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4 comments on Parliament debates energy

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pondlife on May 8, 2006 - 1:42pm Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top
Excellent points there. I agree wholeheartedly.
There is another issue which I have never seen mentioned.
The spec for the UK electricity supply was last written in 1995, based on fully predictable continuous generators, at a time when all consumer usage was to a low tech requirement. There is actually no need for most UK users to have anything like the supply stability we have now.
As long as your freezer can run over a 24hr average, users do not require -6% to +10% 230V regulation. Consumer goods can have battery storage internally. Lights could all be low power LED clusters with a modest lighting circuit backup battery. There is an overwhelming case to make items lower consumption anyway - such as newer TVs. If there isn't enough power for domestic dishwashers, tumble dryers and hairdryers; who gives a stuff??
Manufacturers like these sort of regulation changes, cos they sell more junk.

BTW, I see Blair was on the news at lunchtime explaining how he was the right man to see through 'difficult choices' such as:

'student tuition fees...blah, blah...NUCLEAR POWER(!!)...etc'

so another dig to support his choice and against the wide independent concensus.

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MUDLOGGER on May 8, 2006 - 4:38pm Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top
I think we are in a race for every source we can get.
Wind, Tidal barrier, nukes and Conservation with a Big 'C'.
This may very well mean rationing / power limiting at domestic levels. It would start with a perfectly reasonable government information campaign.

Of course, it would be electoral suicide for the 'things can only get better party'. But somebody has to say it and preferably in advance of the next winter.

A bit of decent education especially in Physics and civics (rights and entitlements are less important than responsibilities) Wouldnt go amiss either.

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