It was down to 2GW from wind when I looked, although it's certainly source of power that's going to fluctuate a lot.
I guess it just goes to show how futile the prospect of renewables ever replacing coal and nuclear, which provide the most efficient base load, and CCGT, that can rapidly be brought online to take up the slack when demand hits a peak.
It was down to 2GW from wind when I looked, although it's certainly source of power that's going to fluctuate a lot.
I guess it just goes to show how futile the prospect of renewables ever replacing coal and nuclear, which provide the most efficient base load, and CCGT, that can rapidly be brought online to take up the slack when demand hits a peak.
Well, yes; at least with foreseeable technology. The trouble with renewables is that they'll give you very little power some of the time and aren't suitable for either base load or load following purposes.
That's not to say that they're not useful up to a point as part of a diverse power grid but, unless we're going to drastically reduce our consumption in future, we'll need other technologies to supplement them in replacing fossil fuels and nuclear power.
Well, yes; at least with foreseeable technology. The trouble with renewables is that they'll give you very little power some of the time and aren't suitable for either base load or load following purposes
Burning wood and paper is much the same as coal and gas from a base load perspective, the fuel just has a lower energy density is the only difference. :)
I'm sure the lights will stay on, even if it gets a bit nippy. They'll be firing up the small gas turbine plants and possibly even oil. It'll just become terrifically expensive that's all :)
Of course if Europe piss off Putin too much then we're all shafted ;)
It was down to 2GW from wind when I looked, although it's certainly source of power that's going to fluctuate a lot.
I guess it just goes to show how futile the prospect of renewables ever replacing coal and nuclear, which provide the most efficient base load, and CCGT, that can rapidly be brought online to take up the slack when demand hits a peak.
On Saturday Denmark generated 101% of its energy needs from wind power alone. It sold power to the European grid. Last week (think it was Monday) wind power generated 15% of the UK's electricity.
Which is good, because it means we don't have to spend a fortune on importing Russian gas...
I'm sure the lights will stay on, even if it gets a bit nippy. They'll be firing up the small gas turbine plants and possibly even oil. It'll just become terrifically expensive that's all :)
Of course if Europe piss off Putin too much then we're all shafted ;)
I felt a bit like one of those mental case American armageddon survivalists, but I actually bought an inverter a few months ago so I can run our (gas fired) heating/hot-water boiler off a car battery if we lose power for any length of time.
Of course, it'll all be a bit futile if Putin turns the gas off. But at least I'll be able to power my ZX81 and telly, and I s'pose the family can huddle around that for warmth/light while I play 3D Monster Maze. :lol:
I felt a bit like one of those mental case American armageddon survivalists
Yeah but if it all goes wrong and the power fails you'll have bigger problems than running your zx81 and no way to charge your car battery anyway :)
You could get a generator and stock up on fuel and supplies but that could just be requisitioned and redistributed by the combined military force that moves in to quell the riots. ;)
Yeah but if it all goes wrong and the power fails you'll have bigger problems than running your zx81 and no way to charge your car battery anyway :)
But I cunningly have a car with an alternator! Assuming the lights go out when I've got a full tank of petrol I'll be good for a week of no power at least. After which, I'll be setting fire to stuff to keep warm and storing the neighbourhood cats in the shed to use for food :)
I'm no Ray Mears, but reckon I'd do alright, actually. One of the benefits of living in middle-class suburbia is that most people round here can't so much as put up a shelf without "getting a man in" to do it for them. I should be able to outlast most of them. :lol:
But I cunningly have a car with an alternator! Assuming the lights go out when I've got a full tank of petrol I'll be good for a week of no power at least. After which, I'll be setting fire to stuff to keep warm and storing the neighbourhood cats in the shed to use for food :)
I'm no Ray Mears, but reckon I'd do alright, actually. One of the benefits of living in middle-class suburbia is that most people round here can't so much as put up a shelf without "getting a man in" to do it for them. I should be able to outlast most of them. :lol:
It'd be fun.
All the kids will moan about not being able to get online:grin:
On Saturday Denmark generated 101% of its energy needs from wind power alone. It sold power to the European grid. Last week (think it was Monday) wind power generated 15% of the UK's electricity.
Which is good, because it means we don't have to spend a fortune on importing Russian gas...
