Nuclear Powered Ireland

The Irish Nuclear Discussion
has been
Opened Again

Ireland is again being asked to consider Nuclear Power as a future alternative. How can we think of bringing something so deadly poisonous and dangerous onto our Island. The volatile, unstable, and highly deadly waste we would leave to children, grandchildren, and future generations to deal with. There is the small but real danger of an accident like Chernobyl happening, which would leave the country uninhabitable for 10,000 years.

To spark some thoughts and discussion on the matter I have borrowed some photographs of the real victims of Nuclear Power from various sources on the Internet including GreenPeace. If the use of these photographs is any sort of breach of copyright I apologise, and will remove them immediately if so informed.

I am publishing the photographs to help focus minds on the dangers of a power source so deadly, so utterly poisonous, and so long-lasting, that the lands affected will be useless to mankind for thousands of years.

Please look very closely and carefully at the following photographs, and think of your children, and of your children's children. Then think very carefully, is nuclear power worth that risk??

The Real Victims of Nuclear Power

May God comfort and heal these unfortunate souls.

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Ireland's Oil Fields

Ireland’s Oil Fields

Ireland's Oil Fields offer more by way of opportunity than immediate and short-term benefit. The oil fields are small and can be very easily managed. The management of the oil fields will give constant and long-term sustainable employment prospects for thousands of Ireland's residents.

Clean Crude Oil

The crude oil extracted from these fields is very clean and light oil and lends itself perfectly to the manufacture of diesel fuel for transport and heating etc.

Long Term Employment Potential

Again, as with the management of the oil fields, the extraction of the crude and its manufacture into end products offer huge potential for long-term employment.

I have obtained a photograph of a typical oil field, one of perhaps thousands or tens of thousands of potential oil producing fields all over Ireland.

National Treasure

Have a good look at this national treasure, which will outlast the Arabian and Russian oil fields by thousands and thousands of years into the future, and will additionally not contaminate the immediate environment or the planets atmosphere.

Typical Example of Ireland's Potential Oil Fields



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Where Are Ireland's New Oil Fields?

Where are the New Oil Fields as Announced in the last blog?

I have been receiving requests for more specific information regrading the locations of the new oil fields as announced in my last blog which was posted just a few hours ago.

Above is a rough map of the country with oil well symbols in various places. These are not necessarily the locations of the oil fields. I have simply used the map as a graphical feature to illustrate this blog. Therefore, please do not take the map as literal.

The story has been met with a combination of reactions, everything from disbelief, to delight. I want to assure my readers that this is NOT a hoax. I am waiting for a photograph of one of these oil fields and I will post it right here on the blog just as soon as I get it.


Please stay tuned.


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Ireland Has Discovered New Oilfields!!!

BREAKING NEWS

Ireland Has Discovered New Oilfields!!!

There have recently been several reports of the discovery of oilfields in Ireland. Indications are that while these oilfields are not big in the global sense, they nevertheless offer collectively an independent and secure source of our own oil. The type of crude oil being produced is especially suitable for processing into diesel for transport and heating purposes.

This is great news for Ireland. Stay tuned for further news!!


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UK SOLAR HEATING COMPANY FINED £40,000

New Type High efficiency Solar Panels

UK SOLAR PANEL COMPANY FINED £40,000 PLUS £27,000 COSTS FOR CHEATING CUSTOMERS

A UK solar heating company was fined £40,000 for exaggerating the benefits of their solar heating panels. The firm claimed customers energy bills would be cut by 70%. The actual saving in their particular case was a mere 8%.

This is the first case of its type in the UK. The company was found guilty of misleading the public under the Trade Description Act.

The company's directors were additionally ordered to pay £27,000 in costs.

Now if SEI went after some of the Irish profiteers and rip-off merchants in the same way, it would clean up the Renewable Energy Business in the Republic.

Irish buyers have a wide choice of solar systems and installers offering services. The prices vary a great deal. The dearest are not necessarily the best. The new type of vacuum tube high efficiency units offers much better results. Well designed and well installed systems win out over cowboy systems. Irish customers would do well to be wary and ask lots and lots of questions and get written quotations before making up their minds.


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Ireland refusing more wind energy??

