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Britain has best wind power potential in Europe Environmental Change Institute at Oxford University news release November 14, 2005
Graham Sinden, author of the report, commented that the report demonstrates the importance of country-specific wind assessments. "This report highlights some key aspects of wind power and the UK 's wind resource. Wind power in the UK produces, on average, more electricity at times when demand is highest, and less electricity when demand is low (figure below). This pattern of electricity production improves the reliability of wind power to meet demand."
Concerns have also been raised about calm conditions extending across the UK for significant periods of time that prevent wind turbines from operating, however this study found that the UK was never entirely becalmed, and that a diversified portfolio of wind power developments would deliver electricity during all hours. These patterns reflect the wind resource of the UK exposure to Atlantic Ocean winds provides the UK with an energetic wind resource (and therefore higher capacity factors) than for many other countries. This is why it is essential that UK data is used to help understand the characteristics of wind power in the UK . The report also provides a background on the operation of wind turbines, and clarifies a number of issues relating to capacity factor and the operation of wind power in electricity networks. This is a modified news release from University of Oxford's Environmental Change Institute. The original version appears at Energy Minister Malcolm Wicks Launches UK Wind Report Related articles Engineers are working to use artificial tornadoes as a renewable energy source according to an article in last week's issue of The Economist. Storms release a tremendous amount of energy. Hurricane Katrina, a category 4 hurricane, released enough energy to supply the world's power needs for a year, while the typical tornado produces as much power as a large power station. High oil prices make Asia pursue green energy September 9, 2005 For energy-hungry Asian governments, the answer could literally be blowing in the wind. Across the region, renewable energy such as solar, wind and geothermal power is gaining ever greater credence as a way to curb the region's appetite for oil and cut runaway import bills. With oil prices near $70, and expected by many analysts to stay over $50 through the end of 2006, governments believe alternative energy will help keep their economies growing. Cockroaches and rats used as batteries? August 24, 2005 An article in today's Manilla Times highlights some local research into using common household pests as energy sources. A group of scientists from Feati University recently devised a biological fuel cell that uses the enzyme Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NAD) to directly convert biochemical energy into electricity. Their research raises the possibility that household pests like mosquitoes, rats, cockroaches and flies could be used as biofuel sources. Cockroaches generated the highest amperage, according to the article. Renewable energy in China, a strategic future? August 2, 2005 With a host of environmental and domestic social concerns -- and potential future international conflict -- China could be well suited to pursue renewable energy sources. China's failed bid for American petroleum firm Unocal may prompt it to further focus on its development of alternative energy sources. The country has recently passed a renewable energy law that requires power operators to buy electricity from alternative energy producers and the government has increased spending for research on wind, solar, biofuel, and tidal technologies. China to add wind power capacity August 15, 2005 In recent years China has significantly expanded its interests in renewable energy sources including wind, solar, biofuels, tidal, and small hydroelectric dams. Below is an article from the Associated Press on a planned expansion of the country's wind power capacity. Cow manure + sunlight + metal ore = hydrogen fuel? A safe way for storing hydrogen August 11, 2005 Researchers led by Michael Epstein at the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel think they may have an energy efficient way of collecting solar energy to generate hydrogen, a key input for green energy technologies like fuel cells. Currently, most hydrogen is produced by processes that require the combustion of fossil fuels which produce polluting greenhouse gases. Further, to date, finding safe and cost-effective means for the storage and transportation of hydrogen gas have proved elusive. Epstein's process has the potential to address a number of these issues by "creating an easily storable intermediate energy source form from metal ore, such as zinc oxide," according to a release from the Weizmann Institute of Science." SHARE THIS ARTICLE:
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Kyoto-Inventory land use map for the whole of Switzerland based on satellite data. Yellow signifies cropland, dark green is forest, light green grassland, red settlements, white unproductive and blue water and wetlands.
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