Memorandum submitted by Dr Phil Leigh
(CRED 15)
In this current political climate the option
of reliance on coal, oil and gas is non sustainable; nuclear is
an option many people would prefer to avoid and doesn't provide
the full answer—where does that leave us? I would like the
opportunity to address the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Committee inquiry into "climate change".
1. Why do many people have the mindset that
renewable power will not be able to contribute a worthwhile percentage
of our energy requirements in the near and medium term future?"
2. "How do we
change that mindset?"
My background is in Electrical Engineering,
plus I have a degree in Environmental Science and a PhD in Environmental
Microclimate Control. I have research experience in time series
analysis of long-term climate datasets; hydrological processes
at a catchment level; effects of aircraft condensation trails
(formation of contrail related cirrus clouds and measurement of
associated chemical species); and a long standing interest in
the future of our planet's climate and energy use.
I am researching a northwest hydro resource
model for microgeneration of hydro electric power for single dwellings
and small communities. This project is in its infancy, but has
potential to be applied throughout the UK. The project covers
all six areas of interest highlighted by the committee in the
following ways:
1. Energy efficiency and reducing energy consumption:
Renewable energy sources such as hydro power
use turbines that have a high efficiency (70-90%), by far the
best of all technologies. Additionally non renewable energy consumption
is lowered through the contribution of a renewable source. If
extra energy is produced over and above the households or communities
needs it can be sold to the national grid reducing non renewable
energy consumption further.
2. Low-carbon alternatives to traditional domestic
energy sources, to cut CO2 emissions from the home:
Hydro power is a sustainable and renewable energy
source, which typically produces highest water flows—thus
highest energy levels from autumn through to spring when greatest
power demands are made of our energy systems (ie the coldest and
darkest months). Installation of a renewable energy form such
as hydro has the potential to considerably reduce CO2 emissions
from the home.
3. Microgeneration:
The project is looking to deliver the options
of low head hydro power as a stand alone renewable energy source,
or as part of a suite of renewables that a household or community
can call on as each option has its optimal operating conditions
(eg high water flow—hydro power; windy conditions—wind
turbine; sunny, warm conditions—solar panels and photovoltaic
cells). Hydro power can be produced with heads of less than a
metre.
4. Awareness of climate change and the role individuals
can play:
Increasingly the general public is becoming
aware of climate change and its potential implications on their
lifestyle. Hydro is an accepted form of sustainable energy and
water power has driven machinery for centuries. This makes hydro
a more readily acceptable form of renewable energy over others
such as wind power.
5. The role of community projects in schools
and other institutions:
The social aspects of a project such as hydro
power system employed to provide a percentage of energy requirements
for a small community can be immense. Benefits include pulling
many diverse peoples within communities or schools together to
ensure a project is completed and maintained. People are proud
to be even partially self sufficient.
6. The obstacles faced by people and households
who are trying to make a difference:
The hydro resource model will employ a sequential
decision making process where the user (individual interested
people and communities) follow an iterative web based loop of
increasing sophistication in order to decide if their location
is suitable for micro generation of hydro power. This process
will help eliminate the current need for many people to almost
re-invent the wheel when wishing to install renewables!
Dr Phil Leigh
January 2007
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