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I have just heard that Ireland (ESB) has recently refused to take any more wind generation capacity on to it's grid. If this is true it is soooo completely wrong.

I understand that balancing energy is not an easy task and that wind is a fluctuating source, but Ireland has only a tiny - tiny fraction of it's power from wind compared to some "civilised" countries!!!

In the meantine we are burning out precious peat bogs to generate power, and are discussing atomic power!! Is this madness or what???


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Lack of Joined-up-Thinking in UK Too!!

Lack of Joined-up-Thinking in UK also!!!

Mr. Norman Denning, who lives in the Horsham Council District area in the UK, was flabbergasted when he was told planning permission for a wind turbine at his home was unlikely, despite government encouragement and grants for such sustainable energy sources.

He had already spent £3000 on two turbines when he was told by the Horsham Council that he would not get planning permission for the turbines because the equipment might appear too prominent.

Gee - And I thought Ireland had the the world patent on the "lack of joined-up-thinking"


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Readers of this Blog

The number of page loads for this blog has almost reached 24,000 at time of writing. That's how many times the page has been requested by a web surfer or browser. I have installed a counter, which is located at the very foot of this blog, that keeps the count of every time the blog is accessed. The blog has been up approximately five and a half months. That makes approximately 144 page loads per day on average over the life of the blog.

That figure is averaged over the life of the blog the daily number has been steadily rising. Back at the start of the blog there were much fewer page loads. The present daily page load activity can reach 250 to 300 some days.

When I started writing the blog I never guessed it would attract such a deal of attention. I am very pleased and gratified that such a large number of people find my rantings of interest or amusing. Thank you!


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SEI Mission Impossible?

I am being too hard on SEI?

So what exactly is SEI's job? And how are they fulfilling aspects of their work? Below are parts of the mission statement taken from the SEI site, interspersed with some questions. See what you think?

Sustainable Energy Ireland

Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI), formerly the Irish Energy Centre was set up by the government in 2002 as Ireland’s national energy agency. Our mission is to promote and assist the development of sustainable energy.

Our Mission

Our mission is to promote and assist the development of sustainable energy in Ireland.
This includes implementing significant aspects of the Green Paper on Sustainable Energy and the National Climate Change Strategy as provided for in the National Development Plan such as:

• improving energy efficiency

(By allowing untrained installers, and untested systems into the marketplace?)

( By allowing woodpellet boilers without adequate back-burn prevention?)

• advancing the development and competitive deployment of renewable sources of energy and combined heat and power

(By encouraging profiteering through a badly thought out grant system?)

(By not setting up strict price regulation and monitoring of vendors and installers?)

(By not bothering to check the supply situation for wood pellets, and by not even informing the only manufacturer on the Island of the installation figures?)

• reducing the environmental impact of energy production and use, particularly in respect of greenhouse gas emissions.

SEI is also responsible for:
• advising Government on policies and measures on sustainable energy;

(would this include the Green Papers daring plan to have a HUGE 30% (a sarcastic joke in case you don't know) of Ireland's power requirements by sustainable energy sources by the year 2020, at which time there will be only another 5 years of oil left on the planet?)

(Guess they will get the other 70% changed over in the remaining 5years???)

• implementing programmes agreed by Government;
• stimulating sustainable energy policies and actions by public bodies, the business sector, local communities and individual consumers.

( But that would not include stimulating the supply of wood pellets?)

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Can SEI be Sued for Stupidity?

Can SEI be Sued for Stupidity?

The thought struck me; can the people who are left without supplies of wood pellets this winter as a direct result of the lack of planning and foresight by SEI, actually take SEI to court for giving bad advice?

Any lawyer out there with some free advice?


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Sunday Times Publish Wood Pellet Story

I am happy to see that the Sunday Times Ireland have just published the story I wrote about on this blog over a week ago. I feel justified in running with the news at the time, and I do not apologise for somewhat overstating the crisis. SEI and the Irish wood pellet situation is nothing short of a huge COCK-UP.

Have a read of the Sunday Times Article here: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2091-2460177,00.html

Then have a read of my blog dated 10th November.


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Another Fan?

A Fan?

(This letter was posted as comment to the Tesco Wind Generator blog, but I thought it worthy of a full posting)

Just found your blog. It is hilarious with a lot of truth.It gives a fair reflexion or the current state IMHO it shows how we are good at jumping on the bandwagon no matter the cause so long as there's a few pound in it for US.

