Moderator: Peak Moderation
That's a fascinating idea. We have plenty of wind in the west of Ireland. In fact, it's very noticeable when the wind stops because it don't seem natural somehow.adam2 wrote:This could power direct electric heating, and for calm weather electric storage heating*
...
*this could be conventional electric storage heaters, or a large tank of hot water and conventional radiators.
energycity wrote:The lack of proper acknowledgement of the pending energy gap, and the failure to propose an energy package that is realistically achievable, is the reason I won't be voting for the Green Party at the next election. Shame, really.
So major conservation push with a renewables build. No nuclear, which probably won't be along to save us pain during the 'energy chasm' anyway. Why not adapt to the 'chasm' when it comes?Green Party wrote: Closing the Gap
Measures taken to close the gap would be those which could be set in motion within one year and have a large impact within four
years. These would include:
- The Green Party’s major energy conservation programme would
rapidly have an impact on electricity consumption. A Resources Tax on fuel would directly provide an incentive to reduce consumption, and provide funds to invest in conservation.
Grants for insulating homes and carrying out energy surveys in
industrial and commercial premises would be reinstated and
extended. It is difficult to assess the immediate impact of these
measures, but it is generally possible to save 20-30% of the
electricity consumption using only simple conservation measures
which pay for themselves within 2 years. Replacing all domestic light
bulbs with low-energy bulbs would save 5 GW at peak time.
- A large-scale push to develop ‘in-house’ combined heat and
power, where a building obtains its heat and electricity from an
engine driving a generator. This could be installed rapidly in many
buildings which already have standby generators installed. The
generators in NHS hospitals alone add up to the power of Sizewell B,
and in total 2 to 3 GW could be developed rapidly from this
source.
- Proven renewable sources of electricity would be introduced
rapidly, particularly wind energy and landfill gas. Wind turbines
have a lead-time of a few months, and conservative estimates suggest
that 1GW could be installed before meeting serious environmental
objections. Although wind energy is an intermittent source, wind
turbines have been shown to provide ‘firm power’ equivalent to
about one third of their peak output, so each GW replaces the
equivalent of one Magnox station.
- Large industrial consumers
would be offered their electricity on an interruptible tariff, where
they pay less on condition that they switch off at times of
extremely high domestic demand.
- Grants would be available to householders to convert from
electric heating to other more fuelefficient forms.
- About 2GW is added to peak electricity demand when people
switch on electric kettles and cookers at the end of a popular
television programme. If there were to be a threat of power cuts
because demand was already abnormally high during
exceptionally severe winter weather, this could be averted by
varying the times of transmission from the different regional
transmitters or broadcasting a caption asking people to switch off
unnecessary lights and appliances.
- Development based on using less energy and substituting renewable
sources would create large numbers of jobs, easily absorbing
most employees of the nuclear industry.
- The role of the UK Atomic Energy Authority would then be
restricted to managing radioactive waste and decommissioning
nuclear power stations. The relatively small number of
employees whose skills and experience are only relevant to the
nuclear industry would be needed for this purpose.
- All nuclear research, other than waste management and
decommissioning, would be halted, and research funds would
be channelled into harnessing the energy of our nearest safe nuclear
reactor, the sun.
It's a shame to waste a vote though - you have no-one else to vote for if the above are your priorities.energycity wrote:The lack of proper acknowledgement of the pending energy gap, and the failure to propose an energy package that is realistically achievable, is the reason I won't be voting for the Green Party at the next election. Shame, really.
I can't remember, but it may be immersion heaters powered by their wind turbines.kenneal wrote:I hadn't realised that it was that long ago that I went there. Doesn't time fly when you're enjoying yourself?JohnB wrote:When I was there three years ago they said most of them had packed up and they weren't fixing them, or couldn't get the parts or something.kenneal wrote:The Hockerton Housing Association use them for DHW using the hot air from their conservatories.
What were they using instead, John?
Naah that was Bali...SunnyJim wrote:Hehehe. I love the way they call it a 'camp' too. Like they're all sleeping in tents, living a low impact life and discussing how to live a cleaner life.... while actually there are flying to an aircon'd hotel, where they will find a way of 'persuading' some developing country to cut emissions on their behalf. They will then sitting down to a 28 course meals while congratulating themselves on all they have done for the planet.
Eh? Are there two camps? Read all about the Climate Camp, regularly updated, here:SunnyJim wrote:Hehehe. I love the way they call it a 'camp' too. Like they're all sleeping in tents, living a low impact life and discussing how to live a cleaner life.... while actually there are flying to an aircon'd hotel, where they will find a way of 'persuading' some developing country to cut emissions on their behalf. They will then sitting down to a 28 course meals while congratulating themselves on all they have done for the planet.
Coal-fired investment is not needed for energy security
A report commissioned by environmental groups WWF and Greenpeace argues that if the
government is serious about renewables and energy efficiency then there is no need to build major
new power stations in order to keep the lights on. The report was conveniently released as climate
campaigners converged at E.ON’s Kingsnorth coal-fired plant in Kent over the weekend for their
annual Climate Camp, with the proposed carbon capture ready coal plant at the site considered to
be the benchmark for a new generation of coal-fired capacity.
