Renewable energy sources - the good, the bad and the ugly

A balanced energy solution would always contain nuclear power, particularly now that much smaller units are an option. By that means it would be perfectly feasible to phase out fossil fuels.

 

I just live up the road from Sellafield. They were going to build a new nuclear power plant that would of been the biggest in Europe until Toshiba pulled out. It was then earmarked as a suitable site for nuclear fusion reactors, now it looks like it's going to be used as a storage facility for plutonium, which is not getting as much support from the locals. The trouble has been the political parties, yes/no attitude for to long.

 

They have shut down both reactors now at Dungeness, as far as I know and no plans to build another one.
It makes no sence to me as all the infrastructure is there just rotting away.

 

They raised that issue on the programme. The further North you go and even if you have solar panels fitted, the heat pumps would actually still need a back source of power. If ever there was a power cut in the cold winter months the energy generated from the solar panels would still be insufficient.

 

When my air conditioner unit needed repair summer before last, the fellow tried to sell me a heat pump. He said it's more efficient. blah blah blah Then said that because our winters are so cold, we would still need a traditional furnace to keep the house warm during the winter months. So I had the air conditioner repaired - the heat pump, to me , would have just been an expensive air conditioner that could add a little warm air to the already gas powered heat the house would have. Totally silly. To me anyway.

 

It looks like the Norwegian government has collapsed over the EU energy directives.

Norway’s government collapses over EU spat – POLITICO

Norway’s Government Splits Over EU Energy Policy Dispute - Life in Norway

 

I was reading that earlier. EU inflexibility has always been an issue, but the difficulties are really reaching crisis point.

 

I see there was a debate in parliament to bring forward enforceable national regulations for their design and construction on battery energy storage systems.
Many who supported the speaker pointed out concerns going forward with many of these new BESS being constructed in rural areas, not just close to residential properties but close to waterways.

https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commo.../69C88AD8-77F8-4F85-A934-2DA4AFCCB24B/details

There is a lot of anger in our area with the proposed new solar panel farm that will be constructed on the fell, we were told the trees were felled due to disease, but most locals now think that was a smoke screen due to how quick this new solar panel farm proposal has come to light. If this goes ahead, I am led to believe it would be the second largest solar panel farm in the UK, then would there be a BESS constructed as well if it's not connected straight into the grid.
You can see from the article below where the trees were felled and where they plan to build the new solar panel farm

Group opposes 200-acre solar farm below Dent Fell

There are currently 1,336 operational solar farms in the UK, according to the latest government data with 142 are under construction, 1,957 are awaiting construction, and another 684 have submitted applications with the hope of joining the solar revolution. I wonder how many of these BESS are likely to be built in the future

 

It's odd how UK powers-that-be don't keep up with developments and innovation.

Switzerland is laying solar panels between rail tracks - unobtrusive and cost effective even in a land with far more snow. France has solar panels built on car park shades, thus getting double benefit of cool cars and free energy with no land loss or waste. Spain has solar panels in fields but then runs sheep on the land to keep down weeds that would interfere with the panels' effectiveness.

Canada has developed an ice based battery and someone else, can't remember who, has one that uses salt and Germany now runs all its passenger trains on hydrogen.

 

So after 40yrs it will be removed.
Are we not planning to use electricity in 40yrs time?
They will probably expand it by then.

 

Who is getting rich out of it?

 

It's overcast here at the moment and according to our smart meter we are generating electricity from our solar panels. Our supplier has just paid us £228 for the excess electricity.
We had ours installed quite a long time ago - 10 years? and we've recouped our costs.