Superstitious Idea About Trump

One resource that the Uk has plenty of is water. It falls as rain, it runs in streams and rivers, it collects in depressions in the ground, in small ones as puddles and in large ones as oceans and inland lakes and lochs. It tumbles over precipices, it flows to meet the sea and it is pulled by the tides to and from the land.

As well as hydroelectric dams and tidal barrages, there could be small local turbines in suitable rivers and at waterfalls, possibly even in storm drains, supplying the power for homes and localised industrial units.

As is often commented, a problem with renewables is that the power is not enough at peak demand but goes to waste when there is little or no demand.

An answer to this with hydroelectric dams is to use spare off-peak capacity, which would otherwise be "water down the drain", to pump water up from a lower to a higher reservoir, where it can be allowed to run downhill through turbines again to produce power at times of high demand.

The UK currently has four major operating pumped storage plants:
Dinorwig Power Station (Wales): 1,728 MW, often known as "Electric Mountain."
Cruachan Power Station (Scotland): 440 MW (currently being upgraded).
Ffestiniog Power Station (Wales): 360 MW.
Foyers Power Station (Scotland): 300 MW.

and there are other upcoming projects:
Key Upcoming Pumped Storage Projects
Earba Storage Project (Scotland): Set to be the UK's largest at 1.8 GW, offering 40 GWh of storage capability (approx. 22 hours).
Coire Glas (Scottish Highlands): A 1,300 MW scheme by SSE Renewables, it is the first large-scale project in over 40 years to be developed.
Fearna Storage (Scotland): A proposed 1,800 MW (1.8 GW) project located at the western end of Glengarry using Loch Quoich.
Loch Kemp Storage (Scottish Highlands): A 600 MW project designed to store energy using the region's natural geography.
Loch na Cathrach (formerly Red John) (Scotland): A 500 MW project near Inverness approved for construction.
Cruachan Extension (Scotland): Part of a "hollow mountain" expansion to add 600 MW of new capacity.

Cruachan, near the head of Loch Awe in the Highlands of Scotland. was the first pumpable hydroelectric dam in the world, going on-stream in 1965. I know this because as students DH and some of his friends worked there in the late '50s as labourers beside the mainly Irish workers while the tunnels were being excavated, returning home with enhanced muscles and a repertoire of improper songs.

There are usually conducted tours of Cruachan, but they are suspended at the moment, while the extension work continues. The visitor centre (free exhibition, cafe and gift shop) is still open, and there is a website at www.visitcruachan.co.uk/
There is also an educational webinar for primary school children, contact them via [email protected]

MaizieD

Would a Severn Barrage cause serious and irrevocable damage to these habitats, Casdon?

Yes MaizieD it would. It’s designated as a Special Area of Conservation.

Yes, it was Lily of the Valley.

Renewable can't supply complete energy needs...YET.
But the technology will keep evolving and improving, if we keep supporting the developments.

Would a Severn Barrage cause serious and irrevocable damage to these habitats, Casdon?

NannyC1

Is it worth the 150 children murdered to get better energy supplies. I guess by the lack of empathy from the majority here it appears to be so.

What lack of empathy? There was and still is plenty of empathy for the children and their families, plus anger at whoever did such a callous thing, or allowed it to happen, and amazement at their stupidity in doing something that made sure there would be hundreds of bereaved families who will spend the rest of their lives seeking revenge on the US and Israel for that one act alone.

Here’s the blurb about it, it’s a unique environment, hence some of the environmental concerns.

Key Characteristics of the Severn Estuary's Brackish Environment
Severn Estuary Partnership
+1
Salinity Variability: The salinity fluctuates due to variable freshwater inflows and massive tidal movements, keeping the average annual salinity below 35 psu.
Tidal Influence: The extreme tidal range causes rapid mixing, which prevents the estuary from becoming highly stratified, meaning it remains well-mixed throughout the tidal cycle.
Biodiversity & Habitats: The brackish conditions support a unique ecosystem, including tidal mudflats, sandbanks, and eelgrass beds (dwarf eelgrass and eelgrass), which are adapted to the salty environment.
Fish and Wildlife: The area is a crucial habitat for migrating species such as salmon, shad, and young eels (elvers), which can tolerate the changing saline conditions.
Physical Features: The water is heavily laden with suspended silt due to the rapid, strong currents.
Severn Estuary Partnership
+5

It’s brackish water in the Severn Estuary Monica, not just sea water.

MaizieD

^France has a tidal barrage across the river Rance in Brittany. It was installed in 1964, with ceremony with General de Gaulle and is still going strong. I think the turbines have been replaced once or twice.^

Why has this been so successful, MOnica when the UK doesn’t get anywhere with plans for the same? Is it because it’s in fresh water rather than sea water?

