Dan Grey
@dangrey.bsky.social
Energy and transitioning from fossil fuels. Complex issues I try to shine a light on. Ex-UKAEA and Met Office. Occasionally politics
Exeter, UK
Exeter, UK
Pinned
Dan Grey
@dangrey.bsky.social
· May 9
Orsted, majority-owned by the Danish government, has decided to cancel the 2.4 GW Hornsea 4 offshore wind farm. The final investment decision had been expected later this year – they've taken it early, and it's a negative.
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Ørsted discontinues Hornsea 4 offshore wind project
Ørsted has announced it will discontinue construction on its Hornsea 4 offshore wind project in the UK, despite recently securing a Contract for
www.energyvoice.com
So Ørsted has canned the Hornsea 4 wind farm project – what does that mean for the pipeline of offshore wind farms between now and 2030?
Not all that much...
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Not all that much...
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The EU is banning, on safety and environmental grounds, about half of the pesticide chemicals that British farmers use in the autumn.
Happily a sanitary and phytosanitary deal – which the government is targeting for implementing in June 2027 – will also seem them banned here
Happily a sanitary and phytosanitary deal – which the government is targeting for implementing in June 2027 – will also seem them banned here
Brexit 'reset' threatens half of British farmers’ herbicides - Farmers Weekly
Britain’s arable farmers, already battered by extreme weather, dwindling farm support and lacklustre prices, face another hammer blow as Labour’s Brexit
www.fwi.co.uk
November 16, 2025 at 4:20 PM
The EU is banning, on safety and environmental grounds, about half of the pesticide chemicals that British farmers use in the autumn.
Happily a sanitary and phytosanitary deal – which the government is targeting for implementing in June 2027 – will also seem them banned here
Happily a sanitary and phytosanitary deal – which the government is targeting for implementing in June 2027 – will also seem them banned here
Intriguing story on front page of BBC; an electric "boiler" consisting of 500 Raspberry Pis!
They sit in a bath of non-conducting fluid, and a heat exchanger heats water for a hot water cylinder and radiators at ~4 kW
I think the electricity cost is offset by selling compute power to third parties
They sit in a bath of non-conducting fluid, and a heat exchanger heats water for a hot water cylinder and radiators at ~4 kW
I think the electricity cost is offset by selling compute power to third parties
'I heat my Essex home with a data centre in the shed'
www.bbc.co.uk
November 16, 2025 at 1:30 PM
Intriguing story on front page of BBC; an electric "boiler" consisting of 500 Raspberry Pis!
They sit in a bath of non-conducting fluid, and a heat exchanger heats water for a hot water cylinder and radiators at ~4 kW
I think the electricity cost is offset by selling compute power to third parties
They sit in a bath of non-conducting fluid, and a heat exchanger heats water for a hot water cylinder and radiators at ~4 kW
I think the electricity cost is offset by selling compute power to third parties
Since the 1990s I've thought that surely the path for less developed countries is to skip fossil fuels and go straight to renewables.
Looks like it is finally happening – because the Chinese government invested heavily and meaningfully in solar panel manufacturing
Looks like it is finally happening – because the Chinese government invested heavily and meaningfully in solar panel manufacturing
Africa’s solar panel imports SURGED by 60% in the last 12 months☀️
While South Africa led the 2023 rise in solar panel imports, 20 other countries are also growing their solar capacity in 2025 📈
#COP30 can use this momentum to move the African #energytransition further
https://loom.ly/RexuKOw
While South Africa led the 2023 rise in solar panel imports, 20 other countries are also growing their solar capacity in 2025 📈
#COP30 can use this momentum to move the African #energytransition further
https://loom.ly/RexuKOw
November 16, 2025 at 8:01 AM
Since the 1990s I've thought that surely the path for less developed countries is to skip fossil fuels and go straight to renewables.
Looks like it is finally happening – because the Chinese government invested heavily and meaningfully in solar panel manufacturing
Looks like it is finally happening – because the Chinese government invested heavily and meaningfully in solar panel manufacturing
Reposted by Dan Grey
The same for journalists. If a politician or business leader spits out 1.5C or net zero, ask them how fast emissions need to drop to reach net zero in 2050, and how fast they are dropping today. Point out the contradiction. Make them explain it.
November 15, 2025 at 8:03 AM
The same for journalists. If a politician or business leader spits out 1.5C or net zero, ask them how fast emissions need to drop to reach net zero in 2050, and how fast they are dropping today. Point out the contradiction. Make them explain it.
The IEA tries its hand at comedy
Oil markets look well supplied for now, but the outlook varies
In the Current Policies Scenario, demand keeps rising to 2035 & beyond as EV sales stall outside China & Europe
In the Stated Policies Scenario, EV growth flattens global oil use around 2030: iea.li/4oyh2UX
In the Current Policies Scenario, demand keeps rising to 2035 & beyond as EV sales stall outside China & Europe
In the Stated Policies Scenario, EV growth flattens global oil use around 2030: iea.li/4oyh2UX
November 15, 2025 at 11:52 AM
The IEA tries its hand at comedy
Not ripping the plaster off to instead go with many little fiddly policies is anti-growth, and is unlikely to restore sufficient "headroom" to avoid repeated further tax rises at future budgets.
