eco building in spain
#31
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Joined: Sep 2011
Location: England and Gran Canaria mostly
Posts: 153
Re: eco building in spain
The UK is said to have the best climate in Europe to utilise wind power,so it would be foolish not to make the best of it.
The biggest offshore windfarm in Europe is also planned if not well under way.
Much more expensive to build than on land, but maybe that will keep some of the tree huggers happy, though personally I don't think they look so bad myself.
Possibly I'm slightly biased having four of the more recent monsters planted on my patch.
I find it really relaxing and satisfying to watch them gently turning, just like seeing some kind hearted soul dropping a constant stream of coins into my money box.
The biggest offshore windfarm in Europe is also planned if not well under way.
Much more expensive to build than on land, but maybe that will keep some of the tree huggers happy, though personally I don't think they look so bad myself.
Possibly I'm slightly biased having four of the more recent monsters planted on my patch.
I find it really relaxing and satisfying to watch them gently turning, just like seeing some kind hearted soul dropping a constant stream of coins into my money box.
#32
thinking about it
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Joined: Dec 2011
Location: burjulu, almeria, 04618
Posts: 48
Re: eco building in spain
jo muggins loses again
#33
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Joined: Sep 2011
Location: England and Gran Canaria mostly
Posts: 153
Re: eco building in spain
Remove ALL public funding and see how many get built. I really hate to say it but nuclear is the only way for the UK
#34
thinking about it
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Joined: Dec 2011
Location: burjulu, almeria, 04618
Posts: 48
Re: eco building in spain
i reckon any true answer is too radical for current governments to handle anyway.
#35
Re: eco building in spain
The key issue is a decent geographical spread, so when it is still in Sussex it is windy in Northumberland - this gives an averaging effect.
Storage of windy power via pumped storage to capture any excess.
It is currently more expensive than hydrocarbon due to the non-inclusion of externalities such as CO2 pollution. It is around a similar cost to nuclear, but nuclear has a lot of future costs that are government insured. We also have to wonder how long nuclear fuel will be available - just another finite resource to compete for.
http://www.bwea.com/pdf/briefings/in...tency-2005.pdf
#36
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Joined: Sep 2011
Location: England and Gran Canaria mostly
Posts: 153
Re: eco building in spain
You still need excess power generated by other means to cover the down time of wind turbines so sorry, they ain't working.
While we sit around doing nothing we should be building nuclear power stations. As consumers of cheap electronics we use masses of power in the average house these days. Go and compare a house from the 60's where you had a few light bulbs, one telly, maybe a fridge and compare to the stuff most of us take for granted these days, the gap in power consumption is massive. Will Joe Public cut back? No, TV's are so cheap you can have one in each bedroom, PC's, laptops and smart phones in many houses and often left on at the same time. I don't know the answer. My main UK house dates from 1803, thick stone walls, I've insulated, double glazed etc but its still a power drain if I'm honest.
Maybe its time for the UK to look at new housing stock on a massive scale (no idea where the funding will come from), look to places like Norway and Sweden for ideas for the new homes.
While we sit around doing nothing we should be building nuclear power stations. As consumers of cheap electronics we use masses of power in the average house these days. Go and compare a house from the 60's where you had a few light bulbs, one telly, maybe a fridge and compare to the stuff most of us take for granted these days, the gap in power consumption is massive. Will Joe Public cut back? No, TV's are so cheap you can have one in each bedroom, PC's, laptops and smart phones in many houses and often left on at the same time. I don't know the answer. My main UK house dates from 1803, thick stone walls, I've insulated, double glazed etc but its still a power drain if I'm honest.
Maybe its time for the UK to look at new housing stock on a massive scale (no idea where the funding will come from), look to places like Norway and Sweden for ideas for the new homes.
#37
Re: eco building in spain
You still need excess power generated by other means to cover the down time of wind turbines so sorry, they ain't working.
