How's the Grid coping?

[RenewableCandy]

Real-time (minus-one-second) frequency readings on this natty little meter!

[mikepepler]

Looks accurate, when compared to http://www.nationalgrid.com/uk/Electric ... Freq60.htm

I was about to say it's a shame the National Grid doesn't have an electricity summary like the gas one, but I've just found that they do, though it's much, much more complicated! http://www.bmreports.com/bsp/bsp_home.htm

One immediate thing I saw on it is that currently CCGTs are supplying 33%, while coal is at 40%. I guess this is because of the gas situation?

[RenewableCandy]

Depends how current is current. Winter evenings are when the peaks are, so is it just now (this hour) or is it the whole week/month?

I notice that the C-footprint of gas has gone up (used to be .18 or .19 kgCO_2/kWh, now over 0.25). The LNG tanker cometh (or not, as the case may be).

[SunnyJim]

Noticed all the energy saving bulbs in our pad have been more 'flickery' than usual... wondered if we were on a bit of a 'brown out'?

[peaceful_life]

Noticed all the energy saving bulbs in our pad have been more 'flickery' than usual... wondered if we were on a bit of a 'brown out'?

I have been told from a source that "brown outs" are now common place and that the juice is being slowed down (longer for the kettle to boil and the like),blackouts withing 2 years.

[madibe]

I dont think it works like that.. 240v ac at 50Hz is just that...

edited to add... a couple of Hz fluctuation is nowt...

[RenewableCandy]

Lowered voltages are a pain. I've a nasty suspicion that inverters trip out at some-or-other low voltage (by law, well, by G83 anyway) so I hope that's well below the tolerance minimum for the grid.

[mikepepler]

Depends how current is current. Winter evenings are when the peaks are, so is it just now (this hour) or is it the whole week/month?

I notice that the C-footprint of gas has gone up (used to be .18 or .19 kgCO_2/kWh, now over 0.25). The LNG tanker cometh (or not, as the case may be).

There's an average over 24hrs - currently 33% on CCGT and 38.1% on coal. Surprisingly, nuclear is at 22%, but maybe that's because demand is low with it being holidays.

[Pepperman]

I notice that the C-footprint of gas has gone up (used to be .18 or .19 kgCO_2/kWh, now over 0.25). The LNG tanker cometh (or not, as the case may be).

What are you referring to by gone up? There are two different ways of measuring the direct emissions of a fuel (net and gross calorific value) but they stay pretty much constant. If you're including upstream emissions then that can change but isn't monitored closely so won't change that frequently.

You can find current estimates for direct and indirect emissions of natural gas here:

http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/bus ... actors.pdf

[adam2]

Noticed all the energy saving bulbs in our pad have been more 'flickery' than usual... wondered if we were on a bit of a 'brown out'?

Energy saving lamps are relatively tolerant of voltage variations, flickering is more likely to be due to cold, they dont tolerate cold that well.

[adam2]

I dont think it works like that.. 240v ac at 50Hz is just that...

edited to add... a couple of Hz fluctuation is nowt...

The nominal or declared voltage is now 230 volts (plus 10% or minus 6%), it used to be 240 volts, and 240 volts is still what is received most of the time in most places, but dont count on it ! especialy in rural areas at times of high load.

A couple of Hz variation in grid frequency would be a serious matter and is virtualy unknown.
The legal limits in the UK are from 49.5 cycles up to 50.5 cycles.
The normal operational limits are tighter being from 49.8 up to 50.2 cycles.
The operational limits are often briefly breached, once a week or so. The legal limits are seldom broken, and substantial fines are payable for so doing.
The last really bad drop in grid frequency, to below 49 cycles, occured when two large generating units failed almost simultaneusly. Large areas of the country were automaticly dissconnected by low frequency relays.

[SunnyJim]

Noticed all the energy saving bulbs in our pad have been more 'flickery' than usual... wondered if we were on a bit of a 'brown out'?

Energy saving lamps are relatively tolerant of voltage variations, flickering is more likely to be due to cold, they dont tolerate cold that well.[/quote

These are cheap awful bulbs. Some seem OK, even in the cold rooms. These cheap ones definately flicker during peak times. Even in the 'warm' room. We're in Somerset too.

[RenewableCandy]

I notice that the C-footprint of gas has gone up (used to be .18 or .19 kgCO_2/kWh, now over 0.25). The LNG tanker cometh (or not, as the case may be).

What are you referring to by gone up? There are two different ways of measuring the direct emissions of a fuel (net and gross calorific value) but they stay pretty much constant. If you're including upstream emissions then that can change but isn't monitored closely so won't change that frequently.

You can find current estimates for direct and indirect emissions of natural gas here:

http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/bus ... actors.pdf

That's interesting but if, for example, I'm trying to C-footprint my house, how do I know which one to use??

[Pepperman]

The calorific value you get on your gas bill is gross and boilers are rated on the basis of gross CV, so you should use the gross CV factor, 0.18485kgCO2/kWh for the CO2, non-CO2 and upstream emissions add another 10% onto that figure.

Table 3c gives you your electricity emissions.

ETA: saw your other post and added the European calculator to it:
http://www.powerswitch.org.uk/forum/vie ... 765#158765