Green, ethical, energy issues in the news

Coastalwatch

Martyn1981 said:

Might be of interest to some. This Youtube news article was recently posted on the 'Everything Electric Show' channel a spin off, of the Fully Charged show.

It's about a visit to a large home building estate (225 homes) in 2020. Nothing seismic, but still a nice watch. No gas, 170m deep boreholes for GSHP, PV, a small battery, and of course well built for high energy efficiency. In the vid they suggest (at the time) an additional £15k-£20k in capital cost, but of course annual energy and financial savings.

Also interesting that the properties are 3phase. It's stressed several times in the vid that this is to allow faster home charging for BEV's (upto 22kW). But it also occurs to me that as the properties have PV, and many are 7kWp+, then perhaps this also allows for better management by the DNO.

Is This What You Want From Housebuilders?

Don't know about of interest to some Mart, it should be everybody and certainly every builder. But of course until regulations are put in place for the building industry to comply with they will just keep on building the same ol', same ol' rubbish they always have for the lowest cost and highest return. Never mind the quality, feel the width mentality.

Martyn1981

Growing pressure to reverse the de facto ban on onshore wind in England. Be kinda ironic if onshore wind gets a leg up at the same time PV gets a de facto ban on low quality (3b) agricultural land ..... some you lose, some you draw.

Johnson and Truss join rebels against Sunak keeping new onshore wind ban

Boris Johnson and Liz Truss have joined a growing Tory backbench rebellion against Rishi Sunak’s refusal to allow new onshore wind projects in England, in another challenge to the levelling up bill.

The former prime ministers are among about 20 Conservative MPs to have signed an amendment tabled by Simon Clarke, who served as a minister under Johnson and Truss, that would end the de facto ban on new onshore wind that has been in place since 2014.

While Truss supported the resumption of onshore wind, Johnson’s decision to back the amendment is striking given that he did not seek to reverse the longstanding policy when he was prime minister.

Clarke’s amendment would oblige the government to change planning rules within six months to allow new projects.

As well as Johnson and Truss, these included other former ministers such as Stephen Crabb and Robin Walker.

Clarke, who served as chief secretary to the Treasury under Johnson, and as levelling up secretary in Truss’s seven-week premiership, said: “This really is an issue that unites opinion from all wings of the Conservative party. We should let local communities decide whether or not they want onshore wind, perhaps linked to sensible incentives from energy companies, and not apply a blanket ban.

“Onshore wind can lower our constituents’ bills, boost our energy independence and safeguard our environment, and I am delighted so many colleagues are supporting this important amendment.”

Martyn1981

Big floating offshore wind farm planned by Spain, 990MW, with the current largest at about 90MW. I don't know how important they are to the UK, as we have a decent amount of near shore shallow waters, but 'floaters' could be big generators for many countries. Time will tell I suppose.

Proposal for 990 MW floating offshore wind farm in Andalusia

IberBlue Wind, a joint venture set up to develop floating offshore wind farms on the Iberian Peninsula, has chosen the waters off Andalusia to develop the first of its offshore wind projects. The wind farm, named Nao Victoria, will occupy an area of 310 km2 in the Alboran Sea (the westernmost part of the Mediterranean Sea). It will be located off the coasts of Cadiz and Malaga and will have 55 floating offshore wind turbines and an installed capacity of 990 MW.

2nd_time_buyer

Martyn1981 said:

Growing pressure to reverse the de facto ban on onshore wind in England. Be kinda ironic if onshore wind gets a leg up at the same time PV gets a de facto ban on low quality (3b) agricultural land ..... some you lose, some you draw.

Johnson and Truss join rebels against Sunak keeping new onshore wind ban

Boris Johnson and Liz Truss have joined a growing Tory backbench rebellion against Rishi Sunak’s refusal to allow new onshore wind projects in England, in another challenge to the levelling up bill.

The former prime ministers are among about 20 Conservative MPs to have signed an amendment tabled by Simon Clarke, who served as a minister under Johnson and Truss, that would end the de facto ban on new onshore wind that has been in place since 2014.

While Truss supported the resumption of onshore wind, Johnson’s decision to back the amendment is striking given that he did not seek to reverse the longstanding policy when he was prime minister.

Clarke’s amendment would oblige the government to change planning rules within six months to allow new projects.

As well as Johnson and Truss, these included other former ministers such as Stephen Crabb and Robin Walker.

Clarke, who served as chief secretary to the Treasury under Johnson, and as levelling up secretary in Truss’s seven-week premiership, said: “This really is an issue that unites opinion from all wings of the Conservative party. We should let local communities decide whether or not they want onshore wind, perhaps linked to sensible incentives from energy companies, and not apply a blanket ban.