I am at present checking out for an alternative heating system. Have enquired about solar and wood systems. They, to me, are priced out of their economic value! If you checkout another site which makes a price comparison of costs/heat produced it could make you wonder how these units can ever be justified.

I have been in business here in IRELAND for about 40 years and have watched some make money out of the most uneconomic(for their customer) schemes. If I cant find an economic, in my view, system, I will be prepared to source it elsewhere or set up to manufacture here in IRELAND. I am talking here both about heating systems and the fuel to run them.


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Bio-diesel adds $24billion to US Economy

Bio-diesel adds $24 Billion to US Economy

A US study suggests that bio-diesel will add $24 Billion to the U.S. Economy. The US National Bio-diesel Board has just published a study showing clearly how bio-diesel production is a major boost to the U.S. economy.

It is driving the economy in several different ways; through job creation, through tax revenues, and through farm income. It is also lessening dependence on imported fuels, helping the enviornment, and keeping money in the country.

Ireland?

Ah well - we'll think about it!!


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Wood Pellet Robbery the New Crime

The crime wave this winter might involve wood pellet robbery, especially if the price keeps rising and the supplies get shorter.


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US Wood Pellet Situation, and Ireland?

Supplies Better But Prices Well Up

US stores have been stockpiling wood pellets this year to meet expected demand. Wood pellet shortages caused really big problems for suppliers and public alike during last season with long queues and quick sellouts for stores lucky enough to get supplies in the first place.

In the US last year, a bag of wood pellets sold for $2.99 at Earnest's supply stores. The price this year is $5.09 a bag. Bag prices at other stores range from $4.95 a bag to $6.16 a bag.

The cost of wood pellets in the US is now coming close to the cost of natural gas. It is however still cheaper than propane fuel or electric heating but the price gap is closing fast.

This year, at least, there are more suppliers providing pellets in the USA. Suppliers are saying that even though supplies are well up on last season, people would still be wise to stock up while supply is available.

And Ireland?

There are, however, no extra manufacturers/suppliers in Ireland this winter. Extra supplies will have to be imported from an international marketplace where supplies are tight and prices are steadily inflating!!


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Minister for Kick Ass

"Paddy Irishman" is right!! Every country should have a Minister for Kick-Ass elected directly by the people like the President. With full powers to publicly kick the ass of Ministers, Parliament Members (TDs), Government Departments, and Dinosaur Government Companies like ESB.

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A Letter from a Satisfied Reader!

A letter from a Satisfied Reader!

Good man yourself. Great to see someone who hits the nail on the head and can entertain us as well ! Although I`m up north, your site relates to me too. This is an island wide phenomena. I have lately started to look at some alternatives to my ancient oil burner and have looked at wood pellet as an option.

An initial quote from "greenenergyltd" - an accredited supplier is £5500 with the possibility of 50% off with grants. They were very helpful and I will probably go and see their setup this week but it seems like they have doubled the price and are milking the grant money - leaving punters no better off - no encouragement to go green and act locally.

There is confusion about pellet supplies - Balcas in Enniskillen being the main or only supplier at the moment that I can see - rumours of capped quotas are on the government's action renewables blog site. Word of mouth about delays and long waits. This will put people off. Stuck with a boiler and nothing to feed it with - or a five week wait for an order. I see lots of confusion and no one providing answers at the government sites.

I will probably start looking and asking about biomass more ( especially after checking your site ) - no it hasn`t put me off ( not yet ).

Would ye ever think of running for president or minister for kicking ass.

keep er lit,
Paddy Irishman


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Overstating?

Disaster Pending - or A Bit Overstated??

Some of this blogs readers have suggested that perhaps I have overstated the most recent entry; "Pending Disaster in Irish Wood Pellet Heating".

I am happy to say that I fully agree with this view. In fact I have made a special effort to make this blog generally thought provoking. Provoking being the operative term. I hope it does not upset too many people that I aim to provoke debate and engage peoples thought processes on these important matters.

We are sitting on a global environmental disaster just waiting to happen. The Irish Nation is 85% dependant on imported fuel, and the Irish Government are making the silliest and most ineffectual of plans in the Green Paper.

