Power: Maybe the nice and maybe the nasty

Ian's Rural Ramblings

A lot of things that we take for granted right now are powered one way or another by electricity. In the future I also believe that we’re at the beginning on the end of what we would regard as conventional transportation propulsion via fossil fuels. Electricity, coupled with other technologies are on the way to a revolution in transport too.

I’m already convinced that micro power generation in the home and business can play a part and I know the effectiveness of wind power and I also know its limitations. Tidal power has long been a desire given its plentiful and somewhat more predictable nature. So I was most interested when I learned about Nova Innovation’ s deployment of tidal turbine sat Blue mu ll Sound in the Shetlands.

The two 100Kw turbines and their connection to the grid area world first and, my bet is that if they work out then this is another world game changer, which Scotland and dare I say it, the Western Isles could and should benefit from.

Another electrical related announcement that caught my eye and I confess immediately activated my cynicism chip was a recent BBC interview with the National Grid’s executive director Nicola Shaw was interesting and logical. Shaw advocated the use of remotely controlled home devices, which could smooth out the peaks and troughs of power demand. This would be by instructing a device I guess to turn off for a few minutes or turn down. A smart grid if you will.

I regard myself as somewhat of a selective luddite. I use technology, yes, but hopefully I do not allow it to use me. I don’t think I’m addicted to my mobile phone, laptop or desk top although I admit that working would be difficult without them. I do, however, knowhow to and frequently do use the off buttons.

When they first came out I did not like the idea of a fridge nagging me for milk, butter and eggs. I don’t really want a connected home and I’m certainly leery of my home, using power that I pay for, being controlled by some sort of smart grid. I have trust issues. I’m a journalist, based on long experience, my default setting is not to trust pretty much anybody.

My gut feeling about the smart grid is that maybe, just maybe all consumers will not be as equal as others and perhaps the less equal may find their power directed to those that are more equal. Nationally controlled smart grid: Good idea but I think it will be a hard sell to us organics.