“Onshore wind can lower our constituents’ bills, boost our energy independence and safeguard our environment, and I am delighted so many colleagues are supporting this important amendment.”

I am quite optimistic about it been overturned. Mainly because it makes economic sense. But also, because Sunak is relatively pragmatic. Truss, Johnson et al. are measuring the political temperature. So far the right-ring press seems to be relatively dormant on the usual scare stories and have taken up the "depriving under pressure farmer/landowners of valuable income" angle. 

Martyn1981

2nd_time_buyer said:

Martyn1981 said:

Growing pressure to reverse the de facto ban on onshore wind in England. Be kinda ironic if onshore wind gets a leg up at the same time PV gets a de facto ban on low quality (3b) agricultural land ..... some you lose, some you draw.

Johnson and Truss join rebels against Sunak keeping new onshore wind ban

Boris Johnson and Liz Truss have joined a growing Tory backbench rebellion against Rishi Sunak’s refusal to allow new onshore wind projects in England, in another challenge to the levelling up bill.

The former prime ministers are among about 20 Conservative MPs to have signed an amendment tabled by Simon Clarke, who served as a minister under Johnson and Truss, that would end the de facto ban on new onshore wind that has been in place since 2014.

While Truss supported the resumption of onshore wind, Johnson’s decision to back the amendment is striking given that he did not seek to reverse the longstanding policy when he was prime minister.

Clarke’s amendment would oblige the government to change planning rules within six months to allow new projects.

As well as Johnson and Truss, these included other former ministers such as Stephen Crabb and Robin Walker.

Clarke, who served as chief secretary to the Treasury under Johnson, and as levelling up secretary in Truss’s seven-week premiership, said: “This really is an issue that unites opinion from all wings of the Conservative party. We should let local communities decide whether or not they want onshore wind, perhaps linked to sensible incentives from energy companies, and not apply a blanket ban.

“Onshore wind can lower our constituents’ bills, boost our energy independence and safeguard our environment, and I am delighted so many colleagues are supporting this important amendment.”

I am quite optimistic about it been overturned. Mainly because it makes economic sense. But also, because Sunak is relatively pragmatic. Truss, Johnson et al. are measuring the political temperature. So far the right-ring press seems to be relatively dormant on the usual scare stories and have taken up the "depriving under pressure farmer/landowners of valuable income" angle. 

That got me thinking, as I haven't checked the quarterly attitude tracker for a while. I recall when they started over a decade ago that onshore wind had less support than PV and offshore wind, but was still a solid 67% with 12% oppossed.

Now I see that support for all has risen (PV up from about 80% to 90%), and onshore wind support is now at ~80%, with just 4% oppossed.

I've often commented in the past that the steady growth in support, and reduction in opposition has taken place during a time period when the population has been 'impacted' by onshore wind, both visually and financially (subsidy support), and the response has largely been positive. So reality has trumped fear, especially that 2/3rds drop in those oppossed.

See page 3 of this Gov paper, note that questions on RE are half yearly, not quarterly.



Edit - Possibly also of interest is Figure 4.1 in this other paper on the latest survey, showing that the public have ~85% trust in scientists and scientific organisations when it comes to climate change info ... PHEW!

Martyn1981

What a great and novel idea ..... [OK, sarcasm mode now switched off], but perhaps pre-April for energy efficiency would be more sensible, but maybe it's a budgetary issue.

UK government to introduce grants to make homes more energy efficient

The business secretary, Grant Shapps, will announce a plan next week to offer grants of up to £15,000 to middle-income households to make homes more energy efficient, according to reports.

The scheme, called “eco plus”, will run from April and target middle-earners to enable them to fund work on their homes such as installing cavity-wall insulation or smart heating controls.

The government has set aside £1bn for the initiative that will target people in council tax bands A to D, according to the Times.

The intention is to target 70,000 homes over three years, covering 75% of the cost of any energy efficiency upgrades to people’s homes.

Martyn1981

I think this form of carbon prices and rebates has been mentioned before - possibly with regard to a proposal in the US. But it's actually happening in Canada.

So, the Gov places a carbon/pollution tax on FF products, thus upping their price, and raising funds. They then distribute that money to households to offset the extra costs.

Great idea in theory, and Canada seem to be making it work, with support from the public. One comment suggests that the Gov have won 3 elections despite carbon pricing, so it seems to be acceptable.

[Quick check and it seems the carbon tax is Cn$50/tonne CO2e, rising Cn$15pa to Cn$170 in 2030.]

