British Pride

Originally Posted by amnesia

Not sure 'reliable' is the best word there...maybe 'consistant' would be better?

We ought to be using wind energy to pump water up a hill, then use the stored energy to generate on demand for peak-lopping.

Are any of these projects truely green? If you look at the amount of resources required to build them...

Depends. Is "green" creating something with NO consequences to the environment carbon wise or ecologically speaking or is "green" the least environmentally damaging, economically viable option availble to us at this moment.

I believe it's the latter, as having no environmental consequences is impossible. As a note: to get the required output of the Severn Barrage elsewhere the alternative is three nuclear power stations.

The barrage has an estimated operation lifespan of 200 years and tides are very predictable unlike the wind. As for pumping water up hills it's a great idea but only in large unpopulated mountainous countries such as Norway can get the required output. However I do think all of these options need to be explored.

Am I right in thinking it would help British morale somewhat? Or barking up the wrong tree... (I'm a fantasist, I'll never deny that )

Originally Posted by Stu

How the feck would they have got that to work is that not just a pipe dream?
Are there materials on the planet strong enough to support that bridge & all it's traffic?
£5.60 sounds good though

It should have said 15 spans, good spot on the error! I copied from The Guardian I think.

The Severn crossing is £5.30 But what a great way to open trade between us and France as well as improve relations further. Anglo-Franc projects have been a great success

[SoulKiss]

Reading Wikipedia's entry I think I like the idea of lagoons more myself.

[G]

The barage could even include a reliable regular feature for canoeist/kayakers seen as they would be messing up the severn bore wave which has been surfed for decades.

I think overall its a good idea and certainly helps our countries sustainable future more than the £18bn its costing to host the olympics for 2 weeks.

Originally Posted by gettin2dizzy

As for pumping water up hills it's a great idea but only in large unpopulated mountainous countries such as Norway can get the required output.

Isn't this sort of thing already done here on a small scale?

Originally Posted by sarah

Isn't this sort of thing already done here on a small scale?

I recall going somewhere in Wales as a kid on a school trip where they had something like that. Filled up by a couple blokes with Buckets. or something. I wasn't really listening. and it was a long time ago

A Barrage? never happen. UK lacks the skills, the vision and the willpower and not enuf vested interests in doing it, whilst plenty for not (and not just the tree huggers / NIMBYS).

I would have liked to go Nuclear (like the French)......it may be more expensive than oil - but the money, skills and employment stays within the economy and has it's own positive multiplier effect....but I really do not think the UK is capable of managing projects like this. Sadly.

Originally Posted by Wayluya

A Barrage? never happen. UK lacks the skills, the vision and the willpower and not enuf vested interests in doing it, whilst plenty for not (and not just the tree huggers / NIMBYS).

I would have liked to go Nuclear (like the French)......it may be more expensive than oil - but the money, skills and employment stays within the economy and has it's own positive multiplier effect....but I really do not think the UK is capable of managing projects like this. Sadly.

A barrage could be beautiful though, a real landmark, a real gem of English design and engineering.

The immediate skills may not be available but the size fo the project could command significant investment in the unemployed areas of South Wales. It may cost a fortune to train the but it is an investment. Having the skills to create these technologies will become more and more significant as we roll in to a sustainable energy future.

Originally Posted by Wayluya

I recall going somewhere in Wales as a kid on a school trip where they had something like that. Filled up by a couple blokes with Buckets. or something. I wasn't really listening. and it was a long time ago

me too. i think it used excess energy produced at low demand times to pump the water.

The electric mountain I think you mean, its near Llanberis, the actual mountain is called Elidr Fawr, I beleive they pump water up overnight when electicity is cheap and allow it fall and power turbines during the day, quite clever really, I like the big wind turbines myself, although Im probably in a minority here.

Originally Posted by stewie

The electric mountain I think you mean, its near Llanberis, the actual mountain is called Elidr Fawr, I beleive they pump water up overnight when electicity is cheap and allow it fall and power turbines during the day, quite clever really, I like the big wind turbines myself, although Im probably in a minority here.

yup, that must be it.

i remember them telling us that it was good becuse it could produce electricity in response to demand very quickly and was used at mega peak times like when everyone puts the kettle on during ad breaks of popular tv progs.