Another view of the collection of wind turbines on the fell......for some reason only one of them was working. Always a mystery to me why sometimes they are still even with what seems to be the right amount of wind.
If you ask a pro0wind expert they will tell you its because we have too much base coal power that cannot easily be turned down - so not to overload the grid its easier to stop the turbines if the wind picks up. Now if we had less coal and more gas.... then you run into arguments about fracking! ooo its complicated.
@fueast We were just talking today & saying the general public don't really know all the pros & cons of these turbines.....how much they cost to set up, running costs, how much electric they produce for the grid....in fact no general pros & cons explained. We have one near us but no one has explained before what you have just written so how can the general public make a considered decision on whether they are a good thing & worth all the controversy......you will know all that Alison....the ball is in your court!!!!
@happypat Well its not so easy and since I've just got home from the say job... If we only worry about the near future (the next election) then of course its cheaper to burn coal and not worry about the consequences. it would be even cheaper to not control pollution from coal and we could all have low electricity bill. But then the effects on health and the climate would be huge - so at least in terms of health we have agreed not to do this. Climate is more tricky because people cannot yet see the effects - and so they can't see why they need to pay a bit more for carbon capture, for wind or for nuclear. And even Ed Milliband is telling people they should have cheap bills. But in 1 or 2 generations time we will be paying a big price. Well even now flood damage is increasing massively. So do you want cheap bills now and expect future generations to pay later? I think that is unfair... Wind is the lowest carbon form of energy and it works - tidal would be even better but yet we haven't invested in it. I could go on all night but I have exam papers on climate change to mark!! There are lots of vested interests I know. Its hard for people to work out - but then that is what DECC is supposed to do.
Super sun lit landscape under a rather ominous sky and seeing the windmills standing there like last night I have a buzz when I see these giants Thanks @fueast Alison , for your educated and well reasoned answer !!
@fueast Thanks for that...I know you didn't want to come home to a debate on renewable energies but if only someone would explain simply about the financial pros & cons we would be a lot wiser. I am all for simpler environmentally friendly energy but I think we all want to know whether the wind turbines are actually doing a good job or just look impressive. Will they be enough to supply the whole of the energy needs....I like very much the idea of sea power & am surprised that has not been looked at long before now .....50 years ago preferably!
One of the fracking sites is about 2 miles from us & if that works I am all for that .......better than nuclear by far.
As for the flooding I could go on....us farmers were blamed for that in one of the Sunday newspapers this week. Apparently farmers are chopping trees down to get more EU subsidy specially up on the moors...cleared land for livestock means more money....I know of no trees being chopped down just the reverse...! We are bounded by the River Wyre & there has been no dredging of this river the whole 15 years we have been here ........all silted up so the water overflows onto the land!
Sorry Alison I have got the bit between my teeth a bit so thanks for your input......there will be lots of different opinions no doubt but it's good to discuss don't you think...such an important subject!
@happypat Well I read the article by George Monbiot which was quite interesting. He seemed to be blaming the environment secretary rather than farmers though I thought and talked about quite an interesting tree planting project in Wales that was initiated by farmers. I know that the National park fund my farming friends to plant trees and hedge rows which seems like a good idea.
I don't really understand where the idea comes from that wind turbines don't work ( the daily miserable probably). They are far more efficient and less damaging to wild life than in the early days. They won't produce all our electricity but then no single source would and we need a broad mix. Also, we all need to use less!
As long as they produce some that is good ....used in conjunction with other methods is good!
Thank for your reply & explanations ...you can get back to more work now....poor you!!!
@fueast Ha ha. Lydia is coming for an exam & interview for Speech Therapy in early February....she really liked Leeds...not your main uni of course but they are very near.
@fueast My husband is a climate change denier and he says wind power is unreliable. He says tidal, solar and nuclear power would be a better investment. What do you think?
@dh I think exactly the same Delena I do not think that wind power is going to be anywhere near enough to supply our ever growing need for energy ....the idea is good but they are never working. I like the look of them on a hill far away but up to towns & next to peoples houses no I'm afraid not. I think fracking will be the saviour....all that gas ....the government will never let that pass....we can protest all we like ..if we like that is I am for it!! @barrowlane
If you ask a pro0wind expert they will tell you its because we have too much base coal power that cannot easily be turned down - so not to overload the grid its easier to stop the turbines if the wind picks up. Now if we had less coal and more gas.... then you run into arguments about fracking! ooo its complicated.
One of the fracking sites is about 2 miles from us & if that works I am all for that .......better than nuclear by far.
As for the flooding I could go on....us farmers were blamed for that in one of the Sunday newspapers this week. Apparently farmers are chopping trees down to get more EU subsidy specially up on the moors...cleared land for livestock means more money....I know of no trees being chopped down just the reverse...! We are bounded by the River Wyre & there has been no dredging of this river the whole 15 years we have been here ........all silted up so the water overflows onto the land!
Sorry Alison I have got the bit between my teeth a bit so thanks for your input......there will be lots of different opinions no doubt but it's good to discuss don't you think...such an important subject!
I don't really understand where the idea comes from that wind turbines don't work ( the daily miserable probably). They are far more efficient and less damaging to wild life than in the early days. They won't produce all our electricity but then no single source would and we need a broad mix. Also, we all need to use less!
Thank for your reply & explanations ...you can get back to more work now....poor you!!!
like the dark sky and the sunlit hills
@barrowlane