We are not talking politics. We are talking about prices and profits.
- Thread starter ukracer
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Because of the war in Ukraine. Because of windmills and solar. 30 years of neglecting nuclear power and Gordon Brown selling off Westinghouse. All the subsidies paid to people to have solar panels. The RHI being used to heat derelict buildings. Politicians who have no clue ramming green policies down out throats. The list is endless.
Oh and I forgot to add - batteries! To keep the grid running. Biggest joke of them all. Yes I know they are for smoothing - unless you think a few seconds worth of backup for the whole UK is worthwhile. But they aren't cheap and weren't needed before we had all these windfarms!
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And if they remembered to order they sometimes got that wrong, we opened a new pallet of pistons for the K series engine build only to find the Ford logo on the pistons!
To my knowledge, no wind turbine site has been reclaimed to original condition.
Just removing a concrete base is estimated to cost $2,500,000.
That is what a big hammer is for
Seriously though the attitude of workers in some of these places is shocking.
When I worked in IT we went on various contracts to car plants.
In one Ford plant the security was really OTT.
When I asked why they had bars on the windows and computers locked up in theft proof cabinets I was told the kit would go walkies otherwise. I said the onsite security looked pretty good. Ahh but it's the staff who nick everything not the outsiders
I suppose the cost of installation must be pretty close to the cost of removal.
Mr Fro
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True dat. It's grown in the field opposite my house. Can't say I've noticed a pong though unlike when the farmer gets his muck spreader out.
500e
Always buy fire insurance a flood is a hard start
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Who are the hangers on @julianthegypsy
brewdexta
The biggest tool in the box
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Coincidentally, I got talking to the father of my daughters best school friend recently when he dropped her off at our house. I've only said a few words before, but this time he was a bit more talkative. He came into the workshop and was gobsmacked, he said it was far better than his workshop at work.
He's a nuclear engineer working on extending the life of our AGRs 
He's a nuclear engineer working on extending the life of our AGRs
Gordon Clown sold off Westinghouse.
Now they are looking at building a new reactor at Wylfa!
Sooner the better but far too late to save Anglesey aluminium.
Hope not. The spin the media will put on it will end up with more panic buying for no reason!!
Yes, I used to go to Halewood a lot too . . . never, ever, turn away from a tool put down for a second . . .That is what a big hammer is for
Seriously though the attitude of workers in some of these places is shocking.
When I worked in IT we went on various contracts to car plants.
In one Ford plant the security was really OTT.
When I asked why they had bars on the windows and computers locked up in theft proof cabinets I was told the kit would go walkies otherwise. I said the onsite security looked pretty good. Ahh but it's the staff who nick everything not the outsiders
Greeves246
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I worked on the PTA line at Halewood in 1970, the stories I could tell you. Like blokes playing 3 card brag in the locker room after being paid and seeing a full unopened (cash in those days ) wage packet in the pot on one hand. He lost. Two prices for radios, one inside one outside. Sets of wheels and tyres over the fence on night shift. Body shells in workers garages, one bit at a time.
Gareth J
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Think the cost would be dependent on size and might come down if there were several on site. However, in most circumstances, I expect the lumps would remain and be mounded over. Or be reused to put up a newer turbine, or be repurposed - should be a decent electric supply cable there! Either way, I can think of worse things to have burried just below the surface.
brewdexta
The biggest tool in the box
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Mini nuclear power stations may produce more waste than large ones
Small modular nuclear reactors may produce higher volumes and greater complexity of radioactive waste because they are naturally less efficient, researchers find
www.newscientist.com
Yes I have no doubt they will. Large ones are more efficient.Mini nuclear power stations may produce more waste than large ones
Small modular nuclear reactors may produce higher volumes and greater complexity of radioactive waste because they are naturally less efficient, researchers find
But the public are so stupid they seem to find SMRs more tolerable. And obviously build cost is far less so they can be delivered much faster.
daleyd
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You can blame “people” if you prefer, or you can actually look at the overwhelmingly massive reason so few have been built in the last 30 years (which is that they are massively expensive).
But yeah greens, grrrr.
It is the NIMBY attitude mainly.You can blame “people” if you prefer, or you can actually look at the overwhelmingly massive reason so few have been built in the last 30 years (which is that they are massively expensive).
But yeah greens, grrrr.
Costs have escalated so much due to a variety of factors. The last government put in a way over the top regulatory process deliberately to kill the industry. It takes 5 years in the UK to get approval. 2 years in most other countries. This is NOT about safety. Extra time does not mean extra safety.
Also all nuclear power plants now have to be safe from a 9/11 style incident. Ok fair enough. But even buildings such as admin blocks and workshops also have to comply which is just nuts.
Then you have the way they must be financed. Again in a different way to other large infrastructure schemes.
Hinkley was financed when interest rates were higher. Basically they factored in a 9% projected interest rate over it's lifespan which makes it appear so expensive. Of course interest rates haven't been that high for many a year. The reason this rate is also so high is because investors are scared of large nuclear projects in case some "greens" get into power and cancel the project.
Wind farms factor in a much lower rate of interest which appears to make them cheaper.
My accountant was on a consultation board for Hinkley. It makes far more sense when he explains it all.
Many people seem to think Hydrogen will be the answer to our prayers.
Using surplus electricity from windmills.
I have been very sceptical of this for some time.
Tom Baxter of Aberdeen University speaks a lot about it.
www.shetnews.co.uk
Very good report here
" I am not convinced hydrogen can be sustainably justified against other net zero enabling technologies in many applications. Influential lobby groups, with business models that would benefit from hydrogen production, are pushing hydrogen in the absence of evidence based, holistic sustainable comparisons with other energy vectors and options. Hydrogen is being over-sold to the UK taxpayer, media and politicians. This is addressed in a recent Heating in Great Britain: An incumbent discourse resists an electrifying future, here it is concluded ‘Incumbents are over-selling 'green-gas' to policy makers in order to protect their interests and detract from the importance and value of electrification.’"
Using surplus electricity from windmills.
I have been very sceptical of this for some time.
Tom Baxter of Aberdeen University speaks a lot about it.
Is hydrogen the fuel of the future? Aberdeen academic has his doubts
A SENIOR academic from Aberdeen University has issued a word of caution regarding the huge expectation around the role hydrogen could play in helping to...
www.shetnews.co.uk
Very good report here
" I am not convinced hydrogen can be sustainably justified against other net zero enabling technologies in many applications. Influential lobby groups, with business models that would benefit from hydrogen production, are pushing hydrogen in the absence of evidence based, holistic sustainable comparisons with other energy vectors and options. Hydrogen is being over-sold to the UK taxpayer, media and politicians. This is addressed in a recent Heating in Great Britain: An incumbent discourse resists an electrifying future, here it is concluded ‘Incumbents are over-selling 'green-gas' to policy makers in order to protect their interests and detract from the importance and value of electrification.’"
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