Buy

Books
Click images for more details

Twitter
Support

 

Recent comments
Recent posts
Currently discussing
Links

A few sites I've stumbled across recently....

Powered by Squarespace
« Scottish wind | Main | Light work »
Thursday
Jul232015

Rolling blackouts 

Don't miss the BBC Radio 4 programme at 11am this morning which will discuss the acute problem of rolling power blackouts  already occurring in  South Africa and the current solution- diesel generators.

TM

PrintView Printer Friendly Version

Reader Comments (15)

You have to laugh:

"Green campaigners relieved at energy giant's plans to pull out of controversial windfarm"

http://www.hampshirechronicle.co.uk/NEWS/13421164.Green_campaigners_relieved_at_energy_giant_s_plans_to_pull_out_of_controversial_windfarm/

Jul 23, 2015 at 8:24 AM | Unregistered CommenterChris Savage

I'm afraid the first comment under this article has it right: these aren't "green" campaigners in any sense that "greens" recognise.
On the other hand, calling yourself 'Keep Hampshire Green' will get up the eco-fanatics' noses, so go for it!

Jul 23, 2015 at 8:30 AM | Registered CommenterMike Jackson

This appeared in Farmers Weekly - a land agent looking for farmers with a bit of spare ground next to substations to put generators on. Unfortunately, it's now 'register to read'.
http://www.fwi.co.uk/business/how-to-get-a-good-deal-on-farmland-for-backup-power-sites+.htm

Jul 23, 2015 at 8:51 AM | Unregistered CommenterCharlie Flindt

Seriously, logically, in all reasonableness...............

How can it be claimed on the one hand to be 'saving the planet'?

And then on the other, promulgate, advocate for the clearly failed technology, which are proven, known to be vastly polluting in their production processes [PV panels, birdmincer bearings et bloody cetera] and when installed produce pathetically small amounts of surging current. Surging juice, which is not compatible with UK grid transmission network and structure all the while knowing that this electricity is far from guaranteed. The final insult, to cobble together, to invent some insane back up design by collecting hundreds of DIESEL - YES that's DIESEL generators to be fired up in case of because the DECC can't run a micturition distance measurement competition in a brewery.

£billions down the drain, yes billions coughed up and forcibly at that and for what? I'll tell you, we have paid directly filling the back pockets of the cowboys and for greater pollution levels - that's all.

It's not reasonable at all, a government run by outside unelected agencies and an administration overseen by halfwits and green jihadis. Blackouts are on the way, believe it.

Jul 23, 2015 at 10:19 AM | Unregistered CommenterAthelstan.

Power Black-Outs will bring to dark cold homes, the stark reality of Green sustainable power supplies. They are not sustainable, supply no power, but enrich Greens.

Jul 23, 2015 at 12:09 PM | Unregistered Commentergolf charlie

@Charlie Flindt the original title of that article seems to be "How 1 acre of land can earn farmers up to £60,000/year"

Overall South Africa seems to have a competence problem through jobs for ANC friends, racial politics etc.

- You'd think that since solar panels will work 2-3 times as hard in SA as stuck on a Derbyshire roof that they would be a magical solution. But truth is they are still rubbish and expensive at providing power compared to the cheaper power whenever you want it from a diesel generator.

Jul 23, 2015 at 12:21 PM | Registered Commenterstewgreen

Why support the Evil Fossil Fuel Companies by using diesel generators when Sunshine and Wind are Free?
Surely it's a No-Brainer! We must move to Renewables tomorrow! Think of the jobs it will create!

Jul 23, 2015 at 2:01 PM | Unregistered Commenterkellydown

"Untersteller believes that Germany is headed on the wrong path and is in the process of repeating California’s 1990s blunders, which led to widespread rolling blackouts and a crippling of the Golden State’s power grid. " [.....]

