MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
UK wind farms generated more power than the nuclear stations
The UK's wind farms generated more power than its nuclear power stations on Tuesday, the National Grid says. The energy network operator said it was caused by a combination of high winds and faults in nuclear plants. Read full article
Comments
Disclaimer & comment rulesWow, one day because of unique circumstances. Those nuclear stations are still 0ut of action, but wind is producing just half of the remaining nuclear output today.
Oct 24th, 2014 - 08:50 am - Link - Report abuse 0So, with marginally more than a quarter of the UK's reactors offline for routine maintenance and marginally more than a quarter offline as a precaution (8/15 offline) and the fact that the UK was in the flight path of what was the largest storm in the 2014 Atlantic hurricane season so far (Gonzalo) wind just managed to surpass nuclear in terms of electricity production.
Oct 24th, 2014 - 10:12 am - Link - Report abuse 0And the really good news is that the unusually strong wind only killed three people on its way through. It made a hell of a mess in Bermuda on its way here though, fortunately without any fatalities/serious injuries.
I bet all the wind freaks will keep their mouths shut over this.
Oct 24th, 2014 - 10:32 am - Link - Report abuse 0And all the people who berated me when I published the figures of these useless windmills can read them and weep.
The genie is out of the bottle on this one: what do you want, people killed to make these things work or do something sensible and have more nuclear?
#3
Oct 24th, 2014 - 10:41 am - Link - Report abuse 0The combination of nuclear and wind (and probably tidal) are critical for the long term energy needs (and security) of the UK. Clearly, fossils fuels are an incredibly bad idea: (1) Lack of energy security (potential reliance on states we'd rather never have to talk to); (2) Their contribution to AGW and (3) Pollution, in particular particulates (though that's mostly a concern for vehicles).
While I strongly support nuclear there are still issues regarding waste, safety, and security of supplies.
Ideally we'd have a mix of wind (mostly offshore), tidal, and nuclear, combined with better energy storage solutions. Finally getting round to nuclear fusion would be useful too.
@4 inthegutter, storage of waste isn't that big a deal, once those in power actually decide where they want to store it - dig a very deep hole, vitrify your waste (turn it into a glass - makes it harder, if not outright impossible, to dissolve) stick it in an oil drum and put it in the bottom of the aforementioned very deep hole.
Oct 24th, 2014 - 11:55 am - Link - Report abuse 0Fusion is the ultimate end game, but it's been 10-20 years away for at least the last thirty years, and it'll probably be at least another decade before that changes - ITER isn't due to begin full deuterium-tritium fusion until 2027 at the earliest, and the prototype of a commercial reactor (DEMO) won't be started until they're sure that ITER works properly.
The UK already has six of the ten largest offshore wind arrays (with more on the way), but we're not exactly running short on coast to put them off of...
I agree, wind, tidal and fission for the short term and fusion for the long term, but large-scale energy storage really would make things easier.
well, british nuclear stations are not the best in the world, no?
Oct 24th, 2014 - 12:07 pm - Link - Report abuse 0not only because they are totally inefficient, but also because they are dangerous.
i said it before and i say it now: british + technology = monkey + jack-knife.
“Britain's nuclear inferno: How our own Government covered up Windscale reactor blaze that's caused dozens of deaths and hundreds of cancer cases”
@6 paulcedron, don't be a tool, if you're dealing with nuclear reactions then the rule that any sane country is that you want to work on a safety-first, second third and fourth principle. Hence when a small crack was found in one boiler spine (not a pressurised or load bearing part) in one reactor, rather than just isolating the affected part (there are eight boilers per reactor) or shutting down the one reactor, the UK has shut down all of the reactors of the same design until they have all been checked and any problems fixed.
Oct 24th, 2014 - 12:30 pm - Link - Report abuse 0As for the “dozens of deaths and hundreds of cancer cases”, the Windscale fire (a fire in a very early research reactor, not a power station) seems to be short dozens of deaths, and the exact number of additional cancer cases seems to fluctuate wildly depending on the statisticians, anything from thirty to two hundred and forty in the last fifty years.
At least the UK hasn't announced that it's going to try an use a research pile and what amounts to a dry dock full of thirty year old bits to try and produce its first nuclear submarine...
Apparently the Tories will unite with the Greens,
Oct 24th, 2014 - 01:00 pm - Link - Report abuse 0and do away with the defences of the UK, and preplace it with 15 million wind turbines,
apparently it will not only solve our electrical problems, but blow all future missiles or rockets over to the Europeans..lolol
@8
Oct 24th, 2014 - 01:17 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Brilliant idea, just one little snag, you will have to switch some off as you must take into account the wind direction, they could suck in the missiles and defeat the object. Everyone would need to wear divers lead boots to stop them flying away. Sorry to spoil your defence plan. LOL
Oh well David back to the drawing board..lolol
Oct 24th, 2014 - 01:21 pm - Link - Report abuse 0#6
Oct 24th, 2014 - 01:22 pm - Link - Report abuse 0I would reply in more detail, but I think I can make my argument with just three points:
-- The first commercial nuclear reactor was British (as was a lot of the theoretical ground work). Our sole serious accident pales in comparison to those in the US, USSR, and Japan.