The report, from independent energy consultancy Pöyry, finds that if the government is able to
meet both its EU 2020 renewable energy targets and its own targets to reduce energy demand
through increased efficiencies, then major new gas or coal-fired generators would not be needed
to ensure that Britain can meet its electricity requirements up to at least 2020. The report also
concludes that a strong drive for energy efficiency and renewable energy can reduce emissions and
assist energy security.
The findings of the report contradict the views of the department for business, which reasons
that new fossil fuel generation capacity, such as E.ON’s proposed carbon capture coal project at
Kingsnorth, would be needed to plug an impending energy gap. According to the report’s analysis,
if Britain delivers on its renewable energy promises, and acts successfully to improve energy
efficiency in line with its National Energy Efficiency Action Plan, there would be no energy gap to
plug. And it adds that this strategy would also reduce the UK’s CO2 emissions by up to 37% by 2020.
Pöyry explained that the report considered six scenarios for meeting Britain’s commitments to
deliver on the binding 2020 EU renewable energy commitments and for future electricity demand
(drawing on both EU and UK targets for energy efficiency), and assessed whether any additional
capacity from conventional sources such as coal and gas would be needed to secure the UK’s
electricity needs. Its conclusion was that there would be no role for such plants, even taking into
account the very few days when there is little or no wind. It said these scenarios represent a radical
shift away from the ‘business as usual’ pathway (under which new power stations may indeed be
needed), but argued that such a radical shift is precisely what is required by the government’s oft-
stated renewables and efficiency ambitions.
WWF noted that last year both Tony Blair and Gordon Brown made high-level commitments leading
to a proposed target for the UK to generate about 15% of Britain’s total energy from renewable
sources by 2020. It is widely accepted that to meet this will require at least 35% of Britain’s
electricity to need to come from renewables by 2020. WWF said that the six scenarios considered
in the report reflect several credible ways of meeting that target under different levels of electricity
demand and differing contributions from onshore and offshore wind, biomass, and marine and
solar power.
In all six of the scenarios considered, it said, there was no need to build any major new fossil-fired
capacity to ensure that the UK could meet its electricity needs to 2020. In just one scenario was
there a slight dip below the 20% margin of spare power capacity, and this was only short-lived,
with “experts” stating this could best be dealt with using either demand side management or by
installing small top-up peaking plant.
And in the period after 2020, when more of the UK’s existing coal and nuclear plants are due to
close, the report observes that a number of further options could be deployed including highly
efficient industrial combined heat and power plants, further roll-out of renewables and, potentially,
carbon capture and storage provided this technology has been shown to be technically and
economically viable.
Commenting on the report, Keith Allott, head of climate change at WWF-UK said it should be
good news for the government, explaining: “If it gets real on its targets on renewables and energy
efficiency then we can keep the lights on, reduce our reliance on expensive fossil fuel imports
and dramatically cut our carbon emissions. But a green light to Kingsnorth would at a stroke
12 : Copyright © Energy Management Brokers Ltd trading as EnergyQuote: UK Energy Focus is published fortnightly by EnergyQuote
undermine the government’s other policies on climate change and Gordon Brown’s promise of a
clean energy revolution.”
Condemning the plans for new coal-fired plant, the head of Greenpeace’s energy and climate team,
Robin Oakley, said: “Coal is the single most climate-wrecking form of electricity generation. The
only reason anyone is even considering building Britain’s first coal-fired power station in decades
is the claim that we need it to keep the lights on. E.ON’s spin machine and the Labour government
have teamed up to hoodwink the public into believing it, but this report busts their argument wide
open.”
LINK: http://www.ilexenergy.com/pages/230_%20 ... he%20UK%20
meeting%20its%202020%20Renewable%20Energy%20target%20v1.0.pdf
COMMENT: Cynics will suggest there is little value in commissioning a report whose conclusions
are radically different from their views. There is, of course, no suggestion that this is the case with
Pöyry being a highly respected energy consultancy. But the findings of this report are strongly
guided by market “ifs.” If 35% of the UK’s generation capacity is provided by renewables by 2020
then arguably the report’s findings are valid. But such a scenario is by no means certain given the
UK’s poor planning record and would also seriously undermine supply diversity, particularly if the
majority of this renewable capacity is wind power. The findings of this report do not alter our view
that investment in clean coal is essential to Britain’s future energy security.
Eternal Sunshine wrote: I wouldn't want to worry you with the truth.
Yeah sorry, got the wrong event. Thought they were protesting at another climate summit.... have read up now...RenewableCandy wrote:Naah that was Bali...SunnyJim wrote:Hehehe. I love the way they call it a 'camp' too. Like they're all sleeping in tents, living a low impact life and discussing how to live a cleaner life.... while actually there are flying to an aircon'd hotel, where they will find a way of 'persuading' some developing country to cut emissions on their behalf. They will then sitting down to a 28 course meals while congratulating themselves on all they have done for the planet.
I'd love to go to the Climate Camp but my private heli's in for a service!
Subscribe to Schnews's weekly emailed newsletter or get their rss feed if you feel your indignation needs a good kick up the backside.gug wrote:I'd recommend going if you'd like to see how terrified the Govt are of intelligent and motivated people who dont agree with them.
Cant get a copper to turn up for a burglary lately ? theres *loads* of them in kent this week.
And the bolts to hold the toilets together - and guide ropes for some marquees.RenewableCandy wrote:Caroline Lucas (in the Grauniad I trow) said they were confiscating bog-roll. Now that's just plain kinky...
