Tidal Energy

[NickB]

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A new, detailed study shows the tidal energy in the Pentland Firth could power half of Scotland, with a total output of 1.9GW. Engineers from the University of Oxford calculated as much as 4.2GW could be harnessed, but because tidal turbines are not 100% efficient the estimate of 1.9GW was a more realistic target.

Vote YES and keep the lights on !

[PentlandPirate II]

Vote No and keep the lights on. New nuclear power stations are being built in the rest of the UK. They will keep the lights burning when the wind turbines stop turning. Vote No and when the engineers come up with worthwhile, efficient wave energy technology they will be located where best suited, whether it be the Severn estuary, Humber estuary, Dovey estuary or Pentland Firth, for the electricity to be shared throughout the National Grid. There's no reason why a UK government will not locate wind farms, tidal barrages, where they work best.......if anything they might be encouraged to build more green energy sites in Scotland. After all those wealthy toffs in the south don't want their view spoiled by windfarms, tidal barrages and the like. No, if you want tidal barrages in the Pentland Firth you're more likely to get your wish by voting No to independence. And perhaps the pooled resources of England's Universities, in conjunction with Scottish Universities, working together, can come up with a tidal barrage that won't be smashed to smithereens by extreme tidal and weather forces in that area.

By switching reliance to green energies such as wind and tide, based on current technology, the Yes Campaign would not only put your electricity supply more at risk, but spoil vast tracts of Scottish countryside with failing technology, poor efficiency and huge costs. Vote No to Independence and Yes to energy for life by voting to keep the UK together.

[NickB]

New nuclear power stations are being built in the rest of the UK.

Aye, by a dubious partnership of the Chinese and EDF, the state-owned French electricity company. (The French government owns 85%). The UK government have com mitted to a hugely expensive unit cost for all the electricity produced for the next 50 years. You are welcome to that millstone.

We'll stick to wind + hydro and extending the life of our existing nukes until tidal and wave energy come onstream - and maybe some coal with CCS (if that ever happens) - and sell our surplus to the rUK when the new nuclear stations run into massive time and cost overruns and you start to get brownouts down there.

(See Olkiluoto and Flammanville to see what I am talking about in terms of cost and time overruns)

[PentlandPirate II]

But you didn't want a wind farm at Clachan.

[NickB]

But you didn't want a wind farm at Clachan.

I don't think you will find my name on the list of objectors.

[longshanks]

But you didn't want a wind farm at Clachan.

I don't think you will find my name on the list of objectors.

Strange. I'm sure I saw your name on the anti-Clachan windfarm website as maker and owner of the website.

[NickB]

I'm sure I saw your name on the anti-Clachan windfarm website as maker and owner of the website.

That's right, I did create it. Well spotted.

I offered to create the website for the group for free, in much the same way as I have created the Seil Hall website, the Seil Skiff website and Seil Island Online.

I did not object to the development however. I don't know if you can still check the council website for the list of objectors, but if so you are welcome to look. Otherwise, I suggest you ask any of the former members of PACT who know me.

I believe in open dialogue, something that seems to be anaethema to you.

[NickB]

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THE number of people employed in Scotland’s rapidly growing renewables industry has soared to record levels. A report published today reveals a 5 per cent growth in employment in companies involved in offshore and onshore wind, bioenergy and hydro, wave and tidal schemes across the country.

The report shows that more than 540 Scottish-based firms now employ a total of at least 11,695 men and women.

[PentlandPirate II]

One of the UK's largest renewables companies made a warning to potential investors that Scottish independence could end the UK energy market http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/ ... arket.html

Would any of those renewable companies survive and would any of those people be employed if it weren't for the huge subsidies being given to them? And hard working tax payers get ripped off twice through the taxes on their wages and green taxes on their energy bills. All because of global warming. Which isn't happening like they said it would.

And a bunch of New Zealand scientists went to Antarctica in a ship to prove the ice was melting and got trapped in it for a week because the polar ice had re-grown by a huge amount in total disagreement with what they had been saying.

[NickB]

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Whilst arguments can rage over whether North Sea oil will last 10 years or 50 years there is no argument over tidal power. Tidal power is consistent and inexhaust­ible. It is there forever with the added advantage of being environmentally sensitive when compared with new technologies such as fracking.

It offers Scotland an opportunity to become the global leader in renewable tidal technologies, technology that can be developed, improved and perfected in Scotland's universities, and exported all over the world. The boost to jobs in research, development, design, manufacture, installation and maintenance in the sector could be huge.

Let's get back to where we once were, a nation leading the world in innovation and engineering.

[PentlandPirate II]

Britain has 50 years or so of coal left too. What's that worth? Answer this (try to stay on the economic arguments rather than mentioning Mrs T): Why did the coal industry die off in the UK?

[NickB]

Britain has 50 years or so of coal left too. What's that worth? Answer this (try to stay on the economic arguments rather than mentioning Mrs T): Why did the coal industry die off in the UK?

The coal industry died off in the UK because Thatcher shut the pits.

When she shut them most of them flooded.

Because they are flooded it is not economic to reclaim most of them.

[PentlandPirate II]

Dear, dear, no sense of economics at all.

[NickB]

Dear, dear, no sense of economics at all.

Who, Thatcher?

Yes, for once you are correct.

For her, her own reputation was always more important than the people of Britain.