This refers to the ”’Directive on the promotion of cogeneration based on a useful heat demand in the internal energy market and amending Directive 92/62/EEC”’, officially 2004/8/EC and popularly better known as the ‘CHP Directive’ It is a European Union directive for promoting the use of cogeneration in order to increase the energy efficiency and […]
Read MoreFuture Challenges for CHP in the UK and Continental Europe, F.Starr PhD, FIMMM, C. Eng : Feb 2010
Abstract: An objective, but broadly sympathetic, view has been taken of the future of cogeneration in the UK. Although its current problems, appear to have resulted from the market economy, the basis to these difficulties is structural. These arguments are supported by discussions on the electrical and CHP efficiencies of various prime movers. These include […]
Read MoreNorth Sea Supergrid Declaration
The declaration: 1. The Ministers of the North Seas Countries: Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Sweden and the United Kingdom Considering, 2. The crucial role which offshore wind energy is bound to play in order for Europe to meet the EU’s 20-20-20 targets. The major part of offshore wind energy development in […]
Read MoreCash boost for alternative energy – Phys. Technol., Vol. 9, 1978 and how the UK lost the race to be a major wind energy producer
Cash boost for alternative energy The level of UK Government spending on development of alternative sources of energy is to increase by 60%. In a White Paper last month the Government announced plans for P6m-worth of research and development, to supplement PlOm already committed. Almost half of the extra money (P2.9m) will go on wave […]
Read MoreThe costs of variability due to the presence of large quantities of intermittent/variable wind energy on the UK national grid.
Managing Variability – A report to WWF-UK, RSPB, Greenpeace UK and Friends of the Earth EWNI SUMMARY In order to comply with legislation from the European Union, the UK’s renewable energy target (to produce 15% of final energy consumption from renewable sources by 2020) may require between 35 and 40% of our electricity to come […]
Read MoreWhat happens to wind power when there is no wind? Why it makes perfect sense that old, polluting and inefficient coal fired power stations should be retained and receive a capacity payment
This note argues that environmentalists will have to recognise that part (and a small price) of the price we pay for creating significant additional capacity of intermittent / variable renewables is the continued existence of coal fired plant, operating at a very low capacity factor. (And of course it will make us less vulnerable to […]
Read MoreOFGEM report on problematic future energy supplies – admission of market failure in electricty supplies
The report is at: http://www.ofgem.gov.uk/Markets/WhlMkts/Discovery/Documents1/Project_Discove ry_FebConDoc_FINAL.pdf News articles at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8494899.stm http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/consumertips/household- bills/7144386/British-households-risk-unaffordable-energy-bills-Ofgem- warns.html http://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/sse-says-customers-using-less-gas-electricity-reuters_molt-20a544628846.html A little interpretation: Quote: “There is a need for unprecedented levels of investment to be sustained over many years in difficult financial conditions and against a background of increased risk and uncertainty.” To translate, “the fat cats and their shareholders have […]
Read MoreThe film "Minority Report" – Pre-Crime, and Pre-Bribe
People may have seen the rather good (IMHOP) film “Minority Report” starring Tom Cruise. The basic plot idea is that in the future the authorities have a means of detecting serious crimes just before they are about to happen, using a sort of hi tech clairvoyant. Tom Cruise and his hi tech cops then zoom […]
Read MoreA Short Poem on Climate Change in the run up to Christmas, 2009
A Short Poem on Climate Change in the run up to Christmas, 2009 I fly abroad – the speed of sound; That’s the way to cover ground Why holiday here when you can go Around the world, for sun and snow I must have two mobile phones I’ve two ears, to hear their […]
Read MorePresident Obama signed the 2010 Energy & water appropriations bill
Good news for fuel cells. On October 28, 2009, President Obama signed the 2010 Energy & Water appropriations bill which includes funding for the DoE Hydrogen Program and other offices at approximately 2009 levels for both stationary and transportation hydrogen technologies. A recent news brief in Worldwide Independent Power has a piece from Cummins, who […]
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