"Earth Hour" Will the national grid cope??

[Woodenstop]

My Local radio station is promoting "earth Hour"

http://www.lanternfm.co.uk/Article.asp?id=604078&spid=16852

Quote from the page

"Earth Hour
At 8pm on 29th March we want you to switch off your lights for one hour to inspire people to take action on climate change.


Last year more than 2 million people in Sydney flicked off their light switches and enjoyed an hour of darkness for one hour - Earth Hour.

By reducing Sydney's energy consumption by 10.2% for one hour (the equivalent effect of taking 48,000 cars off the road for one hour) the event showed that together, our small actions can make a difference to global warming.

Landmarks like the Harbour Bridge and Opera House turned their lights off, and the worlds media took notice.

This year the event has gone global and many major global cities are joining Earth Hour in 2008, turning a symbolic event into a global movement.

Earth Hour will be held at 8pm on March 29th. This year we are getting involved and we want you to join us. are already counting down to Earth Hour. Not long now."

I hope the National Grid has been informed!
It will be interesting watching (with my lights off of course) genny on standby.

http://www.nationalgrid.com/uk/Electricity/Data/Realtime/Frequency/Freq60.htm

Depending on the take up it might cause a stir.

[Bob]

Last year one of the Irish national stations did the same thing.  The grid new about it and apparently it saved enough to have shut down one of our power stations (there aren't too many!)

[camillitech]

I'd love to see that, unfortunately I cannot see a single speck of man made light from where I live and I'm not on the grid either but I do like the idea

Morning Bob

[Paulh_Boats]

Yes they will cope with the switch off, although the big switch on might be a problem as 9pm will signal cuppa time during the adverts. So we might go from saving 100W to using 2100W for a minute or two.

However, the energy used in boiling the kettle for 2 minutes will keep about 6 lights running for 60 minutes. Think about it.....

[Ivan]

Ken,

Will you be able to capture the event with your grid frequency logging system?

[KenB]

Ivan,

Yes probably - so long as I am back from China.   I expect to return on the 27th.  So someone please remind me closer the event.

Turning the lights off doesn't really go far enough.  2 x 20W CFL lights ain't going to do much.

Switching the house off at the consumer unit for an hour would make far more of an impact both to the grid, and remind us all  how truly reliant we are on a reliable supply of electricity.

It would really upset the Saturday night TV viewing figures too.

Chances are, that few in the UK will participate in the event. 



Ken

[Paulh_Boats]

I'd love to see that, unfortunately I cannot see a single speck of man made light from where I live and I'm not on the grid either but I do like the idea

Paul,

Take up Astronomy then - with no light pollution you will get some excellent views.

[Paulh_Boats]

All,

Eureka!  How about a Navitron Earth Day? Completly off-grid (water, gas, electric) for a whole day, no fossil fuel generators allowed. A special prize for the family that makes the greatest savings?

-Paul

[guydewdney]

hahhahhahha! I will win (_{if i get the wheel up and going before this happens....})!

20kw wheel + 1kw lister leccy input, plus 60 tube solar panel, plus 5kw gshp (yet to be plumbed in).... gloat gloat - sorry.

[KenB]

Paul,

Do you want a dull rainy day in March or a sunny day in June?

Anybody can isolate their house at the consumer unit and gas valve and save a whole day's consumption.

The biggest savers are logically the biggest consumers.

Mind you, I do quite like the idea and it would certainly attract some publicity and prove to others that alternatives are available.


Ken

[Paulh_Boats]

hahhahhahha! I will win (_{if i get the wheel up and going before this happens....})!

20kw wheel + 1kw lister leccy input, plus 60 tube solar panel, plus 5kw gshp (yet to be plumbed in).... gloat gloat - sorry.

Excellent  

Ok, how about 2 prizes. One for the greatest energy generated and one for the greatest energy saved... ??

Both groups will get good publicity - eco warriors and Mr. Average

A sunny month would show off the technology better.

[Alan]

Hello Mr guydewdney

 Pauls Quote “ no fossil fuel generators allowed. “

How far away is the wheel project. Paul may have to bring the day forward to give us mere mortals a chance.

Regards

Alan

[KenB]

Paul,

I would be quite happy with a cold, dull day in March. 

My motivation was to find an alternative to my largest fossil fuel drain - namely the home heating.  After this comes the electricity and then the domestic water heating.

Once I have the means to heat and power the house by non-fossil means, then will I look at possibility of using solar water heating and solar pV to provide alternatives for the summer months.

Horses for courses I guess


Ken

[Paulh_Boats]

It must also be good fun....so a prize for the most fun picture sent in.  


Daughter says she will pedal a bicycle generator to watch the TV!   Priceless.


Ken...maybe we have an Earth Day every 2 months?

[KenB]

Paul, List

Maybe we do as Frotter has done, and been "Earthing" it, for the last 100 days? 

He'll want a day off by March 29th!



Ken