| Wind turbines cannot generate
electricity if the wind is too light or too strong.
The Drax power station at Selby has an output capacity of 4,000 megawatts
(MW). It would take 1600 x 2.5 MW turbines running 24 hours
a day for 7 days a week to match that. Because wind turbines
only produce about 30% of their full capacity (i.e. 1 day in
3) we still could not close a power
station.
Wind energy is not free. The product
cannot be stored and feeding it into the national grid is
complex and costly - a bill ultimately paid by the consumer.
All wind turbines need reliable back-up to maintain
uninterrupted supplies to the national grid when the wind is
not blowing. These have to be available at short notice,
which means running, which means burning fossil fuel. So
any reduction in CO 2 emissions derived from wind
energy is tiny, unless nuclear power is the chosen
alternative. Any number of wind farms cannot replace a
single conventional power station without precipitating
blackouts.
Developers claim their turbines will last 20-25 years.
Those at Caton Moor (Lancs), Ovenden (Yorks) and Cold
Northcote (Cornwall), and two in Wales are being
replaced after just 9-12 years - naturally with
even larger turbines.
The rush for onshore wind farms is wholly in
pursuit of profit. It is acknowledged both inside
and outside the wind industry that offshore installations
are more efficient, but at least 30% more expensive to
build. Developers can cut their costs building onshore. But
there is still a cost penalty for the local community - a
risk of health problems, consequent job losses and falling
property values.
Easy (Free!) Ways to Reduce Emissions
This is the page where we have to preach a bit
... sorry!
Global warming is serious and it isn't going to
go away. Therefore we all have to do our bit -
especially if you consider the immediate prospect of
some form of power generation as your newest
neighbour.
Here are some alarming facts:
- If every household used a SINGLE energy
efficent lightbulb, we could save enough energy
to close a Power Station
- If every household turned off their
electrical equipment instead of leaving it on
standby, we could save enough energy to close a
Power Station.
- For every 500 properly insulated houses, one
wind turbine would not be needed
Here are some really easy
ways that you can reduce emissions...
....and save yourself some money - and
none of them will cost you a penny to implement:
- Get into the habit of turning off lights not
in use
- Turn off the TV and computer when you are
not using it - DON'T leave it on standby
- Don't overfill kettles - only boil what you
need
- Don't overfill saucepans with water - you
only need to cover vegetable for them to cook
- Don't let the gas flames lick the sides of
your saucepans or you will just be heating the
air
- Turn off (or down) radiators in rooms that
you rarely use.
- Draw the curtains after dark, or you will be
heating up the air outside
- Don't leave garden lights on all night
- Pull the plug out of the wall to ensure your
computer is not using electricity even though
you think you have
shut it down.
Other ways you can reduce emissions...
....but these will cost you some money.
- Invest in energy efficient lightbulbs. They
are a bit expensive (£2.50) but use a fraction
of the electricity and last 8 times longer.
- Don't leave security lights on all night -
install the types that flick on when someone
approaches your house.
- When you replace washers and fridges, buy
those rated "A" for energy efficiency
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