Shetland windfarm - Viking Energy

[cheryl.hughson]

Well its no just the Lang Kames thats bein affected, Its Weisdale (which is a boanie place) an Aith, (which is also a boanie place) an all the rest o them.

 

I too noticed how the pictures in the "Windylights" brochure were all grey an thats very misleading. And its not always grey in Shetland because we have alot of brilliant weather.

 

I heard that Shetland only needed about 3 of the large windturbines to fuel itself. Don't you think its bein greedy by sticking up 150+ o them? If we can easily survive on 3, then 3 is all we need. Then we don't need to fork out hundreds of millions of pounds for the rest of our lives. And that way, the windmills are owned by Shetland and we make our own energy. Either that or resort to other sources of energy-making, such as biotechnology, or wave-farms.

 

Well here's a good read http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/committees/enterprise/inquiries/rei/ec04-reis-hamil,mrbrendan.htm

[mgb2010]

Vestas' first offshore wind turbines were installed in 1995.

This must be the best option

 

http://www.vestas.com/en/wind-power-solutions/offshore/why-offshore

 

http://www.vestas.com/files/billeder/Photos/Wind_power_solutions/Wind-power-solutions_offshore_Offshore.jpg

 

 

http://www.vestas.com/files/billeder/Photos/Wind_power_solutions/Wind-power-solutions_offshore_Installation.jpg

[cheryl.hughson]

Wave/Tidal energy seems the way to go.

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/6410839.stm

 

http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/story?id=30275

[mgb2010]

Wave/Tidal energy seems the way to go.

A combination of a wave devices such as the Pelamis device with some tidal such as Open Hydro would be quite effective.

 

Each Pelamis device produces 750kW; with 25-40% of the full rated output, over the course of a year 15 machines can provide sufficient power to meet the annual electricity demand of approximately 7500 homes (how many homes are there in Shetland?).

 

I've already listed quite a few UK commercial projects (bottom of page 46). The technology is readily available and, by the sheer number of projects being constructed, is a viable commercial option.

[merkin]

I too noticed how the pictures in the "Windylights" brochure were all grey an thats very misleading.

 

Agreed, the pictures are totally misleading and give no real indication of the visual impact of the turbines. Consider how visible the Burradale ones are from 2 or 3 miles and are half the size of the ones proposed.

I heard that Shetland only needed about 3 of the large windturbines to fuel itself.

 

Unfortunately this project has got nothing to do with supplying Shetland. This power is destined for the south of England. Shetland is going to be dessimated and have it's financial future put on the line with no benefit to most of the local population, especially those living close to the afflicted areas. We will all still be suffering the highest fuel prices in the country.

This project would not even pass go if Viking / SSE tried to site it in the Peak District or the Yorkshire Dales. Out of sight out of mind....

[cheryl.hughson]

Here is a site that outlines the experiences other people and places have had concerning windfarms, and also what they're doing to show responsibilty for their environment.

 

http://www.wind-watch.org/

 

Have a browse around, its an interesting read.

[Suzanna]

Well the brochure made my mind up, I picked out the windmills alright, and everywhere I drive I'd be seeing them.

 

I love my drive to work and the changing scenery, Shetland's a beautiful place and one thing I DONT want to see are those horrible windmills.

[Guest Pronto]

To those against da "farm";

 

How will Shetland make money in the future?

Where is everyone going to work in ten years time when Sullom closes half its doors?(we canna aa wirk fur da cooncil)

 

 

When Telegraph poles were going to be put up it caused quite a similar ruccus, i ask you to look outside your window and count how many you can see. Do you notice them?

[Guest Pronto]

Windmills look quite nice actually.

[moorit]

^

I agree.

They are certainly a lot more interesting to look at than an overcast grey sky which is what we see most of the time if it's not too misty.

[Styles]

To those against da "farm";

 

How will Shetland make money in the future?

Where is everyone going to work in ten years time when Sullom closes half its doors?(we canna aa wirk fur da cooncil)

 

I agree, most of us of a certain age who were born after the oil dont realise how good we have it in Shetland, which is all because of sullom voe. If we want to carry on living as we have become acustomed to we need somthing like the wind mills for when the oil goes. Because of that im all for it.

