Hydro-electric wave energy machine first for Orkney

Making a nice change from the usual gloomy onshore wind power mentions, and their opposition, this is hopefully the forerunner of many more mentions for hydro-electric wave energy, as momentum begins to build for this arguably more sensible option – in my opinion at least. After all, the waves wave 24/7, while the wind blows… when it feels like it.

According to wave energy company Aquamarine Power, Orkney currently has “the world’s largest working hydro-electric wave energy device”, and “the world’s only hydro-electric wave energy device which is producing power

The device is sited just off Orkney, and was switched on by First Minister Alex Salmond, today, November 20, 2009, when Aquamarine Power’s ‘Oyster’ was connected to the national grid as part of sea trials.

The device comprises a hinged flap which is connected to the sea-bed, with each wave causes the flap to move, and drive a hydraulic piston. The system produces power by pumping high pressure water to its onshore hydro-electric turbine. A farm of 20 Oysters could provide energy to power 9,000 three-bedroom homes.

Having launched the first system, Mr Salmond also announced new funding of £975,000 to help deliver ‘Oyster 2′.

Further information in Aquamarines’s Press Release – Scotland’s First Minister launches Oyster.

Mining disaster memorial statue stolen weeks after unveiling

Auchengeich memorial statue © Robert Murray

Unveiled by First Minister Alex Salmond only on September 18, 2009, a six foot bronze statue which cost £35,000 has been stolen from a memorial to one of Scotland’s worst mining disasters.

47 men died after being trapped by an underground fire at the Auchengeich Colliery, North Lanarkshire, on September 18, 1959. Only one miner survived the fire, caused by an electrical fault 1,000 feet below ground.

The BBC report of the incident contained the following statements:

Superintendent Henry Campbell, of Cumbernauld Police office, said, “This crime has outraged the local community and we will do everything possible to trace those responsible and return the statue to its rightful place. A vehicle must have been used to transport it and I would appeal to anyone who was in the area anytime after midnight and noticed suspicious behaviour. I would also urge those responsible to think about what they have done and what impact this crime has had on the local community. Do the right thing and return it, or let someone know where it is.”

Vice president of Auchengeich Miners’ Welfare Club, Ian Lowe, who was down the pit on the day of the disaster, said: “I felt sick when I found out it had been stolen. I helped fight the fire 50 years ago and knew the men who lost their lives, and I was heavily involved in the first memorial which was put in place 25 years ago. It was never touched but this new memorial has only lasted two months. It is an absolute shame. It is like stealing from a grave.”

Local councillor William Hogg said he was  absolutely shocked and disgusted by the mindless crime, and appealed to anyone with any information about this theft to contact Strathclyde Police immediately. He also took the opportunity to assure everyone that the council would do everything possible to ensure that the statue would be replaced.

Black and white TV not so popular up here

Philips projection television c. 1960

I used to be fairly obsessed with television, but that interest seems to rest in its history, the various technologies it has been developed with, and the programmes that appeared on it as it was evolving. At one stage (pre-internet), we even had our own amateur transmission and reception services. It’s amazing to look at the difference the internet has made to shifting TV images, as it cost a small fortune then, and needed high aerials even to cover a few miles. Now you can go worldwide for little more than a few pounds.

In more recent times, as it matured and multiplied in both type and content – not to mention its spin-off as satellite and cable – its attraction waned, as the channel filled with popular tat, and the original content was swamped in favour of any old rubbish that would attract the brain-dead to ogle the screen and have their remaining brain cells washed out by adverts which arguably began to get better then the content around them.

However, that’s another issue that could be debated for ages, or at least three minutes… if my attention span lasted any longer than that nowadays.

What was interesting was a recent look at the TV Licensing figures (released to mark the 40th anniversary of the first colour transmissions on BBC1 and ITV), and the numbers for black and white television licences: 28,000 in the UK with 1,950 in Scotland. That’s just under 7% of the total. Looking at the current population numbers, Scotland has just over 8% of the UK’s population.

While I don’t generally approve of figures analysed in isolation, something that includes the whole population might be less skewed than sampled results. So, simplistic thoughts could be that Scots are not a stingy as they are made out to be, and don’t think it’s worthwhile going for either an old black and white television, or telling porkies, and buying a black and white licence even though they have a colour set. Or maybe they are harder on their tellies than folk south of the border, and need to to replace them sooner. I’m sure a little more imagination would produce some even more fascinating theories for the differences – and it should be remembered that tying these figures together could be faulted for tending to assume one licence per person, as opposed to one license per address.

