ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND CO2 COMPARISONS OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT VEHICLES

October 7, 2009 / Dave Andrews / Electric vehicles, Railways, Trams, Transportation

ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND CO2 COMPARISONS OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT VEHICLES

It was good to meet you yesterday at SET offices. As I mentioned there is an issue about the energy efficiency of public transport vehicles which you might be able to clarify for us.
I have urged James to publish comparison data on Sustraco website to show the energy efficiencies of different public transport vehicles. I am also discussing the issue in relation to work Temple Group is undertaking for clients in the railway industry.
On behalf of Sustraco I also made a submission to the Government of Australia Senate Standing Committee on Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport parliamentary inquiry into “Investment of Commonwealth and State funds in Public Transport infrastructure and services”. This energy eficciency issue is well stated in their report of Aug.09. I quote from para 3-33 pages 23 / 24 and footnote 28 thereto :-

Has Professor MacKay FRS, Chief Scientific Advisor to DECC, underestimated Britain's potential for Renewable Energy?

October 5, 2009 / Andrew Smith / Biomass, Biomethane/biogas, CSP, Digestion, Energy studies, Hydro, Investment, Policy, PV, Renewables, Solar, Tidal/wave/etc., Waste to energy, Wind, Wind Energy

Today, The Times has claimed that Britain’s potential renewable resources are insufficient to meet demand, and therefore that Britain needs new nuclear plants. This is reported as having been stated by the new Chief Scientific Advisor to DECC, Professor David MacKay FRS, the author of the free online book: Sustainable Energy Without the Hot Air – though it appears that The Times invented this quote. Nevertheless, the claim that Britain cannot live on its own renewables, is also made in his book.

However, the claim is not true.

On the professor’s own (underestimated) calculation of Britain’s renewable potential, it is possible for Britain to power itself from wind and solar. Current energy demand (heat, transport & electricity), is 98kWh per person per day (245GW), and the professor’s book identifies 68kWh/d (170GW) of wind onshore and offshore, and 55kWh/d (137.5GW) from photovoltaics, which together gives 123kWh/d (307.5GW). That means that even ignoring wave, tidal, geothermal and biomass, Britain’s renewable potential supply just from solar and wind substantially exceeds our energy demand.

What total power could the UK offshore wind resource provide? twice the total European power demand

September 30, 2009 / Andrew Smith / Resources, Wind, Wind Energy

The potential electricity available from British offshore wind, using current technology including the Norwegian floating turbines, is about 2TWe. This is equivalent to 50 times current British electricity consumption, and 8 times current total energy demand (electricity, heat, transport)

Andrews Smith discusses "Wind energy is not controversial apart from its effects on wealthy land owners"

September 17, 2009 / Dave Andrews / Wind, Wind Energy

“Wind energy is not controversial apart from its effects on wealthy land owners” A claveton responded: “I’m not sure in what respect it’s not controversial. It’s not ‘the’ answer to anything, except as very much a small part of something. The on-shore wind companies are now having to diversify because, they say, all the possible […]

Biomass combustion plants – a Claverton member is interested in finding sites / locations with large capacity connections to the local power network or National Grid

September 11, 2009 / Dave Andrews / Biofuels, Biomass, News Briefs, Power export, Waste to energy

A member of the Claverton Group is interested in finding sites / locations with large capacity connections to the local power network or National Grid – typically these might be defunct industrial sites, or existing industrial sites with spare capacity in an industrial sort of location where planning permission for a biomass combustion plant might be more readily obtained.

These are for biomass plants capacity 1 MW – 10 MW.

If you are aware of any please get in touch using the claverton contact form.

Kind Regards,

Dave Andrews

Chris Hodrien comments on key recent ‘maverick’ studies downgrading coal reserves estimates

September 6, 2009 / Dave Andrews / Coal fired, Resources

Comments from Chris Hodrien on “Peak Coal” article – R Heinberg 21may07 (Energy Bulletin- Online Opinion.com Fred et al, I guess that this paper, reporting both the key recent ‘maverick’ studies downgrading coal reserves estimates (up to 5/07), has been a critical input in forming your views on likely future coal reserves. I happened to […]

Claverton Energy Group Mailing Lists – energy discussions amongst experts

September 5, 2009 / Dave Andrews / News Briefs

The Claverton Energy Research Group, or Claverton Group, is a group of independent energy experts who communicate using a number of mailing lists: There is the general list which is highly active and is a good starting point – claverton-group@claverton-energy.com There are a number of subsidiary groups, but these are rapidly growing – the idea is […]

POST NOW FILLED. PhD Studentship to Develop Biogas Fermentation Process Control. Applications are invited for an exciting 3 year studentship

September 3, 2009 / Dave Andrews / Alternative fuels, Biofuels, Biogas, Biomass, Digestion, News Briefs

POST NOW FILLED Applications are invited for an exciting 3 year studentship to develop biogas fermentation technology. A new company is being set up to commercially exploit anaerobic digestion technology. As part of this work the company is working with North Wyke Research and Exeter University. The group is looking for an enthusiastic Engineer / […]

Potential Wind Energy Investment Opportunity

August 27, 2009 / Dave Andrews / Finance, Investment, News Briefs, Wind, Wind Energy

We have been approached and asked to make known an opportunity to invest in a wind farm(s) project to Claverton members or their associates. Essentially this involves 600 MW capacity in a series of wind farms in various countries with 30 MW in the UK. We have been told that agreements have been obtained with governments and land owners. […]

Delivering a 21st Century Infrastructure for Britain

August 24, 2009 / Dave Andrews / Energy studies, Policy

Invitation to a lunchtime debate Delivering a 21st Century Infrastructure for Britain