I sent an energy strategy proposal to my Labour MP about 1.5 years ago. She seemed quite enthused by it and said she’d pass it up to the energy policy team, whether she did or not I don’t know, but Labour have been talking about a ‘transformative energy strategy’ with no details until manifesto… I really hope they implement it! It’s a very simple idea at its core, and the tech to accomplish it already exists.
My idea: purchase a solar cell fabrication centre for each of the biggest (population) UK cities; in several towns around each of these cities, setup solar panel fabrication warehouses. Begin UK-gov funded and approved training schemes for solar cell fab, solar panel fab, solar panel maintenance. Almost give the panels away, at cost. Cover the UKs businesses and homes with solar; use old mines as ‘gravity batteries’ for offpeak demand; turn the UK from an energy-dependant state to an energy-secure state.
The above will be very expensive. But, the value of being energy-secure is PRICELESS. Imagine UK industry being able to compete on the world stage again because we have near-limitless, incredibly-cheap power. Imagine the extra income citizens will have because it’s not all being sucked up by energy corps. Imagine the giant boost to the economy, all the green jobs created. We could even export energy once we have more than we need.
I sent an energy strategy proposal to my Labour MP about 1.5 years ago. She seemed quite enthused by it and said she’d pass it up to the energy policy team, whether she did or not I don’t know, but Labour have been talking about a ‘transformative energy strategy’ with no details until manifesto… I really hope they implement it! It’s a very simple idea at its core, and the tech to accomplish it already exists.
My idea: purchase a solar cell fabrication centre for each of the biggest (population) UK cities; in several towns around each of these cities, setup solar panel fabrication warehouses. Begin UK-gov funded and approved training schemes for solar cell fab, solar panel fab, solar panel maintenance. Almost give the panels away, at cost. Cover the UKs businesses and homes with solar; use old mines as ‘gravity batteries’ for offpeak demand; turn the UK from an energy-dependant state to an energy-secure state.
The above will be very expensive. But, the value of being energy-secure is PRICELESS. Imagine UK industry being able to compete on the world stage again because we have near-limitless, incredibly-cheap power. Imagine the extra income citizens will have because it’s not all being sucked up by energy corps. Imagine the giant boost to the economy, all the green jobs created. We could even export energy once we have more than we need.
We need big, bold ideas again.