electricity

How excess clean energy has tested the electricity grid in Spain

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This Holy Week has achieved a historical milestone in the energy sector in Spain: for the first time 100% could be covered of the electrical demand with renewables. However, behind this success there is a shadow that does not benefit the electricity grid: the Curtailment. Short. The phenomenon Curtailmentor “renewable cut”, occurs when there is an excess of electric production. Then, the system operator – in this case, the Spanish electricity grid – is forced to temporarily reduce or stop wind turbines or solar panels to maintain the stability of the network, According to EDP Energy. The root of the problem. Although there are optimal wind or sun, the REE must stop the renewable generation for two reasons. On the one hand, there may be excess production over hours that do not coincide with consumption peaks. On the other, As was already being discussedan energy inequality persists in the country: the “emptied Spain” produces and is far from the large consumption centers. As has detailed At eldiario.es, electrical networks were not designed to transport current volumes, creating bottlenecks that force production to stop. The waste. He Curtailment It is causing consequences that alert experts. According to Aurora Energy Researchlast year in Spain, 1.7 Renewable Energy TWH was wasted, sufficient to supply 600,000 homes for a full year. The worrying, as the study has indicated, this figure represents 13% more than in 2023, confirming an upward trend that, if not corrected, can be intensified in the coming years. An opening of solutions. Despite the cut there are different devices to be able to keep the network stable. First, continue building more large -scale storage systems through batteries either reversible hydroelectric plantsallowing to save the surplus to release it when necessary. Another system comes with an innovation of fingering by implementing Intelligent networks that combine IoT sensors with AI algorithms, capable of predicting excess production. These systems, complemented with digital twins that virtually replicate the behavior of the network, allow to optimize energy flows and reduce up to 30% spills, According to data collected by strategic energy. Crossing borders. Looking towards the neighbors, interconnections could be improved with France and Portugal to channel surpluses. As has pointed out In the school environment, these connections will allow the export of energy to be planned in advance, although currently its capacity remains limited. Forecasts Curtailment represents one of the greatest practical challenges of the Spanish energy transition. While Spain continues to beat records in renewable installation, the ability to take advantage of every kilowatt will make the difference between a truly sustainable energy model and another that, paradoxically, continues to waste part of its green potential. Image | Joan Grifols and Pexels Xataka | The production of renewables in Europe is so strong that it is forcing nuclear power plants to work

consumes much more electricity than data centers

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In 2022 in the air conditioning it represented 7% of world consumption of electricity. And its pressure on electrical infrastructure does not stop increasing year after year. On the other hand, data centers will be responsible for 10% of the increase in energy demand until 2030. Air conditioning will contribute a much greater percentage. These estimates formalized them in November 2024 International Energy Agency (IEA) and clearly reflect that the energy consumption of air conditioning devices is more worrying than that of data centers. The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) that we are living has triggered the proliferation of these facilities in the US, China, Japan, Singapore, India, Germany, Netherlands or Ireland, among other nations, but, in theory, the forecast of the IEA has taken it into account. And also that air conditioning devices have to respect an increasingly strict regulation in energy matters. However, as Casey Crownhart points out, a journalist specialized in the behavior of the weather of MIT Technology Reviewhe global warming Play against us. Refrigeration is the authentic monster of global energy demand In 2016 there were just under 2,000 million air conditioning devices throughout the planet. However, in 2050 the IEE estimates that there will be about 6,000 million of these devices. This strong growth is the consequence of the constant increase in the number of cooling degrees per day derived from global warming. In 2024 the cooling degrees per day were 6% higher than in 2023, and nothing less than 20% higher than the average of the first two decades of this century. The countries that invest more energy in the air conditioning devices are precisely the three most populated on the planet: India, China and the US The countries that invest more energy in the air conditioning devices are precisely the three most populated on the planet: India, China and the US. However, the impact of this energy demand is global. Besides, not only does it matter How much electricity consume air conditioning devices; It is also very relevant When this energy demand occurs. In fact, in the US these devices represent up to 70% of consumption in those time slots in which it is more hot. This behavior submits the electricity to enormous stress, although this voltage oscillates as the hottest hours give way to the freshest moments of the day. Whatever it is is evident that It is very important to innovate in the field of cooling technologies. The presumable proliferation of air conditioning devices over the next few years will require that each of them consume less energy. Even if it’s just a bit. A minimum improvement in a huge park park can make a big difference. The good news is that Innovations are coming in the technology of cooling devices that invite us to look to the future with reasonable optimism. Desiccant cooling systems use special materials that absorb moisture to cool spaces in a more efficient way. And heat exchangers containing not only air conditioning devices, but also refrigerators or heat pumps, are increasingly efficient. It seems that this is the way. Let us trust technological development to help us solve this enormous challenge. Image | Sergei a More information | MIT Technology Review In Xataka | Samsung throws the handbrake: delays the construction of its US avant -garde factories and South Korea

