Energy debate kicks off

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Behemoth

Joined: 01 Dec 2004
Posts: 19023
Location: Leeds

Posted: Tue Jan 24, 06 10:07 am Post subject: Energy debate kicks off

Monday 23 January 2006 10:32
Department of Trade and Industry (National)

ENERGY DEBATE KICKS OFF AS MINISTERS WARN DOING NOTHING NOT AN OPTION

The debate on future energy policy for the UK was thrown open today at the start of the public phase of the Government's Energy Review.

Speaking at a launch event for the three-month consultation attended by representatives from the industry, business and environment bodies and other stakeholders in Central London, Alan Johnson, Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, said:

"I want the widest possible engagement in this vital debate. We need to look at the risks to security of supply, our climate change commitments and, to the long term, to make sure we take the necessary action. There is not a do nothing option.

"We start from a strong base. We have enjoyed some of the cheapest prices in Europe for a decade now despite recent increases. We have lifted four million households out of fuel poverty since 1997 and our economy is on track to meet our Kyoto targets on climate change. We're getting more energy from renewables than ever before.

"But there are important challenges ahead and the consultation document serves as a wake up call.

"Global fossil fuel prices are on the rise and we're becoming a net importer of oil and gas, like many other leading economies, as production from the North Sea declines. In a world of heightened concerns about energy security, highlighted by the recent dispute between Russia and the Ukraine, we need to look carefully at the risks of this new situation.

"By 2020, coal and nuclear power plants generating about 30% of today's electricity are expected to have closed. Companies will need to decide how this capacity should be replaced. These are big investment decisions so the Government needs to provide a clear framework. If gas, as well as renewables, were to fill the gap, how comfortable will we be relying on imports for 80% of our supplies? And what would be the impact on our ability to reduce carbon emissions?"

Energy Minister Malcolm Wicks, who is leading the Review, said:

"We set out today the energy challenges. They are complex, interrelated and call for a rational, evidence-based and grown-up debate. There is no single simple option that will answer all the questions we're asking and no tick-box 'yes' or 'no' answers.

"As well as energy supply we also need to look at demand. I am determined that we make the connection between this review and the energy we consume in our everyday lives. We are all part of the problem and we need to become part of the solution.

"Thirty per cent of energy is used in our homes and the plasma TV generation is increasingly packing those homes with consumer electronics, domestic appliances and gadgets, often left needlessly on standby. This squanders more than �740 million worth of energy and results in over four million tonnes of excess carbon dioxide emissions every year, significantly contributing to climate change. One unnecessary 100W light bulb left on in every home requires 2.5 Gigawatts, which takes the equivalent of two sizeable power stations to supply.

"If we are going to make the best decisions for our energy future, we all, experts and public alike, need to engage constructively in the debate over the coming months."

The key questions posed by the consultation document are:

* What more could the Government do on the demand or supply side for energy to ensure that the UK's long-term goal of reducing carbon emissions is met?

* With the UK becoming a net energy importer and with big investments to be made over the next twenty years in generating capacity and networks, what further steps, if any, should the Government take to develop our market framework for delivering reliable energy supplies? In particular, we invite views on the implications of increased dependence on gas imports.

* The Energy White Paper left open the option of nuclear new build. Are there particular considerations that should apply to nuclear as the Government reexamines the issues bearing on new build, including long-term liabilities and waste management? If so, what are these, and how should the Government address them?

* Are there particular considerations that should apply to carbon abatement and other low-carbon technologies?

* What further steps should be taken towards meeting the Government's goals for ensuring that every home is adequately and affordably heated?

Comments are also invited on:

* The long-term potential of energy efficiency measures in the transport, residential, business and public sectors, and how best to achieve that potential.

* Implications in the medium and long term for the transmission and distribution networks of significant new build in gas and electricity generation infrastructure.

* Opportunities for more joint working with other countries on our energy policy goals.

* Potential measures to help bring forward technologies to replace fossil fuels in transport and heat generation in the medium and long term.

The issues will be looked at in the context of the Government's policies for competitiveness and sound public finances.

Notes for Editors

1. Energy Minister Malcolm Wicks was asked by the Prime Minister and Trade & Industry Secretary Alan Johnson on 29 November 2005 to lead a review of Energy Policy and to bring forward policy proposals by the summer.

2. The Review is being taken forward by a cross-departmental team based in the DTI, with officials drawn from key relevant departments and the Prime Minister's Strategy Unit. The devolved administrations and territorial departments are already involved and will continue to be involved throughout the course of the Review. The Review team will draw on expert support and analysis both within and outside Government.

