Energy Nimbys

Now that the holiday blog is done what else is there? My favourite topic at the moment is alternative energy. We see energy prices going up and down like a yo-yo. When they are going down it isn't because energy supply is improving, it is consumption falling. The overall trend must be more expensive as oil and gas supplies become more scarce. Now I don't want to see electricity supplies become very expensive or I'd have to switch off my PC now and again. Also generating capacity has come perilously close to being exceeded and the lights going out would be a nightmare. The HVDC cross channel power connection from France is usually operating at its highest capacity bringing power to the UK.

So what is the solution? My local MP David Drew has to be applauded for advocating new nuclear power. Nobody likes nuclear power in their back yard but it does give us an independent and reliable source of energy. The real dangers of nuclear are usually exaggerated and compared with coal mining it is very much safer. Windmills are great too but huge areas of the most scenic countryside need to be dotted with windmills and there is great opposition to this. For example, the people of Bath don't want any turbines visible from the city although the surrounding hills are ideal.
Other countries like Germany positively encourage solar energy schemes with grants and guaranteed tariffs for buying back electricity thus kick starting the market. Such a scheme has enabled 3,000MV of photo voltaic capacity to be installed so far.
Without alternative energy sources we could be held ransom by Russia. They already do this to the Ukraine so they could it do to us too. If the nimbys could be held in check then it would be possible to add a new generation of nuclear power. It might even be of benefit to run some hybrid reactors to burn plutonium to reduce the stockpile of weapons grade material. And more wind farms would certainly help but there is some very noisy opposition to most applications. If it could be turned into a financial argument then it might help win people over. Maybe a "green" electricity discount for people living within view of a windmill?

Other grand schemes have been put forward that could have impressive power capacity but maybe nimbys sometimes have a point. The Severn Barrage appears to be a very impressive scheme and the capacity would be 330MW. However the environmental cost in terms of things like birdlife could be too great.
So in summary, we need less obstacles to energy generating, but just don't take it too far.