Generating electricity using earth rotation seemed impossible. These physicists have shown that it is not

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In July 2016, two American physicists, Christopher F. Chyba, from Princeton University, and Kevin P. Hand, from the NASA jet propulsion laboratory, published in Physical Review Apply A very exotic scientific article. In his text they defended the possibility of generating electricity taking advantage of The Earth Rotation Movement. His proposal required to build a device that was able to interact with The magnetic field of our planetbut at that time very few scientists took it seriously. Despite the bad initial reception that his job received, Chyba and Hand have spent the last nine years trying to build his electricity generation machine with the purpose of demonstrating that, indeed, his proposal works. However, during this period they have joined a third physique, Thomas H. Chyba, who investigates in Spectral Sensor Solutions, an Albuquerque company (New Mexico). It is dedicated, among other things, to develop electrooptic sensors to detect chemical, nuclear, biological and radiological threats. Chyba and Hand were right from the beginning On March 19, these three physicists published in Physical Review Research A new scientific article in which they experimentally demonstrate that, as suggested in their 2016 text, it is possible to generate electricity taking advantage of The rotation movement From Earth. To carry out their demonstration they have built the apparatus capable of interacting with The Earth’s magnetic field of which they talked in their 2016 article. Interestingly, this device is very broadly speaking a manganese and zinc ferrite cylinder that behaves like a magnetic shield. The experiment of these three physicists has shown that 18 electricity microvolts were being generated through the cylinder Once they had it ready, they guided him in a north-south direction with an angle of 57 degrees with the purpose of being perpendicular to both to the Earth Rotation Movement as to its magnetic field. And then they placed electrodes at each end of the cylinder to be able to measure the voltage of the electric current that they expected to be generated. And they succeeded. His experiment showed that they were being generated 18 electricity microvolts through the cylinder without any other energy source. According to these physicists, the only plausible possibility is that, as they expected, the land rotation movement is responsible for the generation of this small amount of electricity. When Chyba and Hand proposed their idea in 2016, other scientists criticized it by arguing that any voltage caused by a device similar to that they have finally built would be canceled at the time when electrons were repositioned during the generation of an electric field. But your experiment shows that it is possible to capture that voltage. An 18 microvolt voltage is insignificant in practice. It’s true. However, this is not important; The relevant thing is that, apparently, the proposal of these three physicists works. In fact, your plan goes through climb this technology To generate much more electricity, enough at least to be useful. In any case, there is something important that we should not overlook: its experiment still has to be replicated by other scientists and in other test scenarios to verify that this voltage has not really been generated by any other external source that, perhaps, the protagonists of this article have not taken into account. Image | POT More information | Physical Review Research In Xataka | NASA has made the calculations: China can slow down the earth with a filling of the three throats

Salt water, CO2 and electricity are the new recipe to create more sustainable cement and concrete

