Now this is the sort of news I like to read before I head off to sleep. Under a new scheme currently being put in place by Energy and Climate Change Secretary Ed Miliband, people who generate their own power through renewable methods (normally solar or wind) could be put on a scheme that allows them to get money back, thus countering claims that renewable energies are more expensive to the user than enery from fossil fuels.
I’m not going to discuss too much about the financial details behind all this because frankly, this goes a little over my head. However, seeing as I’m quite a big fan of energy generated at home or within the local community as a solution to the energy problem (thus allowing optimal energy production based on the best available resource, I wouldn’t put too many solar panels if I lived in Lancashire for instance) it could potentially boost people’s interest in making radical changes to their lifestyle. Not only that but also increase Britain’s credibility in the race to reduce carbon emissions.
Now if you watch the short video in the article, it become quite apparent that the government (or at least the ECC Office) is still pushing towards Nuclear and CCS. I used to be quite fond of nuclear myself, it powers 80% of France and you grow up being more annoyed at Greenpeace for getting in the way than at the stations for being potential health hazards. However it’s now clear that although nuclear is carbon neutral in terms of the energy generation, there are still many shortcomings such as a serious lack of sustainability. The exact same argument goes for CCS.
So again, another government initiative that is well-intended and has the potential to inspire and yield good results. Time will tell what the effects will be.
Tags: renewable energy
