tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7647685282789008730.post6246355762957909495..comments2024-03-02T02:56:21.007+00:00Comments on ......SHOT BY BOTH SIDES: A low carbon future?Kerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02377996092374137641noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7647685282789008730.post-77731503633097100092009-07-16T09:34:49.684+01:002009-07-16T09:34:49.684+01:00I believe that nuclear is absolutely not a solutio...I believe that nuclear is absolutely not a solution. There are so many other advanced technologies, which the government is putting funding into but that seems to ignore. Take ground source heat pumps, they are now around 80-90% efficient, don't need maintenance, don't give off any emissions. Yes they use electricity to run, but with a coefficient of 4, can't complain really. And if you use PV to generate your electricity, then you have zero carbon.<br /><br />Tony Blair has just released a report on renewables, it is well worth a look. In it he estimates the future contribution different technologies will make, and the funding needed to get them used widespread.<br /><br />Forget nuclear, or wind power. Go for ground source heat pumps and good old insulation. <br /><br />Kerry - if you want Bristol specific information about grants available, check out your local Energy Savings Trust advice centre, they are not for profit.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02978167656279309015noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7647685282789008730.post-15820555870097700342009-07-15T23:51:54.622+01:002009-07-15T23:51:54.622+01:00Didn't know you had a blog - you can advertise...Didn't know you had a blog - you can advertise yourself if you want, give us the link.<br /><br />This isn't at all what I was told by GH, but all my info is in Bristol so I don't feel quite equipped to respond. We are of course pursuing the nuclear option too, but renewables must be part of the mix.Kerryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02377996092374137641noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7647685282789008730.post-67737822807254609002009-07-15T23:18:50.176+01:002009-07-15T23:18:50.176+01:00I blogged about this but I'll, ahem, clean it ...I blogged about this but I'll, ahem, clean it up a bit for a comment on your blog.<br /><br />I can quite confidently say wind power is the biggest waste of time and it irritates me that the government are even considering it.<br /><br />Wind turbines might look nice, but they are incredibly expensive to install in the first place, incredibly expensive to maintain, only generates power some of the time (when it's windy) and give utterly piss-poor value for money in the amount of energy that they generate. Still, since when has value for money ever been the slightest consideration for environmentalists? The sole consideration they have is "carbon footprint" and any other considerations as far as cost, actual effectiveness, etc can be damned.<br /><br />Wind power is fine for installing on a remote farm in the middle of nowhere (although they can whistle for running a kettle, iron, microwave, oven etc off it) but no good for actually making a dint in meeting the UK's power needs. The government is going to piss away millions, possibly billions on wind power and it'll all be a complete waste of time as they realise they can't get enough from it.<br /><br /><br />The answer has been, is, and always will be nuclear power. Unfortunately, the French don't have much time for environmentalists totally misguided handwringing about nuclear, which means that they're world leaders in the manufacturer of nuclear facilities and we've missed the boat. We even buy electricity into the national grid from the French, and guess how they generate it? Nuclear. Once nuclear fusion is cracked then the idea of using any other form of power generation is frankly barmy.<br /><br />Don't get me wrong, SOME renewables have their place (tidal power looks interesting) but we really need to consider other factors as well as carbon emissions. What is the point in low carbon power generation if it can't meet the demands of the country? Or if it turns out (as I suspect it will) to be cripplingly expensive?Bristol Davehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13143336218499645984noreply@blogger.com