Energy Security – Business Continuity
The war between Russia and Ukraine has emphasized the necessity of energy security, leading the Department of Energy and Climate Change to prioritize the provision of secure and affordable energy supplies for families and businesses. Collaborating with National Grid and Ofgem, they aim to maintain comfortable energy margins over coming Winters. Energy generators must also be assured of revenue to enable the maintenance and development of power infrastructure. Key threats to energy security include a lack of new power stations, reliance on renewable energy, changing government policies, low safety margins, natural disasters, geopolitical issues affecting fuel supply routes, terrorism, and damage to energy infrastructure. Businesses can enhance their energy security through measures like power protection, diesel generators, and renewable energy systems.
The war between Russia and Ukraine has highlighted the importance of energy security. The Minister of Department of Energy and Climate Change recently said that the top priority for the department is to “Ensure that hardworking families and businesses across the country have secure, affordable energy supplies they can rely on”.
To provide this energy security, they mention they have firm mechanisms in place, working closely with National Grid and Ofgem. They endeavour to maintain comfortable margins on the system over the next couple of Winters.
Equally important is ensuring that energy generators have the necessary confidence of revenues so they can maintain, upgrade and refurbish their existing power stations and build new ones.
Energy security - Ukraine War
As above, a continuous and regular supply of energy is fundamental. In fact it plays an important role in a nation’s national security. When talking about energy, it encompasses everything from transportation to heating and electricity but this article focuses on electricity. Below are a number of factors or threats that impact on energy security.
Long-term security
- Lack of new power stations coming on stream to cater for existing power stations closing For example, e.g. the UK government has announced their plans to shut coal fired power stations by 2025. Many of these have been extended to 2030 due to the emergency situation of the Ukraine - Russia war.
- Increase in renewable energy increases need for other energy sources (or energy storage). Wind and solar pv power can be unreliable and not constant when the Sun isn’t shining or the wind isn’t blowing.
- Constantly changing Governments limit the ability to plan long term for energy security
Short-term security
- Low safety margin between supply and demand
- Natural disasters (e.g. high winds and storms that can affect electricity transmission lines)
- Unplanned non-availability of power stations
- Political unrest / disagreement in other countries can effect fuel supply routes (e.g. gas imported from Russia through Ukraine) This statement was made by Power Continuity in 2012, and by 2022 the reality was that Russia stopped importing to Europe. The consequence of this energy terrorism has he'd repercussions around the world.
- Terrorist action
- Destruction of undersea energy supply pipelines.
Today’s Energy Security Solution
Whilst considerable resources are being expended worldwide on ensuring our energy security, both short-term and long-term, there are a number of things that businesses can personally do to guarantee their own energy security. First of all power protection will ensure that regardless of any power cuts, your business operations are not impacted. In addition to the traditional diesel generator and uninterruptible power supply, with the advent of renewables (e.g. solar pv panels) and Energy Storage Systems, you can have the certainty of being self sufficient, or at least having the ability to be for short periods of time.
If you’re looking for Energy Security, call us on 0845 055 8455, we’re here to help!