WIND POWER

Here's some research on Tresoc and renewable energy... and some of my own thoughts too..




I made a hour of radio on TRESOC. I had kinda expected that I  knew lots about the subject of renewable energy (and it's surrounding arguments) - Turns out, as I researched in the run up to this show, I found I know very little and that the subject is ABSOLUTELY MASSIVE - from international politics, to technical and social innovations, through ecological sciences, to local agendas and personal ascetics.... quite a lot to cover in 1 hour....

I took the below quote from the  Harbertonfold Village website, following the discussion forum regarding the proposed turbines. this one post highlights the issue relating to reporting on contentious projects:

It is very easy to restrict our thoughts to a small area – geographically, politically, and more importantly, with our choice of knowledge sources. This is a well known issue within psychology, named the ‘confirmation bias’; in other words, we unconsciously look for, prioritise and interpret information, that agrees with our previous experiences and beliefs.This realisation is challenging, particularly when it is combined with a media that is deeply politically motivated, and sensationalises stories to sell.

In regards to Town Crier, I make no claims to impartiality- I would much rather have a turbine on my doorstep than gas piped in from Russia or more nuclear power stations.


TRESOC is fascinating because it is proposing a future-positive development right on our doorstep, and operates in a way that is remarkable because of its commitment to local community and the local economy. They are proposing a exciting portfolio of green power stations (covering wind, hydro, solar, anaerobic digestion): renewable energy solutions developed and run by a local company, with profits being shared by local shareholders, to provide for the power needs of the local community, and in a way that empowers the community to make the most of its natural assets, and invest in its own sustainability. So- really very cool!

      The Aims of TRESOC are:

	To develop the profitable supply of energy from renewable resources for the benefit of the community, resident within Totnes and 15 surrounding Parishes
	To ensure the democratic control of the renewable energy resources by the local community through the establishment of an extensive membership of the Society
	To ensure that the maximum value from development of these resources shall be retained within the local economy.
	To provide an opportunity for public-spirited people and organisations to contribute financially to the community with the expectation of a social dividend as well as a financial return

The most abundant and cost effective renewable energy resource for the generation of electricity in the Totnes area is wind energy. TRESOC is working with UK based respected partners Infinenergy (who have 51% shares in the turbine project) proposing two 2.3 MW wind turbines on farmland at Luscombe Cross just outside of Totnes. These turbines could provide for the electricity demand of around 2,500 homes per year.

TRESOC commissioned independent experts to carry out extensive (required) testing and surveys regarding the criteria that must be met to satisfy government regulations, such as noise levels and bird and bat surveys, and each test and survey has returned positive if not excellent results showing that the proposed Wind farm complies with government-set standards.

TRESOC have invested significantly in planning and testing etc and have been particularly thorough to ensure that both members and the public are informed, consulted and kept up to date about all the factors involved in the project. TRESOC organised a Luscombe Cross site visit day, and a coach trip to Delabole Wind Farm in Cornwall so that  local people could gain perspective on the proposal(Delabole Wind Farm has recently been repowered, and comprises state of the art wind turbines of the same model and with similar dimensions to those proposed for the Totnes site), as well as organising a Community Open Day and Noise Workshop, and a week long consultation and exhibition at Birdwood House on Totnes High Street.

There are 502 members of TRESOC– the criteria for membership being a main household address within the catchment area of Totnes and 15 surrounding parishes. The last share issue, in 2011, brought in 117 new members- a healthy increase from the 378-strong membership generated from the previous share issue back in 2010. When is the next one planned? Maybe in concert, later this year, with a invitation to invest in the actual construction of the Turbine development ? :-) 11 applications were made for investment in trust for children or grandchildren- a considerate gift considering the health of the planet and the healthy returns on TRESOC as a investment.....

The intensity of our sunshine

The strength of our wind

The abundance of our biomass

The power of our water
 

I myself have a single share in TRESOC- but I'm not looking for it to be providing any kind of retirement nestegg...

For me the investment I'm making is in community-owned business. TRESOC members, regardless of the size of their investment, have equal voting rights in determining how their local renewable energy projects are developed and managed. Someone with a single £20 share is just as welcome, and has just as much influence in TRESOC business, as a investor with £20,000 worth of shares- ensuring the companies' direction is steered by a local majority rather than a wealthy minority. Who says democracy is dead?

The site has been recognised as the Southhams' only possible wind farm site, due to the very specific set of requirements and topography of the area. (tho I did like the suggested idea of putting a turbine on Windmill Down Hill towering over Totnes....!) TRESOC feel confident that their planning application (to be submitted later this summer) will be successful because of the high level of evidence-based research it contains and the high level of support from the larger local community. TRESOC has liaised closely with the Southhams District council and the notes and presentation from their recent meeting together answers a lot of questions.

Tim Padfield writes, 8 February 2012, revised 28th February, 9th post down on the Harberton village website:

Wind power - is it useless, inefficient, expensive, variable, needing 100% backup, subsidised and ugly?

Useless? - not unless there is a prolonged slump in gas price, an unexpected breakthrough in fusion power, or an epidemic that reduces the human race by two thirds. Inefficient? - a meaningless insult unless the measure of efficiency is defined. Expensive? - to begin with yes but in the long run probably not. Variable? - yes but less so as more turbines are installed and long distance load equalisation between nations with different weather patterns becomes better. Requires backup? - yes but not more capacity than we now have. Subsidised? - yes, but all energy sources are subsidised or penalised by political decisions rather than controlled entirely by free market forces. Ugly? - I leave the aesthetic judgement to the individual reader. In the case of the Luscombe Cross wind farm, I see the wind turbines as graceful evidence of human ingenuity added to the drear, almost treeless and flat agricultural landscape of the South Hams high plateau. The piles of silage under black plastic and motor tyres are also evidence of human ingenuity in exploiting the abundant energy from the sun. 

If all this tickles you, and you feel moved (as far as your pen and paper at least!?) to support local renewable energy initiatives, please write a letter in support of TRESOC's proposal !!!!