The first colour TV broadcasts began in this country in 1967 on BBC2 and on November 15, 1969, on BBC1 and ITV. The first colour pictures were seen on BBC1 in Scotland in December 1969.

I’ve no idea when our house went colour, but it certainly wasn’t in the early days. I do know we went through  series of small black and white sets, getting bigger until the beast shown above made an appearance at one point, and then had another that was dual standard, operating on both 405 and 625 line systems, but still black and white. Even in my pram, I reckon I thought the quality of the colour on those early television left a lot to the imagination, and were very artificial – probably too highly saturated just to emphasize the effect rather than the reality. Even today, I’m fairly unimpressed by many flat-screen TVs. While there are some gems in terms of colour fidelity, others look as if they have come straight out of a colour-blind artist’s palette. But when they’re good, they can be very good, and when combined with a good high-definition picture, the effect is almost worth the cost.

Another nail in Phorm’s UK coffin

Insidious behavioural net advertising system Phorm felt another mail being driven into its UK coffin with the announcement that its UK manager director has jumped out of the boat.

When the media asked for a comment, the comment was No comment, and at the time of reporting, there was no indication that the former MD had gone to another job.

Interestingly, he is said to have become part of the operation back in December 2008, when then UK Chief Executive, Financial, and Operating Officers went, together with four other board members, at which point, the company also seems to have decided it would be a good idea to stop including a list of its executives’ names on its web site.

Since the UK ISPs (BT, Talk Talk, Virgin) have pulled the plug on their association with this sneaky organisation that carried out secret testing (with BT, and without customer’s consent or knowledge) of its intrusive behavioural ad-targetting system, seems that we may be seeing the ejection of this thing from our country, although it seems that foreign operators, such as those in countries like South Korea, see this as the sort of thing they want to have Phorm’s method of profiling a user’s every web visit via his/her ISP.

There seems to be some attempt to confuse the issue by comparing Phorm with Google, but the two are quite different, and Google certainly does not have direct access to user’s web history with the collusion of their ISP, as Phorm does. Google is nothing like Phorm, and uses information collected in the course of using its services, and does so cleverly, which has made them their fortune (and clearly made them their enemies too). Google tracking of user history can easily be thwarted by users if they really want to.

If someone tells you Google and Phorm are the same, or even similar, smell a rat, don’t believe them, or better still, have them explain how. They’ll either fail…  lie… or prove their ignorance. Or be part of the “Google is Evil” party, but you should be able to see that lot coming. Read the information – not the propaganda – and that even includes what you might read here, just in case I might be ever so slightly biased against Phorm, and get carried away (before them).

Galloway Forest Park wins Dark Sky award

I didn’t expect the decision over the Dark Sky award bid for the Galloway Forest Park to come quite so swiftly after the assessment, but all went well, and the forest has now been officially unveiled as the first Dark Sky Park in the UK.

The award was announced by the International Dark Sky Association, and has confirmed Galloway as one of the best places for stargazing in the world.

It seems that the selection process includes a measurement of the darkness of the sky using a sky quality meter, the higher the reading the better the viewing conditions. The darkest reading, as might be found in a photographer’s dark room (if you could find one now that digital photography has seen off most of the film based work), is rated 24. Big cities such as Glasgow or Edinburgh return readings in the region of 15 or 16, but Galloway Forest Park managed a result of 23, giving it the highest status available – gold.

Galloway Forest Park sees about 850,000 visitors per annum, and Keith Muir, Forestry Commission Scotland’s head of tourism and recreation in Galloway, said: “We have big plans to double this over time”.

Of course, they don’t want to be too successful now, attract thousands of new visitors, build loads of visitor centres, and all the other places that support these, bring more buildings, people… and light.

Update

Only the second Dark Sky ‘Reserve’, Exmoor National Park (yes, I know it’s not in Scotland) was awarded this status in November 2011:

The night sky above Exmoor National Park has been awarded a special protection status.

It has been granted International Dark-Sky Reserve (IDR) status by the International Dark-Sky Association.

This status means the night-sky is protected and lighting controls are in place to prevent light pollution.

BBC News – Exmoor National Park is Europe’s first dark sky reserve

Pity the folk that run out national parks seem to be more interested in exercising their own power over those that live in, or use the parks, and developing them, to get on with something like this, which one would have thought would have been much easier to have achieve in isolated and deserted Scotland, than overpopulated and densely populated England, but there you are.