-- British technology seemed to do pretty well against the thugs we faced between 1939-1945 and then again in 1982. In 1982 our technology surpassed anything a bunch of nationalist would be thieving thugs could get their hands on*.
-- For all you're talk of “ct scanners” and “magnetic resonators” you do realise that the first commercial CT scanner was invented in the UK, and that much of the work (and the first full body scan) that went into developing nMRI was also done in the UK (for which the UK shared a Noble Prize).
*Has Argentina invented anything of use?
@8
Oct 24th, 2014 - 01:51 pm - Link - Report abuse 0It has already been thought of as I understand they have wind turbines that automatically track incoming missiles and direct the correct number of turbines to defend the UK. But we as a nation ( according to the Argentinians ) have nuclear penquins in the FALKLANDS that the UK could recruit and they could flap thier flippers in unison. Just a thought LOL
@ 6 POLLY
Oct 24th, 2014 - 04:52 pm - Link - Report abuse 0So you know nothing of the pool reactors that INVAP manage to cock up?
Ask Australia about the fractures in the pool BEFORE they even managed to prove the bloody thing and the fuel holder design was such a balls up that a second year mechanical engineering student at university would have been ashamed to admit to it. Pressed out tongue in aluminium acting as latches to a device that sat in the cooling water pump way and your idiots didn’t see the problems coming?
It’s a bit like your statement that 50 YO private planes serviced in an argie hanger are ‘perfectly safe’ when anybody with half-a-brain knows the problems facing new small planes can readily lead to fatalities never mind the 50 YO airframe potential for failure.
You are such an idiot.
#6
Oct 24th, 2014 - 05:51 pm - Link - Report abuse 0I presume an honours degree in Nuclear Engineering awarded by the Mendoza Kindergarten League is also on your CV.
Apparently Argentina invented everything,
Oct 24th, 2014 - 06:20 pm - Link - Report abuse 0but unlike our wind turbines
the argies are home made wind...lol
There is NO carbon capture and storage in the UK - it simply doesn't exist.
Oct 24th, 2014 - 06:28 pm - Link - Report abuse 0To use this argument for the continued use of coal is disingenuous in the extreme.
The energy source that has been begging to be developed for my whole lifetime is... The Severn Barrage.
Unfortunately it is politically blocked by a bird reserve upstream. Oh, the English!
@ 16 GeoffWard2
Oct 24th, 2014 - 06:53 pm - Link - Report abuse 0“Unfortunately it is politically blocked by a bird reserve upstream. Oh, the English!”
And the fact that tidal energy has yet to be proven on anything like a commercial scale.
There have been some minor successes but they all come down to the rig being smashed to bits by Mother Nature.
The promising ‘self reversing turbine’ has yet to withstand a decent lifespan and that’s estuary mounted just like the Severn Barrage would (might?) be.
The “head in the sand” approach by ‘New Labour’ (same as old Labour) to nuclear or even standing up to the EU will result in power outages fairly soon, like this winter.
Morecombe bay tidal barrage ( envisaged 50 yrs ago ) didn't go forward either, too expensive at the time I understand
Oct 24th, 2014 - 07:09 pm - Link - Report abuse 0paulcedron (also known as ”mamarracho No.1) clearly thinks he knows best about everything. As he is equally clearly an ignoramus of the highest degree and the best example of the practice of “ad hominem” on these pages he should be ignored for the troll he is.
Oct 24th, 2014 - 07:21 pm - Link - Report abuse 0ChrisR
Oct 24th, 2014 - 08:21 pm - Link - Report abuse 0I had to laugh after what Paul said when I thought of the lemon Australia bought from Argentina.
#6 do you mean that they are not as safe as the Russians who are building your new ones?
Oct 24th, 2014 - 09:17 pm - Link - Report abuse 0https://www.google.com/search?q=chernobyl&es_sm=122&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=kMBKVIzdHq3LsASOq4C4DQ&ved=0CAgQ_AUoAQ&biw=1037&bih=611
Morecambe Bay and The Wash are wide, shallow and more expensive because of the long impoundment.
Oct 24th, 2014 - 10:16 pm - Link - Report abuse 0The Severn is already 'piloted' in France at The Rance.
Huge tide range, only exceeded around the world in Chesapeake Bay.
It's just the fluke of geography and the pull of the moon.
And it's stupid not to use it ... and I speak as an Ecologist!
There are several tidal rivers that could be used in the UK, the River Wyre near Fleetwood has a 7 to 9 knott current and could be used as a tidal barrage. They used to have a ferry service to Ireland there but all they have now using the river are yachts and one or two fishing vessels.
