If I am interpreting this graph correctly – more than half the electricity we produce is ‘Conversion, Transmission and distribution losses? Surely this could be made more efficient? More local electricity generation? Although the National Grid are spending billions to connect up with new Hinkley Point.
WINDFARMS
The Norfolk Boreas Windfarm is likely to get the go ahead despite major concerns regarding its impact on endangered sea birds. As with all changes caution needs to be exercised. Windfarms have a reasonably footloose locational demand, therefore it may not be necessary for that exact location. The impact on birds has been known for decades, I think a wind farm in Gibraltar had to close 20 years ago due to its impact on raptors.
SEALS
Numbers of seals born in the Frame Islands this year are predicted to be higher than previous recent years. I know there are no predators (although I believe a wandering orca may have been seen in the past). Can I be positive here and assume that despite a morality rate of 50%, there must be plenty of food available? And if so presumably some of our sea birds will also have done well this summer. We need good news after yesterdays news about the number of formerly common birds being moved to the red list, swifts, greenfinches, house martins and Berwick swans.
CHRISTMAS LIGHTS
Untangled and put up outside. Lets hope the wind does not blow them away tonight!
WATERGATE UK STYLE
WEATHER
What is going on? The Express and Star and Mirror have all reported expected snow and temps down to -10C by the end of the month. However the forecast for the South-West as far as I can read it, is cold nights with possible frosts, probably in rural areas, bright sunny or at least dull days with little precipitation.
COP26
SANDFORD STORES
My local shop and staff have been nominated as “Local heroes” for their efforts during the Covid Lockdown. They are into the last 20 in a competition run by Boost Energy Drinks.
The reasons why I think they should be in with a chance for the winners title are as follows. At no time did they ever ask for anything in return – shopping was done, drugs and prescriptions collected, co-ordination with volunteers was arranged without fuss. Days off were not contemplated. All done quietly and efficiently. Local councillors were hiding in their nuclear bunkers. Thanks should also be made to Thatchers Cider who set up a dedicated help line for locals. All this was co-ordinated by Aaron Bleach who fortunately is still an invaluable member of our community.
NUCLEAR ENERGY
An old but interesting subject. RollsRoyce are going ahead with a part government funded scheme to develop mini nuclear reactors. In many ways this seems to make sense, an emergency would be presumably on a smaller scale. There has been no reports of what to do with the waste – but given urgency in replacing fossil fuels and long term battery storage and hydrogen fuels still in the ‘promising’ class it would seem to make sense. How I hate admitting that the government might have got something right!
CLEMENTINES
I just received my box of organic clementines direct from an organic farm in Murcia – exciting.