Powerless times ahead
It is a still winter night in Green-topia.
Wind turbines are idle; solar panels are in darkness; some are covered with snow.
In the rich green suburbs, electric cars are getting re-charged. Lights, heaters and TV are on, and coffee is percolating.
Where is the electricity coming from?
Maybe big batteries? No – they got drained last night re-charging the electric cars.
All power tonight is coming from the old reliables – coal, gas, hydro or nuclear.
What if it’s cloudy and windless tomorrow and the reliables have a hiccup?
Watch Europe as its hungry, powerless winter unfolds.
Their peril is our warning.
Viv Forbes, Washpool
