Choosing Freedom, the conscious pursuit of personal values: Dr. Shirley ...

Writing on the Wall-Energy Debate at University of Nottingham, EU Energy Week June 2014

As part of the EU Energy Week, the University of Nottingham along with the Midlands Energy Graduate School had a debate about ‘The Future of UK Energy’ on Thursday 26^th June 2014.  The room was full of a mixture of students, research staff and others interested in the debate.  The writing on the wall was the website[1] from the Oxford e-Research Centre with data provided by the Department of Physics, University of Oxford highlighting the ever increasing calculated carbon emissions released into the earth’s atmosphere.  The carbon is from known sources since industrialisation began in the 18^th century not far from here.  The site predicts emissions of carbon dioxide since 1750.  The value of just over half a trillion tonnes of carbon is estimated to have caused just less than 1°C of global warming.  Emitting a further half trillion tonnes will commit us to a most likely warming of around 2°C, widely regarded as the threshold for the most serious global impacts of climate change.  2°C increase is known as the tipping point. Based on business as usual model, the trillionth tonne could be released in less than 40 years time, or, if we take the measures necessary to avoid dangerous climate change, it could never be released. The fate of the metric sums up the climate challenge; to burn or not to burn; it is too late for citizens to affect this change.  1 trillion tonne of carbon in the atmosphere is equivalent to the 450ppm CO₂, we are currently at 400ppmCO₂.  There are many who believe the safe level[2] is 350ppmCO₂

Figure 1 Website trillionthtonne.org

Society is facing a time of uncertainty and possible change.  Whilst we try to juggle the opposing goals of maintaining low energy costs, decarbonising our lives, maintaining a security of energy supply and promoting sustainable economic growth, other countries are trying to do the same; whilst others ignore the experts and carry on regardless.  The future of energy in the UK will depend on many factors including market drivers, regulatory requirements and technology cost and performance. .

Figure 2 Wannabes- Spot the Difference

It is easy to compare a wannabe decarbonising world to a wannabe fit, slim and healthy overweight dieter, a different way of life is needed and putting the action plan on the long finger will possibly make action more difficult for both parties in the long term.  Last month was the hottest May in more than 130 years of recorded weather history[3], the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced last Monday, as May 2014 surpassed the previous record high for the month set in 2010, noting that 4/5 hottest Mays have occurred in the last 5 years.  Awareness of the issue is the first challenge, the second is accepting it is a challenge and finally action is required to make change happen.  The climate change debate is likened to the smoking debate, it took 40 years before the scientific data was accepted that smoking caused ill health and death but from the evidence above, that timescale is not an option for the climate change challenge.  

Figure 3 Dr Nick Gostick

The debate was chaired by Nick Gostick who is the Managing Director of Inntropy; the Nottingham CleanTech Centre an incubator for early stage cleantech businesses.  Before establishing Inntropy, Nick spent seven years as Incubation Manager at BioCity Nottingham, supporting early-stage businesses. This followed on from a successful career as an entrepreneur with a background in microbiology.  The discussion began with Professor Colin Snape who is the Director of the EngD Centre in Efficient Power from Fossil Energy and Carbon Capture Technologies

Figure 4 Prof Colin Snape

Prof Snape heads a research team investigating clean fossil fuels.  He explained that if we were to reduce our carbon usage the UK had three possible options for future energy use -nuclear, offshore and clean fossil fuel.  He continued by stating the peak oil argument was fading away as the reality has struck home that although there are at least 100 years of shale gas and indeed 200 years of coal the possibility that they may remain underground due to the burning issue of reducing carbon emissions is a reality.  Prof. Snape remarked that ’an 8% reduction of Carbon emissions per annum is required to achieve UK’s Kyoto targets’.  He recognises that electricity usage will increase as we decarbonise heating and transport by transferring to electrical systems. 