If what you say is true, on a per-person count; Denmark generated enough renewable power for nearly 6 million people; the UK for nearly 10 million.
The UK's problem is not that there is too little power; but there are too many consumers.
....And of course, regarding gas, Putin is shrewd. Despite the sanctions, he is not going to bite the hand that feeds him. Without energy sales, he is screwed.
It also paves the way for remote disconnctions, energy rationing and covert surveillance of lifestyle habits.
OK, I suppose I can see your point that this may be a "thin end of the wedge" situation. They are still cool from a tech point of view, but I s'pose I do get that it's yet another sign of corporate w4nkerism potentially affecting all our lives...
I do get that it's yet another sign of corporate w4nkerism potentially affecting all our lives...
Indeed it is, the old adage if it aint broke don't fix it should apply, but the powers that be insist we must all have this 'technology' installed whether we need it or not and of course its us that will end up paying for it!
We'll not be having one installed until they force us using the law.
PS. The fact they will have to force people to have them installed tells you all you need to know...
Comments
Interesting to compare the different sources isn't it. Only 1GW coming under the channel versus an estimated 4GW from wind
I guess it just goes to show how futile the prospect of renewables ever replacing coal and nuclear, which provide the most efficient base load, and CCGT, that can rapidly be brought online to take up the slack when demand hits a peak.
Ever?
It was 2 and a bit GW being bought by the grid, but that site estimates half as much again as a reduction in load.
Well, yes; at least with foreseeable technology. The trouble with renewables is that they'll give you very little power some of the time and aren't suitable for either base load or load following purposes.
That's not to say that they're not useful up to a point as part of a diverse power grid but, unless we're going to drastically reduce our consumption in future, we'll need other technologies to supplement them in replacing fossil fuels and nuclear power.
Burning wood and paper is much the same as coal and gas from a base load perspective, the fuel just has a lower energy density is the only difference. :)
Looks like it will be an excellent site for watching it all crumble to the ground this winter! :D
Of course if Europe piss off Putin too much then we're all shafted ;)
(they did **** up the heating doing it though, which is ok now though after a reboot ;) )
sadly she didn't show up to fit it.. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3GfMit6DvdQ
Fixed that for you
On Saturday Denmark generated 101% of its energy needs from wind power alone. It sold power to the European grid. Last week (think it was Monday) wind power generated 15% of the UK's electricity.
Which is good, because it means we don't have to spend a fortune on importing Russian gas...
Of course, it'll all be a bit futile if Putin turns the gas off. But at least I'll be able to power my ZX81 and telly, and I s'pose the family can huddle around that for warmth/light while I play 3D Monster Maze. :lol:
Yeah but if it all goes wrong and the power fails you'll have bigger problems than running your zx81 and no way to charge your car battery anyway :)
You could get a generator and stock up on fuel and supplies but that could just be requisitioned and redistributed by the combined military force that moves in to quell the riots. ;)
I'm no Ray Mears, but reckon I'd do alright, actually. One of the benefits of living in middle-class suburbia is that most people round here can't so much as put up a shelf without "getting a man in" to do it for them. I should be able to outlast most of them. :lol:
It'd be fun.
All the kids will moan about not being able to get online:grin:
If what you say is true, on a per-person count; Denmark generated enough renewable power for nearly 6 million people; the UK for nearly 10 million.
The UK's problem is not that there is too little power; but there are too many consumers.
....And of course, regarding gas, Putin is shrewd. Despite the sanctions, he is not going to bite the hand that feeds him. Without energy sales, he is screwed.
Did you have it installed on request or where you forced into having it fitted?
However they try to package it, It's just another way of screwing money out of customers.
It also paves the way for remote disconnctions, energy rationing and covert surveillance of lifestyle habits.
I worked as a meter reader in the 90s and we were aware back then that remote meter reading was in the pipeline, but this goes too far...
Indeed it is, the old adage if it aint broke don't fix it should apply, but the powers that be insist we must all have this 'technology' installed whether we need it or not and of course its us that will end up paying for it!
We'll not be having one installed until they force us using the law.
PS. The fact they will have to force people to have them installed tells you all you need to know...
Perhaps they should set up a system to recover the heat from burning power stations? :smile: