Merkel has hours left to form a government

[renewablejohn]

If renewables are so cheap to produce why do they get such huge subs ? Coal needs to be reduced to control pollution

Days of huge subs has long gone. Now into the realms of being profitable without subs.

 

[wanton dwarf]

Days of huge subs has long gone. Now into the realms of being profitable without subs.

Not quite the truth is it ?

Any existing schemes continue to get the subs which are quite frankly uneconomical.

This is a rigged market.

 

[wanton dwarf]

Think you may need to get out more. Maybe spend a week in any of the many Chinese smog filled cities and then ask yourself whether they have a problem burning coal.
Yes I am fortunate living in the green damp Lancashire but that does not mean when I go to London I cannot feel and see the pollution.

Yes you are quite correct the Chinese coastal region is practically destroyed ... but it's UK & EU Climate Change policy that contributed in a large part towards that.

Remember the policies were to REDUCE pollution ... environmentalists have actually done the complete opposite AND destroyed many jobs, livelihoods & futures in the UK

 

[renewablejohn]

Yes you are quite correct the Chinese coastal region is practically destroyed ... but it's UK & EU Climate Change policy that contributed in a large part towards that.

Remember the policies were to REDUCE pollution ... environmentalists have actually done the complete opposite AND destroyed many jobs, livelihoods & futures in the UK

So nothing to do with the cheap labour rates in the far east.

 

[manhill]

I'll give up coal when heating with electric is cheaper!

 

[Danllan]

Germany had 2 days to form a government on November 15th...

https://www.thelocal.de/20171115/th...aking-german-coalition-talks-down-to-the-wire

This isn't a major news story, which is rather odd; I had to hunt a bit to find a BBC article and it doesn't play up the 'new elections' part at all.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-eur...dt/germany&link_location=live-reporting-story

 

[renewablejohn]

I'll give up coal when heating with electric is cheaper!

Think where already at that stage using ground source heat pumps. It has been a while since I did the figures.

 

[manhill]

Think where already at that stage using ground source heat pumps. It has been a while since I did the figures.

Initial and maintenance costs taken into account? What's the payback time?
I guess the convenience is big plus.

 

[caveman]

If renewables are so cheap to produce why do they get such huge subs ? Coal needs to be reduced to control pollution

Days of huge subs has long gone. Now into the realms of being profitable without subs.

Did I hear somewhere that subs for renewables (new industry) is about £25 a mega watt as opposed to £90 something for nuclear (mature industry).

 

[rob1]

Did I hear somewhere that subs for renewables (new industry) is about £25 a mega watt as opposed to £90 something for nuclear (mature industry).

The sub for hinckley is pretty vast but we need it to keep the lights on while meeting co2 targets until either fusion becomes large scale or battery storage can meet peak demand, what I dont get is why we dont use more hydro power in the uk, huge amounts of power going down rivers and in tidal not being used

 

[Danllan]

...what I dont get is why we dont use more hydro power in the uk, huge amounts of power going down rivers and in tidal not being used

The environmentalists don't like them... . I think they are a no-brainer and, in addition, there could be many dozens, even hundreds, of sites like Dinorwig. Store up water when the wind blows or there is other excess, use it when needed.

Politics aside, post-Brexit - even well before thought of the Referendum - it makes sense for such projects because they put a huge boost into the economy and give a great benefit later.

 

[renewablejohn]

Initial and maintenance costs taken into account? What's the payback time?
I guess the convenience is big plus.

Its very site specific so best suggestion would be to get three quotes and then compare. Be surprised if you dont achieve at least 7% return as I believe the government has slightly overcooked the RHI incentive.

 

[renewablejohn]

The sub for hinckley is pretty vast but we need it to keep the lights on while meeting co2 targets until either fusion becomes large scale or battery storage can meet peak demand, what I dont get is why we dont use more hydro power in the uk, huge amounts of power going down rivers and in tidal not being used

Both the seven barrage and the North West barrages are estimated to produce the equivalent of 5% of UK electric demand. Due to the tidal separation it would allow a steady base load to be maintained 24/7. They really need to be built just to control flooding electric generation is a bonus.
As for rivers you can blame the lack of development squarely on the Environment Agency and their policies.

 

[renewablejohn]

The sub for hinckley is pretty vast but we need it to keep the lights on while meeting co2 targets until either fusion becomes large scale or battery storage can meet peak demand, what I dont get is why we dont use more hydro power in the uk, huge amounts of power going down rivers and in tidal not being used

Battery storage from electric vehicles will make Hinckley redundant even before it is half built.

 

[rob1]

Battery storage from electric vehicles will make Hinckley redundant even before it is half built.

yes but its the peak demand at night in january under a non moving high pressure which is the supply problem, while it may bbe a huge cost the political cost of the lights going out would be higher, its down to the labour party not doing enough for years about the supply side

 

[D14]

What planet do you live on?
Coal is over. Done. Dusted. Finite. Finished. Kaput.
There may be some plants still in action but there will be no investments to sustain them. They have already been overtaken by renewable energy plants on a cost per kw basis.
RIP coal!

There is 200 years worth of coal still under ground in the UK. Maggie Thatcher knew energy would be an issue in the future so she shut the source down for when the country really needs it.

 

[Ashtree]

There is 200 years worth of coal still under ground in the UK. Maggie Thatcher knew energy would be an issue in the future so she shut the source down for when the country really needs it.

Spose she brought a few bags with her just in case the guy below was running out, what with the amount he must go through

 

[wanton dwarf]

Did I hear somewhere that subs for renewables (new industry) is about £25 a mega watt as opposed to £90 something for nuclear (mature industry).

You can also add on the £billions we are paying a USA contractor to store old Nuclear waste above ground ... they've been doing this for a LONG time. As far as I understand it they still haven't put any underground in long term storage yet. This cost is set to continue for decades ... and you hear nothing about it in mainstream news or even on the "Environmental" radar.

I think we've been played a royal one now for at least 2 decades.

 

[wanton dwarf]

Its very site specific so best suggestion would be to get three quotes and then compare. Be surprised if you dont achieve at least 7% return as I believe the government has slightly overcooked the RHI incentive.

RHI is a sick joke.

It's practically pay to burn whilst leaving the windows & doors open.

 

[renewablejohn]

yes but its the peak demand at night in january under a non moving high pressure which is the supply problem, while it may bbe a huge cost the political cost of the lights going out would be higher, its down to the labour party not doing enough for years about the supply side

Quoting a capacity of double the peak demand here.

https://www.cleanenergynews.co.uk/n...-nissan-partner-on-v2g-and-home-storage-offer