However a recent government commissioned report from the oil baron Ian Wood has recommended extraction of every fossil fuel drop to ensure an economically sound Britain.  George Monbiot in a recent article in the Guardian[4] questions the ability of the Minister of State for Energy and Climate Change Mr Ed Davey to be a servant to diametrically opposed UK statutes; the Infrastructure Act 2015 and the Climate Change Act 2008.    Interestingly, UKIP’s position is to extract shale gas and cut all green taxes, obviously ignoring previously agreed global mandates.   

Figure 5 Prof Seamus Garvey

Professor Seamus Garvey joined Nottingham University in 2000 as a Professor of Dynamics. Working within the "University Technology Centre" contract with Rolls-Royce, he was promoted to directorship of the Rolls-Royce UTC in Gas Turbine Transmission systems. Professor Garvey has one clear goal which is to make a BIG difference by doing some exceptionally good engineering.  He is currently working on large scale off shore wind turbine projects and deep water energy storage solutions.  

Prof Garvey had 7 distinct points. He stated

1.      There is no energy crisis, when you acknowledge the sun generates 10,000 times more a day than we as a planet currently use, we just don’t have adequate capturing facilities at present.  He asked the question ‘can we collect it?’  Fossil fuel, which is after all concentrated sunlight, it was a cheap concentrated form of dispatchable energy, which is no longer the preferred option due to climate change.

2.      Engineers are people who can create something for a farthing that anyone could do for a pound (£2.40).  He asked that we allow engineers to be engineers and devise an engineering solution to the issue

3.      UK is blest with 2000 TerraWatt [5]Hrs/Year offshore energy using wind and tidal sources.  The UK currently uses 1000 TerraWatt Hrs/Year.  Can we make a system that can use this ‘free’ resource?

4.      Engineers require a user requirement specification, a whole systems thinking approach to the energy issue.  It is critical that we do not make components but whole systems. 

5.      What happened ambition?  Why can Engineers no longer trust their mathematical calculations?

6.      Who is in charge of Energy and who is coordinating?  Prof Garvey believes democracy is going to kill us all as politicians pander to every will o the wisp that passes by in their quest for re-election. 

7.      Finally is climate change an issue?  There are anthropogenic risks however Prof Garvey believes the real issue is security of supply.  The uncertainty of the cost of a unit of electricity, of gas, of wind.  He concluded by quoting US President JF Kennedy

“The problems of the world cannot possibly be solved by sceptics or cynics whose horizons are limited by the obvious realities. We need men who can dream of things that never were and ask "why not?"

      Nick agreed there was no rational decision when it came to Energy policy.  The questions followed  thick and fast.  Nora Paddington asked the panel ‘Who should be in charge?  Prof Garvey explained there was a group called the Energy Research Partnership who he wrote to in 2010 with a question ‘Is it conceivable that Engineers could gain £75MW/Hr for marine offshore wind with storage, he never received a response.  Earlier this year however, Hinkley Point C was granted a nuclear power plant at a cost of £92.5MW/Hr for 35 years[6].  There are a number of bodies in the UK including

a.       DECC                                     DECC

b.      Crown Estate                           http://www.thecrownestate.co.uk/

c.       TSB                                        https://www.innovateuk.org/

d.      EPRSC                                   http://www.epsrc.ac.uk/

e.       Carbon Trust                           http://www.carbontrust.com/

f.       Energy Research Partnership    http://www.energyresearchpartnership.org.uk

