[Coley]

they are either very old permissions or super insulated to compensate
Aye, thats the wriggle, the previous lot were going to ensure all new build were going to have solar and local turbines but that was quickly watered down by the building lobby to 'super insulated'

[Coley]

So, none of us has mentioned anaerobic digesters yet....

Good idea for local heating and generation, and it could be useful on a national level, given the amount of 'anaerobic material' dumped in the sea or landfill, actually there is research going on to see if it can be used to 'digest' coal in seam to produce methane.

[SallyintNorth]

Ah, looks like I need some education.  I thought the anaerobic digesters basically ran on cow poo, and needed to be sited in conjunction with a 'zero-grazing' (cattle indoors all the time so their poo can be collected) cattle operation.

[Coley]

Coley, I think we are close to agreeing re: nuclear - there's going to be a need for some nuclear in the near future - I don't like it and, personally would prefer a more radical energy consumption reduction strategy - but that's not going to happen.

I doubt anyone likes the idea but realism rules

As for the wind farms; well I still think they should be increased to a practical maximum (we're not there yet) as they are the more established renewable source. So I support the current drive to build more.

Fair enough, provided we have backup for when there is no wind and I still think offshore is a better alternative

personally I don't see some minor scheduled blackouts as a disaster - in fact, the sooner they start them the sooner people will appreciate the need for conservation.

If alternatives arent in place I think we will be looking at more than 'minor blackouts' dont forget we are going to lose 40% of our generation capacity, that equals more than 'minor blackouts'

[Coley]

Ah, looks like I need some education.  I thought the anaerobic digesters basically ran on cow poo, and needed to be sited in conjunction with a 'zero-grazing' (cattle indoors all the time so their poo can be collected) cattle operation.

Any waste product (poo/manure if you like ) can be used, as can any green waste and some crops are grown for the purpose.