Energy Storage

[rsmith7]

God - brain meltdown, just though- car- alternator - DC.

Our supply comes from the scottish mainland with an old diesel jobby on the islands as back-up in case of line failure.

[StuartG]

That's the problem with renewables. The Islands must be ideally placed to experiment with them. The power is still drawn from the mainland, why? Probably because renewables are not viable, even there. Has anyone experimented with them? Take a simple case, using a car alternator to produce power from the wind. Stick a prop. or wind turbine on the shaft and hold it up to the wind. Even with a constant wind it's difficult enough to get to work, but the wind constantly changes, so the first thing to suffer is the cycles/second, to say nothing of the amount of current produced. The problems are endless and although surmountable, at what cost? They become and end in themselves and cease to be useful to others. the 'old diesel jobby' is a scaled down version of the mainland power plant and it works but more expensive. A similar, smaller plant at Your property, in turn, will also work [same idea as the mainland] bit more expensive still. All three cases work, they are relatively simple concepts that's their strength. A business man like You can have a reasonably accurate business plan around them. Predictability. Wind farms are not, why? because the power supply [wind] is not. They are a product of small minds, we need grandiose schemes, visionary. That's how in previous times life got better for the average person.

[pumblechook]

I was talking to a woman who lives 50 metres from the sea and must have seen these off-shore wind turbines being erected back in 2003.

I was a bit gobsmacked when she asked me what the purpose of them was.

[pumblechook]

Wind and solar don't make any economic sense. Electricity would have to rise in price 10 times before solar makes sense and gas by 20 times.

[rsmith7]

Sept 10, 2010 21:38:00 GMT 1 StuartG said:

That's the problem with renewables. The Islands must be ideally placed to experiment with them. The power is still drawn from the mainland, why? Probably because renewables are not viable, even there. Has anyone experimented with them? Take a simple case, using a car alternator to produce power from the wind. Stick a prop. or wind turbine on the shaft and hold it up to the wind. Even with a constant wind it's difficult enough to get to work, but the wind constantly changes, so the first thing to suffer is the cycles/second, to say nothing of the amount of current produced. The problems are endless and although surmountable, at what cost? They become and end in themselves and cease to be useful to others. the 'old diesel jobby' is a scaled down version of the mainland power plant and it works but more expensive. A similar, smaller plant at Your property, in turn, will also work [same idea as the mainland] bit more expensive still. All three cases work, they are relatively simple concepts that's their strength. A business man like You can have a reasonably accurate business plan around them. Predictability. Wind farms are not, why? because the power supply [wind] is not. They are a product of small minds, we need grandiose schemes, visionary. That's how in previous times life got better for the average person.

I agree stuart, and yes, there's lots of experimentation with renewables in Orkney.

www.emec.org.uk/
www.pelamiswave.com/
www.aquamarinepower.com/
www.scotrenewables.com/

To name but a few....
Our exhalted leader, Alex accountant Salmond calls Orkney the "Saudi Arabia of Renewables".

Ironically, the only gold plated Ferrari's in Orkney belong to fishermen.

[rsmith7]

Minus 13!
Awesome

[StuartG]

Thanks for that, interesting, The only doubtful thing noted so far is the sentence...
"The test site was officially opened by Scotland's First Minister in September 2007."

[rsmith7]

Do these renewable generators come with a smiling politician attached?

[StuartG]

RSmith7,
Mostly, it's the old moth/candle flame idea, they read and interpret 'Power Generator' in an incorrect manner.

[rsmith7]

Is it incorrect though?

[StuartG]

I suppose this is a good sign..
"Scotrenewables

Due to expansion, we are currently rebranding and a new website is under development.

Please visit again soon."
-------------------------
I can see the reasoning for 'tidal', they seem to be able to predict the height fairly well. The same logic about windpower also applies to wave energy, as one's the result of the other. To use the change in height of the tide gives that 'predictability' that is needed.

[rsmith7]

Yeah, my girlfriends brother's lead engineer with them. I used to rib him about tidal being crap but he conceded the point so I avoid talking about it now.
I've got a study of the pentland firth tidal potential saved on this computer but can't figure out how to post it here. I'm a bit of a dim wit with computers.
Any suggestions?

[StuartG]

Is it dated 08 Jan 2009 by Xero Energy Ref: Rep 1072/001/002C ?

[rsmith7]

Nah, I had this one commissioned myself
It's a jpeg for some strange reason.

[StuartG]

You use the quick reply don't You? Instead go to the blue bit 'reply' and tap on it with Your right key mouse, a box should open with the option 'Open link in new tab' take it with the left mouse, new 'edit window opens. See the 'attachment' tap on browse, window opens at some spot on Your hardisk.
Don't forget You can switch back to here by tapping on this window on the top bar.

C'mon hurry up! have yer done it yet?