Energy

Energy is conserved, and mastering its transformation has been key to human evolution, always linked to technological progress and knowledge. The recent massive energy shutdown has made us realize how dependent we are and how fragile critical infrastructure like electricity is.

Transforming the chemical energy of fossil fuels into electricity has proven to be unsustainable. In the face of the climate crisis, renewable sources are being promoted everywhere, but often without sufficient debate on energy policy and under the pressure of a market seeking immediate returns. The shutdown tells us that we have not reflected enough, and we urgently need to do so.

At the national level, it has become clear that the mastery of renewable sources must be accompanied by a regulatory capacity that is not currently available (conversion of solar and wind power into hydroelectric power, storage in battery systems, etc.), and in Catalonia, the situation requires an additional level of discussion that incorporates the forecasting of generation. Catalonia is the main energy producer in the country, producing around 15% of the total, but it is also the main consumer, with more than 17%. Nearly 60% of this production comes from the three nuclear plants in operation (Vandellòs 2, Ascó 1 and 2), and around 80% is produced in Southern Catalonia.

Of course, we need to talk about it. The production-consumption ratio is sufficiently balanced, but what will happen when the nuclear plants are finally closed? What should the future map of renewable energy generation be? And how should this energy be stored? This is the discussion that the massive power outage has brought to the table.