Canada Ups Pollution Pricing

The Canadian government says levying a price on air pollution continues to be the most practical way to battle climate change and simultaneously make life more economical for Canadians. Not only does this policy guarantee that it no longer costs nothing to pollute federally in Canada, but under new rules, for 8 out of 10 Canadian families who receive Climate Action Incentive (CAI) payments, they will actually see extra money deposited into their accounts.

Polluters will have to pay more over time, as the Government of Canada announced today. This is in addition to the Climate Action Incentive amounts for next year that were also announced today for provinces following the federal approach. The logic behind this decision is that it returns proceeds of pollution pricing directly back into Canadian households.

michaels

Martyn1981 said:

I think this form of carbon prices and rebates has been mentioned before - possibly with regard to a proposal in the US. But it's actually happening in Canada.

So, the Gov places a carbon/pollution tax on FF products, thus upping their price, and raising funds. They then distribute that money to households to offset the extra costs.

Great idea in theory, and Canada seem to be making it work, with support from the public. One comment suggests that the Gov have won 3 elections despite carbon pricing, so it seems to be acceptable.

[Quick check and it seems the carbon tax is Cn$50/tonne CO2e, rising Cn$15pa to Cn$170 in 2030.]

Canada Ups Pollution Pricing

The Canadian government says levying a price on air pollution continues to be the most practical way to battle climate change and simultaneously make life more economical for Canadians. Not only does this policy guarantee that it no longer costs nothing to pollute federally in Canada, but under new rules, for 8 out of 10 Canadian families who receive Climate Action Incentive (CAI) payments, they will actually see extra money deposited into their accounts.

Polluters will have to pay more over time, as the Government of Canada announced today. This is in addition to the Climate Action Incentive amounts for next year that were also announced today for provinces following the federal approach. The logic behind this decision is that it returns proceeds of pollution pricing directly back into Canadian households.

I have suggested that it would be fair to give everyone a tradeable carbon allowance so for example those who fly long-haul would have to purchase credits from those who never travel further than a stroll to the corner shop.

Martyn1981

I wasn't sure about this idea, plus I couldn't understand it, but having looked at the company's web-site it sounds quite promising (maybe?) so thought I'd post it.

So, it's PHS (pumped hydro storage) but from ground level to undergound. Here's the explanation from their website:

1. When electricity is abundant, it is used to pump water from a pond down a well and into a body of rock.
2. The well is closed, keeping the energy stored under pressure between rock layers for as long as needed.
3. When electricity is needed, the well is opened to let the pressurized water pass through a turbine to generate electricity, and return to the pond ready for the next cycle.

But this is when my interest got sparked:-

Comment from article:

“The innovative technology can operate at higher temperature than traditional PSH, achieve 95% mechanical efficiency (each way), and has the potential to reduce capital expenditures and energy storage solutions in relatively flat areas where conventional PSH may not be possible,” the Energy Department stated.

Comment from the company website:

Broad Geological Footprint

100+ TWh mapped across multiple US basins

Underground Water Battery To Bust Energy Storage Dam Wide Open

The US Department of Energy has been eyeballing pumped hydro energy storage for a makeover, and it looks like they have a winner. The Texas firm Quidnet Energy has just won a $10 million grant to put the finishing touches on a new type of “water battery” that deploys underground rock formations instead of having to rely on elevated reservoirs.

“GPS uses the earth as a mechanical battery by storing energy as pressurized water between layers of rock. The objective is to lower cost associated with long-duration energy storage by 50-75% to enable more reliable and cost-effective utilization of renewable electricity generating assets,” they add.

Martyn1981

Interesting vid from 'Engineering with Rosie'. It looks at a method to construct cheap bricks for thermal storage. They mention 1kWh per brick, which was far more than I expected, but it does utilise phase change.

There's two parts to the idea, one is large scale, to use the stored heat to produce steam for leccy genertaion. This is quite low efficiency, but if the storage medium is cheap enough, and the excess leccy is low priced, then it may be a goer.

The other part, which I thought was maybe more interesting for 'us', was the potential for domestic heat storage (not for leccy generation), so you use cheap leccy when available, and store it in these bricks (just like storage heaters), but if they store more heat, and leak less, and ideally heated using some sort of heatpump (for a COP), then maybe it would help spread energy demand out a bit.

But ....... I'm really not sure how practical this is, and the vid suggests (to me) that costs are still high, but will fall as brick production is to ramp massively.

Building Blocks for Energy Storage: MGA Thermal tour

Thermal energy storage is one of the hot technologies of the energy transition. In today’s video, we’re going to see a take on this from MGA Thermal, who I visited a few months ago when I was in Newcastle and got a tour of their new pilot facility that they're in the process of putting together. I found out about the technology, the manufacturing process and applications and scale up plans.