Wind farms - Page 2

Poly · 27 March 2007, 14:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by BruceB

What I don't understand is that Scotland already generates twice the power it needs so why are we having to put up hundreds of huge turbines as well?

I think twice is a bit of an exageration - although we do export electricty to the rest of the UK (which is good for the Scottish Economy). IIRC about 1/3 of all of Scotlands power is nuclear so when the existing reactors reach the end of life there needs to be a replacement - either "renewables" or nuclear. There are no plans in place for nuclear (rightly or wrongly) - so that only leaves renewables.

BruceB · 27 March 2007, 17:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polwart

(which is good for the Scottish Economy).

I am not sure how, most of the people that work there would be employed anyway for local production and the company is owned abroad.

Lawrence · 28 March 2007, 22:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bern Hanreck

Windmills are a definite menace to migrating and resident birdlife if sited in the wrong place . They have killed sea eagles in Norway and I also believe Scotland ! That's a bit of a downer when so many folk would love to see these magnificent birds soaring around our coasts .

Sea eagles are magnificent birds and I once had an amazing encounter with one

(on Somersall Lane!) and it is horrifying to think that they may be wiped out in this country by windfarms.

I like the idea of windfarms (and other renewable sources) but with their marginal economics, the un-dependability of the wind and the fact that to make any appreciable difference they would have to blanket the countryside with turbines and pylons, I personally believe they are unacceptable.

Practically there is only one solution to CO2 efficient electricity production: nuclear power.

codprawn · 28 March 2007, 22:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lawrence

Sea eagles are magnificent birds and I once had an amazing encounter with one

(on Somersall Lane!) and it is horrifying to think that they may be wiped out in this country by windfarms.

I like the idea of windfarms (and other renewable sources) but with their marginal economics, the un-dependability of the wind and the fact that to make any appreciable difference they would have to blanket the countryside with turbines and pylons, I personally believe they are unacceptable.

Practically there is only one solution to CO2 efficient electricity production: nuclear power.

Totally agree.

Alex Brown · 29 March 2007, 18:32

I see they're going to plaster the countryside of Carms with turbines now too.....

-Alex

codprawn · 29 March 2007, 18:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex Brown

I see they're going to plaster the countryside of Carms with turbines now too.....

-Alex

Makes my blood boil - went for a spin through West and Mid Wales - so nice to get away from the rat race - I had forgotten just how stunning an area it is - now they want to destroy it!!!

Mugshot · 29 March 2007, 20:12

Where did you go Cod?

codprawn · 29 March 2007, 22:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mugshot

Where did you go Cod?

All over - Elan Valley - FFarmers - Strata Florida - Eppynt - Preseli mountains(source of Severn and Wye - also stones for stonehenge). Even went to Llanddewi Brefi but sadly Daffyd was out......

Bern Hanreck · 30 January 2008, 15:41

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/7206780.stm

codprawn · 30 January 2008, 20:35

I am hoping the governments promises will be just that - promises. They are going down the nuclear route at last - about time too!!!

Bern Hanreck · 26 February 2008, 19:51

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/liv...n_page_id=1811

codprawn · 27 February 2008, 01:01

Brilliant - wish it would happen to all of them!!!

Lawrence · 22 April 2008, 09:05

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/mai...eaeagle127.xml

codprawn · 22 April 2008, 14:04

Thank god they have just cancelled a massive wind farm on the Isle of Lewis. You only have to look at the growing world food prices which is crippling 3rd world countries to realise the harm the environmentalists really cause - wind farms make as much sense as using crops to fuel cars!!!

DGR · 22 April 2008, 21:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by codprawn

...to realise the harm the environmentalists really cause - wind farms make as much sense as using crops to fuel cars!!!

Erm...what other alternative is there, other than fossil fuels?

Still not convinced that wind turbines are a bad thing - birds seem to be able to fly through an awful lot of stuff without getting mushed... although keeping clear of migration routes (as I believe they do in the UK - look at the development off Fleetwood) is always a good plan.

The problem with nuclear is what do you do with the stuff that's left over? Anyone?

Once they find a way to make nuclear fusion work - that'll be the answer...

D...

Poly · 22 April 2008, 21:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by DGR

The problem with nuclear is what do you do with the stuff that's left over?

theres some old slate mines in wales aren't there?

m chappelow · 22 April 2008, 22:43

Theres work going on to put a massive wind farm at teesmouth near redcar , not only will the exclusion zones mean a lot of boaters and fishermen will have to avoid but teesport is one of the buisest ports in the uk,its also in one the main bird migratery areas ,suppose only time will tell, though we are told that each tower is to have a refuge and ladder from the sea which on a good point. if you crash into one and your boat sinks you can sit it out till your rescued.

codprawn · 23 April 2008, 13:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by DGR

Erm...what other alternative is there, other than fossil fuels?

Still not convinced that wind turbines are a bad thing - birds seem to be able to fly through an awful lot of stuff without getting mushed... although keeping clear of migration routes (as I believe they do in the UK - look at the development off Fleetwood) is always a good plan.

The problem with nuclear is what do you do with the stuff that's left over? Anyone?

Once they find a way to make nuclear fusion work - that'll be the answer...

D...

The MAIN reason wind turbines are a bad thing is that they are only being built because they have massive subsidies - they just don't make economic sense. Then of course there is the fact they are an eyesore as are the pylons needed to get the electricity away from them. Finally they are a hell of a danger to shipping - just wait until an oil tanker or chemical carrier runs into them.

As far as nuclear power is concerned it has to be the answer. People who actually LIVE by them such as in Anglesey don't mind them at all. Massive power and no CO2. Yes the waste is a problem but as long as it's handled ok it's not such a problem. There is so much hysteria attached to nuclear power. People seem to forget that Hiroshima and Nagasaki are thriving cities now and they were deliberately blown up.

Electricity is wasted big style at night as you can't just turn a power station off. Use that night time waste electric to produce hydrogen gas which could power cars - we could keep our infernal combustion engines then!!!

genoa · 23 April 2008, 14:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by codprawn

Use that night time waste electric to produce hydrogen gas which could power cars - we could keep our infernal combustion engines then!!!

One of the best and most realistic technologies of the near future. I had a Mazda RX8 (crap for towing) but great because they can easily convert it to Hydrogen (few std ICE can do this because of the std engine cycle). Huge benefit - the only biproduct is, WATER!

The problem is, where's the hydrogen come from?

Poly · 23 April 2008, 16:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by codprawn

Finally they are a hell of a danger to shipping - just wait until an oil tanker or chemical carrier runs into them.

so are those rocks - we should blast them out the water. Actually that big island gets in the way between the north sea and the atlantic - perhaps we could remove it completely too!

Quote:

People seem to forget that Hiroshima and Nagasaki are thriving cities now and they were deliberately blown up.

possibly the most bizzare argument I have ever heard for nuclear power.