The barrage is across the estuary so it is seawater. I think it is just that the French pride themselves on the uality of their technology. At times it leads them up cul de sacs (sorry) like minitel, but at other times like the Rance barrage it is brilliant, inovative and successful.

NannyCI, if you are still reading this Thread, click off, then go to the top of the daily list. Find FORUMS at the top left hand side. Click in, then go to the left hand column and click News and Politics.
Scroll down to the completed title 'Israel and US hit Iran'.
Go to page 3 and there you will find, among other issues, the beginning of the discussion about the atrocity of the bombing of the school.

imaround

2 Florida State Assembly seats were flipped this week.

Such encouraging news for you 😆

Great minds Luckygirl3!

The River Severn is massively tidal.

"The Severn Estuary holds the second-highest tidal range in the world (up to 15m), offering potential to generate 5-7% of the UK’s total electricity needs through renewable tidal range energy. In March 2025, the Severn Estuary Commission recommended prioritizing tidal lagoons, rather than a full barrage, to deliver predictable, clean energy and aid net-zero goals"

This all needs to be progressed a bit quicker.

The Severn Estuary is brackish water. It’s definitely feasible, lots of work has been done, it’s the cost and environmental concerns that have stopped it going ahead so far. This is the latest report.
www.severncommission.co.uk/

France has a tidal barrage across the river Rance in Brittany. It was installed in 1964, with ceremony with General de Gaulle and is still going strong. I think the turbines have been replaced once or twice.

Why has this been so successful, MOnica when the UK doesn’t get anywhere with plans for the same? Is it because it’s in fresh water rather than sea water?

Arto1s

Does anyone really believe that solar power will provide the energy needed in a country that simply does not get enough sunshine? What other kinds of alternative energy are actually going to be successful in the UK?

How many posters on this thread have pointed out that the technology has developed to the extent that sunlight isn’t essential? They just need light. Even in the UK we get light during the day.. There is also battery storage available.

I don’t think anyone believes for a moment that solar will provide for all our energy needs, but a good mix of alternative energy sources will cut our over reliance on fossil fuels.

Incidentally, I mentioned geothermal yesterday and later discovered that our area of the NE has excellent potential for its development. Our local MP is very much involved in moving it forward. (There is also a good prospect of our area becoming a lithium producer, that’s very useful, too)

In theory it should encourage investment in renewables, whilst in fact there are those calling for allowing more north sea oil drilling as the appropriate response. www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4g8x7q4l8go

Interesting results, imaround. I guess that these seats have been Republican for some time.

Arto1s

Does anyone really believe that solar power will provide the energy needed in a country that simply does not get enough sunshine? What other kinds of alternative energy are actually going to be successful in the UK?

Wind, we already have, but, like solar it is dependent on wind and as I have said up thread. The coldest weather is often accompanied by windless conditions. Solar panels also produce much lss power in winter.

However, and additional renewable source could be tidal barrages, along the south Wales coast. Tidal barrages need coastal areas with a high tidal rise and fall, and South Wales is one of the few areas in this country that has the necessary tidal difference.

France has a tidal barrage across the river Rance in Brittany. It was installed in 1964, with ceremony with General de Gaulle and is still going strong. I think the turbines have been replaced once or twice.

Plans were drawn up to build such a barrage but failed for lack of government financial support.

Tidal power itself is a bit like fusion, always on the cusp of being viable but never delivering the goods. Moving parts and immersion in highly corrosive seawater are the problem.

Great news imaround. Thanks for sharing.

Does anyone really believe that solar power will provide the energy needed in a country that simply does not get enough sunshine? What other kinds of alternative energy are actually going to be successful in the UK?

2 Florida State Assembly seats were flipped this week.

I love my electric car. As soon as my state decided we can have plug I. Solar, it is going to be amazing.

Thought I would stop by with some pettiness news.

A Democrat just flipped Trump's home turf. Oh to be a fly on the wall right now.

www.nbcnews.com/politics/elections/democrat-flips-republican-florida-house-seat-includes-trump-mar-lago-rcna264660

Elegran

ronib

Unfortunately the sun and wind are not going to shine and blow to order.
Wave power is also a good alternative source of energy. Green energy has not reached working efficiency without additional use of fossil fuels at the moment .

Running water is another good source. Flour for our bread was ground in mills worked by waterwheels for centuries, but that power can be harnessed for many other uses - making electricity is one use.

90% of Quebec's electricity comes from hydropower. Of course we have the Saint Lawrence/Laurent river providing most of that.
Another 4% comes from wind-farms and other renewables like trash burning and thermoheat.

www.youtube.com/live/9CGbXS4f7Rc?si=7BvXhdgEHpB-YXbz
Just listened to Heather Cox Richardson latest podcast and she pretty much said the same thing as the OP.