[Pooks]

I think that is part of the skepticism that people have though. Will it make money? Will it be a further drain on Shetland, partially killing off the tourist industry? Once the turbines lifespan has passed will they be renewed or left to rot?

 

I still think that tidal energy should be invested in. The waters around Shetland are ideal for trials and there is no reason that the SIC can't attract interest from firms that are looking to test their products. If they are a success then the SIC can look at investing and backing the products that have already been tested in Shetand waters and proven to work. If it is a flop then there is minimal loss.

 

I am all for Shetland generating income but I don't personally think that the current windfarm plans will achieve that. Shetland to become self-sustainable would be a great achievement. After that we can maybe think about supplying power to the rest of the UK.

 

Edit--> At the end of the day we have been burning off enough gas for the past 20-odd years to supply a good chunk of Shetland with free/low cost energy. As somebody pointed out before why not utilise what we already have (gas conversion to Hydrogen storage cells...is it possible?) and use the profits for research & development into what is practical for Shetland.

 

It seems a bit ironic that a good chunk of the North Sea Oil is pumped through Shetland and we are in a situation that we can't afford fuel so we must desecrate the landscape with wind turbines.

 

Has anybody actually "seriously" looked at the alternatives? Or is it a case of, 'They invested a lot of money in this. It must be workable?'.

 

/rant over

[Para Handy]

^^^ Pooks could they not invest in both types then maybe the wind farm could be on a much smaller scale?.

[Pooks]

Yes, I agree. I have nothing against a windfarm but the current proposals seem to be an 'all or nothing' approach. Either we cover the whole island in turbines or we don't.

 

I have no doubt that wind turbines could be a benefit to Shetland but I can't accept the fact that this project seems to be using Shetland as a test ground.

 

Shetland may have the 'best' wind power available but what happens when wind turbines become more efficient, smaller and integrated with other technologies such as solar? Will it still be so cost effective to have them running here or somewhere closer to the mass population? When the cost of producing, installing and running a turbine decreases (as always happens when technology moves forward) will people still be willing to pay a fortune to maintain a (by then) derelict wind turbine?

 

As I have already said, I have nothing against Shetland looking ahead nor wind generated electricity. I do have a problem with the current plans though.

 

If somebody came to you and said, "I think you might have good soil. Do you mind if I dig a hole and run some tests for the next 25 years?". Chances are you would consider it and say yes.

 

If they came and said, "I think you might have good soil in your garden. Do you mind if I dig about 300 holes and run some tests for the next 25 years with no guarantee that we will fill them in again?" You would probably answer no.

 

At the end of the day, even if it goes ahead and is a success, chances are the government will tax it and we will still be at a loss.

 

Unfortunately this could be a make or break moment for Shetland. Invest too much and it all goes wrong, Shetland will head the same way as the smaller inter-islands at the moment. No funding to keep the one or two police stations/hospital/schools open. If it all goes right then Shetland might manage to retain its current income for the next little while until somewhere in the UK decides that Nuclear is the only way they can save their town. Job creation, cheap energy and Shetland either loses out or competes with their own nuclear station.

 

/rant over again...

[Peerie_breeks]

Sorry to say, but I am in support of the windmills. I think that it is a good opportunity for Shetland.

 

I looked up on the VK website on the FAQ to see Shetland was getting any energy made from these windmills and this is what it said,

 

5. Where will all the power go?

 

Shetland’s peak winter electricity demand is just over 50MW. It can easily be seen that a 600MW windfarm would produce more electricity than Shetland could use locally. It is possible that the power from the Viking Windfarm might be kept detached from the Shetland distribution system initially and fed directly into the interconnector until everything is commissioned and operating under normal parameters. Once operation has been established then deliberation can be given to how to take off a portion of the production for local consumption. This phased approach would be to ensure local system stability.

 

I believe that something has to be done for the future of the environment, and even if most of the power does go down south, at least they will be lots of job opportunities for people.