“Gnome_Chomsky, Yes you are right, Germany is the biggest Solar power producer in Europe, But there Topography and climate allows for good sunlight.
Solar isnt really a viable option here in my opinion; because we are an island we are more suseptable to cloud cover. But because of our location we do benifit from good winds in a steady South Westerly direction;

I believe the biggest issue with tidal was the environmental impact it is thought to have? But I do agree it is a viable soloution if applied correctly.

I do like your idea of stored water systems, alot of hydro power plants around the world actually pump water at night so as to use electricity from the grid and balance the power output of conventional stations, Unfortunatly the UK isnt really set up to allow for vest Hydro power reserves and the investment required would far out weight the benifits, Thats not to say that these couldnt be done on small scales using water stored in smaller amounts but at high pressure?

Maybe the answer is to do away with a total national grid system as we have now; Keeping a national supply route to supply power to infrastructure, hospitals and industry. But allow smaller towns, Villages, hamlets to connect to a local "green grid" which includes various green energy production methods? This could reduce the loss of power through distribution and limit the cycling of conventional power plants.”

“There has to be enough conventional power generation capacity to allow for the times when the wind turbines are not working, or are working at reduced capacity. Because we are so loath to build nuclear power stations we rely on the coal burning stations, which will actually produce more carbon dioxide etc as they are cycled up and down to cope with variable output from the wind generators. So we will have a 'feelgood' factor about our wind generators while we are actually emitting more greenhouse gases.”

“Lincsl200 - I agree with most of what you say, but solar is not the implausible option you imagine.

The biggest producer of solar power in Europe is not Spain, Portugal or Italy, but Germany. They invest in technology, and benefit from the outcomes.

Britain has vast wind resources, as you say, but have really missed the boat on tidal. All investment seems to have been in tidal barrages, but small-scale tidal turbines in v-shaped coastal valleys can produce enough energy for local communities with minimal risk or downtime. Local tidal flow is predictable and reliable.

Wind energy needs to be part of a national grid to spread the load according to where wind conditions are right. Research needs to identify ways to store excess energy, perhaps by pumping water uphill in high winds, then harvesting the energy through hydro-electric schemes on still days.

The screaming factor is distance. Power is lost through long distance travel. Energy production is easy where there are few people, but the need is where there are major population centres. Tidal energy would take the load off the grid, but it needs to be local, not grand schemes.”

“NIMBYs? Ironically no-one from the Hemswell Cliff area has made a comment either way on this site.

As for the article being late, RWE Npower Renewables wrote to every household in the area including neighbouring villages a fortnight ago explaining what they were planning and inviting everyone to the public exhibition. So everyone who needed to know were informed in plenty of time.

Articles like this go to show how irrelevant a weekly paper can be, articles are out of date before publication.”

“I have to say, I agree with Bigyellowbelly to a point. The UK has made a commitment to wind power and like it or not, its coming and the UK is leading the way in clean electricity from wind.

Last week saw Walney 1 and 2 come on stream, the Worlds largest offshore wind farm which provides clean electricity to 32,000 homes. (2 sites, 51 turbines each)
Already in the UK there are 324 wind farms a total of 3537 wind turbines, enough power to feed 3375367 homes.
The following link provides information on the UK wind farms, operational, in construction and planned.
http://tinyurl.com/34ttp8

So, what are the alternatives? Solar.... Maybe in the middle east, but not really practical here. Tidal? There is currently an experiment going on in the Humber to install an experimental tidal power generator, Previous attempts have been tried in the north sea, but the unit didnt last long before the sea tore is to pieces! Some tidal flow devices are being installed (effectivly Under water wind turbines) however there is concern about there effect on wild life and eco-systems.
Nuclear? I should imagine there are more oppenents to nuclear than wind power, after all. Wind turbines wont produce another Chernoble.

There is an argument to suggest that currently, cycling of wind turbines and power stations actually produces more co2, so2 and noX. Because power stations have to increase and reduce power output depending on how much wind there is to meet UK requirements and peak load requirements (Half time at football matches etc) However, with more and more wind farms coming on line, there will always be wind somewhere, so this arguement will soon fade away to a point, though there will always be a need for conventional power stations.”

“I'm sure bigyellabelly would be the first to moan if it was in his backyard unless he was a landowner getting paid a fortune by ulimately the electricity customers, or the windfarm company who get a fortune from the electricity customers yet again wether it gets built or not.
If it worked all the time and not relied on a powerstation being on standby all the time for when the wind stoped or when it was too strong I'd be more inclined to show some interest.”

“Not in my back yard....yawn
These people really are pathetically out of touch.”

“Bit late with the article, the exhibition was last week !!!!!! It's probably a done deal anyway, as two more windfarms in the local area are in the pipeline”

“We need to get the Government onside, as well as local councils and others, if we are going to stop these wind turbines being built.

Are you disillusioned by rising electricity prices, over dependence on the "green" dream [especially uneconomical and inefficient wind farms] and the destruction of our countryside then please register your objection to the Government by googling "petition 22958" and following the link.

Please pass this message on to Councillors, members of your community and anyone else you know to persuade them to sign up too. If you are really concerned about wind turbines please write a letter promoting this petition to the Editors of your local newspapers.”