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Periods of low sun and wind, a weather phenomenon known as Dunkelflaute, can increase electricity costs and cause political tensions.
By Stanley Reed and Melissa Eddy
Stanley Reed reported from London and Melissa Eddy from Berlin.
Europe is watching the sky for a gremlin that could disrupt its energy markets and stoke political tensions between neighboring countries. This weather phenomenon, known as Dunkelflaute, has a source of frustration for government ministers and a possible difficulty in their adventure to the cleanest power.
Dunkelflaute, a German term that translates as “dark marastos”, refers to a series of quiet days in which dense clouds descend over northern Europe. This climatic trend can occur from two to ten times a year, in autumn and winter, and lasts 24 hours. or more.
In the past, these periods of problematic calm would have had little effect on energy markets in Europe. But in years, when countries like Germany and Great Britain have spent billions to combat the climate replacing when resorting to white energy sources, the Dunkelflaute has gained notoriety.
It makes a generation, Europe depended on regular and predictable force flows from nuclear and fossil plants. Today, much of the strength of the region comes from solar panels and wind farms, whose production varies according to the climate whims.
Proponents of wind and solar emphasize that these technologies have lower costs because they don’t burn gas or coal, but they can contribute to large price swings in the electric power market.
During the gloomy stillness of a Dunkelflaute, solar panels produce little power and wind turbines slow to a halt. Without these two mainstays of renewable energy, grid operators need to call on backup power plants like natural-gas-fired generators.
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