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Messages - allegrif

#31
Green Roofs / Re: France Introduces Green Roof Law
November 30, 2015, 02:37:28 PM
I think it's strictly new buildings only. It would be very hard to go through every old building in the country and demand changes, people wouldn't be happy!
#32
[quote author=LucidEnergy link=topic=151.msg376#msg376 date=1448625559]
I couldn't agree more, though I'm actually not that fussed about cooling towers either :P

Didcot power station can be seen for 15-20 miles in some directions, very few wind turbines have such a large impact as that does.
[/quote]
What kind of power station is Didcot?
#33
[quote author=JamesH link=topic=134.msg396#msg396 date=1448725885]
I wouldn't even be against one literally in my back yard, I think I'd earn quite a bit of rent for it :D
[/quote]
Haha, true that. I don't actually understand the noise complaints, I may just be that I'm a bit deaf, but I've [i]never heard[/i] a wint rubine make a noise before. Perhaps I've just never been close enough.
#34
Do you mean a literal bike-powered generator?  ;D

I'm not sure how much electricity you'd make from that or even if you could reliably store it. It probably wouldn't be worth the hassle to be honest.
#35
[quote author=LucidEnergy link=topic=177.msg407#msg407 date=1448818516]
Doesn't Iceland already do this with Hydroelectricity?

Otherwise, I think it's certainly possible, especially if the demand is there in Europe.
[/quote]
Who do they export to? And how?
#36
It is possible, yes. The question is, is it economically viable? The answer is largely no unfortunately, there are just more efficient systems than this in the UK's case.
#37
Wouldn't it be great if we could export renewable energy? That has to be our aim. If we could find the investment money I think our infrastructure would pay for itself over the years.
#38
I don't think so at all. Done right, I actually think they add some extra beauty to the countryside. I don't really understand the people who hate them - I'd much rather live half a mile from a wind farm than a stinking coal-fire power plant.
#39
It seems to me that the primary disadvantage of solar energy is its reliability on daytime, nice weather and high UV levels. However, there are so many applications where solar would benefit the world regardless of this, so I guess in these cases it's just the cost? But surely the cost of investment would eventually be repaid in energy savings?

For example, in my mind it makes absolute sense to put solar panels on ships. The roof of the bridge on most ships is empty space, and could easily accommodate solar paneling. This could help to power the ship's electronic systems, with the engine providing backup electricity when needed. I think the investment would be very small when you consider a container ship costs hundreds of millions of pounds, and solar panels just a few thousand. Not only would the panels pay for themselves, but it would be gold PR. So, what are the disadvantages that are stopping solar power being utilised in more applications like this?
#40
If I were the PM, and had the backing of the House, I'd do the following:

[list type=decimal]
[li]Make it more expensive to burn fossil fuels in existing plants[/li]
[li]Make it mandatory for all new structures over 3 stories to have green or solar roofing[/li]
[li]Make it mandatory for all new structures (including homes) to have in-built rainwater collection facilities for toilet and, if applicable, garden use[/li]
[li]Ban fracking[/li]
[li]Ban the construction of new coal power plants[/li]
[/list]

What would you do?
#41
General / Re: Is nuclear fission renewable?
November 27, 2015, 11:26:42 AM
It's not [i]technically[/i] renewable, but it'll last a very, very long time and is one of the energies we should be pursuing in my opinion. The UK is perfect for it, we do not suffer from earthquakes, volcanoes, tsunamis, and other acts of God  ;D
#42
Draft exclusion is generally quite an investment, but it's well worth it in the long run. If your budget is low, I would recommend ensuring there is a nice layer of sealant around all windows, and applying fresh if you think it has holes or is wearing a bit thin. If your windows are the pre-80s, no sealant variety, then I'd recommend putting some sealant around the edges anyway. This could save you a few quid throughout the winter  ;D
#43
I think the energy used by a movement sensor is infinitesimally small. The savings would far outweigh the energy usage.
#44
Rainwater Harvesting / Re: Rainwater for toilet flushing
November 26, 2015, 04:29:42 PM
This sounds like common sense to me, and I think it should be a legal requirement in new buildings. For example, I think a large block of flats or a large commercial building/skyscraper should have rainwater collecting facilities built in, which can then feed the toilet plumbing. In fact I don't understand why this isn't widespread already, surely it would save everyone money?
#45
Heat Pumps / How do heat pumps work?
November 26, 2015, 04:27:51 PM
Sorry to be ignorant, but I'm a little confused on what exactly these pumps accomplish. Perhaps someone could give me a simplified explanation? That would be fantastic, I'm freshly interested in renewable energy, so I'm very much learning as I'm going.