Yes, it's true. Engineers are working on an idea to construct enormous, inflatable solar chimneys that will use hot rising air to drive turbines and generate electric.
The idea is a variation on Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) or, more precisely, a solar updraft tower but potentially a lot cheaper to construct.
More here.
It's ideas like this that, once world leaders finally agree on a global emissions cutting deal, can be rapidly developed to dramatically bring down the cost of renewables and be part of the solution. We have the technology.
Wednesday, 20 November 2013
Free On-line Climate Change Course
The University of Exeter (UK) will be providing a free, 8 week, on-line Climate Change course starting 13th January 2014. No experience or qualifications required. More information here.
Saturday, 16 November 2013
Energy Saving Tips
I've been doing this blog for a while now and I thought I'd heard all the energy saving ideas I could use in our home but this website had some new ones.
It's a pretty good summary of all the things you should be thinking about if you want to save money on your bills.
I'll definately be looking into louvred vents and heat recovery fans.
It's a pretty good summary of all the things you should be thinking about if you want to save money on your bills.
I'll definately be looking into louvred vents and heat recovery fans.
Monday, 11 November 2013
Global Climate Deal Not Necessary?
According to the New Scientist's editorial for the 9th November 2013, we could be on the way to saving our planet even without a climate deal.
Really?
They base this wildly optimistic view on a report I highlighted last week. In it the writers say that annual global CO2 emissions increases are slowing down and may even start decreasing by 2020.
It's good news, but a long, long way from "job done". The gap between the commitments made by individual countries and what's actually needed to keep global warming below 2 C is huge. So, when I see the New Scientist say "...while a global deal would clearly be a good thing, we could be on the way to saving the planet without it." I'm left shaking my head. What an incredibly naiive thing to say.
Also dangerous. If the politicians start thinking this way before a global deal is reached in 2015, we're screwed.
Really?
They base this wildly optimistic view on a report I highlighted last week. In it the writers say that annual global CO2 emissions increases are slowing down and may even start decreasing by 2020.
It's good news, but a long, long way from "job done". The gap between the commitments made by individual countries and what's actually needed to keep global warming below 2 C is huge. So, when I see the New Scientist say "...while a global deal would clearly be a good thing, we could be on the way to saving the planet without it." I'm left shaking my head. What an incredibly naiive thing to say.
Also dangerous. If the politicians start thinking this way before a global deal is reached in 2015, we're screwed.
Sunday, 10 November 2013
Energy Saving Tip: Electric Showers
Electric showers use a lot of energy.
For example, our family's usage (There are 4 of us) consumes more electric in a week than the average combined use of our dishwasher, washing machine, and tumble dryer over over a similar period.
So it can be a promising area in which to cut your energy bills.
One possibility is, when you next replace your shower, look for one with a lower wattage than your current one. That could make a noticeable dent in your bills.
Another simple way is to put a timer in your shower area. You can find a variety of digital timers online which can be setup to give you a 5 minute warning. This way you can have a decent length shower without over doing it. You then save energy AND water.
I should say that we've tried 2 or 3 timers and all of them have failed after a short time. I suspect they've not been suitable for a damp environment like the bathroom. So we're now using a 5 minute 'egg-timer' from Gorilla Spoke. It's working really well - It seems to bring out everyone's competitive instincts. Expecially the kids!
I look forward to cut's in both our electric and water bills.
For example, our family's usage (There are 4 of us) consumes more electric in a week than the average combined use of our dishwasher, washing machine, and tumble dryer over over a similar period.
So it can be a promising area in which to cut your energy bills.
One possibility is, when you next replace your shower, look for one with a lower wattage than your current one. That could make a noticeable dent in your bills.
Another simple way is to put a timer in your shower area. You can find a variety of digital timers online which can be setup to give you a 5 minute warning. This way you can have a decent length shower without over doing it. You then save energy AND water.
