human-centric approach to deploying it. The MEA said he called for addressing global governance issues to tackle concerns about AI and promote innovation in the field. Modi met with nine global leaders within ten hours in Canada. During the meetings, he discussed ways to enhance bilateral cooperation in areas such as trade and the economy. Among the leaders that he met were his Canadian counterpart Mark Carney, South Korean President Lee Jae-myung, French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese. For global peace and prosperity, our thought and policy must be clear – if any country supports terrorism, it will have to pay the price for it. PM Modi left for Croatia, the third and final stop of his three-nation tour, after concluding his 'productive' visit to Canada. "Concluding a productive Canada visit. Thankful to theCanadian peopleand Government for hosting a successful G7 Summit, which witnessed fruitful discussions on diverse global issues. We remaincommittedto furthering global peace, prosperity and sustainability," he said in a post on X on June 18. Key Takeaways PM Modi highlights the urgent need for energy security through sustainable practices. The Global South faces significant challenges, and India aims to elevate their concerns on the world stage. International cooperation is essential to combat terrorism and promote global peace.
South China Morning Post
4 days ago
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Modi and Carney meet to reset India-Canada ties after tense two years
The leaders of India and Canada on Tuesday held their first bilateral meeting since then-Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused New Delhi in 2023 of involvement in the killing of a Canadian Sikh separatist. Relations have been poor for almost two years but there was no sign of tension when Prime Minister Mark Carney warmly welcomed Indian counterpart Narendra Modi to the Group of Seven summit he is chairing in Alberta. India denied Canada's allegations of involvement in the murder, and both nations are looking to shore up global partnerships as trade tensions and wars are recasting long-standing alliances. Carney has previously said he invited India, which is not a G7 member, due to its importance in global supply chains. 'It is my great honour to have you here,' Carney told Modi, saying their meeting was a 'testament to the importance of your country' and the issues they needed to tackle together. These included energy security, artificial intelligence, and the fights 'against terrorism' and against transnational repression.
Reuters
4 days ago
- Business
- Reuters
Carney, Modi hold talks to reset India and Canada ties after tense two years
KANANASKIS, Alberta, June 17 (Reuters) - The leaders of India and Canada on Tuesday held their first bilateral meeting since then-Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused New Delhi in 2023 of involvement in the killing of a Canadian Sikh separatist. Relations have been poor for almost two years but there was no sign of tension when Prime Minister Mark Carney warmly welcomed Indian counterpart Narendra Modi to the Group of Seven summit he is chairing in Alberta. India denied Canada's allegations of involvement in the murder, and both nations are looking to shore up global partnerships as trade tensions and wars are recasting long-standing alliances. Carney has previously said he invited India, which is not a G7 member, due to its importance in global supply chains. "It is my great honor to have you here," Carney told Modi, saying their meeting was a "testament to the importance of your country" and the issues they needed to tackle together. These included energy security, artificial intelligence, and the fights "against terrorism" and against transnational repression. Carney did not mention the furor sparked when Trudeau accused India's government of involvement in the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian soil. Modi did not mention the case either. Speaking through an interpreter, he said the two nations could work together to strengthen democratic values. "I'm sure, under your leadership, we will be able to work together in a positive way," said Modi, paying his first visit to Canada for a decade. India is Canada's top source of temporary foreign workers and international students, as well as an important market. Greg Cherewyk, president of the Pulse Canada industry group, said Canadian farmers hope to export more agricultural products to the world's most populous nation, including lentils. Canada's Sikh community, the largest outside of the Indian state of Punjab, has voiced outrage over Modi's visit, saying Canada should have set conditions before inviting him. A few dozen Sikh protesters in downtown Calgary tore apart Indian flags in protest on Tuesday. Modi's government has denied involvement in the killing and accused Canada of providing a safe haven for Sikh separatists. Last year, Canada expelled six Indian diplomats, linking them to Nijjar's murder and alleging a broader government effort to target Indian dissidents in Canada. Four men have been charged with his murder.
