More diversity in power generation

There are many different ways to generate power, but we seem to be over-reliant on wind turbines. Wind seems to be seen as THE green solution and the one that ticks all the boxes, and any concerns about it are quickly dismissed.

We should be looking towards a variety of power generation technologies, with communities being given opportunities to invest in the kind of power systems they want locally, with excess being fed into the national grid. This could be wave power, hydro power, solar or even human power.

Why the contribution is important

I used to think wind power was fantastic, and I even bought shares in funds focused on wind power, but I am now in the process of selling these, because the managers dismiss any concerns about destruction of habitat and wilderness (as in the huge Creag Riabhach wind farm currently being built in Sutherland), rare earth materials used, or diversification into alternative forms of sustainable power. I wasn't the only shareholder to voice such concerns. Once a technology is seen to be profitable, big investors just want more of it. This is not a good way to build a healthy environment.

by NatalieM on September 08, 2022 at 12:50PM

Current Rating

Average rating: 3.6
Based on: 5 votes

Comments

  • Posted by grahamworrall September 08, 2022 at 13:17

    Micro generation house by house or per village or town or city district is the most secure. It provides opportunities for training for engineers, installers, maintained and advisers. It is fun and involving. Presently my local authority (Highland) is downright awkward and obstructive providing no suitable application form, no advice and wasting months

  • Posted by Eoghann September 08, 2022 at 14:28

    I agree that greater diversity of generation is important. As a country, we are all a bit guilty of jumping on bandwagons e.g. planting more trees was previously seen as THE answer to the decline in our biodiversity - another crisis we now face. Politicians (and accountants) do like a single, simple that they can apply everywhere. That may be good from a publicity perspective and cheap to administer, but is very rarely efficient in terms of DELIVERY and OUTCOME, which makes the whole thing inefficient and more costly in the long run. One size almost never fits all and we need more honesty in recognising and publicly accepting that fact. We also have to accept that getting out of the mess we have got ourselves into over the last 70 years is going to be costly and at times hard going - but if we cannot accept that - matters will continue to decline and everyones' grandchildren will have to pay an even bigger price to sort the mess they had no part in. If national politicians cannot start with HONEST and PUBLIC statements to that effect, there is little prospect of the wider public improving their behaviours.

  • Posted by AngelaMLAnderson September 08, 2022 at 22:39

    Local production with community benefit and an overhaul of the rules on grid connection. The conversation needs to include energy reduction. Having micro power generation helps communities understand how precious power is.

  • Posted by AngelaMLAnderson September 08, 2022 at 22:39

    Local production with community benefit and an overhaul of the rules on grid connection. The conversation needs to include energy reduction. Having micro power generation helps communities understand how precious power is.

  • Posted by AngelaMLAnderson September 08, 2022 at 22:44

    I agree with the comment on planning. There should some proforma and guidance. Gabling £500 for planning permission to install a heat pump is just an other barrier and headache that makes change a burden. Mini windmills solar panels individually assessed keep people on old oil-fired systems.

  • Posted by Tony September 11, 2022 at 10:20

    I do have a concern about the idea of "human power". Does this mean people in treadmills?

    Angela raises a very important point - energy reduction is just as important as production. I spent some time in Sweden in winter and if you had four people in an unheated room you had to open a window because the room became too warm due to the levels of insulation. Energy usage was miniscule.

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