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Electricity generation from fossil fuels accounts for 25% of emissions of greenhouse gases.
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An interesting statement John. I assume that this is on a global basis. It would be interesting to know if UK emissions are similar in nature.
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I have a suggestion that each of us takes one of the alternative methods for sustainable clean electricity generation and researches it with a view to reporting findings to the group.
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The link below is to an interesting (well I thought so) use of hydrogen to provide a portable means of generating power using fuel cells.
If this link produces a notice telling you to try again later just click where is says learn more (or wait a bit).
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Hydrogen power could be an alternative to battery technology for smoothing the output from renewable energy sources, i.e. electricity generated by windpower at night that isn’t needed can be used to make hydrogen from water by electrolysis, thus storing energy. Then in the day the hydrogen is used in fuel cells to generate electricity when it’s needed.
Within my pensions I invest in several renewable energy companies, though not fuel cell ones.
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One could argue that Hydrogen is no more dangerous than a tank full of petrol – which also has explosive potential and higher energy content.
This article from the World Economic Forum gives some interesting facts about hydrogen production and comparison of various methods which could be used. Hydrogen would definitely have the advantage of quick refueling compared to battery charging.
https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2019/06/the-clean-energy-of-the-future-is-already-here/
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April 6,2020
Rolls Royce Nuclear are leading a consortium to build small modular reactor and install them in former nuclear sites in Cumbria or Wales. This is a development of the power plants they make for our fleet of nuclear submarines. A BBC documentary on the making of an atomic submarine stated that their power plant could provide all the electricity for a city the size of Southampton. The big advantage is that the unites are fabricated in there factories and delivered on site by lorries. Making the construction far more predictable and therefore deliverable on time. There is a need for a base load generation to cover when wind turbines and solar farms, are unable to provide power.
A visit to Rolls Royce Nuclear will provide all the details of the consortium and the project. -
Tidal Wave Power generation unlike wind or solar, should be a total consistent source of power, come Hell or high water. There are a number of apparently obvious sites around the uk. There appear to be major technical though not insurmountable problems. The affect of effectively damming bays on the marine/ river ecology and the scenic eyesore engendered would surely even surpass the visual horror of wind and solar panel farms. Presumably we all agree nuclear is an accident (disaster) waiting to happen. What does that leave – fossil fuel with co2 capture but apparently that is energetically impossible to achieve. So we continue down the path we are going. But do we or future generations want to live in a UK where the most beautiful but windiest parts of our island or the view out to sea are covered in turbines. Then there’s our green and pleasant land hidden under solar panels. Hows about a hold while we think about what we are doing and meanwhile spend our money on sea and river defences.
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ps. Hydrogen is 10x more flammable than petrol and 20x more explosive. Neverthe less its lightness, dissipating it very rapidly and other factors mitigate many of its disadvantages. It requires a tank 20 degrees above absolute zero to store as a liquid or one capable of withstanding 10,000psi ie 700 atm. At 700 atmospheres in a 28 gallon tank a hydrogen fuel cell car would have a range of 250miles. (I think – these sort of figures always need checking)
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I have followed a number of articles lately which examine the problem of so called grid balancing as we increase the use of renewables and phase out gas poser stations (which can currently be used to cover any shortfalls). With the rapid development of battery technology battery storage has been proposed as one feasible method.
The use of hydrogen is also appearing increasingly in press reports and many of the major oil companies are said to be actively researching this field. On a related note, the production of hydrogen using generation from wind power (when excess is available) using electrolysis and then storing this for later use in electricity generation from fuel cells has been offered as another way of grid balancing.
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Just came across an interesting website called rechargenews.com. This site carries various stories including one on hydrogen generation from waste. It is entitled
‘Greener-than-green hydrogen to be produced at same cost as grey H2 at world’s largest facility’ if anyone else is interested to follow it up.
Clearly there is much activity in the hydrogen fuel field at present.
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I have just watched a very informative video on YouTube in which Robert LLewelyn interviews someone involved in developments at National Grid. There were some fascinating facts and insights in this presentation and I thoroughly recommend it as a summary of the state of the art review of the current status of renewable energy generation and some thoughts on future prospects. The video is at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONp8dismI-Q
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