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Summary
The UK has some serious problems ahead in terms of Power supply. Coal, Oil, and
Gas have already peaked in global supply, and over the
next 15-30 years western societies are going to need to be making us of new
power generating technologies. As was seen in late 2003 with the collapse in the
central London power grid network one summer evening, the National Grid has some
underlying design flaws that need to be dealt with. There are also some major
long term power issues that need to be addressed, not least of which is how is
the UK's power needs going to be met once the oil runs out sometime this
century?
Proposals
-Focus research and begin work on offshore tidal/wind power facilities. UK
Universities already specialising in Energy tech' should be targeted to become
elite institutions of research, and have direct ties to applying new
discoveries.
-Make the grid system more locally independent. It is crazy to have a situation
where the collapse of one part of the power network
can bring down a large part of the national/regional grid.
-Phase out Nuclear (which is admittedly already planned), although there will
likely be a tendency to resurrect this costly means of supply by some people as
fossil fuel supplies start to dwindle in the middle of this century.
-Implement a strong incentive scheme via taxation to support energy efficiency
in both the domestic and industrial settings.
-New housing standards: larger percentage that are south facing, some with solar arrays
as standard (at least in Southern UK)
No more Nuclear plants are planned for the UK
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Power supply : 0% tax rate on company profits for 7 years for companies
investing in new renewable
energy facilities.
A radical overhaul of the way products are taxed - based upon their energy
efficiency/longevity.
For instance, take the issue of Batteries. Most households use batteries for one
reason or another, whether it be to power a child's toy or a walkman. As things
stand, the majority of batteries presently sold are still of the throwaway type.
This is despite the fact that rechargeable are available, and will pay for
themselves after just 3 or 4 uses. Tens of thousands of batteries are buried in
landfill sites each month. After a few decades the toxic chemicals contained
within these batteries will
probably enter local water supplies across the UK. Why the Government fail to make it
illegal for batteries to be buried like this is seriously maddening.
I propose a 50% (or more) tax on ALL disposable batteries, with a corresponding 0% tax
(i.e. remove ALL the VAT charge) on rechargeable. This would ensure that not only
would the issue of rechargeable batteries be brought into the public eye, but that the public will be
strongly persuaded to
recognise that the current situation is not acceptable.
Some people will doubtless start freaking out at even the suggestion of a tax
(never mind it being 50% or more), yet the current situation is not acceptable.
Ground water supplies must be protected with a long term view, and this means
that toxic substances entering landfill sites must be reduced to as much as
possible.
Recycling : Batteries should not just be used once !
Capital Project Ideas
1 : Tidal Power generation barrage, some 10-30 km offshore ( 20+ miles in width), with wind
power turbines on top.
2 : Solar Energy Arrays for - A) ALL new homes as standard, and B)
Existing homes in qualifying areas of adequate annual sunshine.
3 : Local renewable energy generation schemes for ALL main UK towns. i.e.
Wind farms located to the immediate west of towns.
Finally, after decades of inaction
and lack of adequate technology the UK is finally starting to take the lead in
renewable power generation. With no new nuclear plants even in the planning
stages, the UK is going to have to seriously invest in wind, tidal - and even
solar energy on a massive scale. Yet even if such grand projects happen, both
consumer and industrial demand for energy will have to be curtailed somehow.
Baring the discovery of a new power source - such as Fusion, renewable remains
the only reliable long term solution.
With some adequate long term
planning and preparation, the UK population could probably continue to retain
their current standard of living.
However, if no serious measures are taken to curb demand and protect existing
power generation, the likelihood is that the typical UK citizen will face some
long term power outages by 2025. The question remains, does anyone in current
authority wish to do anything about this issue ?
Links
British Wind Energy Association - The UK's
leading association on Wind Power technology
European Wind Energy Association -
The Euro consortium, bringing together associations across the European
continent.
Enviromission.com - One
of the most astounding capital projects ever undertaken, in Australia.
Peak Oil - The looming crisis as Petroleum
reserves are used up.
Life After Oil - A
fascinating article on what can be done as Oil supplies collapse in the 21'st
century.
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Page last updated :
23/07/2004