What would you say? Should someone be crying wolf! - or not?


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Pending Disaster in Wood Pellet Heating

Pending Disaster
in
Irish Wood Pellet Heating

It looks like the position of wood pellet supply that I have been predicting, on this blog for some time, is about to happen in Ireland this very winter. It seems very likely that the demand for wood pellets will exceed the supply available, with the consequences of price inflation, and/or of delayed or indeed no supply.

The Cart before the Horse

Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) has been strongly promoting the sales of wood pellet heaters with their generous grants. However, SEI has failed completely to ensure the supply of fuel, along with its other failures. This is a bog basic planning cock-up by SEI and by the Irish Government, and it is one which was obvious from the very beginning.


The whole Sustainable Energy Ireland affair is a bit like spending millions to establish a boat building facility in the middle of the Sahara. But that said - what’s new in Ireland!!

Balcas Ltd., Enniskillen, currently the only sizable manufacturer of wood pellets on this Island, has stopped taking new orders. They say that the lead-time for new customers is approximately 2 months. Existing customers supply will be maintained. Balcas capacity is 50,000 tons p.a. Their current problem is one of logistics and whereas they are making every effort to address the issue, it will be 2 months, or perhaps more, before the situation eases.

I spoke to Balcas who have clearly said that they would have been able to adapt to the increased demand if they had been informed of the level of increase in the market place. But nobody at SEI or the Department of Energy had the wits or courtesy to consult the only supplier with significant capacity!!!

Another Irish case of a terminal lack of “joined up thinking”.

The Hope that was on the Horizon

I mentioned several months ago that there was a new large capacity pellet manufacturing facility being built in Ireland.

The July blog said:

“Good News about Wood Pellets

No sooner had I the last Blog published, than I received an e-mail from Briain Smyth of Irish Pellets Co. Meath which lead to an interesting conversation about a new 100% Ecological Wood Pellet Production Facility.

Briain tells me that his new factory is expected to be in production in December. I was very happy to hear that it will be using 100% Irish sourced wood to produce top quality 6mm pellets with a guaranteed 8% moisture.

The initial capacity of the factory will be 30,000 tonnes per year but this will be increased in time. By my calculations that would be enough to supply about 6,000 to 8,000 average domestic users per year on initial production capacity. Now that is good news!

Prices have not yet been focussed but Briain assures me that they will be very competitive. Irish Pellets has a web site but there is not a great deal of information up on it just yet. www.irishpellets.com”

However, the position, I now gather from talking with Briain Smyth, is that the plant will not be up and running ‘till the new year.

Worse to Follow

And there is much worse to follow: Briain has also told me that the hoped for government aid for the project has not been forthcoming, and that if the grants and aid are not assured in the next couple of weeks, he will be forced to make sales contracts abroad for the entire output of the factory in order to stay afloat.

Simply stated, this means that without the Irish Pellets Ltd. capacity being added to the Irish market over the next couple of years, we will be highly dependent on imported pellets. There are already major world shortages of wood pellets.

So What is the Current Situation?

As I personally see it just now, grant or no grant, it is not a good time to install wood pellet heating systems. It could end up this winter that oil is cheaper than wood pellets and more available.

What a colossal cock-up by SEI and the Government!!!

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New Type of Bio-Fuel Announced

U.S. Sustainable Energy Corp. has announced a unique new patent-pending biofuel.

The Publicity Blurb Says:

"Where the most efficient processes today create 1.5 US gallons of an inferior biodiesel in over 24 hours, our proprietary technology allows us to create 5 US gallons of a superior fuel in under 9 minutes.

We will be expanding production to our new 4 reactor system generating 24,000 gallons per day in our Natchez facility within 10 weeks time. That system will be the first step in eradicating the nation's dependence on foreign fossil fuels."

The heating value, which is the amount of heat produced when the fuel is burned completely, is higher for the USSEC liquid biofuel than traditional biodiesel. Using ASTM D-240-76 testing standards, Summit reports the heating value of the USSEC biofuel is 128,000 BTU/gal.

Traditional biodiesel, which typically has a value around 117,000 BTU/gal and compares favorably to petroleum diesel which typically has a heating value of 130,000 BTU/gal. For comparison, the heating value of typical regular unleaded gasoline is 114,200 BTU/gal, premium gasoline is 116,200 BTU/gal and jet fuel is 122,200 BTU/gal.