Out of a range of bad choices, raising income taxes was the least-worst, in the round.
Out of a range of bad choices, raising income taxes was the least-worst, in the round.
Too much analysis was still treating breaking the tax pledge as “just another unpopular decision” rather than recognising consequence of breaking a promise which defined an election for the public. If is correct the govt won’t now break it they may have avoided a deeply scarring loss of public trust
November 14, 2025 at 10:59 AM
Not ripping the plaster off to instead go with many little fiddly policies is anti-growth, and is unlikely to restore sufficient "headroom" to avoid repeated further tax rises at future budgets.
Out of a range of bad choices, raising income taxes was the least-worst, in the round.
Out of a range of bad choices, raising income taxes was the least-worst, in the round.
Protecting rainforests is one of the most cost-effective ways of reducing CO₂ emissions; tropical rainforest felling – largely for beef and palm oil farming – is responsible for about a tenth of global GHG emissions.
That Britain wouldn't back the flagship plan to help rainforests was shameful
That Britain wouldn't back the flagship plan to help rainforests was shameful
UK will take a "fresh look" at contributing to Brazil TFFF fund to protect the world's rainforests, says top climate envoy
www.linkedin.com/pulse/uk-rec...
www.linkedin.com/pulse/uk-rec...
UK to reconsider paying into Brazil TFFF fund to protect the world's rainforests
Britain’s climate envoy has said that the government will take a “fresh look” at paying into a new fund to protect the world’s rainforests, in a sign that a decision not to contribute could be reverse...
www.linkedin.com
November 14, 2025 at 8:26 AM
Protecting rainforests is one of the most cost-effective ways of reducing CO₂ emissions; tropical rainforest felling – largely for beef and palm oil farming – is responsible for about a tenth of global GHG emissions.
That Britain wouldn't back the flagship plan to help rainforests was shameful
That Britain wouldn't back the flagship plan to help rainforests was shameful
Reposted by Dan Grey
I am obliged to report that when the No 10 spokesman gave this part of the statement there was a brief but heartfelt outbreak of laughter from journalists, one of whom later asked if the PM might thus be interested in a bridge he had to sell.
November 13, 2025 at 12:35 PM
I am obliged to report that when the No 10 spokesman gave this part of the statement there was a brief but heartfelt outbreak of laughter from journalists, one of whom later asked if the PM might thus be interested in a bridge he had to sell.
How can this be? Just extraordinary.
The officer "couldn't count the number of times" he'd ridden that route and so was no doubt complacent when he drove his motorbike at 40+ mph into an elderly woman crossing under a green man.
The officer "couldn't count the number of times" he'd ridden that route and so was no doubt complacent when he drove his motorbike at 40+ mph into an elderly woman crossing under a green man.
Royal outrider acquitted over pensioner road death
Met Police officer PC Christopher Harrison was accused of causing death by careless driving.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 13, 2025 at 4:20 PM
How can this be? Just extraordinary.
The officer "couldn't count the number of times" he'd ridden that route and so was no doubt complacent when he drove his motorbike at 40+ mph into an elderly woman crossing under a green man.
The officer "couldn't count the number of times" he'd ridden that route and so was no doubt complacent when he drove his motorbike at 40+ mph into an elderly woman crossing under a green man.
IEA World Energy Outlook, GCP Global Carbon Budget, SSE making some announcement, the boss of Centrica doing some stirring, and another SMR announcement.
All in the space of 24 hours.
Guys, can't we space things out a bit?!
All in the space of 24 hours.
Guys, can't we space things out a bit?!
November 13, 2025 at 2:45 PM
IEA World Energy Outlook, GCP Global Carbon Budget, SSE making some announcement, the boss of Centrica doing some stirring, and another SMR announcement.
All in the space of 24 hours.
Guys, can't we space things out a bit?!
All in the space of 24 hours.
Guys, can't we space things out a bit?!
Reposted by Dan Grey
Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) produce as almost as much CO₂ as non-hybrid vehicles.
EU analysis of mandatory onboard fuel consumption monitoring of PHEV cars being driven normally shows that their CO₂ emissions are around 140 g/km – not much lower than non-hybrid petrol cars
1/
EU analysis of mandatory onboard fuel consumption monitoring of PHEV cars being driven normally shows that their CO₂ emissions are around 140 g/km – not much lower than non-hybrid petrol cars
1/
November 12, 2025 at 10:27 AM
Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) produce as almost as much CO₂ as non-hybrid vehicles.
EU analysis of mandatory onboard fuel consumption monitoring of PHEV cars being driven normally shows that their CO₂ emissions are around 140 g/km – not much lower than non-hybrid petrol cars
1/
EU analysis of mandatory onboard fuel consumption monitoring of PHEV cars being driven normally shows that their CO₂ emissions are around 140 g/km – not much lower than non-hybrid petrol cars
1/
Mr Concrete
NEW: Presenter Mike Graham has been dismissed from Rupert Murdoch’s digital channel TalkTV.