Figure 6 Spot the Difference Scientists vs Politicians

A discussion ensued on democracy versus dictatorship; China was winning the race against sustainability by examining carbon capture and storage and by keeping costs under wraps.  Commercially viable pumped hydro systems were also a possibility but Government has chosen not to do choose this route.  Prof Garvey made the controversial statement that the fundamental issues were not understood by the man in the street and the discussion should be left to engineers.  This was refuted by Eamon Moore and others in the room that whilst the knowledge of how energy is created, transported and stored is intricate and complicated even without the decarbonisation process thrown in, the man in the street will switch on and will ultimately drive its use as he is the customer.  The public are responsible for our democratic process and the general opinion was that the public needed to be informed so as to create a public opinion that will ensure politicians can engage sufficiently to take action.  The use of virtual power stations was discussed and human nature.  By changing the cost to being dependent on the capacity of the grid ie using electricity at certain times, drying clothes, boiling kettles, the demand time response would only really affect the fuel poor.   The use of thermal storage is currently being researched in a number of universities at present as a way to store electricity once generated as electrochemistry is considered by Prof Garvey to be too expensive for general electricity use.  It will of course continue to be used in technology such as computers and cars.  But saving summer heat to use in winter is probably a cheaper option and it is a growing concept.   The poor building stock was raised as an issue for heat loss and the need to upgrade and build new pre fabricated modular houses which are temperature controlled environments which allows the customer to decide the energy use.  Graham Allen, from Commercial Money Matters raised financial instruments as market mechanism tools for ways forward, Prof Garvey raised the issue that the feed in tariff for solar PV scheme was in fact the poor paying a penalty for those that can afford to reap the benefits of the tariff to benefit from cheaper electricity.   Other new wind technologies[7] discussed included an Archimedes screw type turbine, ‘Liam F1’ launched in May 2014 and commercially available from July 2014 from a Dutch firm.  

It was agreed that the media had huge sway and it needed fundamental learning and so by educating the media we could educate all, public and politicians alike and perhaps have a better society.  The though provoking debate came to an end raising more questions than was answered.  We look towards a future with an election looming in a year’s time and wonder if the energy debate will help the country decide?

Acknowledgments

Images taken from the Web with thanks

Words by Dr Shirley Gallagher

Please feel free to contact

E: shirleyannegallagher@gmail.com

T:  0044 778 9829331

M: 00353 85 8555792

S:shirleyatsyspro             

Twitter: shirleyatsyspro

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[1] http://trillionthtonne.org

[2] www.350.org

[3] http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/sotc/global/2014/5

[4] georgemonbiot/2014/jun/26

[5] The terawatt is equal to one trillion (10¹²) watts.  Planet used approx. 16 TW in 2006.

[6] http://www.edfenergy.com/energy/nuclear-new-build-projects/hinkley-point-c

[7] http://dearchimedes.com/press-release-persbericht/

Arainn Mhor Island Community Elects 16 Councilors

Steering Group Members Dr Shirley Gallagher and Councilor Frances Early at Polling Station, Ionad an Chrois Bhealaigh, Arainn Mhor

Voting was brisk all day

On the 26^th May 2014, the island of Arainn Mhor elected Councilors for the first island council.  In fact, 85% gave their opinion by coming to the voting centre at Ionad an Chrois Bhealaigh, by post, email and proxy.  In contrast, the recent local and European elections had a turnout of 50%.  Based on Muintir na Tire’s guidelines people were asked to choose a balanced council with age, gender and place to be considered and this was carried out by the electorate. 

The sustainable scientist, Dr Shirley Gallagher committed to the IEE funded project Smarter Multi Level Governance (SMILEGOV)[1] in August 2013 and has principally funded the project through her consultancy SysPro;Systems for Progress Limited.  Working with the National Community Council Charity, Muintir na Tire[2] and the Community Council Steering Group, she set up an island community council.  She said

 

Dr Shirley Gallagher casting her vote

‘I would personally like to congratulate all elected Councilors who have been nominated by the friends, family, peers and neighbours.  It is a true endorsement and shows that islanders want unity, cohesion and action.  The council and its sub committees have been set up to unite the island.  I would like to thank everyone involved from those that showed up at the initial meeting on future job opportunities on the 3^rd November 2013, to those who got involved with the poll asking the islanders should we have a council, the steering group, CFFAM for hosting all the meetings and facilitating printing and to the islanders that cast their votes on Monday last and obviously to the Councilors who have agreed to work together to make Arainn Mhor a better place to live, work and play.’. 

