The Grand solar minimum is underway
Many nations and states are making the wrong decisions about the electrical energy sources they are permitting and investing in. These wrong choices could prove highly damaging to economies and societies.
Our modern societies depend upon reliable sources of electrical energy production. At this time, many of the leading advanced economies are making the wrong choices for their energy future and are also spending precious monetary resources on the wrong and less important energy projects. These errors in judgement will cost the economies and the people. This needs immediate correction. It is the less wealthy and less privileged of this world who will suffer the most from these mistakes. Read on…
Summary of Valentina Zharkova’s Discussion on Grand Solar Minimum
Overview
Valentina Zharkova, a scientist specializing in solar activity, discusses the Grand Solar Minimum (GSM) and its potential effects on Earth’s climate, magnetic field, and geological activity. She explains her research on solar cycles, magnetic field interactions, and long-term climate predictions.
Key Points from the Discussion
1. Solar Cycles and Grand Solar Minimum
- The Sun follows an 11-year cycle where its magnetic field reverses.
- Based on her research, solar activity is declining, leading to the Grand Solar Minimum between 2020 and 2053.
- A deeper cycle of about 350-400 years also influences long-term solar behavior.
- This reduction in solar activity is expected to lower global temperatures, similar to historical cold periods such as the Maunder Minimum (17th century).
2. Magnetic Waves and Predictions
- Zharkova’s team used Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to detect two distinct magnetic waves in the Sun, which interact to create observed solar activity.
- When these waves are out of phase, solar activity declines, leading to reduced sunspots and lower solar irradiance reaching Earth.
- Based on these calculations, Solar Cycle 26 (2031-2042) is expected to have near-zero solar activity, leading to extreme cold conditions.
3. Impacts on Earth’s Climate
- During the Grand Solar Minimum, temperatures could drop significantly, leading to colder winters, increased snowfall, and shorter growing seasons.
- Examples of early cooling effects include snow in unusual places (e.g., South Africa, the Arabian Desert, Florida, Texas).
- The cooling effect is caused by reduced solar radiation and UV output, which disrupts ozone production and jet stream patterns, allowing cold Arctic air to move south.
4. Potential Geological and Volcanic Effects
- Increased volcanic activity is expected from 2031 to 2042, which could further block sunlight and intensify global cooling.
- Shifting Earth’s magnetic field may also contribute to environmental instability.
- There is speculation that the Earth’s core dynamics may be affected by changes in solar activity.
5. Comparison with Global Warming Theory
- Zharkova challenges the anthropogenic (human-caused) global warming narrative.
- She argues that CO₂ is not the primary driver of climate change and that the current warming is part of a 2,200-year solar cycle.
- According to her research, Earth’s warming trend will continue until 2600 due to the Sun’s position relative to Earth in the solar inertial motion cycle.
- She believes that solar influence on climate is being underestimated by mainstream climate models.
6. Possible Consequences for Society
- Energy demands will increase due to harsher winters, requiring more fossil fuel use.
- Agriculture will be disrupted, leading to food shortages due to shorter growing seasons.
- Governments may not be prepared for the reality of cooling and may continue focusing on global warming policies.
- Extreme weather events, including severe winters and increased volcanic eruptions, may challenge existing infrastructure and global food supply chains.
7. Call for Scientific Attention
- Zharkova urges more research into planetary and solar interactions.
- She suggests that scientists should prepare for unexpected environmental changes caused by the Grand Solar Minimum.
- There is concern about the Earth’s shifting magnetic field and its long-term effects.
Conclusion
Zharkova predicts that a significant cooling period is coming (2031-2042) due to low solar activity, which could disrupt climate patterns, agriculture, and energy needs. She argues that solar cycles play a much larger role in Earth’s climate than currently acknowledged and that global warming policies may be overlooking an impending cooling trend. She calls for urgent scientific focus on solar and planetary dynamics to prepare for these potential disruptions.
If Valentina Zharkova’s prediction of a Grand Solar Minimum (GSM) and significant cooling (2031-2042) is correct, humanity should prioritize reliable, high-output energy sources that can withstand longer, harsher winters, increased energy demands, and potential disruptions in food production.
Best Electrical Power Generation Sources for a Cooling Climate
If the world is entering a prolonged cooling period, the ideal power sources must be reliable, efficient, and capable of handling extreme weather conditions. Here’s a ranking based on reliability, efficiency, and scalability:
1. Nuclear Power (Best Option)
🔹 Why?