Dounreay may become first nuclear heritage site

© Dounreay Site Restoration Ltd and NDA

Dounreay almost seems to be getting more mentions since it closed down than when it was active.

We mentioned the creation of the National Nuclear Archive in Caithness back in early 2008, although there are further mentions from the time, we’ve seen little more news.

There is now news of a bid for Dounreay to become the first nuclear heritage site, as the company dismantling the installation launches a three month consultation to determine what should remain on the site.

Dounreay Site Restoration Limited (DSRL) is dismantling the site, which was built on the Caithness coast in the 1950s and used for experimental nuclear reactor projects, with the experimental fast breeder within the dome achieving criticality on November 14, 1959.

If the plans, which are described as the first to encompass the entire site, are successful, Dounreay could become the first nuclear heritage site in the country.

Commonwealth Games opens Money Pit as costs soar

I make no secret of having absolutely no interest in the forthcoming 2014 Commonwealth Games. The event is already ruining the east end of the city of Glasgow, where I happen to live, with wide areas of land already being razed, houses (possibly of historic interest) demolished, housing developments starting and stopping, and numerous sporting facilities to be shoehorned into place. These, we are told, will remain as lasting legacies to the games, and bring new opportunities to the communities they lie within. I suspect I may be writing of their closure or redevelopment in later years. We can only wait and see.

I happened to mention a nearby sports and recreation facility online a few years ago, only to be told by the locals that it was one of the greatest jokes held up as a success by the developers. According to those who live near it, the main users are from outlying areas, and block the streets with their cars. The local youth can’t use it, because local gangs loiter around the gates, and see off any that try. I can’t verify these claims one one way or the other, only repeat what I have been told as I don’t live in that particular spot, and don’t know anyone well enough to gain further insight.

When the great announcement was made that Glasgow had “won” the prize (and all the others probably breathed a sigh of relief at having avoid this booby prize) all I saw was the creation of a money pit, into which millions would be poured on a promise, with no guarantees but one – that whatever cost was announced would be sure to increase. If they are still looking, the people of Abuja, Nigeria (which was the rival bidder) will be breathing a sigh of relief, and wishing a big “Thank You” to Glasgow for sparing them the future soaring cost of hosting this pit.

With five years left for more of the same, it comes as no surprise that the first announcement has been made regarding the spiralling cost of winning this booby prize. The original budget was given as £373 million, but with cries of “Global Economic Recession”, this is to be increased by more than 20% and raised to £453 million – a further £80 million.

I don’t really care why, but if the recession is the cause, then I’d rather hear that something had been cut from the circus to reduce its cost, not that the Scottish Government, and more importantly Glasgow City Council, will provide the bulk of the additional funding demand.

Just as the council continues to announce various local funding cuts, and has succeeded in maintaining the level of Council Tax demand constant for some years, with no increase in the dip made into my pocket.

Scotland’s First Minister Alex Salmond hailed Glasgow’s victory back in November 2007. “We will make these Games the greatest sporting event our country has ever seen. They will be our chance to show the whole world the very best of Scotland.”

At a guess, he doesn’t live in the city that will foot the bill.

The really interesting part of the games will come in the following years, as the pro-games camp publishes its analysis of the financial impact of the event, and tells of all the business and opportunities they brought to the area, while there will be another camp quietly revealing the true costs after everything – not just the cherries- are taken into account. The second report will be dismissed as negative and ill-informed.

I wonder who will report on the crime that accompanies the staging of this event, as the cities that have hosted similar events in recent years have warned that an event of this size brings in prostitution, vice, drugs, and any number of organised criminal activities, travelling from abroad and keen to exploit both locals and visitors to the area.

Congratulations Abuja, and well done on a successful campaign.

Bute mooring dispute ruling delayed until 2011

After the case being heard at the Court of Session in Edinburgh ran out of time after the alloted four days for the proceeding were consumed, the court was able to find a further half day during the following Wednesday, when the presentations were able to conclude. The parties will, however, have to wait until 2011 before the judge’s decision will be announced. The only indication as to when this may arrive was given when the judge asked when the sailing season began.

Equally significant was an early announcement that the Crown Estate Commissioners would immediately launch and appeal if the ruling should not be in their favour. In this case, the appeal will follow the usual course, and be referred to three appeal judges, and the submissions will all have to be repeated.