Councilors Frances Early and Denis O' Donnell

The Councilors have a broad range of skills and are scattered throughout the island with 9 townlands represented on the council and the age range is spread from youth to elder (20-70’s).  The council provides a broad church of islanders with both cooperative’s represented as well as local businesses and island organisations.  Islanders were asked to record their priorities on a needs analysis form and these have been collated by the steering group so the council has a clear mandate from the people.  

There will be an Inaugural Island Council Meeting at Wednesday 4^th June at 6.30pm at Chulturlann.

Name		Townland	Occupation
Adrian	Begley	Aphort	Clinical Hypnotherapist
Frankie	Bonner	Ballard	Builder
Seamus	Bonner	Illion	CEO CFFAM
Sally	Brady	Ballard	Administrator CFFAM
Frances	Early	Illion	Retired
Jerry	Early	Poolawaddy	Publican
Michael	Early	Ballard	Retired
Rachel	Early	Leabgarrow	Administrator
Theresa	Gallagher	Cloughcor	Housewife
Neily	Kavanagh	Ballintra	Fisherman
Paula	Killeen	Ploghog	Hotel Manager
John	Mc Hugh	Falagowan	Researcher
Noirin	Mhaoldomhnaigh	Ballard	Bainnestoir Com
Denis	O Donnell	Illion	Secretary of Outgoing Steering Group
Patrick	O Donnell	Poolawaddy	Carpenter
Anthony	Proctor	Leabgarrow	Builder

Dr Gallagher explained

‘‘the first step was to listen, then engage and finally to empower people.  The huge turnout highlight that islanders want unity, change, and value being involved.  By providing a democratically elected council for the island with the help and support of Muintir and the steering group, I have left a legacy.  I have hope that the Chairman/Mayor of the island as well as the Mayor of County Donegal will commit to the ‘Pact of Islands’, this will complete the remit of SMILEGOV on Arainn Mhor.  By having to leave the family home at 12, it does provide an inherent ability to bridge gaps and find solutions.  There was a lack of joined up thinking and this new initiative incorporating cooperatives, many island businesses and stalwarts of the community will open a new chapter on life in Arainn Mhor.  The European Funded Climate KIC project that has begun in April 2014 with 2 islanders out of 9 Irish pioneers highlights Arainn Mhor is on the cutting edge of sustainability and I believe it will go from strength to strength”

The island community of Arainn Mhor was a Finalist as a Green Community Award in 2014 under the project Regen Arainn Mhor along with the champion for the island regeneration project, Dr Shirley Gallagher in the Green Leader category.  Thanks to the Red Ferry who supported the initiative (www.arranmoreferry.com)

 

SMILEGOV, a 20 month project is a high level initiative, examining the major barriers to creating a low carbon society on islands.  The project is bringing together various stakeholders and the multilevels of governance required to achieve the EU target of 20% reduction in Carbon and 20% increase in renewable energies by the year 2020.   The crux of the project is to engage all stakeholders including islanders to agree to the Pact of Islands[3], a promise to engage in examination of sustainable practises and achieve the targets of Kyoto.  As a result, the key focus of the project was to create a system of democratically elected representation on an island level on the island of Arainn Mhor.

 

Council Fundraiser Raffle Prize Original Oil Paintings Slieve League by Artist Marie Lafferty and Flat on a Beach by Local Artist Annie Bonner  €2 ticket at Killeen's and Early's.  From L-R Noreen Gallagher, Shirley Gallagher and Annie Bonner

Outgoing Steering Committee Members Shirley Gallagher and Annie Bonner have both donated paintings to provide the council funds.  They are available for viewing in Killeens Hotel and Early's Bar and raffle tickets at €2 a strip can be purchased in these locations.  The raffle will take place during the Summer 2014.

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[1] www.sustainableislands.eu

[2] www.muintir.ie

[3] Pact of Islands