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Europe’s ‘supergrid’ paves way for baseload renewable energy

Getting connected: Europe’s green energy ‘supergrid ‘By Matt Ford, for CNNJ anuary 31, 2010 It is a criticism frequently leveled at those promoting wind or solar power as an alternative to fossil fuels: what happens when the wind doesn’t blow or the sun doesn’t shine?Well, now there is a smart answer, at least in Europe — we’ll simply and instantly switch to another source of clean, green power.

Plans for a massive electricity grid dedicated to uniting the varied sources of renewable energy available in northern Europe have taken a step forward in January as nine countries formally agreed to work together on the project.

Using thousands of miles of high-tech undersea cables the ‘supergrid’ will unite wind farms on blustery British coasts with Dutch and Belgian tidal power, the vast hydroelectric potential of Norway fjords and Germany’s massive solar arrays.

The gird should mean that when one source falls short, another takes up the slack to ensure continuity of supply………

“It will connect grids across northern Europe — bringing more competition into the market and reducing electricity prices. Europe’s dependence and spending on imported fossil fuels will be reduce……..

Advocates of renewable energy believe that moving away from fossil fuels will create thousands of high-quality “green jobs” and provide a boost to the European economy.

Getting connected: Europe’s green energy ‘supergrid’ – CNN.com

February 1, 2010 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | 1, climate change | antinuclear, energy efficiency, renewable energy, renewables, solar