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Cement is one of the most used artificial materials on the planet, but has two problems. The first, environmentalsince its production emits a remarkable amount of greenhouse gases. The second, the shortage of raw materials such as sand, whose mined also has an environmental impact. A new material. A team of researchers from the Northwestern University and the company ️Cemex Innovation Holding has developed A new construction material through a process that combines marine water, carbon dioxide (CO2) and electricity. This new material can be used in the production of cement and concrete and, according to its developers, in its production more CO2 than it emits. That is why the new material has the ability to make the most sustainable cement and concrete production. Salt water, CO2 and current. The method to create the new material begins by introducing electrodes in the salt water to circulate an electric current that separates water molecules into hydrogen gas and hydroxide ions. As explained by the development responsibleWhile the current circulates, CO2 bubbles are added to the water in order to change the chemical composition of the water by increasing the concentration of bicarbonate ions. The ions of these two compounds (hydroxide and bicarbonate) react with other ions that can be dissolved in marine water, such as calcium and magnesium. From these chemical reactions both calcium carbonate (CACO3) and magnesium hydroxide arise. The first compound, Continue explaining the teamit is in itself a carbon sink; The second, on the other hand, is able to capture additional carbon interacting with CO2 molecules. Copying nature. According to its developers, the process is similar to that used by corals and mollusks to build their structures and shells. The key difference is that these animals use their own metabolism instead of electrical energy to detonate the chemical process. Different uses. The resulting material, a Mixture of calcium carbonate and magnesium hydroxidecan be used as a substitute for the sand or gravel used in concrete manufacturing, but can also be used to produce cement, plaster and even paint. More control. The resulting material has an important advantage and that its properties can be altered by introducing small changes in the elaboration process such as the current and its voltage, or the duration of the injection of CO2, among others. Thus it is possible to achieve a more porous or more dense and hard substance. The details of the process and its results were published In an article In the magazine Advanced Sustainable Systems. Optimizing the capture of CO2. Another important factor is the calcium carbonate ratio and magnesium hydroxide obtained in the resulting material. This ratio depends, for example, the captured amount of carbon dioxide. According to The developers explaina 50/50 mixture of the compounds can allow to capture a ton of CO2 for every two tons of material. A more harmless waste. The process, as we indicated at the beginning, begins with the separation of water molecules. This generates, in addition to the ions used to unleash the subsequent chemical, hydrogen reactions. This gas is not only harmless but can also be used as an energy reserve. Of course, because electricity is part of the manufacturing process of this material, it must be taken into account that the net emissions of its production will depend on the mix energetic. That is, if the energy used in the process emits CO2 that is not captured, part of the capture would be lost. Another detail to keep in mind is that a good part of CO2 emissions associated with cement production They are generated at a different stage of its manufacture, when the sand is crushed with the limestone and heated at high temperatures capable of decomposing calcium carbonate. This problem occurs if the material is used in the creation of the cement and not when it is mixed later with it in the production of concrete. In Xataka | Construction has a gigantic environmental problem. Its solution: Solar cement plants Image | Northwestern University

Brussels has asked to apply 5% VAT to electricity to protect industries and homes