3. The Terms of Reference for the Energy Review are:

The Government will review the UK's progress against the medium and long-term Energy White Paper goals and the options for further steps to achieve them. The aim will be to bring forward proposals on energy policy next year. The Review will be informed by analysis and options drawn up by a Review team led by the Energy Minister Malcolm Wicks. This will be a team of officials drawn from key relevant departments and the Prime Minister's Strategy Unit. In drawing up the analysis and options, the Energy Minister will undertake extensive public and stakeholder consultation. The Review will be taken forward in the context of the Government's commitment to sound public finances. The Review team will report to the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry in early summer.

4. The consultation document confirms the Government's commitment to the four main goals in the 2003 Energy White Paper:

* To put ourselves on a path to cut the UK's CO2 emissions by some 60% by about 2050, with real progress by 2020

* To maintain the reliability of energy supplies

* To promote competitive markets in the UK and beyond, helping to raise the rate of sustainable economic growth and to improve our productivity

* To ensure that every home is adequately and affordably heated.

5. Malcolm Wicks and the Review Team will be consulting industry, NGOs and other stakeholders at a series of seminars to be held over the next three months across the UK.

6. Full and summary versions of the consultation document are published today at https://www.dti.gov.uk/energy/review. Anyone wishing to make a contribution to the Review can do so on-line or in writing to Energy Review Team, DTI, 1 Victoria Street, London SW1H 0ET or [email protected]. The closing date for submissions is 14 April.

Department of Trade and Industry
7th Floor
1 Victoria Street
London SW1H 0ET
Public Enquiries +44 (0)20 7215 5000
Textphone +44 (0)20 7215 6740
(for those with hearing impairment)
https://www.dti.gov.uk

Jonnyboy

Joined: 29 Oct 2004
Posts: 23956
Location: under some rain.

Posted: Tue Jan 24, 06 10:18 am Post subject:

My manifesto would be to cut electricity usage in the homes, we are so divorced from the environmental impacts that people just don't consider the pollution from power generation.

If fridges, freezers, TV's, lights etc, actually pumped out pollution into our homes then it would really cause us to think, but that is the reality of it.

I'm against financial penalties or taxation as I feel it just creates a situation where the rich can ignore the problem whilst the poor shoulder a higher burden.

I think we need legislation to outlaw devices that aren't 'A' rated - Cut the usage before looking at new builds.

We also need to take home generation through renewable means seriously, and give proper incentives and support.

Shane

Joined: 31 Oct 2005
Posts: 3467
Location: Doha. Is hot.

Posted: Tue Jan 24, 06 11:33 am Post subject:

I was reading this morning that micro-powerstations installed in every home are one of the latest developments exciting people in certain quarters.

Sounds like they are about the size of a regular domestic boiler, can run on gas or solid fuel pellets (different models, presumably) and will send out about 50% of the pollution for the same domestic electricity consumption. Presumably they can also heat water to increase their efficiency. The article I was reading said that they will also save each household around �100 / year on their electricity bill - but I noticed that it didn't say anything about installation cost or likely servicing cost!

Sounds interesting to me, especially if the solid fuel pellets can be made out of a carbon-neutral material.

Did a quick google search on "micro CHP domestic powerstation" earlier that seemed to throw up some good results, but I've not had time to follow any links yet.

Behemoth

Joined: 01 Dec 2004
Posts: 19023
Location: Leeds

Posted: Tue Jan 24, 06 11:38 am Post subject:
Most of the stuff I've seen related to gas powered versions which may be a stop gap but are not a long term solution. If they can use a solid fuel there's no reason why new builds can not incorproate them.

Treacodactyl
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 25795
Location: Jumping on the bandwagon of opportunism

Posted: Tue Jan 24, 06 12:21 pm Post subject:

Sounds very interesting Shane, I'll go a googling tonight. I've been contemplating the feasability of some form of bio-fuel (woodchip) boiler that I could use to generate electricity to sell back to the grid. One of the problems with bio-mass at the moment seems to be finding a powerstation that uses the stuff and then getting it there, but if farmers could have their own mini-plant then you'd save on transport costs and keep everything local.

Shane

Joined: 31 Oct 2005
Posts: 3467
Location: Doha. Is hot.

Posted: Tue Jan 24, 06 1:08 pm Post subject:
Just realised I had a bit of a dipstick moment back there - CHP stands for 'combined heat and power', so that would strongly imply that they heat water as well as produced electricity. Would go some way to explaining the efficiency saving over the conventional arrangement of importing electricity and generating domestic heat separately.