Oct 24th, 2014 - 11:14 pm - Link - Report abuse 0@ 22 GeoffWard2
Oct 25th, 2014 - 05:32 pm - Link - Report abuse 0“ and I speak as an Ecologist!”
I KNEW there was something but I couldn't quite put my finger on it.
As long as you are not an Economist!
Jusy joking. :o)
Well, if you believe all the history and discovery programs on TV, they reckon that an alternative to oil was founded years ago,
Oct 25th, 2014 - 06:52 pm - Link - Report abuse 0but a certain government [ usa ] and very wealthy oil barons etc covered it up and dismissed it as rubbish, but the programs say otherwise,
one thing is certain I believe, that is sooner or later the earth will run out of oil,
and god knows what will happen next,
well, that's what the programs say, so don't all shoot at once...lol
Chris R
Oct 25th, 2014 - 07:34 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Applied Biologist (Fisheries Sci), then Ecologist, then Env. Scientist .... then Sales & Marketing, then General Management - yes, with Economics!
@ 26 GeoffWard2
Oct 25th, 2014 - 09:43 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Ha, ha, ha.
Those damned economics; it's all whataboutery and 'I think' istead of 'I know'!
Well done, Sir. :o)
@25 program?!?!?!?!?!!?? Unless you prefer US English. ..
Oct 26th, 2014 - 12:45 am - Link - Report abuse 0Programme. Please!
Pedantically yours, ilsen
:)
“”“”“*Has Argentina invented anything of use?”“””
Oct 26th, 2014 - 10:53 am - Link - Report abuse 0http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-25137800
@ 29 Anbar
Oct 26th, 2014 - 12:02 pm - Link - Report abuse 0What a fantastic story, I just hope that this device is brought to general use.
Sr. Odon is to be lauded for his innovation and persistence. Well done, sir.
wow! thanks Anbar @29.
Oct 26th, 2014 - 12:17 pm - Link - Report abuse 0That's really interesting. It certainly proves true that “Necessity is the Mother of All Invention”
:-)
Well Done Snr Odon!
“Faulty nuclear power plants”
Oct 26th, 2014 - 01:40 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Now that surely would make me feel safe if I lived in that place.
Reassuring statement on UK technology if I ever saw one!
hahaha
@32
Oct 26th, 2014 - 01:52 pm - Link - Report abuse 0You conveniently ignored what Rufus said @7 in response to @6.
In consideration, the UK has an excellent safety record.
Not sure why you care, especially after your constant repition recently that you wish to live in isolation. For one who does, you seem overly-invested in the concerns of others.
How do you square that circle?
In fact you wouldn't even be here without some 'dumb anglo'...
“A graduate of Oxford University, Tim Berners-Lee invented the World Wide Web, an internet-based hypermedia initiative for global information sharing while at CERN, the European Particle Physics Laboratory, in 1989.”
Hmm... so if Argentina retreats into isolation, (your wish), will you demand that your internet link is cut? Maybe you would have to shoot down your new satellite?
Mad as a box of frogs, you are Tobes.
#32 hey tranny boi..........and you are feeling safer with the creators of Chernobyl coming to a province near you soon?
Oct 26th, 2014 - 02:04 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Do not forget your estrogen injections beofre going back you your mommas basement and nipple.....or now is it poppas basement and......?
When one finds the program, one will let all know,
Oct 26th, 2014 - 07:20 pm - Link - Report abuse 0just my luck they wont show it again,
still,
in todays sun on Sunday, and article abt tidal energy on a small scale is doing ok.
Reality at last about the 'output' of UK wind farms against what actually happens:
Oct 27th, 2014 - 12:34 pm - Link - Report abuse 0http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/energy/windpower/11186206/Wind-farms-can-never-be-relied-upon-to-deliver-UK-energy-security.html
“Wind farm proponents often claim that the intermittent technology can be relied upon because the wind is always blowing somewhere in the UK. But the report finds that a 10GW fleet of wind farms across the UK could “guarantee” to provide less than two per cent of its maximum output, because “long gaps in significant wind production occur in all seasons”.
”Output would exceed 9GW, or 90 per cent of the potential, for just 17 hours.“
SEVENTEEN HOURS A YEAR FFS! Even worse than I thought.
”Modelling the likely output from the 10GW fleet found that for 20 weeks in a typical year the wind farms would generate less than a fifth (2GW) of their maximum power, and for nine weeks it would be less than a tenth (1GW).”
So for 29/52 (58%) they are useless and never forget that these things cost more energy to manufacture, transport, erect and repair than they will EVER produce. They are an unmitigated disaster with no redeeeming features whatsover.
Anybody with half-a-brain that parroted the installed output has been shown to be either a liar or incompetent. I think in Stevie’s case it’s both.
Please don’t try the “but that’s the UK” argument without reading the item.
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