Letters
Serving the powers that be
The thermodynamic garbage that constitutes
Shutterstock
the UK Energy Bill grates a little. I refer of
course to the proposed feed-in tariffs for small-
scale, renewable energy.
It is self-evident (or should be if you
subscribe to this eminent publication) that
both the efficiency and the financial viability of
renewable technology increases with scale. Our
elected representatives are now proposing feed-
in tariffs for domestic generation, subsidising
the least-efficient form of renewable energy.
Am I overly cynical in thinking that lobbying
by major power generation companies may be
behind this, ensuring that whatever meagre
funds are available are squandered on the
least-effective technology, helping to ensure a
continuing monopoly of vested interests?
Surely our political masters cannot be that referring to “throwing renewables at buildings The ‘consensus’ arguments also seem to
corruptible? to reduce the carbon footprints”, I sometimes ignore those CO2 absorption bands where
Peter Hill, CEng, MCIBSE wonder whether we have been hijacked by the there is already saturation absorption. Those
green lobbyist and our governments have been pointing to increased solar activity present
Misleading figures on heat pumps ill advised. this point obliquely by pointing out that
I note with concern figures and information I do not want to appear to be a sceptic on the percentage increase in solar output is
quoted in the CPD module on ‘Heat pump renewable energies, as some I’m sure are comparable to the most simplistic overestimate
technology’ (Journal, May, page 59). Figure effective, but I would like to see a data case of the effects of CO2.
3 of the module quotes comparative heating on the carbon offsets and the production costs They also point out that the intensity
methods and operating costs. From the figures in terms of carbon emissions to manufacture of incoming radiation in the ‘greenhouse
quoted, it would appear that electricity is the renewable energy equipment, taking into bands’ is orders of magnitude greater than
purchased at 6p/kWh and oil at 78p/litre. Both account the sourcing and treatment of the raw the intensity of reradiation from the Earth’s
of these figures are far from reality and present materials, production costs and life-cycles of surface in the same bands, so that an increase
a very biased and unrealistic comparison, very the equipment. in solar intensity is doubly important.
much in favour of the electric heat pump I bet that the carbon savings provided by the I am not saying anybody is ‘wrong’, but I
systems proposed. Current electricity prices renewable equipment in no way covers the am questioning their overdeveloped sense of
available to most of the general public would carbon emissions in the whole production, rectitude and their shortness of (presented)
put a totally different spin on the comparative shipping and installation process! detail.
benefits of air-source heat pumps against other D Horridge, UK However, there is every reason to reduce our
fuels. energy consumption as soon as possible and
I am also concerned that the text below Consensus ignores arguments to live more efficiently – fuel shortages acting
the graphs on page 61 state that with a COP on carbon emissions as they do on everything from food supply to
between 3.0 and 3.6, heat pumps outperform Nick Cullen is a brave man to question the forestry – and every reason for being much
all other types of heating shown. I would causes of climate change, but his point is more careful about the way we abuse our over-
suggest that, with true electricity and oil prices, very valid (March, page 20). The consensus populated planet.
heat pumps perform slightly poorer than on the causes of global warming looks and John Moss MCIBSE (retired)
most fossil fuels, especially when seasonal feels like a bureaucratic convenience, needed
variations in COP are considered. In addition, by politicians as a policy, and reinforced by CIBSE Journal welcomes article proposals from
no mention is made of the cost of biomass “scientists” wary of their promotion prospects
any reader, wherever you are – whether it be
letters, longer opinion pieces, news stories,
systems, which offer lower figures than all or simply wanting to be on the bandwagon.
people or events listings, humorous items, or any
of those quoted using wood chip at current As Cullen says, the fractional increase in ideas for possible articles.
commercial figures, and provide better carbon CO2 concentration is not large. But even this
Please send all letters and any other items for
savings. does not give a realistic idea of the increase
possible publication to: bcervi@cibsejournal.
Michael Cade, CEng, FCIBSE in absorption by CO2. The overlap of the
com, or write to Bob Cervi, Editor, CIBSE Journal,
CO2 absorption bands with the water vapour
Cambridge Publishers Ltd, 275 Newmarket Road,
Cambridge, CB5 8JE, UK. We reserve the right to
What is the true cost of renewables? absorption bands halves the net effect of any
edit all letters. Please indicate how you wish your
After reading the ‘Under Achievers’ article increase and reduces it further in humid
letter to be attributed, and whether you wish to
in the March edition (page 26) and the item conditions.
have your contact details included.
22 CIBSE Journal June 2009 www.cibsejournal.com
CIBSEjun09 pp22 letters.indd 22 29/5/09 12:18:51
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72