"Untersteller thinks the federal government’s plan will lead to power shortages in some areas, in part as a result of the coming shutdown and/or mothballing of non-fluctuating nuclear and conventional power plants – in combination with the lack of power transmission lines to feed power in from north German offshore windparks. There is now an immediate need for a stable baseload power supply in southern Germany. "

http://notrickszone.com/2015/07/23/minister-slams-german-governments-green-energy-reform-plan-nonsense-little-to-do-with-reality/#sthash.xxzzLCOc.dpbs

Jul 23, 2015 at 2:17 PM | Unregistered CommenterDon B

These blackouts (or, in PC terms) 'load shedding' have absolutely nothing to do with the Greenies. It was simply the incompetence of politically appointed heads of State-owned enterprises, added to the ANC Government's attempt to de-hire as many white staff as possible to "restore the demographic balance". The result? For at least the next 3-4 years, down in the Southern tip, we'll be having 4-hour power outages most days.

Jul 23, 2015 at 2:25 PM | Unregistered CommenterRuss Wood

Russ Wood, best of luck with your electricity, but it could get much worse if the govt gets infected by the Green Zombies (it is certain that they are plotting to do so), the large coal-fired stations being built are liable to start a Green Zombie Apocalypse, and you may end up with electricity only when the sun shines, the wind blows, and large sums of money are transferred to the appropriate bank accounts.

Jul 23, 2015 at 3:28 PM | Unregistered CommenterMikky

Jul 23, 2015 at 10:19 AM | Unregistered CommenterAthelstan.

This was what the man Davey called his "cunning plan". Shades of Baldrick?

Jul 23, 2015 at 3:56 PM | Unregistered CommenterJohn Constable

Surely it's a No-Brainer! We must move to Renewables tomorrow! Think of the jobs it will create!
In hospitals, morgues, crematoria ...

Jul 23, 2015 at 4:32 PM | Registered CommenterMike Jackson

I actually had a conference with Eskom about a dozen years ago when the coal fired power stations were still operating reasonably reliably, and Eskom had ambitions to expand across Southern Africa. They were looking at resurrecting the Cahora Bassa HEP in Mozambique which was in disrepair. Their major problem was the rapidly growing demand from townships, which not only created demand surges they found difficult to meet, but also generated little revenue, as electricity theft was rife. There were knock on effects on the major industrial power consumers. That kind of thing is never good for the economy.

Jul 23, 2015 at 4:41 PM | Unregistered CommenterIt doesn't add up...

@Russ Wood Jul 23, 2015 at 2:25 PM

These blackouts (or, in PC terms) 'load shedding' have absolutely nothing to do with the Greenies. It was simply the incompetence of politically appointed heads of State-owned enterprises, added to the ANC Government's attempt to de-hire as many white staff as possible to "restore the demographic balance". The result? For at least the next 3-4 years, down in the Southern tip, we'll be having 4-hour power outages most days.

Very true. From programme:

...construction [of the new coal fired power station] started in 2007. In 2015 they are testing and fitting out the first of seven generating plants

Eight years construction and still not on-line. My prediction when ANC took over was that South Africa would go the way of Rhodesia. Looks more true as each year passes.

Very sad that what was Africa's powerhouse economy fails more every day.

I have a good friend from South Africa and what he tells me about the county's ongoing descent to failure after every visit is shocking even though predictable. Once again, an example of the Left's infantile "good intentioned", but misguided campaigns which results in worse life for everyone except the politicians and their friends.

Crossing Continents: South Africa Unplugged

South Africa is in crisis as the national electricity generator, Eskom, struggles to provide an adequate power supply and rolling blackouts hit the country on a regular basis. As Neal Razzell reports, there's now concern that jobs and growth are at risk from the power cuts, and the ruling ANC - which blames the problem on inheriting an apartheid-era network designed only for the white population - stands accused of complacency and incompetence

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b062mxfj

Jul 23, 2015 at 11:04 PM | Unregistered CommenterPcar

Maybe the Green Deal should be replaced with subsidies from the oversubsidised Unreliable power generators, for every home to have its own diesel generator.

It would not be as retarded as only having electric lighting when it is daylight, and the sun is shining, which is just Green stupid.

Jul 23, 2015 at 11:11 PM | Unregistered Commentergolf charlie

PostPost a New Comment

Enter your information below to add a new comment.

My response is on my own website »
Author Email (optional):
Author URL (optional):
Post:
 
Some HTML allowed: <a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <code> <em> <i> <strike> <strong>