If the Crown Estate Commissioners prevail, it is expected that a “cooling off” period will be granted before they take over full control, during which those with moorings will have time to remove them, or join the Port Bannatyne Moorings Association, which will give them access to a discounted licence fee, otherwise they will have to pay the fill amount if they take out an individual mooring licence.

While the Crown Estate is clearly not going to give up easily, it seems that it has given one concession, and will not be chasing owners in order to recover the costs of removing unlicensed equipment. It would probably unenforceable and unfair anyway, because it may not always possible to find out who the owner was.

As promised, The Buteman has produced a summary of the case to make easier reading of the week’s events, which proved to be both interesting and informative as the history of the Royal Burgh was probed:

Bute moorings decision likely in new year – Buteman Today

Wind farm war has usual casualty

It’s odd that I seem to be finding more interesting tales regarding wind farms after I decided to try and ignore them than when I had a spell of watching how they were developing, but the wider view is still providing some relevant information, and revealing some skeletons in the cupboards of both the pro and anti wind brigades.

The Viking Energy wind farm project, for 150 turbines in Shetland, is a joint venture between Scottish and Southern Energy and the island community.

Save Our Scenic Moray (SoSM) is a group opposed to the proposed Dorenell wind farm, near Dufftown in Moray.

Both have had their knuckles rapped by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) for making unsubstantiated claims in their brochures.

That casualty I mentioned, its name begins with the letter ‘T‘.

Naughty wind farm developers

The ASA upheld four complaints against a leaflet published by Viking Energy in May:

• claims that 50% of the profits would stay in the Shetland Community were wrong, since 5% of the amount within that figure would go to four local shareholders.
• two claims that up to £30 million could go into the Shetland economy each year and £18 million could be earned by the public purse, were not flagged up clearly enough as mere estimates.
• claims made in the leaflet that atmospheric pollution created during construction of the wind farm could be balanced out by fewer than three years of wind farm operation, were unsubstantiated.

While Viking Energy admitted their wording was “clumsy”, it denied any suggestion it was trying to mislead, and issued an apology. Not surprisingly, opponents to the development have made the most of this finding, and say it casts doubt over the benefits claimed by the developer.

Naughty wind farm opponents

The ASA also upheld a number of complaints about a SoSM leaflet, saying that it must not be issued again in its current form and that it must contain “robust evidence” to support future claims. The leaflet had been reported to the ASA by Pendragon Consultants, acting on behalf of renewable energy company Infinergy.

The consultants challenged SoSM  claims that the wind farm was a threat to Whisky Glens, that rare golden eagles would die in turbines and that the plan presented “a danger of wildlife disturbance, pollution of rivers and loss of habitat”, and if the group could substantiate claims it made that a wind farm would deter visitors from returning to the area and accommodation providers would suffer “a cash loss”.

 

Common sense may be returning to historic development

Although they may be relevant, I don’t see any point in merely dragging up specific examples of poor decisions by bodies such as Historic Scotland. Suffice to say that if one started out on such points scoring, then there would be as many positive as negative examples to be found, and the exercise would be pointless. Throwing stones from a pile of historic rubble is less than productive.

Rather, it might be fairer to say that there is a growing need for some greater degree if flexibility in the application of the rules, and a realisation that demands for authenticity come with a price. That price may be financial, in the case that long dead or dying building methods can be prohibitively expensive if deployed on a large scale under today’s working regulations, or may be material, as delays (or that financial burden) means that otherwise sound historical building are left derelict and abandoned, since no-one can justify the potential high cost of faithful restoration.

It might be argued that while a restoration which makes use of some modern methods and materials may not be 100% faithful to the original, it is better to have a restoration that is not quite 100%, but is a more faithful to the original than a pile of rubble – or a block of modern flats on the same plot.

Speaking during the historic environment debate in the Scottish Parliament, Culture Minister Michael Russell said of Historic Scotland: “Regulation has to become problem-solving. Its task must be to realise full value of historic assets rather than getting involved in the business that allows them to be seen as an obstacle to progress.” He carried on to say that the public agency should not be seen as an “obstacle” to progress, but that this did not simply mean it would agree to everything an owner proposed.

It sounds as if this is a call for some old-fashioned common sense to be introduced, which can surely only be of benefit to both the people and the buildings at risk. It would also seem that the minister has fired a warning shot to the sort of developer who merely wishes to convert a significant building into modern flats. We can only watch the news over the next few years, and see what sort of stories the media latch on to, or not.