Gas supply crunch

[PS_RalphW]

Gas price rises after Germany refuses to certify Nordstream 2 until it is operated by a German owned company. I guess this is a result of political pressure from US and elsewhere to help prop up Ukraine

[clv101]

Europe playing chicken with Russia wrt gas supplies going in the winter with low stocks? We're nuts.

[adam2]

Our leader has assured us that we have "very diverse sources of supply" and also that "a mild winter is expected" So no problem surely

[clv101]

EUROPEAN ENERGY CRUNCH: Europe (EU and UK) is embarking into the 2nd phase of the "let's-see-what-it-takes-to-destroy-gas-demand" experiment. We saw how the 1st phase went. The 2nd won't be much different. A rather interesting way of conducting energy policy.

@JavierBlas

[adam2]

Natural gas prices fluctuate daily, but have remained in the 200 pence to 300 pence per therm range. Many times the historical norm, and between two and three times the previous peak.

I suspect that this is the new normal. Hopefully more renewables will be used as a result.

[PS_RalphW]

Price spikes again to nearly 300p as Germany again refuses to licence NordStream 2 pipeline, citing Russian interference in the Ukraine.

Putin laughing all the way to the bank

[adam2]

Last nights closing price was the highest ever recorded on the BBC market data site.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/topics/cxwdw ... atural-gas

I recall even higher prices, briefly, but the monthly and longer price charts are based on daily closing prices and take no account of intra day peaks.

[adam2]

I am shocked by the natural gas price, and I am not easily shocked.
Now at about 400 pence a therm, or about TEN times the norm in recent years.
Very little wind at present which is increasing gas burnt for electricity production.

[clv101]

Kosovo are now experiencing 2hrs (officially, longer in reality) rolling blackouts. They won't be the last European country to this winter.

[kenneal - lagger]

Perhaps the high prices might convince people that they don't have a divine right to to sit around their houses in t shirt and shorts all through the winter.

Put on a couple more layers and turn the thermostat down to 18 or 19C. Maybe adjust the time switch to run it for a shorter period as well.

[PS_RalphW]

Price dropped 28% today, which must be a record daily change in any similar market. Now only 300pence a therm

[adam2]

Perhaps the high prices might convince people that they don't have a divine right to to sit around their houses in t shirt and shorts all through the winter.

Put on a couple more layers and turn the thermostat down to 18 or 19C. Maybe adjust the time switch to run it for a shorter period as well.

Agree, that many people dress most unsuitably, and then complain at the cost of heating.
Most adults and children do not need a room temperature greater than 22 degrees, and could perhaps manage with slightly lower temperatures.

Current temperatures in my home.
Living room-------------------------------about 23 degrees, but rather variable according to where measured.
Bathroom----------------------------------14 degrees, can be heated to mid 20s with Tilley radiator when showering etc. Not heated otherwise.
Kitchen-------------------------------------21 degrees due to recent use of oven, usually colder than that.
Bedroom------------------------------------15 degrees, electric heater available but not normally used.
Downstairs W.C.---------------------------12 Degrees, can be heated with an oil lamp to prevent frost damage, but not needed at present.

I am wearing one piece long underwear, lightweight trousers, sweatshirt, Cornish smock.

When I go to bed I will wear a brushed cotton nightshirt with brushed cotton pajama trousers, and be covered by a thick cotton twill sheet and two decent wool blankets. Extra blankets are available but two generally suffice.

[kenneal - lagger]

I'm not sure that we have got a full sized blanket in the house; maybe there are a few used as underblankets. We use various TOG rating fleeces at different times of the year. If it gets really cold we can always double up.

[adam2]

I'm not sure that we have got a full sized blanket in the house; maybe there are a few used as underblankets. We use various TOG rating fleeces at different times of the year. If it gets really cold we can always double up.

Polyester fleece and duvets are in my view a very poor substitute for good quality and generously sized 100% wool blankets.
For children and small adults the MINIMUM size of a bed blanket should be the UK single size of 70 inches by 90 inches.
For larger persons, double size of about 90 inches by 100 inches.
For a couple, king size of at least 100 inches by 120 inches.

For good quality blankets at somewhat reasonable prices a thorough fleabay search is suggested. Avoid S/H for both hygiene concerns and the probability of worn out from decades of use.
Look for unused blankets, preferably still in the original wrapping. Even if stored for decades.

Every household should in my view have at least one decent wool blanket for each person, in addition to any used on the beds.

Neighbours children insisted on NOS blankets from Poland on the grounds that "it is very cold in Poland, so blankets from Poland will be warm" The bright blue and orange checked ones are the warmest "obviously" Children much warmer than with Argos duvets.

[adam2]

UK natural gas stocks have declined and are now lower than at this time last year, and last years stocks were not impressive.

Happy Christmas.