Law Leaves Renewables Twisting in Wind

Here in the UK, total life costs for various electricity generation systems were published by the government last week.

They clearly show that offshore wind power - the only type which can get permission in our small island - cost up to 2.5 times the cost of oil or gas production. Nuclear, as used by 80% of France's production, is somewhere in the middle.

It is not sensible to pump money / tax credits etc into renewable generation, until the development phase of ecconomically viable systems has brought their costs and efficiencies more into line with other technologies.

For the UK, where we have sea currents and large tidal ranges all around us I am appalled that we spend so little developing tidal current turbines and tidal barrages, both of which are very promising technologies. The energy density of flowing water will always be much much better than wind, and tides are predictable years in advance.

It is quite explainable: the current administration (like most former ones) get an enormous contribution from the non-renewable energy brokers. (oil, coal, and natural gas) If they renewable sources replace the non-renewable one where will these people get their future jobs and "golden parachutes" from?

"If you follow the money, you find the truth"

Dragon

Yes, and to extend the theory: If the politicians, who know little or nothing of science and engineering, are looking for advice, the people they go to are the ones who own the big existing companies.

Hence the advice they receive is based on what is best for - you guesssed it- THE BIG EXISTING COMPANIES.

You wrote: How can a meaningful national energy policy exclude contributions from these renewable energy sources?

Well, the answer is simple really...you are assuming that those involved in the creation of such a policy want it to be meaningful when in actuallity they only want it to appear that they are trying to make things better. It helps keep the lemmings in line. If you tell people time and time again how much you are doing to help make us less dependant on fossil fuels, then many people will start to believe the mantra. It is very unfortunate that with all the resources at our disposal in the U.S. we don't exploit the renewable ones more.

tell more on how to affiliate

Affiliate with ?????? Here in So Cal you can look up any IBEW local chapter (International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers) adn find out through them which contractors to hit up. For training, they can turn you towards the local training center where PV classes are available for Journeymen and apprentices alike. Cheers The IBEW is nation wide here in the U.S. and can also be found in Canada.