While we sit around doing nothing we should be building nuclear power stations. As consumers of cheap electronics we use masses of power in the average house these days. Go and compare a house from the 60's where you had a few light bulbs, one telly, maybe a fridge and compare to the stuff most of us take for granted these days, the gap in power consumption is massive. Will Joe Public cut back? No, TV's are so cheap you can have one in each bedroom, PC's, laptops and smart phones in many houses and often left on at the same time. I don't know the answer. My main UK house dates from 1803, thick stone walls, I've insulated, double glazed etc but its still a power drain if I'm honest.
Maybe its time for the UK to look at new housing stock on a massive scale (no idea where the funding will come from), look to places like Norway and Sweden for ideas for the new homes.
While we sit around doing nothing we should be building nuclear power stations. As consumers of cheap electronics we use masses of power in the average house these days. Go and compare a house from the 60's where you had a few light bulbs, one telly, maybe a fridge and compare to the stuff most of us take for granted these days, the gap in power consumption is massive. Will Joe Public cut back? No, TV's are so cheap you can have one in each bedroom, PC's, laptops and smart phones in many houses and often left on at the same time. I don't know the answer. My main UK house dates from 1803, thick stone walls, I've insulated, double glazed etc but its still a power drain if I'm honest.
Maybe its time for the UK to look at new housing stock on a massive scale (no idea where the funding will come from), look to places like Norway and Sweden for ideas for the new homes.
Wind turbines not turning is not an issue in a well designed system.
Nuclear Power is both more carbon intensive than most people think, has a limited supply of fuel that many countries will be vying for and has the issues of decommissioning and spent fuel storage - both of which often end-up costing the tax payer a lot more.
I agree regarding energy efficiency (and water efficiency for that matter) - we should be mandating the higher standards and not just having the power rating scheme. We should also incentivise home insulation by tax-breaks.
#38
Forum Regular
Joined: Sep 2011
Location: England and Gran Canaria mostly
Posts: 153
Re: eco building in spain
As I said before, a wide geographical dispersement combined with pumped-hydro storage (using "spare" wind power to pump water into resevoirs and then later using this water to turn turbines when we need more power - we have 2 of these in the UK already) negates the intermittency issue.
Wind turbines not turning is not an issue in a well designed system.
Nuclear Power is both more carbon intensive than most people think, has a limited supply of fuel that many countries will be vying for and has the issues of decommissioning and spent fuel storage - both of which often end-up costing the tax payer a lot more.
I agree regarding energy efficiency (and water efficiency for that matter) - we should be mandating the higher standards and not just having the power rating scheme. We should also incentivise home insulation by tax-breaks.
Wind turbines not turning is not an issue in a well designed system.
Nuclear Power is both more carbon intensive than most people think, has a limited supply of fuel that many countries will be vying for and has the issues of decommissioning and spent fuel storage - both of which often end-up costing the tax payer a lot more.
I agree regarding energy efficiency (and water efficiency for that matter) - we should be mandating the higher standards and not just having the power rating scheme. We should also incentivise home insulation by tax-breaks.
Thankfully the government are cutting back on solar panel subsidies in the UK which at best give mediocre performance and at worse are of little value to the punter but does line the pockets of 'green energy' companies.
In years to come the early part of this century will be seen as a folly pampering to tree huggers/save the birds et al brigades and governments incapable of making what some see as tough decisions to solve the immediate energy crisis.
Peter who started this thread is in with a flying chance of cutting back on his energy needs and I love that, but we should be looking country wide.
#39
thinking about it
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2011
Location: burjulu, almeria, 04618
Posts: 48
Re: eco building in spain
Where you propose making the reservoirs ? Lots of talk about carbon foot print etc but how about the land lost to pamper to the shortcomings of wind power? There is a lot of nonsense talked about spent fuel storage, tends to get blown out of proportion to the reality and while the fuel source is finite there is enough for decades to come by which time other consumption issues will be addressed and hopefully fusion power will be a reality.
Thankfully the government are cutting back on solar panel subsidies in the UK which at best give mediocre performance and at worse are of little value to the punter but does line the pockets of 'green energy' companies.
In years to come the early part of this century will be seen as a folly pampering to tree huggers/save the birds et al brigades and governments incapable of making what some see as tough decisions to solve the immediate energy crisis.
Peter who started this thread is in with a flying chance of cutting back on his energy needs and I love that, but we should be looking country wide.