- Most reliable – Operates 24/7 regardless of weather conditions.
- High energy output – Efficiency 33-37% but provides constant power.
- Long-term sustainability – Modern reactors can run on existing uranium or thorium for decades.
- Resistant to weather disruptions – Unlike solar/wind, which depend on external conditions.
- Low emissions – No CO₂ emissions, making it clean and sustainable.
🔻 Challenges:
- High initial costs for construction.
- Public fear and political resistance.
- Nuclear waste disposal issues.
✅ Best use case: Baseload power generation for cities and industries in cold regions.
2. Hydroelectric Power
🔹 Why?
- Most efficient – 80-90% efficiency (highest among all energy sources).
- Stable – Provides continuous power without needing fuel.
- Can store energy – Pumped storage can be used as a giant battery.
- Climate resilience – Can withstand extreme cold better than solar or wind.
🔻 Challenges:
- Dependent on water levels – Droughts or ice buildup can impact output.
- Requires large-scale infrastructure – Not viable in all locations.
- Environmental impact – Alters river ecosystems and displaces communities.
✅ Best use case: Large-scale power generation with grid storage potential.
3. Natural Gas (Flexible & Quick Start)
🔹 Why?
- High efficiency (50-60%) – Better than coal and can be ramped up quickly.
- Works in extreme cold – Unlike renewables, gas plants function in freezing temperatures.
- Lower emissions than coal – Though still a fossil fuel, it emits less CO₂ and pollutants.
- Can be stored and transported easily – Unlike wind/solar, which rely on immediate conditions.
🔻 Challenges:
- Still dependent on fossil fuel availability and market price fluctuations.
- Methane leaks contribute to greenhouse gases.
- Requires import/export infrastructure, which can be disrupted in extreme weather.
✅ Best use case: Backup power and peaking energy supply during high-demand cold periods.
4. Geothermal Power (Underground Heat Source)
🔹 Why?
- 24/7 power supply – Not affected by weather or daylight.
- Long lifespan – Geothermal plants can operate for decades.
- Eco-friendly – Almost no emissions compared to fossil fuels.
- Independent of solar activity – Uses Earth’s internal heat.
🔻 Challenges:
- Location-specific – Requires access to geothermal hot spots.
- Expensive initial drilling and setup.
- Potential for seismic activity (minor earthquakes near drilling sites).
✅ Best use case: Consistent energy source for cold, geologically active regions.
5. Coal Power (Last Resort)
🔹 Why?
- Reliable and widely available – Can provide baseload power in emergencies.
- Works in all weather conditions – Unlike solar or wind, which can be unreliable in winter.
- Existing infrastructure – Many countries still rely on coal.
🔻 Challenges:
- Worst environmental impact – High CO₂ emissions and air pollution.
- Lower efficiency (33-40%) – Less effective than nuclear or gas.
- Mining and transportation issues – Coal extraction harms ecosystems.
✅ Best use case: Emergency backup power if renewables or other sources fail.
Worst Power Sources in a Cooling Climate
These sources would be less effective if global cooling occurs:
1. Solar Power (Intermittent & Weak in Winter)
🔻 Why it’s a problem?
- Lower efficiency in winter – Snow and short daylight hours reduce solar output.
- Requires battery storage – Batteries lose efficiency in extreme cold.
- Not reliable for heating needs – Energy demand is highest during winter nights, when solar panels don’t work.
✅ Best use case: Only useful as a supplementary power source in equatorial regions.
2. Wind Power (Unreliable in Extreme Cold)
🔻 Why it’s a problem?
- Freezing conditions can stop turbines – Ice buildup reduces efficiency.
- Wind patterns change unpredictably in extreme cold.
- Energy storage issues – Like solar, wind requires battery backup.
✅ Best use case: Works well in windy regions but needs natural gas or hydro backup.
Key Takeaways
If Grand Solar Minimum causes global cooling (2031-2042), humanity should prioritize:
- Nuclear Power – Most reliable, long-term energy source.
- Hydroelectric Power – Extremely efficient but location-dependent.
- Natural Gas – Quick start, reliable backup power.
- Geothermal Energy – Excellent for stable, localized power.
- Coal Power (if necessary) – Last resort for extreme conditions.
💡 Solar and wind will struggle in prolonged winter conditions and should be considered secondary or supplementary power sources.
Additional Information:
Lifetime cost per kilowatt-hour (kWh) of various electricity generation methods
Relative Efficiency of Solar Power Compared to Other Electricity Generation Methods