Great moments of international or economic crisis are well identified as catalysts for extensive reform in the years that follow. That's why it is well worth studying the big themes behind UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson's energy strategy that was unveiled last week.
The main headline was a framework for eight new nuclear power stations through an accelerated approvals process. The target for offshore wind capacity was raised fivefold to 50 gigawatts by 2030 with new targets for solar and onshore turbines as well. The showstopper, though, was a real push for hydrogen.
Read correctly, the UK sees hydrogen as the real bridge fuel to the future. Arguments over "green hydrogen" and "blue hydrogen" were set aside for a real drive to carve out a role for the clean tech power source. Thought through, the strategy paper wants to remake Britain as an almost fully electrified country.
The make-up of the UK energy system relies heavily on two parallel systems. There is the national grid that provides lighting and power for appliances. But when it comes to homes, there is mostly gas on offer.
That means a home or a residential building has a water-based heating system. A heavily engineered boiler fed by gas provides hot water throughout the building both for washing and other needs as well as heating radiators. Of course this boiler relies on electricity for its own management, thermostats and smart metering.
By making British homes fully electric, Johnson would complete the 19th-century Edison vision
In the teeth of an energy crisis that has seen prices of natural gas double and forecast to double again, the whole set-up has become anachronistic. Or at least that is what hindsight is likely to assess at some point over the next decade.
By making British homes fully electric, Mr Johnson would complete the 19th-century Thomas Edison vision.
Transport systems seem likely to go electric in short order, too. The government is doubling down on private cars targets – wanting half of new vehicles to be fully electric models by 2028.
These two drives are why hydrogen is the lynchpin of the whole project. It offers the promise of renewables acting as a 24-hour, 365-day steady source of power. Excess power generated when the wind is blowing hard but grid demand is low – for example at night – can be diverted to electrolysis, splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen.
The idea that transport would be caught up in a "Betamax v VHS" battle between hydrogen and batteries now seems to be for the birds. Instead, the grid will supply power either for mobility through rechargeable batteries or steadily directly to homes and charge points.
The strategy has come under fire. For one, the UK can reduce energy demand substantially just by sealing up Britain's leaky homes. The plan has also been widely criticised for not really addressing the immediate crisis at hand.
This issue is not just a big systemic problem. It acerbates the already the variable nature of demand and supply. The figures for last year show that average daily demand can peak at around 35GW but go below 28GW. Renewables, meanwhile, can contribute as much as 11GW but as little as 5GW. For the moment, the UK government is sidestepping the upfront costs and dilemmas posed by both high prices and inefficient end users. But it may be that if Russia can be faced down and the supply crunch eases, that is a gamble worth taking.
London also has an issue with politicians on the right that want to ape the US domestic shale revolution. Mr Johnson is criticised by his own supporters for his thrall to green goals. At a time of rising energy prices, this is the one ideological political threat to his political base (there are plenty of dangers arising from his personal behaviour, but that is a separate issue) with the potential to go horribly wrong.
The UK is not alone on taking a big leap on hydrogen – Italy is about to sign a deal with Algeria and Germany is seeking to source solar generated supplies from Australia – but it is striking how it is ready to push the adaptation of the emerging technologies so aggressively.
By looking to both big nuclear plants and small modular reactors developed by aero-engine maker Rolls-Royce, the UK is also recognising that the stability of the power system is crucial. It also has a good chance of emerging as a leading engineering supplier of these systems for the rest of the world.
Change is coming very fast even if the timelines in the UK strategy are what seems quite far away, like 2030 and 2050. There is no dearth of imagination in the plans either and Mr Johnson can fairly proclaim he has seen the future.
For the length and breadth of the UK, and very probably the world, the lesson is clear: the future is coming fast and it is wired.
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League, Group B
Barcelona v Inter Milan
Camp Nou, Barcelona
Wednesday, 11pm (UAE)
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Chef Nobu's advice for eating sushi
“One mistake people always make is adding extra wasabi. There is no need for this, because it should already be there between the rice and the fish.
“When eating nigiri, you must dip the fish – not the rice – in soy sauce, otherwise the rice will collapse. Also, don’t use too much soy sauce or it will make you thirsty. For sushi rolls, dip a little of the rice-covered roll lightly in soy sauce and eat in one bite.
