UK energy

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Jdsk
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Joined: 5 Mar 2019, 5:42pm

Re: UK energy

Post by Jdsk »

simonineaston wrote: 17 Mar 2023, 9:30am ...
In fact, I imagine that the majority of fires start on the boards of cheap bm systems (only guessing).
...
I've never been able to discover the distribution of causes of "lithium battery fires". I suspect that inappropriate charging and people fiddling inside devices are common.

Anyone?

Jonathan
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simonineaston
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Joined: 9 May 2007, 1:06pm
Location: ...at a cricket ground

Re: UK energy

Post by simonineaston »

Most deff. Here in Bristol, I see many peeps working to deliver food and travelling on a crazily wide assortment of battery powered cycles / scooters. Some are rented, some are borrowed, some are privately owned - most are in poor condition. They get a hammering.
As I no longer work ft, I can afford to pursue my natural inquisitive nature and so I chat to the delivery peeps whenever I can (there's a number of the kitchens on routes I frequent, so I can often find a bevy of porters waiting for their next job). There's a whole sub-culture of diy hacking going on with these bikes and the lengths they'll go to to keep their machine going at minimum cost is impressive, if potentially risky...
Lots of the folk are on very limited income, just trying to squeeze every last bit of net profit out of tough working condidtions, lots of them have English as a second laguage, lots of them have more enthusiasm for the job than technical expertise. Please understand I'm not judging what's going on here, this is just observation.
ps the stories some of the folk tell of abuse is saddening - talk about biting the hand that feeds you! They say they're routinely abused by customers up in posh Clifton and that the biggest tips come from households in the poorer areas of Bristol. Go figure...
S
(on the look out for Armageddon, on board a Brompton nano & ever-changing Moultons)
rjb
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Joined: 11 Jan 2007, 10:25am
Location: Somerset (originally 60/70's Plymouth)

Re: UK energy

Post by rjb »

I had to open up a 12.5 amp hour Hilong battery for my e bike when it was misbehaving. This was to reset the BMS by unplugging the internal cables according to online advice. Once I got the case opened up I was impressed by the standard of build. No plugs and the batteries spot welded to the circuit board with no chance of anything coming loose to cause a problem.
I then found more advice about charging at the power output connections which reset the BMS. It's now better than ever and going strong. Over 3000 tandem miles and no sign of battery degradation. :D
At the last count:- Peugeot 531 pro, Dawes Discovery Tandem, Dawes Kingpin X3, Raleigh 20 stowaway, 1965 Moulton deluxe, Falcon K2 MTB dropped bar tourer, Rudge Bi frame folder, Longstaff trike conversion on a Giant XTC 840 :D
Biospace
Posts: 2008
Joined: 24 Jun 2019, 12:23pm

Re: UK energy

Post by Biospace »

Jdsk wrote: 17 Mar 2023, 9:34am
simonineaston wrote: 17 Mar 2023, 9:30am ...
In fact, I imagine that the majority of fires start on the boards of cheap bm systems (only guessing).
...
I've never been able to discover the distribution of causes of "lithium battery fires". I suspect that inappropriate charging and people fiddling inside devices are common.

Anyone?

Jonathan
Repurposing batteries with too high an internal resistance for higher current draw can lead to danger. I've reused some from laptops for torches which have a very low current draw very successfully. I'd imagine an electric drill, for example, could draw more current than a laptop, per cell.
Biospace
Posts: 2008
Joined: 24 Jun 2019, 12:23pm

Re: UK energy

Post by Biospace »

UK electricity standing charge to rise by 15%, hitting those using least energy and the poorest disproportionately hard - https://uk.news.yahoo.com/martin-lewis- ... 22874.html
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853
Posts: 261
Joined: 23 Sep 2022, 6:01pm

Re: UK energy

Post by 853 »

Biospace wrote: 23 Mar 2023, 3:52pm UK electricity standing charge to rise by 15%, hitting those using least energy and the poorest disproportionately hard - https://uk.news.yahoo.com/martin-lewis- ... 22874.html
This is just wrong!

My standing charge is over a third of my total bill as it is. What incentive does this give to people to cut their consumption? When will the current chancellor stop punishing the poor for not being wealthy and paying lots of tax?
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[XAP]Bob
Posts: 19793
Joined: 26 Sep 2008, 4:12pm

Re: UK energy

Post by [XAP]Bob »

Ah, your under the misapprehension that the chancellor cares about anyone other than his wealthy donors (Who pay virtually no tax)
A shortcut has to be a challenge, otherwise it would just be the way. No situation is so dire that panic cannot make it worse.
There are two kinds of people in this world: those can extrapolate from incomplete data.
Jdsk
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Joined: 5 Mar 2019, 5:42pm

Re: UK energy

Post by Jdsk »

New "strategy" due on Thursday.

