The state at the centre of American “energy dominance” cannot even keep the lights on or houses warm. The harsh winter weather that struck Texas led to a cascade of failures: power cuts, gas and water disruptions, clogged sewage pipes, petrol and food shortages and about 60 deaths.
This tragedy has three important lessons, even for countries where winter weather is never more severe than just rain.
The first lesson is that climate change will increasingly pose extreme weather events that threaten the energy system. Last year, probably the hottest on record, brought wildfires in Australia and California and a severe Atlantic hurricane season. Iran and Iraq have repeatedly been struck by heatwaves and drought in recent years, interrupting electricity supplies as dams run low.
Conversely, a Russian liquefied natural gas tanker this month embarked on the first voyage by a commercial ship through the Northern Sea Route, around the top of Siberia, to China – a route normally blocked by impassable ice.
Now, warming has weakened the polar vortex that typically keeps cold air confined around the Arctic, allowing freezing temperatures to spill south to Texas.
In a warming world, extreme heatwaves are more likely than cold snaps, but last week’s events show that we have to be prepared for the unexpected.
The second lesson is the need for resilience in the face of such weather surprises, natural disasters, technical failures, sabotage, cyber attacks, embargoes or any other such dangers.
The trouble in Texas resulted in drastic cuts in oil production and refining. The state’s floundering governor attempted to stop the movement of gas out of the state, potentially cutting off Mexico and LNG export plants.
The Electricity Reliability Council of Texas, or Ercot, operates the state’s electric grid and manages its deregulated market. The current disaster may be the most severe but this is not the first time that cold weather has disrupted electricity supply – there were also power cuts in February 2011 and December 1989.
It seems that recommendations made then were not followed up. Power plants of all kinds – whether gas, nuclear or wind – were not built to cope with harsh winters.
Wind turbines, which operate perfectly well in frigid temperatures further north, iced up while gas and steam turbines were exposed on open roofs.
Worse – and this has been more of a surprise – gas fuel, which is at the beating heart of the US energy industry, went missing. Gas wells froze and gas-fired plants did not have diesel tanks on site to act as emergency back-up.
In a cycle of failure, as electricity generation declined, supplies to gas-processing plants and pipeline-compressor stations were not prioritised, forcing gas production and deliveries to drop even further.
The third lesson is the need to carefully plan for such resilience in an energy system undergoing radical change. The vision for most plans to tackle climate change is to shift to mass electrification of most end-user products as possible – battery cars, electric heat pumps and air conditioning. That electricity will be provided by solar, wind and hydroelectric power sources and, perhaps, some legacy nuclear plants.
Texas may be the “Saudi Arabia of wind” but most of the state’s electricity still comes from fossil fuels and nuclear. As with last summer’s power disruptions in California, right-winger bloviators reduce a complex set of failures, unanticipated conditions and mismanagement to a simple narrative: that renewable energy is unreliable.
That was not the cause of the Texan problems: Ercot knew that wind and solar generation in the state is usually low in winter and was not counting on it.
As the cold front moved in, expected demand rose to about 77 gigawatts. Early in the morning of February 15, thermal generation – gas, coal and nuclear – suddenly collapsed from 58 gigawatts to 48 gigawatts as power plants and gas supplies froze up.
It kept falling until it reached a low of less than 37 gigawatts the next day. Meanwhile, renewable output dropped from 5.5 gigawatts overnight to less than 1 gigawatt – not helpful, but also not the primary problem.
To avoid federal regulation, Ercot is hardly connected to the rest of the US grid. Neighbouring states such as Oklahoma faced similar weather without such power cuts, as has El Paso which, while in Texas, is connected to a different grid. These states have their own weather problems but Texas’s inability to import emergency power is a major weakness.
But how would a future, highly-electrified and mostly renewable energy system cope with such icy weather again? Or, with a lengthy and chilly winter under a northern European high-pressure weather system, the interruption of gas and wind power by a hurricane or a protracted record heatwave in California, Australia or the Arabian Gulf?
Probably such conditions would stress any electricity system or market design. But grid interconnections spread the risk of wild weather over wider areas. Batteries help with temporary power cuts but they would soon be discharged.
Gas plants with carbon capture and storage systems provide reliable and clean electricity. Hydrogen, a favourite future fuel, could be used to store energy over long periods and provide heat to homes even when the power goes out. Prioritising vital parts of the energy system itself for emergency electricity, weather-proofing power stations, ensuring cooling water is available, insulating homes better and installing solar panels on roofs all help in different situations.
Arctic blasts may not trouble the Arabian Gulf. However, the chilly warnings from Texas should alert all regions to prepare for their own weather challenges.
The future energy system should be cheaper and cleaner – but it needs to cope with whatever climate change throws at it.
Robin Mills is chief executive of Qamar Energy and author of The Myth of the Oil Crisis
Titanium Escrow profile
Started: December 2016
Founder: Ibrahim Kamalmaz
Based: UAE
Sector: Finance / legal
Size: 3 employees, pre-revenue
Stage: Early stage
Investors: Founder's friends and Family
Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
Premier League results
Saturday
Tottenham Hotspur 1 Arsenal 1
Bournemouth 0 Manchester City 1
Brighton & Hove Albion 1 Huddersfield Town 0
Burnley 1 Crystal Palace 3
Manchester United 3 Southampton 2
Wolverhampton Wanderers 2 Cardiff City 0
West Ham United 2 Newcastle United 0
Sunday
Watford 2 Leicester City 1
Fulham 1 Chelsea 2
Everton 0 Liverpool 0
Countdown to Zero exhibition will show how disease can be beaten
Countdown to Zero: Defeating Disease, an international multimedia exhibition created by the American Museum of National History in collaboration with The Carter Center, will open in Abu Dhabi a month before Reaching the Last Mile.
