The U.K. just went 55 hours without using coal for the first time.
No coal was used for power generation in the U.K. between 54 hours and 50 minutes.
The UK set a new record of 54 hours and 50mins without #coal fired generation in the UK electricity mix this week https://t.co/knjFLPms2p Expect more records to be broken this summer as coal continues its rapid decline https://t.co/pQdDnipSJ0 pic.twitter.com/hgTP4eEJF5
— Carbon Tracker (@CarbonBubble) April 19, 2018
According to an article from Carbon Brief:
“Coal now accounts for only 5.3 percent of total primary energy consumed in the UK, down from 22 percent in 1995. The total carbon dioxide emissions are as low as emissions were back in 1890.”
image credit wikimedia
that is the calculation from the actual power generated. now factor in all the maintenance structure to support the generation all the boats that use fuel to get the men to service the blades. let us not forget what the cost was to build one of these units. then we have the cables that supply the grid! how much carbon is used to make and maintain them. all still depends on oil to provide lubrication. yes it is an accomplishment to say no coal was used. so what did they do shut down the boilers for fifty hours? things happen to the system when allowed to cool down and fire up again. please tell the whole story.
Grampa