Guardian coverage:
https://www.theguardian.com/environment ... l-aberdeen

Jonathan
Jdsk
Posts: 24640
Joined: 5 Mar 2019, 5:42pm

Re: UK energy

Post by Jdsk »

Annual review from the National Infrastructure Commission:
https://nic.org.uk/studies-reports/infr ... view-2023/
includes:

The report points out that government has set an ambition for at least 600,000 heat pumps to be installed each year by 2028, while only 55,000 were fitted in 2021 – meanwhile, 1.5 million gas boilers were fitted. Similarly, government expects 300,000 public electric vehicle charge points to be in place by 2030; but only 37,000 public charge points are currently installed.

The Commission also calls for a “greater sense of certainty” around progressing HS2 and Northern Powerhouse Rail, stressing that delays inevitably push back the economic benefits for communities.


Guardian coverage:
https://www.theguardian.com/environment ... port-finds

Jonathan
Mike Sales
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Joined: 7 Mar 2009, 3:31pm

Re: UK energy

Post by Mike Sales »

Jdsk wrote: 27 Mar 2023, 10:33am Annual review from the National Infrastructure Commission:
https://nic.org.uk/studies-reports/infr ... view-2023/
includes:

The report points out that government has set an ambition for at least 600,000 heat pumps to be installed each year by 2028, while only 55,000 were fitted in 2021 – meanwhile, 1.5 million gas boilers were fitted. Similarly, government expects 300,000 public electric vehicle charge points to be in place by 2030; but only 37,000 public charge points are currently installed.

The Commission also calls for a “greater sense of certainty” around progressing HS2 and Northern Powerhouse Rail, stressing that delays inevitably push back the economic benefits for communities.


Guardian coverage:
https://www.theguardian.com/environment ... port-finds

Jonathan
This Government throws out promises with the abandon of a certain previous Tory P.M.
It's the same the whole world over
It's the poor what gets the blame
It's the rich what gets the pleasure
Isn't it a blooming shame?
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mjr
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Location: Norfolk or Somerset, mostly
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Re: UK energy

Post by mjr »

Who commissioned that commission and how likely is this government to take its abvice?
MJR, mostly pedalling 3-speed roadsters. KL+West Norfolk BUG incl social easy rides http://www.klwnbug.co.uk
All the above is CC-By-SA and no other implied copyright license to Cycle magazine.
Jdsk
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Joined: 5 Mar 2019, 5:42pm

Re: UK energy

Post by Jdsk »

mjr wrote: 27 Mar 2023, 10:49am Who commissioned that commission and how likely is this government to take its abvice?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_ ... Commission

and IMO very unlikely.

As usual the problem isn't the absence of expertise.

Jonathan
Nearholmer
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Joined: 26 Mar 2022, 7:13am

Re: UK energy

Post by Nearholmer »

I well remember when it was formed, and listening to John Armitt and others talking about their role, their early findings/recommendations etc, and there being a sort of hope that this might actually achieve something.

The notable feature now is that they sound peeved and chiding, because they are still recommending pretty much the same things, and achievement of those things has simply moved further into the future.
Jdsk
Posts: 24640
Joined: 5 Mar 2019, 5:42pm

Re: UK energy

Post by Jdsk »

Climate Change Committee annual report:
https://www.theccc.org.uk/2023/03/29/cl ... nprepared/

“The Government’s lack of urgency on climate resilience is in sharp contrast to the recent experience of people in this country. People, nature and infrastructure face damaging impacts as climate change takes hold. These impacts will only intensify in the coming decades.

“This has been a lost decade in preparing for and adapting to the known risks that we face from climate change. Each month that passes without action locks in more damaging impacts and threatens the delivery of other key Government objectives, including Net Zero. We have laid out a clear path for Government to improve the country’s climate resilience. They must step up.”


Jonathan
Biospace
Posts: 2008
Joined: 24 Jun 2019, 12:23pm

Re: UK energy

Post by Biospace »

It's remarkable how easily progressive taxation of utility supplies can be brought to a trial stage when there is a shortage of resource,

"Customers could also be charged dynamically based on how much water they use, with people who reduce their usage paying less than heavy users, Ofwat announced on Tuesday."

https://www.theguardian.com/environment ... ills-ofwat
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