Opening on October 15 and running until November 15, the free exhibition opens at The Galleria mall on Al Maryah Island, and has already been seen at the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum in Atlanta, the American Museum of Natural History in New York, and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.
RESULTS
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UK-EU trade at a glance
EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years
Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products
Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries
Smoother border management with use of e-gates
Cutting red tape on import and export of food
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 194hp at 5,600rpm
Torque: 275Nm from 2,000-4,000rpm
Transmission: 6-speed auto
Price: from Dh155,000
On sale: now
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
How to report a beggar
Abu Dhabi – Call 999 or 8002626 (Aman Service)
Dubai – Call 800243
Sharjah – Call 065632222
Ras Al Khaimah - Call 072053372
Ajman – Call 067401616
Umm Al Quwain – Call 999
Fujairah - Call 092051100 or 092224411
Tips for job-seekers
- Do not submit your application through the Easy Apply button on LinkedIn. Employers receive between 600 and 800 replies for each job advert on the platform. If you are the right fit for a job, connect to a relevant person in the company on LinkedIn and send them a direct message.
- Make sure you are an exact fit for the job advertised. If you are an HR manager with five years’ experience in retail and the job requires a similar candidate with five years’ experience in consumer, you should apply. But if you have no experience in HR, do not apply for the job.
David Mackenzie, founder of recruitment agency Mackenzie Jones Middle East
UAE v Zimbabwe A
Results
Match 1 – UAE won by 4 wickets
Match 2 – UAE won by 5 wickets
Match 3 – UAE won by 25 runs
Match 4 – UAE won by 77 runs
Fixture
Match 5, Saturday, 9.30am start, ICC Academy, Dubai
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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The Rub of Time: Bellow, Nabokov, Hitchens, Travolta, Trump and Other Pieces 1986-2016
Martin Amis,
Jonathan Cape
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
Yahya Al Ghassani's bio
Date of birth: April 18, 1998
Playing position: Winger
Clubs: 2015-2017 – Al Ahli Dubai; March-June 2018 – Paris FC; August – Al Wahda
MATCH INFO
Euro 2020 qualifier
Fixture: Liechtenstein v Italy, Tuesday, 10.45pm (UAE)
TV: Match is shown on BeIN Sports
Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
ANALYSTS’ TOP PICKS OF SAUDI BANKS IN 2019
Analyst: Aqib Mehboob of Saudi Fransi Capital
Top pick: National Commercial Bank
Reason: It will be at the forefront of project financing for government-led projects
Analyst: Shabbir Malik of EFG-Hermes
Top pick: Al Rajhi Bank
Reason: Defensive balance sheet, well positioned in retail segment and positively geared for rising rates
Analyst: Chiradeep Ghosh of Sico Bank
Top pick: Arab National Bank
Reason: Attractive valuation and good growth potential in terms of both balance sheet and dividends
57%20Seconds
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Company%20profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Fasset%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2019%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Mohammad%20Raafi%20Hossain%2C%20Daniel%20Ahmed%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFinTech%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInitial%20investment%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%242.45%20million%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECurrent%20number%20of%20staff%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2086%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Pre-series%20B%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Investcorp%2C%20Liberty%20City%20Ventures%2C%20Fatima%20Gobi%20Ventures%2C%20Primal%20Capital%2C%20Wealthwell%20Ventures%2C%20FHS%20Capital%2C%20VN2%20Capital%2C%20local%20family%20offices%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Sam Smith
Where: du Arena, Abu Dhabi
When: Saturday November 24
Rating: 4/5
When Umm Kulthum performed in Abu Dhabi
Known as The Lady of Arabic Song, Umm Kulthum performed in Abu Dhabi on November 28, 1971, as part of celebrations for the fifth anniversary of the accession of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan as Ruler of Abu Dhabi. A concert hall was constructed for the event on land that is now Al Nahyan Stadium, behind Al Wahda Mall. The audience were treated to many of Kulthum's most well-known songs as part of the sold-out show, including Aghadan Alqak and Enta Omri.
Our legal consultants
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
The drill
Recharge as needed, says Mat Dryden: “We try to make it a rule that every two to three months, even if it’s for four days, we get away, get some time together, recharge, refresh.” The couple take an hour a day to check into their businesses and that’s it.
Stick to the schedule, says Mike Addo: “We have an entire wall known as ‘The Lab,’ covered with colour-coded Post-it notes dedicated to our joint weekly planner, content board, marketing strategy, trends, ideas and upcoming meetings.”
Be a team, suggests Addo: “When training together, you have to trust in each other’s abilities. Otherwise working out together very quickly becomes one person training the other.”
Pull your weight, says Thuymi Do: “To do what we do, there definitely can be no lazy member of the team.”
more from Janine di Giovanni
The Voice of Hind Rajab
Starring: Saja Kilani, Clara Khoury, Motaz Malhees
Director: Kaouther Ben Hania
Rating: 4/5
THE SPECS
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo
Power: 275hp at 6,600rpm
Torque: 353Nm from 1,450-4,700rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch auto
Top speed: 250kph
Fuel consumption: 6.8L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: Dh146,999
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
