In late February, Ukraine began a long-planned 72-hour test to unhook its electricity grid from Russia’s. The plan was to reconnect with its neighbors after a few days. Then in 2023 it would switch on the links with Europe. That’s not what happened.
West Coast solar panels when the sun goes down. Europe has meanwhile pushed for more grid integration. “The more interconnection the better,” says Mark Jacobson, a professor at Stanford University who has studied how enlarged grids could hasten the adoption of renewable energy, including in Ukraine.
But politics often get in the way of grid expansion. After the fall of the Soviet Union, officials talked for years about the possibility of a pan-Eurasian grid that would stretch from Portugal to Russia’s Pacific coast. Sprawling across 13 time zones, it would spread out demand for energy over the course of the day and insulate the supply against weird local weather and isolated accidents. Instead, Europe’s relationship with Russia got more complicated, and the dream was reeled in.
Any change requires slow, grinding policy work—including updating Ukrainian energy rules and getting Europe’s individual grid operators to agree on a new partner. “It’s been a bumpy process,” says Georg Zachmann, a senior fellow at the economics think tank Bruegel whodeemed Ukraine’s 2023 target for synchronization “wildly ambitious.” For the most part, war means those policy complications are now out the window, Zachmann adds—stuff to be figured out later. But the technical limits remain.
What’s perhaps more important is that without Ukraine on its grid, Russia will lose another form of leverage over the nation, Secrieru notes. He expects nuclear plants and other energy infrastructure to be key bargaining chips in future negotiations to end the war, noting Russia’s aggressive push to seize control of such resources. He worries incidents similar to the shelling at Zaporizhzhia could occur at other facilities as Russian forces move deeper into the country.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Russia-Ukraine live updates: Russia responds to Poland offering jets to help UkraineUKRAINE-RUSSIA LATEST: -U.S. to send two Patriot anti-missile batteries to Poland -Russia responds to Poland offering fighter jets to help Ukraine -Over 2.15 million refugees have fled Ukraine: UNHCR
Read more »
Russia-Ukraine live updates: Top diplomats from Russia and Ukraine meet in TurkeyNEW: Russian military alleges that its forces have managed to capture more of the outer neighborhoods of Mariupol, in southeastern Ukraine, saying the operation to 'liberate' the strategic port city is ongoing.
Read more »
Russia-Ukraine live updates: Ukraine claims Russian general was killed in fightingBREAKING: Coca-Cola announces the company is joining McDonald’s and Starbucks in suspending their operations in Russia.
Read more »
Russia-Ukraine live updates: Over 2.15 million refugees have fled UkraineMore than 2.15 million people have been forced to flee Ukraine since Russian forces invaded on Feb. 24, according to the latest figures from the United Nations refugee agency.
Read more »
Russia-Ukraine live updates: Chernobyl in ‘extremely dangerous’ situation; Ukraine evacuation attempts resumeChernobyl plant disconnected from power grid in what Ukraine called an 'extremely dangerous situation.' Follow our live coverage.
Read more »
Russia-Ukraine live updates: 3 killed in Ukraine hospital strike ahead of high-level talksA Russian attack that tore through a maternity hospital in Mariupol injured at least 17 staff members and patients.
Read more »