I should say that we've tried 2 or 3 timers and all of them have failed after a short time. I suspect they've not been suitable for a damp environment like the bathroom. So we're now using a 5 minute 'egg-timer' from Gorilla Spoke. It's working really well - It seems to bring out everyone's competitive instincts. Expecially the kids!
I look forward to cut's in both our electric and water bills.
Thursday, 7 November 2013
Energy Saving Tips: Your Chimney
Fortunately, you can find all sorts of advise on insulating your home and stopping heat-loss round doors and such.
However, it's very rare to find any mention of what could be the biggest source of heat-loss in a fully insulated and draft-proofed house: The chimney.
Think about it: Every fireplace you have is an opening to the outside, so part of the heat from your radiators is going out your chimney (between 5% and 15% apparently!).
Some people have no use for their fireplaces, so they either block them off or cap the chimney. But, for those of us who still occasionally use them (probably because we're losing heat through them!), it would be a good idea to stop the heat-loss in between times.
There are one or two products out there that help with this:
Fireplace Heatsaver is a transparent perspex surround that completely encloses your fireplace sealing it off. But, at £80, it's quite expensive.
Chimsoc, Chimney Balloon, and Chimney Sheep are cheaper alternatives (between £16 and £25), and are things to block the chimney off just above the fireplace.
I've even heard of people using towels etc.
What you've always got to keep in mind is: Don't forget it's there when you DO light the fire; and make sure it's not flammable just in case you do!
Tuesday, 5 November 2013
Recycling Heaven
This is excellent news - It's now reached the stage where we're just chucking out plastic wrappers. Barely anything.
Well done our council!
Cutting Carbon, Cutting Energy Bills?
Generally speaking, if you're cutting your household carbon footprint, you're also saving money by cutting your energy usage.
So, when I heard about the Superhomes, a website about people who've cut their carbon by 60% or more, I thought I could get some handy tips.
They do have some good advice, but the site is basically about 'retro-fitting' homes. If you've got between £12000 and £50000 lying around doing nothing then this may be for you. You may even save on those bills, but don't expect to get your investment back any time soon.
For less costly tips that will pay you back in far less time, I suggest you check out the 'Energy Savings Tips' item in my sidebar to the right under 'Common Themes'.
So, when I heard about the Superhomes, a website about people who've cut their carbon by 60% or more, I thought I could get some handy tips.
They do have some good advice, but the site is basically about 'retro-fitting' homes. If you've got between £12000 and £50000 lying around doing nothing then this may be for you. You may even save on those bills, but don't expect to get your investment back any time soon.
For less costly tips that will pay you back in far less time, I suggest you check out the 'Energy Savings Tips' item in my sidebar to the right under 'Common Themes'.
Friday, 1 November 2013
Are World CO2 Emissions About To Level Out?
Unbelievable as it may sound, there's a real possibility that global carbon emissions may level out and even fall by the end of this decade, even before any UN agreed CO2 cutting deal takes hold.
How so? Well, according to this report by the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency, world emissions grew by 'just' 1.1% in 2012, less than half the average rate for the last decade (2.9%).
The main reasons, they say, were the U.S.'s continuing switch from coal to shale gas, China's controlled economic slowdown, and the EU's decreased energy consumption.
They also say that, if China keeps to it's own targets, the U.S. maintains it's switch to shale gas (+ renewables), and the EU sorts out it's Emissions Trading System, global emissions could be falling by 2020.
Imagine how much more could be achieved with a decent UN agreement on CO2.
How so? Well, according to this report by the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency, world emissions grew by 'just' 1.1% in 2012, less than half the average rate for the last decade (2.9%).
The main reasons, they say, were the U.S.'s continuing switch from coal to shale gas, China's controlled economic slowdown, and the EU's decreased energy consumption.
They also say that, if China keeps to it's own targets, the U.S. maintains it's switch to shale gas (+ renewables), and the EU sorts out it's Emissions Trading System, global emissions could be falling by 2020.
Imagine how much more could be achieved with a decent UN agreement on CO2.
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