a day ago
- The International Energy Agency advises saving energy due to Middle East conflicts, but Dutch ministers claim no shortages exist, drawing parallels to past crisis denial.
- Energy storage of gas in the Netherlands functions as a giant battery, with winter consumption drawing 40 GW non-stop, requiring refilling in spring and summer.
- Using less gas in spring and summer frees more for storage, preventing winter shortages; renewable energy like solar and wind reduces gas use for electricity.
- Efficient electricity use matters: running appliances during sunny or windy periods saves gas, while nighttime or calm usage consumes more.
- Installing more solar panels (especially westward-facing) and wind turbines helps meet demand longer and during winter, with additional batteries spreading supply.
- Electric vehicles and bikes save energy dramatically; an e-bike uses only 50 W, while replacing car trips cuts thousands of watts, and EVs are efficient even on gas-generated electricity.
- Heat pumps recycle heat, being 4-5 times more efficient than gas boilers; smart ones heat water when solar power is abundant.
- Home batteries are becoming more viable as electricity prices fluctuate, reducing gas use by storing daytime solar for evening use.
- Coal use is limited in the Netherlands but may increase in winter; the plan to attract AI factories is questioned due to high electricity demand.
- Policies should push solar panels, heat pumps, wind turbines, insulation, and electric transport to secure energy independence and reduce reliance on fossils.