The trouble with renewables

[pjclarke]

One of the main factors was reduced demand. Why was demand down ? The product is too expensive.

Yeah no doubt increased energy costs were a factor in the 2.3% decrease in energy use, maybe they even were responsible for most of the 0.4% decrease that remains after the reduction due to in warm weather and fewer working days are controlled for.

Green subsidies are a negligible factor compared to the price volatility you get by relying on 'the market' for oil, gas and coal. Portugal is now less reliant on imports for its energy. Maybe this is why they made the investment ...?

[d000hg]

UK electricity consumption 345 billion kWh

Portugal electricity consumption 48 billion kWh

WEll if we can't get 100% clearly it's pointless to do it at all, let's just burn dolphins instead.

[EternalOptimist]

WEll if we can't get 100% clearly it's pointless to do it at all, let's just burn dolphins instead.

It has it's place, but let us not be stupid about it.

[d000hg]

Where's the fun in that?

[EternalOptimist]

I was wondering last week if anyone had trouble keeping their house cool because of home insulation

[d000hg]

Isn't the point that insulation keeps the heat on the hotter side, so in summer it will also act as insulation the same way a thermos keeps hot soup hot and cold milk cold?

[administrator]

I was wondering last week if anyone had trouble keeping their house cool because of home insulation

There have been warnings about this:
BBC News - Green Deal 'could lead to deadly summer overheating'

Isn't the point that insulation keeps the heat on the hotter side, so in summer it will also act as insulation the same way a thermos keeps hot soup hot and cold milk cold?

If the sun beats down on the side of a house with windows then the house heats up. Heat rises. Loft insulation stops the heat from escaping.

[Troll]

I was wondering last week if anyone had trouble keeping their house cool because of home insulation

Wonder no more me old mucker!

I had insulation stuffed into me cavities last November...oh err misses

Can report back that in addition to warmer in the Winter it is also cooler inside in the Summer

[doodab]

So you think nothing worthwhile ever comes about as a result of subsidy and government 'sponsorship'? I find that hard to believe.

Even loft insulation, which WILL save you money at full price, tends to be subsidies to get people to do it. I'm sure there are better examples.

The internet. Berkeley sockets in particular.

[darmstadt]

Windmills, brilliant. Should put loads of them up, millions, everywhere, all over the place, extremely aesthetic. Splendid...