Gas alert as demand and prices rise

JohnB · Post by **JohnB** » 05 Dec 2010, 19:37

emordnilap wrote:Tut-tut.

A min/max thermometer is all you need. If, indeed, you need that. However will we manage when our "dataloggers" conk out?

Maybe, but I think being able to log the temperature over a period has it's uses. Hopefully by the time it conks out, I will have a home where the temperature stays at a pretty constant and comfortable level all the time, without using too much energy!

emordnilap · Post by **emordnilap** » 06 Dec 2010, 12:51

JohnB wrote:Maybe, but I think being able to log the temperature over a period has it's uses.

It does, if only for interest's sake. I note the min/max temperature every day too, in my diary, with a pen.

woodpecker · Post by **woodpecker** » 06 Dec 2010, 12:55

Any advice on best thermometers to get?

emordnilap · Post by **emordnilap** » 06 Dec 2010, 13:26

woodpecker wrote:Any advice on best thermometers to get?

Not really, mine's a standard cheapie bought on the web. I tested it in the fridge and freezer and it seemed reasonably accurate, good enough for me anyway.

Try scroogling for one; here's a pretty good selection.

Post by **mikepepler** » 18 Dec 2010, 08:10

Worth another look at the graphs on http://marketinformation.natgrid.co.uk/ ... gView.aspx

- LNG stocks have been on a downward trajectory - I guess deliveries aren't keeping pace with usage? I noticed that the Dragon terminal delivered no gas for a few days, though it is back on now - I guess it ran out for a bit, but has now had a delivery.

- total storage stock is now only 60% full. This time last year we were at 90%!!!

Andy Hunt · Post by **Andy Hunt** » 18 Dec 2010, 09:23

I wonder how the government would deal with a national energy crisis in their first winter. It would certainly be a wake up call.

PowerSwitchJames · Post by **PowerSwitchJames** » 18 Dec 2010, 09:53

We could almost do with a mini-crisis to wake people up.

JohnB · Post by **JohnB** » 18 Dec 2010, 10:17

PowerSwitchJames wrote:We could almost do with a mini-crisis to wake people up.

I agree. But can we wait until next winter when I'm better prepared?

Andy Hunt · Post by **Andy Hunt** » 18 Dec 2010, 10:21

PowerSwitchJames wrote:We could almost do with a mini-crisis to wake people up.

I think with the heating oil situation we may be on the edge of one.

Power cuts due to lack of gas for electricity generation would be another thing entirely though. It would expose the UK's vulnerability to energy supply interruptions, and I think really bring it home to people what we are facing.

Post by **adam2** » 18 Dec 2010, 10:40

Yes, power cuts would be a wake up call.
I have previously stated that I considered widespead power cuts to be unlikely this year as the economic downturn has reduced demand.
That can change though with exceptionly cold weather.
Many retailers have run out of electric heaters, which suggests signifcant extra electricity useage.
Those who normally use wood, coal, or oil for heating may be useing electricity in order to conserve supplies of other fuels, or because they already run short.

Heating oil shortages are partly lack of sensible filling up of oil tanks before cold weather, and will be less of a wake up call than power cuts since they dont affect urban areas much.

JohnB · Post by **JohnB** » 18 Dec 2010, 11:28

This is just the opportunity I was thinking would be ideal to have a public event to promote our Transition Housing Group. Ideally it should be in summer, when people have time to prepare, but in reality the middle of a crisis may be the time to get the best response. Unfortunately, we're not ready to do it yet.

Post by **mikepepler** » 18 Dec 2010, 16:41

At the moment, we're just one 'hiccup' away from a gas shortage. Past hiccups include:

Nov 2010 (Rough): http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKTRE6AJ0RC20101121

Jan 2010 (Langeled): http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid= ... 9dd4MEr3x8

Feb 2008 (Bacton): http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2008 ... ketturmoil

Jul 2007 (CATS): http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKL3082718920070730

Feb 2006 (Rough): http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/b ... 731897.ece

2005-2009 (Russia/Ukraine): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russia%E2% ... s_disputes

Of course, if it stays cold for another six weeks, we'll be out of storage anyway, so that's 10-15% of the supply gone.

Andy Hunt · Post by **Andy Hunt** » 18 Dec 2010, 16:49

Six weeks would take us to the end of January. It seems like the weather is going to have to turn equatorial if we are going to get through the whole winter.

I wonder if HMG are looking at emergency plans for February as we speak.

RenewableCandy · Post by **RenewableCandy** » 18 Dec 2010, 16:51

JohnB wrote:This is just the opportunity I was thinking would be ideal to have a public event to promote our Transition Housing Group. Ideally it should be in summer, when people have time to prepare, but in reality the middle of a crisis may be the time to get the best response. Unfortunately, we're not ready to do it yet.

But the roads are all iced up and nobody'd be able to get there...

JohnB · Post by **JohnB** » 18 Dec 2010, 16:54

RenewableCandy wrote:
JohnB wrote:This is just the opportunity I was thinking would be ideal to have a public event to promote our Transition Housing Group. Ideally it should be in summer, when people have time to prepare, but in reality the middle of a crisis may be the time to get the best response. Unfortunately, we're not ready to do it yet.
But the roads are all iced up and nobody'd be able to get there...

There's no hope then. We'd better just give up and die