Jonnyboy

Joined: 29 Oct 2004
Posts: 23956
Location: under some rain.

Posted: Tue Jan 24, 06 1:10 pm Post subject:
Nice opinion piece here

tahir

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 45674
Location: Essex

Posted: Tue Jan 24, 06 1:18 pm Post subject:
Dougal looked into CHP a while back, I'm sure he must have posted about it, I'll have a look when I get the time

ken69

Joined: 17 Jul 2005
Posts: 316
Location: Norfolk

Posted: Tue Jan 24, 06 3:01 pm Post subject: Energy Debate

I would have thought that reducing comsumption should be the first priority, by heavily subsidising insulation and alternative energy gizmos.
All new builds (and even renovations) should include either solar panels or voltaic roofing tiles or Whispergen machines or domestic wind turbines where practical.
It's the old story, no such thing as cheap energy, business needs to make money, trade unions don't want anyone to lose their jobs and the poor old consumer (and the environment) has to wait and wait whilst things are rigged to suit these awful people.

Shane

Joined: 31 Oct 2005
Posts: 3467
Location: Doha. Is hot.

Posted: Tue Jan 24, 06 3:52 pm Post subject: Re: Energy Debate

ken69 wrote:

True, but there are millions and millions of existing houses that don't have these. If it's more cost effective for all these houses to have their own micro-powerstation installed that will half their fuel consumption it makes a lot more sense than trying to shave 20% off their consumption by reducing power consumption.

Also read that there is currently a lot of development going on with PV cells, and it's likely that fairly soon we'll end up with one or two dominant technologies. Might be jumping the gun to roll out PV cells everywhere too soon in case a) the price plummets in five years as new technologies become available or b) you end up with a VHS vs. Betamax situation and you plump for Betamax

Jonnyboy

Joined: 29 Oct 2004
Posts: 23956
Location: under some rain.

Posted: Tue Jan 24, 06 4:04 pm Post subject: Re: Energy Debate

Shane wrote:

[True, but there are millions and millions of existing houses that don't have these. If it's more cost effective for all these houses to have their own micro-powerstation installed that will half their fuel consumption it makes a lot more sense than trying to shave 20% off their consumption by reducing power consumption.

Eh? Insulation, and energy efficiency should be the priority in all homes. Doubly so in those who don't already have it.

Having a micro generator in the home and wasting 20% of it's output seems crazy to me.

tahir

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 45674
Location: Essex

Posted: Tue Jan 24, 06 4:08 pm Post subject: Re: Energy Debate

Jonnyboy wrote:

Shane wrote:

You're both right, this issue needs joined up thinking, but this isn't happening, the government is going to miss its renewables targets by a long shot but I bet I won't get consent for a wind turbine on my land.

Shane

Joined: 31 Oct 2005
Posts: 3467
Location: Doha. Is hot.

Posted: Tue Jan 24, 06 4:21 pm Post subject:

One of my colleagues recently had an application for a windmill turned down. It was in a large field, screened by large, mature, native trees, and studies had been done to show that flicker and noise wouldn't annoy anybody.

Not sure that said colleague calling the objecting villagers "small-minded idiots with a very simplistic view on the world" (to be fair, they were Cornish

) in the local press helped his case very much.

tahir

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 45674
Location: Essex

Posted: Tue Jan 24, 06 4:25 pm Post subject:

Shane wrote:

Not sure that said colleague calling the objecting villagers "small-minded idiots with a very simplistic view on the world" (to be fair, they were Cornish

) in the local press helped his case very much.

I'll be bending over backwards to please the community, but why should I have to? Surely it's the ultimate expression of selfishness if the local parish council object to it, isn't it?

Shane

Joined: 31 Oct 2005
Posts: 3467
Location: Doha. Is hot.

Posted: Tue Jan 24, 06 4:27 pm Post subject: Re: Energy Debate

Jonnyboy wrote:

Yeah - sorry, I wasn't being very clear. It would clearly be madness not to address relatively low cost, low hassle items like insulation and energy efficient glazing. What I meant was that it might well be more cost effective to install these micro powerstations (which sound no more complicated or space-consuming that a domestic boiler) than to retrofit PV cells and wind generators to a considerable percentage of existing houses.

As Tahir said, it needs a proper look at integrating all solutions in the most effective way. So that'll be some more tax for Mr Blair to spend on a new committee that will spend five years studying the problem to come up with some obvious recommendations that will be cherry picked and largely ignored, then.

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