Energy scheme scanadal

qwert_yuiop

joefizz wrote: »

I didnt understand this part of your original quote so looked up the Georgia stats myself. I couldnt understand why the diesel usage was so high. Yes you do need oil to maintain the cutters etc but that can be used cooking oil and other such (small plants can use used cooking oil for firing the dryers as well).
In the US they dont use wood pellets for fuel so the dryers are actually diesel dryers. Hence the discrepancy. Here they reuse part of the product (or as mentioned solar/wind/mains electric) for the dryers.

Thats why the US figures are so high. Typical of the US though to use diesel (which is cheaper there) rather than the sustainable product they produce, to maximise their profit of course.
Also a bit stupid using them as a supply for europe with all those travel miles.

If a pellet plant is able to run as a stand alone system, where there is an adequate energy surplus to power the manufacturing process, and maintain the sufficient production of valuable fuel, then it looks feasible.
If American pellets are being used here, then their manufacture and
importation are effectively subsidised by low US oil prices.

Have you any source for British or European figures?

Yankees

waltsalt wrote: »

It should be noted that the RHI scheme covered other renewable heating solutions as well, not just biomass boilers. I'm not saying that the alternatives are better or worse. Just another variable.

Hi waltsalt, you are right that there are more solutions than biomass covered within the RHI scheme but the focus has been on biomass as this is where the obvious potential abuse can occur, ie on the non-domestic scheme, you can burn more to get more money. For solutions such as solar installations, there is an effective cap in place, ie the energy you can produce for each installation is "capped" by the sun itself.

waltsalt

Yankees wrote: »

Hi waltsalt, you are right that there are more solutions than biomass covered within the RHI scheme but the focus has been on biomass as this is where the obvious potential abuse can occur, ie on the non-domestic scheme, you can burn more to get more money. For solutions such as solar installations, there is an effective cap in place, ie the energy you can produce for each installation is "capped" by the sun itself.

GSHP & ASHP. Every bit as easy to abuse if no cap in place.

Yankees

waltsalt wrote: »

GSHP & ASHP. Every bit as easy to abuse if no cap in place.

Interested to see how. I know there's no actual cap in place but if the sun only shines for x hours per day, how can someone create more energy and hence increase their claim? With biomass, you just keep the boiler going 24-7, even during warm weather etc.

Am I missing something?

waltsalt

Yes, you're missing something. GSHP & ASHP have nothing to do with the sun and could be programmed to run all the time.

Yankees

waltsalt wrote: »

Yes, you're missing something. GSHP & ASHP have nothing to do with the sun and could be programmed to run all the time.

Think I'm still missing something!!!
The sun impacts the air temperature and the ground temperature. So does that not mean that any installed GSHP or ASHP effectively has some sort of "cap"? I know any system can be abused but with some systems the abuse is potentially limited and not fully in someone's control. Whereas with biomass, the potential for abuse seems more obvious as you are feeding a machine and not being impacted by the temperature of the air or the ground.

waltsalt

Yankees, by your logic then GSHP & ASHP wouldn't work at night?

Also, sub-ground temperatures stay relatively constant throughout the year regardless of sunshine.

I think you ought to do a wee bit of research my friend.

It's not a big deal anyway, I was just making the point that the RHI scheme wasn't limited to biomass boilers so let's not paint them as the great evil.

BigAl94

I am reliably informed Arlene will be gone by the middle of the month

waltsalt

That'll teach her. Any idea on who is next up for the hot seat? Simon Hamilton must be in with a good shout.

BigAl94

Simon Hamilton is put forward as he has an ability to defend the party position and speaks well. Unfortunately behind that there is little substance or ability.