“Chopsticks are acceptable, but really, I recommend using your fingers for sushi. Do use chopsticks for sashimi, though.
“The ginger should be eaten separately as a palette cleanser and used to clear the mouth when switching between different pieces of fish.”
The specs: 2019 Mini Cooper
Price, base: Dh141,740 (three-door) / Dh165,900 (five-door)
Engine: 1.5-litre four-cylinder (Cooper) / 2.0-litre four-cylinder (Cooper S)
Power: 136hp @ 4,500rpm (Cooper) / 192hp @ 5,000rpm (Cooper S)
Torque: 220Nm @ 1,480rpm (Cooper) / 280Nm @ 1,350rpm (Cooper S)
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 4.8L to 5.4L / 100km
WOMAN AND CHILD
Director: Saeed Roustaee
Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi
Rating: 4/5
Normcore explained
Something of a fashion anomaly, normcore is essentially a celebration of the unremarkable. The term was first popularised by an article in New York magazine in 2014 and has been dubbed “ugly”, “bland’ and "anti-style" by fashion writers. It’s hallmarks are comfort, a lack of pretentiousness and neutrality – it is a trend for those who would rather not stand out from the crowd. For the most part, the style is unisex, favouring loose silhouettes, thrift-shop threads, baseball caps and boyish trainers. It is important to note that normcore is not synonymous with cheapness or low quality; there are high-fashion brands, including Parisian label Vetements, that specialise in this style. Embraced by fashion-forward street-style stars around the globe, it’s uptake in the UAE has been relatively slow.
WHAT%20ARE%20THE%20PRODUCTS%20WITHIN%20THE%20THREE%20MAJOR%20CATEGORIES%3F
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BIOSAFETY LABS SECURITY LEVELS
Biosafety Level 1
The lowest safety level. These labs work with viruses that are minimal risk to humans.
Hand washing is required on entry and exit and potentially infectious material decontaminated with bleach before thrown away.
Must have a lock. Access limited. Lab does not need to be isolated from other buildings.
Used as teaching spaces.
Study microorganisms such as Staphylococcus which causes food poisoning.
Biosafety Level 2
These labs deal with pathogens that can be harmful to people and the environment such as Hepatitis, HIV and salmonella.
Working in Level 2 requires special training in handling pathogenic agents.
Extra safety and security precautions are taken in addition to those at Level 1
Biosafety Level 3
These labs contain material that can be lethal if inhaled. This includes SARS coronavirus, MERS, and yellow fever.
Significant extra precautions are taken with staff given specific immunisations when dealing with certain diseases.
Infectious material is examined in a biological safety cabinet.
Personnel must wear protective gowns that must be discarded or decontaminated after use.
Strict safety and handling procedures are in place. There must be double entrances to the building and they must contain self-closing doors to reduce risk of pathogen aerosols escaping.
Windows must be sealed. Air from must be filtered before it can be recirculated.
Biosafety Level 4
The highest level for biosafety precautions. Scientist work with highly dangerous diseases that have no vaccine or cure.
All material must be decontaminated.
Personnel must wear a positive pressure suit for protection. On leaving the lab this must pass through decontamination shower before they have a personal shower.
Entry is severely restricted to trained and authorised personnel. All entries are recorded.
Entrance must be via airlocks.
Brief scores:
Pakistan (1st innings) 181: Babar 71; Olivier 6-37
South Africa (1st innings) 223: Bavuma 53; Amir 4-62
Pakistan (2nd innings) 190: Masood 65, Imam 57; Olivier 5-59
MATCH INFO
Sheffield United 3
Fleck 19, Mousset 52, McBurnie 90
Manchester United 3
Williams 72, Greenwood 77, Rashford 79
2018 ICC World Twenty20 Asian Western Sub Regional Qualifier
Event info: The tournament in Kuwait is the first phase of the qualifying process for sides from Asia for the 2020 World T20 in Australia. The UAE must finish within the top three teams out of the six at the competition to advance to the Asia regional finals. Success at regional finals would mean progression to the World T20 Qualifier.
Teams: UAE, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Maldives, Qatar
Friday fixtures: 9.30am (UAE time) - Kuwait v Maldives, Qatar v UAE; 3pm - Saudi Arabia v Bahrain
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