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The year 2025 entered and the fiscal reduction of electricity ended in Spain, the same one that remained for three and a half years. We have gone from 5% to mitigate the effects of the energy crisis, to which return to its general type of 21%. However, Brussels have other plans. Brussels measure. The European Commission has presented An action plan to make energy more affordable in the EU. This includes a series of measures, such as energy reduction, in order to relieve electricity and energy costs for citizens and companies. The most outstanding measure is the proposal to apply a minimum VAT of 5% in electricity. Reduce VAT. The objective is based on reducing short -term costs for consumers and companies. The energy commissioner, Dan Jørgensen, has estimated Energy savings of 45,000 million in 2025, which will increase up to 130,000 million a year by 2030 and up to 260,000 million annually by 2040. In addition, from the EU they seek to “turn the current situation” characterized by dependence on foreign fossil fuels, the existence of a fragmented electrical system and a continuous increase in system costs. Gas dependence. The European Union has accelerated the emptying of its gas reserves in the last three years Due to the energy crisis. Gas is being one of the great War paradoxesbecause while European funds are destined for Ukraine to help it, Gas and oil are still bought from Russia. This dependence increases the cost of electricity production, especially when gas is used as a primary generation source. For its part, the price of gas has returned to high levels similar to those of 2022, especially affecting industries such as chemistry and metallurgical, which depend on both and energy source and raw material. This increase has been driven by cold temperatures and a lower renewable energy generation. The forecasts indicate that, if the demand remains high and the cold climate persists, the prices They could continue to go upwhich would impact the competitiveness and inflation of industrial products in Europe. So renewables? Another point is clean energies, Europe has a great renewable capacity, but as We have mentioned in Xataka, There are two factors that the EU still has to resolve: the famous “Dunkelflaute”, a period without wind or sun, which reduces the generation of renewables, and an aged electricity, which makes it difficult to transmit. These factors have made the dependence on fossil sources increase, raising costs. The consequences are reflected in a more volatile electricity market and the impact on consumers. And what happens in Spain? The year began with a series of fiscal changes in the country, such as VAT increase. This return to previous tax levels (21%) after the fiscal reduction implemented to mitigate the energy crisis has raised short -term costs. Although this has not been the only climb, they have also increased The Electricity Tax (IEE) and The Value Tax of Electric Power Production (IVPEE). However, a system of Progressive reduction in the social bonus For vulnerable homes, which could mitigate the effects on the most affected by the climb. On the other hand, the fees options, such as the PVPC rate and fixed or variable rates in the free market, will allow consumers to adapt their consumption and select a rate that best suits their needs and patterns of use, which can help optimize costs despite fiscal increases. Although Spain has advanced Towards a greater proportion of renewable energy, factors such as tax rise, dependence on fossil fuels and an aging of the energy network still affect the costs of electricity Image | Pxhere Xataka | Thousands of trapped people, chaos in the streets and a country looking for answers: Chile has faced the worst blackout in 14 years

If you have ever wondered what would happen if 99% of a country will run out of electricity, Chile has lived it in their flesh

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99% of the population of Chile remained in the dark. A failure in an electric transmission line caused the biggest blackout from the country in 14 years from 3:15 p.m. until after 23:00 hours. Short. Chile has seen the electricity supply interrupted in 14 of the 16 regions, from the Arica northern to the southern of the lakes in an extension of more than 3,000 kilometers that the nation travels, According to the National Disaster Response Service (Senapred). For eight hours the Chilean country was without light or connection and until midnight did not return, so the government authorities They had to decree The state of emergency and a curfew (between 22.00 and 6.00 in the morning on Wednesday) and convene the disaster risk management committee (Cogrid). The chaos. The blackout that surprised at noon generated a huge circulatory chaos, prevented banking, financial, mining and commercial activity. In addition, it put hospitals and other essential services at risk, and has already been reported at the time of writing this note The death of three electrodependent people. On the other hand, the images of the Metropolitan Region Metro Without light and People returning on footthey are already viral in different social networks. To this media have confirmed people from the Bío Bío region, Valparaíso and the city of Santiago de Chile who had to send SMS messages to communicate, the information came through the radio and the little internet (it was intermittent) reached them to use to use The X app (old Twitter), since it was the only one that worked. Regarding the coercive measures of the government, it mobilized thousands of security agents of the Military Police of Carabineros and the Investigation Police (PDI), According to the Undersecretariat of Defense. For the moment There is no record of acts vandalism or serious accidents, but the national air traffic with delays and agglomerations has been affected. The blackout. The president of Chile, Gabriel Boric, He went to the country at 10:00 p.m. from the Palacio de la Moneda by contingency before the power of electricity supply. In this speech to the population, Boric explained that the blackout was the product of A fault of the Isa Interchile company and there was a massive cut in almost the whole country. From the National Electric Coordination (CEN) they reported that the interruption of the electricity supply was produced by a disconnection of the 500 kV transmission system in the North Chico. Through this situation, the service recovery plan was activated to reestablish electricity, but it did not begin to reach up to 10 p.m. and after four attempts, they had not succeeded. The president of the Board of Directors of the CEN, Juan Carlos Olmedo, confirmed that disconnection It was due to “an unwanted operation in the protection and control systems of the line (which the Isa Interchile company manages).” And he explained: “The electronic systems did not operate the way it should have operated.” The vulnerability of the system. Isa Interchile, a subsidiary of the Colombian company Isa, plays an important role in electric transmission in Chile, being responsible of infrastructure such as the New Maitencillo Line – New Pan of Sugar. The electrical system in Chile is composed of different private companies that generate and distribute, but a failure in these infrastructure can affect the electricity supply nationwide. The recent blackout has shown The vulnerability of the electrical system Chilean, no It is obsolete. However, when concentrating into a few hands and an interruption in a key infrastructure can generate chaos nationwide, highlighting the need to reinforce Resilience and diversification in the country’s electrical system. Affected a pillar of the economy. The world’s largest copper mine, hidden from BHP, ran out of electricity, confirmed to Reuters. Also the state copper mining company Codelco confirmed in a statement to media That all their mines were affected, leaving the largest, the Lieutenant and Chuquicamata, without electricity, while the smallest mines could partially operate using support generators. Similarly, the Antofagasta Minera was able to continue working. A day after the blackout. Recently, Interior Minister Carolina Tohá, has announced at a press conference that the government has raised the state of exception by catastrophe, together with the curfew. However, the minister explained that the uprising of the measure “does not affect the regions of the country in which we have a state of emergency exception, particularly the Araucanía region and much of the biobío, which are with an emergency state by security reasons, this does not affect the deployment of military personnels that we have on the border (north). ” Image | Pablo carved Xataka | There are so many Australians with solar panels in their roofs that the electricity grid has been one step away from the abyss