In addition the USSEC biofuel exhibits remarkable cold temperature physical properties. Using ASTM D-445 testing standards, Summit reports the pour point of the USSEC biofuels, which is an indication of the lowest temperature at which the fuel can be pumped, is typically less than or equal to -90°F. In fact, the USSEC biofuel did not freeze even at -90°F, the limit of the pour point detector.

For comparison, the pour point for petroleum based diesel is around -16°F; the typical pour point for soy bean based bio diesel is 30°F. This allows the company's biofuel to be used in extremely cold temperature conditions. "

English Translation:

A very fast to manufacture bio-diesel which has a high power output and the huge advantage that it does not turn to jelly in cold conditions!!

Well done guys!! - But why can't you drop the "spin-speak" and just say it in English!


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Answers from Kedco and Some Invited Questions

Some Answers from Kedco, and Some Questions which they have Invited

First the answers:

Kedco said:

"I agree it was a politicians answer!! Sorry I didn't spot that is was a 16kw that you were comparing.The price of the 16kw was €4,941 including VAT ,delivery and commissioning.
Anymore questions drop me a line.
Regards"


Then the Invited Questions I am Asking:

"Hi . . . ,
Would you like to comment on:

1. How secure is Kedco's pellet supply?,
2. What prices are offered on wood pellets, bulk, bagged, baled?,
3. Can Kedco guarantee a price on pellets for any length of time i.e . the next 12 to 18 months perhaps?,
4. How long is the guarantee on the burner unit as distinct from the boiler?,
5. Will Kedco supply parts replaced by other than their own technicians under warranty?
6. What is the cost of Kedco service technicians time per hour, and what mileage cost, and minimum charge?
7. Does Kedco have a stock of spares?
8. Does Kedco have a price-list of spares?
9. If so what is the price of a 16Kw stainless steel burner box/tray/hearth, or an igniter unit?

If Kedco can offer transpearent answers and pricing packages on the above, it would, IMHO, be offering something as yet unique in Ireland, and I would be prepared to say so on the blog.

Regards"

I would add another couple of questions on reflection:

a. How many fully trained technicians does Kedco have on full time employment?
b. What type of warranty repair is not covered by the guarantee?
c. Under warranty, are there ANY charges for a call-out?
d. Before sale and delivery of a wood pellet boiler, does Kedco survey the location, if so is there a charge?


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Kedco Reply

A Reply from Kedco!

Hello Woodpellet -

Firstly we would like to extend our sincere apologises for the lateness
in responding to your query regarding Kedco Energy wood pellet heating
systems.

I can assure you that the lack of response has nothing to do
with any of the reasons listed below, customer service is of utmost
importance to our company and each customer is a valued one, howover we
have just finished a three week TV campaign which I am delighted to say
has being a huge success and we are endeavoring to revert to all our
customers at the soonest time possible which in some cases isn't as soon
as we would favour.

However as we speak we are delighted to say that we
now have a Kedco Energy representative in most counties as a result of
our nationwide franchise network. Regarding the prices of the boilers-
they vary depending on the boiler size and type and what storage options
you are looking for etc.. We are happy to answer any questions you or
anyone has to ask or you can come visit us and report back on this blog
of what you saw.


Regards.

(Maybe I am being unfair to Kedco BUT the wording sounds a bit like a politician when they try to avoid questions. I asked some specific questions yet in the reply Kedco have managed not to make one direct reference. I shall try another phone call and see how I get on!)

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A Note from Mayo

Hi! from Mayo,

Enjoyed your blog on renewable energy. Having been to a an "Ideal" homes exhibition in Galway yesterday I think you have a legitimate point in relation to overcharging. Prices quoted for solar hot water systems were from Eu 6,500 + and the Viadrus Eco pellet boiler was Eu 6,500.There were also pellet boilers from ETA "very pretty"which were Eu 10,500 + Vat.?? Heat pumps which were being driven by little 3.8 Kw scroll compressors were off the scale Eu 18,000. !!! being one figure being quoted. Hope you keep up your examination of this rip off.

Best Wishes,

Des . . . . .

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