Thankfully the government are cutting back on solar panel subsidies in the UK which at best give mediocre performance and at worse are of little value to the punter but does line the pockets of 'green energy' companies.
In years to come the early part of this century will be seen as a folly pampering to tree huggers/save the birds et al brigades and governments incapable of making what some see as tough decisions to solve the immediate energy crisis.
Peter who started this thread is in with a flying chance of cutting back on his energy needs and I love that, but we should be looking country wide.
#40
Forum Regular
Joined: Sep 2011
Location: England and Gran Canaria mostly
Posts: 153
Re: eco building in spain
Sorry chap, my fault.
#41
Just Joined
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1
Re: eco building in spain
hola everyone
guess who is a newbie. can i start a thread about eco building and related issues as i have started a reform of cortico with minimal concrete. Am using hemcrete, SIPs, insulation with cellulose & hemp, solar water thermalstor, engineered joists etc.
Spain seems a long way behind UK in ecobuilding so having to import some stuff; need to know like minded expats or spaniards who have or intend to go this route to find well priced spanish sources and bounce ideas around.
located near cuevas del almanzora. not big @ 260m2 single storey
anyone out there?
guess who is a newbie. can i start a thread about eco building and related issues as i have started a reform of cortico with minimal concrete. Am using hemcrete, SIPs, insulation with cellulose & hemp, solar water thermalstor, engineered joists etc.
Spain seems a long way behind UK in ecobuilding so having to import some stuff; need to know like minded expats or spaniards who have or intend to go this route to find well priced spanish sources and bounce ideas around.
located near cuevas del almanzora. not big @ 260m2 single storey
anyone out there?
If you like we can email each other?
Sam
#42
Re: eco building in spain
Hi Peter, we are about to embark on an Eco build. I can see that the Spanish are getting into this in a big way and I am going to try to make contact with some straw bale house builders here in Alicante. Also very interested in the earthships concept.
If you like we can email each other?
Sam
If you like we can email each other?
Sam
BE is a very large expat website, so if you have problems finding your way around we have concierges who will try to direct you. The moderators for the Spanish forums are Mitzyboy and Fred James, moderators are there to ensure that the site runs smoothly within the rules of BE. Problems and complaints should always be addressed to a moderador who will look into the matter and deal with it efficiently and fairly. Our members who post in the Spain Forums are friendly and helpful with a wealth of knowledge of the issues of living in Spain. At the top of the page you will find a quirkily named thread called Free Beer which is full of important and useful information. Hope you enjoy your time participating in the forums.
Please let me know if you need any further help.
Rosemary
#43
thinking about it
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2011
Location: burjulu, almeria, 04618
Posts: 48
Re: eco building in spain
hi sam. been offline for a spell. good sense to keep in touch as i have been researching various resources and can even ship hard to find stuff from UK.
you are probably better serviced around alicante for ecoproducts though.
Will be passing thro' ali aeropuerto on the 5th and have several hours spare before i get the bus.
use [email protected] to communicate
you are probably better serviced around alicante for ecoproducts though.
Will be passing thro' ali aeropuerto on the 5th and have several hours spare before i get the bus.
use [email protected] to communicate
#44
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Dec 2009
Location: Aracena area Huelva Spain
Posts: 1,631
Re: eco building in spain
sorry guys. the discussion , although very interesting is not about ecobuilding in spain or even windfarms in spain. cannot really contribute as no plans for wind power on my plot either cause not enough puff. i started a thread on hot water solar panels [ so as to not be confused with PV panel thread] so a new thread on wind power is quite ok with me....
#45
thinking about it
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2011
Location: burjulu, almeria, 04618
Posts: 48
Re: eco building in spain
Hi Peter, we are about to embark on an Eco build. I can see that the Spanish are getting into this in a big way and I am going to try to make contact with some straw bale house builders here in Alicante. Also very interested in the earthships concept.
If you like we can email each other?
Sam
If you like we can email each other?
Sam
consequently we are not as eco as you will be.
its quite a learning curve that has dribbled away some of the precious money.
have no idea how the 'authorities' will react for your permissions. have you tackled that one yet?