Causerie 20Causerie 20Blyth, Nescastle 2003: The air and sea that the oil rigs stand in are of immensly greater value than what they extract from the sea bed. And it can also be measured in $ and £ and Euros. We are into the second generation of commercial wind turbines, wave power is at the prototype stage with small units already supplying the grid, and new tidal generators which don't require large causeway schemes are under evaluation.
You can ask the engineers: supply x megawatts from location y
to node z, and they will give unit and capital costs which, all
the time, improve on traditional generating methods. The ethical
use of fossil fuels becomes to fill the gaps in the supply of
renewables. How do we use the power? Though giant multinational
energy companies will dominate the offshore engineering business,
the nature and distribution networks for wind, wave, tidal, and
solar, create opportunities for far cleaner, more efficient and
locally run industries. I've posted links to some of Britain's
leading edge energy company websites, where you can learn more
about the capabilities of the new technologies. Since Autumn
2000 the vast majority of power sales are being conducted through
bilateral contracts between suppliers and generators. These contracts
will attempt to match each packet of demand with an equivalent
amount of generation, on a half-hourly basis. In theory, there
will be no pooling of power. Generators and suppliers who are
party to these contracts will notify the system operator of their
generation intentions and demand requirements. If a generator's
actual output does not match the contract position, charges will
be applied to any shortfall or excess electricity.
What is termed market forces is, in effect, an interlocking cartel of company directors whose goal is to maximise short and medium term profits. Although grid control systems have been upgraded for greater efficiency, a consequence of the present regulatory system is likely insufficient investment in renewables before the future rising price of fossil fuels.
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MAREC 2001 2-day international conference on Marine Renewable Energies |
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