Nuclear Industry
Theresa May revealed herself as an even more enthusiastic proselytiser for fracking than David Cameron. This seems so bizarre that it tells me one of two things: 1. She’s already decided against Hinkley Point, and is now so seriously worried about ‘the lights going out’ in the next decade that she’s ramping up the fracking hype to cover (notionally!) some of the gap in supply that opens up without Hinkley Point. 2. She’s as woefully ill-informed about energy policy as David Cameron was himself, and therefore as vulnerable as he was to the next well-funded, superficially-persuasive industrial lobby seeking to get her attention. Having to bribe people to accept fracking – with more and more apparent financial benefits on offer – is of course a measure of desperation. And when you read the small print (with the bribes only to be paid out of ‘future profits’ at some indefinable point in the future), you have to wonder how many savvy rural folk are going to be taken in by such garbage. But we shouldn’t underestimate the pernicious influence of corporate bribes offered over extended periods of time. And no industry is more sophisticated in this nefarious art form than the nuclear industry.
Jonathon Porritt 21st Aug 2016 read more »
24 Dash 21st Aug 2016 read more »
Moorside
This is the first in a series of 4 minute movies on the Moorside plan for the biggest nuclear development in Europe.
Radiation Free Lakeland 21st Aug 2016 read more »
Energy Supplies
National Grid’s drive for hospitals to help keep the UK’s lights on by using their back-up diesel generators is “highly questionable” because it will cause air pollution right in the vicinity of patients, a think-tank has warned. The energy utility is encouraging NHS sites to sign up for schemes where they will be paid to use their back-up generators for electricity routinely, not just in the event of an emergency power cut. National Grid argues that making greater use of these existing generators represents a cost-effective way of helping to meet peak UK power demand as the country builds more intermittent wind and solar, instead of building new power plants that would sit dormant much of the time. But Policy Exchange has urged the Government to restrict the use of such diesel generators beyond genuine emergency back-up because of concerns about air quality, especially in urban areas that are already polluted.
Telegraph 21st Aug 2016 read more »
Nuclear Weapons
Australia has attempted to derail a ban on nuclear weapons at a UN meeting on disarmament, by single-handedly forcing a vote on a report that had been expected to pass unanimously. The report, which recommended negotiations begin in 2017 to ban nuclear weapons, was eventually passed by 68 votes to 22. An Austrian-led push for the treaty had reached a milestone on Friday, when the report was presented to representatives of 103 nations in Geneva Moves towards a ban have been pursued because many saw little progress under the existing non-proliferation treaty, which obliges the five declared nuclear states to “pursue negotiations in good faith” towards “cessation of the nuclear arms race … and nuclear disarmament”.
Guardian 21st Aug 2016 read more »
North Korea
North Korea threatened nuclear attacks on Seoul and Washington as South Korea and the US began annual military drills on Monday.
Belfast Telegraph 22nd Aug 2016 read more »
Renewables
The renewable energy hub at Glenskinno Farm – which operates the largest wood chip drying facility in north east Scotland – is holding an open day to showcase its new CHP system next week. Absolute Solar and Wind partnered with the Gall family at Glenskinno Farm to enable them to diversify their business through installing five biomass boilers as well as a state of the art CHP system and wind turbine. By installing the biomass, CHP and wind turbine on site, this project has provided a platform for the landowners to grow their business and become more sustainable by reducing costs and generating significant new income.
Scottish Energy News 22nd Aug 2016 read more »
Glasgow-based Star Renewable Energy has been lined up as a ‘star’ participant at the ‘future thermal energy’ conference at Warwick University this autumn for its pioneering role in developing and installing the first air source heat pump installation in Britain to provide central renewable heating for residential high-rise buildings. Large heat pumps are increasingly expected to play a key role in meeting government heating de-carbonisation targets and Star’s innovative large scale air source heat pump is expected to become the pathway to low carbon and cheaper heat for existing social housing homes. The 400kW air source ‘Neat pump’ is connected to a district heating network which delivers low carbon heating and hot water to seven high-rise blocks in the city’s Hillpark Drive housing scheme.
Scottish Energy News 22nd Aug 2016 read more »
Fossil Fuels
Letter Chair Onshore Oil & Gas: In his letter Dr David Lowry raised the issue of radon and shale gas quoting studies in Pennsylvania and sought to reinforce his own views by quoting from a study undertaken by Public Health England in 2014. Let me quote the same study, which states, “caution is required when extrapolating experiences in other countries to the UK since the mode of operation, underlying geology and regulatory environment are likely to be different” and “the PHE position remains, therefore, that the shale gas extraction process poses a low risk to human health if properly run and regulated”. Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas present throughout the UK at very low levels. PHE recognised that radon may be released to the environment from shale–gas activities, as is the case with existing natural gas supplies, but at concentrations that are not expected to result in significant additional radon exposure.
Guardian 21st Aug 2016 read more »
