Representatives of an independent group of over 250 international energy and financial experts are meeting this week to reveal how the UK, Europe and other continents can run on renewable electricity for a similar price to that currently paid for fossil-based electricity. The Claverton Energy Research Group is also warning on the eve of its conference, which runs in Bath from 24-26 Oct, that current world governments’ energy policies are inadequate to meet growing global energy demands, and says serious action needs to be taken now!
Read MoreGeorge Soros Agrees With Claverton?
During In an Interview on the Global Financial Crisis and investment in Energy, George Soros appears to agree with Claverton Group’s previously expressed views. In an interesting ‘Global Viewpoint’ article distributed by Tribune Media Services Inc, entitled “My Interview with George Soros: End of Financial Crisis Could Be in Sight” it seems that George has caught up with our thinking, in that he says what the markets (or government!) should be investing in is new/ alternative energy sources:
Read MoreHigh Profile EU Speaker at 2008 Claverton Conference!
Dr. Gregor Czisch is a confirmed speaker for this years Claverton conference, with a paper titled “Common Affordable and Renewable Electricity Supply for Europe and its Neighbourhood – Optimal solution: 100% Renewable HVDC-Supergrid To Save Our Climate”
Read MoreAffordable and Renewable Electricity Supply for Europe and its Neighbourhood
Optimal Solution: 100% Renewable HVDC Supergrid to save our climate By Dr Gregor Czisch. 2008 Conference Paper Synopsis: In view of the resource and climate problems, it seems obvious that we must transform our energy system into one using only renewable energies. But questions arise how such a system should be structured, which techniques should […]
Read MoreWhere Does The Wind Come From and How Much Energy is There?
Brian Hurley, M.Sc.
2008 Conference Paper Synopsis: The source of the wind is the sun. The winds come from the suns energy falling on the earth’s surface, giving rise to heating of the atmosphere. This leads to convection currents in the atmosphere, ie the movement of air due to changes in its density and pressure. We can gain an understanding of how global circulation works by developing simplified models of the processes that produce the global system. The physical drivers of the wind at a global scale and at the level of a wind farm are examined.
Read MoreSquaring the Circle on Coal – Carbon Capture (CCS)
By Chris Hodrien
2008 Claverton Conference Paper Synopsis: Huge global reserves of coal remain, well-distributed among relatively stable supplier nations, and its production is increasing. With the recent rapid increases in oil and gas prices, especially in the UK, it is again becoming the minimum cost option for power generation and heavy industry. Large thermal (steam turbine) powerplant is also the global utilities’ preferred generating option because of its predictability/reliability, operational characteristics, retrofit to existing powerplant sites and “fit’ to the existing grid structure.
Read MoreGeneration of Electricity from Gas Network Pressure
2008 Claverton Conference Paper Synopsis:
1. Existing technology for pressure reduction
2. Explanation of thermodynamics
3. Expander only
4. Expander-CHP
5. Expander – CHP using Biofuels
6. CO2 impact
7. Basic economics
8. Market overview
Presenter:
John Baldwin
MD, CNG Services Ltd
Carbon Pools – Financing Energy after Peak Credit
By Chris Cooke
2008 Conference Paper Synopsis
1/ Conventional Financing – involves both “asset-based finance” (Investment) and “deficit-based” finance (Debt), typically “secured” or “asset-backed.”
– investment is either “Public” – by the State – or “Private’ through a legal entity known as a “Joint Stock Limited Liability Company.”
2/ Peak Credit and the Credit Crunch – following last year’s point of “Peak Credit” conventional “deficit-based” financing is drying up rapidly, and probably permanently.
3/ “Equity – but not as we know it, Jim” – using legal frameworks which are not based upon Company Law, but upon Trust and Partnership Law.
4/ Introducing the Carbon Pool – a simple new investment mechanism where assets remain in Public ownership, but investors could buy Energy Units redeemable against units of energy eg 10 Kilo Watt Hours.
– Carbon Pool funds may then be created, unitised, funded by a carbon levy and used to invest directly in renewable energy (“MegaWatts”) or energy savings (“NegaWatts”).
5/ Outcomes – by creating, and Unitising energy – with intrinsic value – energy value of carbon may be monetised rather than monetising by government “fiat” intrinsically worthless CO2, or TEQ’s .
Read MoreSustainable Light Rail -Professor Lewis Lesley
By Professor Lewis Lesley – John Moore’s University.
2008 Conference Paper Synopsis: In an increasingly urbanized world most personal journeys are made in towns and cities and are relatively short, in UK 75% under 8km long. In the developed world, the motorcar dominates these trips. Car drivers will however transfer some trips to rail. Electrically powered light rail (or tramways) is an economic means for satisfying many short urban trips. Light rail can be constructed with a minimum of urban disruption and when coupled with renewable generation is energy sustainable. It also has a negative carbon footprint, when diverted car trips are included.
Read MoreBiomethane as a Vehicle Fuel – It’s the Vehicles, Stupid
By John Baldwin
2008 Conference Paper Synopsis:
1. Development of NGVs 2000 to 2008
2. 3rd generation NGVs launched in Q1 2009 – VW Passat on biomethane is the world’s best car in well to wheel CO2 terms
3. Potential biogas resource – The UK’s largest 3rd generation bio-fuel
4. Production of biomethane – Clean-up technologies and costs
5. Injection of biomethane into gas grids
6. EU Renewable Energy Directive
7. UK RTFO, ROCs and renewable heat support
8. Biomethane Eco-leadership projects
9. Conclusion – it’s the vehicles stupid