Rural Spain produces more energy than consumes. And in Teruel it is already proposed to take the VAT of the electricity there

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In a recent report, the Ember Analysis Agency has demonstrated that the total electric production of Spain is 60.2%. However, the generation and distribution of energy are not equal throughout the country, and in the community of Aragon they know well. Proposition. The Aragón-teruel parliamentary group exists has registered A proposition of law in the autonomous chamber so that the collection of VAT obtained from the electricity companies is redistributed to compensate for the territories according to their energy production. The parliamentary spokesman for this training in a press conference, Tomás Guitarte, He explained that this initiative aims to compensate for those areas that produce more electricity than they consume. In his statements he has exposed the case of Aragon, which generates 9% of the country’s energy, but consumes only 4%. However, he added that with the current VAT to 21% and a forecast of 2,000 million euros, he would correspond about 180 million. Previously. The proposal has a historical basis, since it is inspired by the fee created in 1981, which compensated for the territories sacrificed in the production of electricity before being replaced by VAT in 1986. In addition, the law seeks to promote the well -being and development of The regions that generate energy, not only from the economic point of view, but also with a vision of territorial justice, where environmental and landscape impacts are compensated by the benefits generated by the energy transition. To Congress. The proposition of the law has been registered in the courts of Aragon and is protected in the Article 292 of the Regulation of the Courts of Aragon and in him Article 87 of the Constitution. This allows the proposal to be raised to the Congress of Deputies, where it would be processed if it exceeds the procedures in the Autonomous Courts. Once approved by the regional government and taken to Plenary, if accepted, it would go to Congress for processing. This proposal does not imply the creation of a new tax, but a redistribution of electric VAT income. The core of the problem. A couple of months ago, Aragon tried keep their surplusesbut the Constitutional Court stopped him. This situation reflects a broader imbalance which affects many producing communities, whose energy surplus is directed towards other regions of the country, generating tensions about the control and distribution of these resources. For that reason, there is a distancing between urban and rural areas In energy terms. While cities are provided with more energy and do not have the same installed infrastructure, rural areas have to live with large -scale facilities, thus generating an environmental impact and an imbalance in the territory. For example, Madrid only produces 4.8% of the energy that consumes and depends on territories such as Extremadura that produces an energy surplus of 423%. The next steps. The proposal is already in the Courts of Aragon and, after its approval by the regional government, it will be taken to the plenary. If approved, it will go to Congress for processing, which could take several months. Meanwhile, Aragon-teruel exists continues to struggle to ensure that energy producing communities receive fair compensation for the sacrifices they make. Image | Unspash and Unspash Xataka | In a town in Badajoz they have encountered a strength of 5,000 years ago. And a Roman with a suspicious burial

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