Company says he failed to cooperate with an investigation into a racist post that appeared on one of his social media accounts.
He said he has been hacked:
www.theguardian.com/media/2025/n...
Company says he failed to cooperate with an investigation into a racist post that appeared on one of his social media accounts.
He said he has been hacked:
www.theguardian.com/media/2025/n...
Mike Graham sacked from TalkTV after ‘failure’ to assist inquiry into racist post
Broadcaster suspended presenter last month over Facebook post he said happened after account was hacked
www.theguardian.com
November 12, 2025 at 8:15 PM
Mr Concrete
If The Times had written 1m more on Universal Credit with no requirements to work they would be correct – because 1m people have been moved from the old Working Tax Credits and Employment Support Allowance to UC.
1m more "on benefits" is WRONG
@geraldinescott.co.uk
1m more "on benefits" is WRONG
@geraldinescott.co.uk
November 12, 2025 at 12:30 PM
If The Times had written 1m more on Universal Credit with no requirements to work they would be correct – because 1m people have been moved from the old Working Tax Credits and Employment Support Allowance to UC.
1m more "on benefits" is WRONG
@geraldinescott.co.uk
1m more "on benefits" is WRONG
@geraldinescott.co.uk
Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) produce as almost as much CO₂ as non-hybrid vehicles.
EU analysis of mandatory onboard fuel consumption monitoring of PHEV cars being driven normally shows that their CO₂ emissions are around 140 g/km – not much lower than non-hybrid petrol cars
1/
EU analysis of mandatory onboard fuel consumption monitoring of PHEV cars being driven normally shows that their CO₂ emissions are around 140 g/km – not much lower than non-hybrid petrol cars
1/
November 12, 2025 at 10:27 AM
Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) produce as almost as much CO₂ as non-hybrid vehicles.
EU analysis of mandatory onboard fuel consumption monitoring of PHEV cars being driven normally shows that their CO₂ emissions are around 140 g/km – not much lower than non-hybrid petrol cars
1/
EU analysis of mandatory onboard fuel consumption monitoring of PHEV cars being driven normally shows that their CO₂ emissions are around 140 g/km – not much lower than non-hybrid petrol cars
1/
Reposted by Dan Grey
“They could try not being paranoid and just try being better” - top notch analysis here from Jessica Elgot: www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Thin majorities and chaotic strategy push Labour MPs toward regime change
Frustration with Starmer’s lack of visibility unlikely to be quelled by No 10 efforts to show up leadership challengers
www.theguardian.com
November 11, 2025 at 9:04 PM
“They could try not being paranoid and just try being better” - top notch analysis here from Jessica Elgot: www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Dan Grey
I worry about the 'more than 90 prisoners released by mistake' story for several reasons (more evidence the state is failing, obviously risk to victims, loss of trust) but mostly because we seem to have thought you can erode spending and investment in public services with no cost.
November 11, 2025 at 4:48 PM
I worry about the 'more than 90 prisoners released by mistake' story for several reasons (more evidence the state is failing, obviously risk to victims, loss of trust) but mostly because we seem to have thought you can erode spending and investment in public services with no cost.
Well we have already cut territorial emissions by half, I would say that's meaningful progress!
Just 2% of Britons think the UK will achieve net zero by 2050
Expect will achieve: 2%
Will get most of way: 18%
Will get some of the way: 47%
Won't make meaningful progress at all: 21%
yougov.co.uk/politics/art...
Expect will achieve: 2%
Will get most of way: 18%
Will get some of the way: 47%
Won't make meaningful progress at all: 21%
yougov.co.uk/politics/art...
November 11, 2025 at 4:48 PM
Well we have already cut territorial emissions by half, I would say that's meaningful progress!
Reposted by Dan Grey
Do Britons think the government is doing too little or too much on reducing carbon emissions?
Not doing enough: 39%
Doing too much: 24%
Getting balance right: 13%
Among net zero supporters
Not doing enough: 57%
Doing too much: 7%
Getting balance right: 16%
yougov.co.uk/politics/art...
Not doing enough: 39%
Doing too much: 24%
Getting balance right: 13%
Among net zero supporters
Not doing enough: 57%
Doing too much: 7%
Getting balance right: 16%
yougov.co.uk/politics/art...
November 11, 2025 at 10:43 AM
Do Britons think the government is doing too little or too much on reducing carbon emissions?
Not doing enough: 39%
Doing too much: 24%
Getting balance right: 13%
Among net zero supporters
Not doing enough: 57%
Doing too much: 7%
Getting balance right: 16%
yougov.co.uk/politics/art...
Not doing enough: 39%
Doing too much: 24%
Getting balance right: 13%
Among net zero supporters
Not doing enough: 57%
Doing too much: 7%
Getting balance right: 16%
yougov.co.uk/politics/art...
Reposted by Dan Grey
Net zero is one of the many areas where commentators are out-of-touch with public opinion in Britain. There is still broad support for cutting carbon emissions - except from among Reform supporters, who are the outliers.
🧵/ How far does the public support net zero?
Support: 60%
Oppose: 25%
Net support by party
Green: +81
Lib Dem: +67
Lab: +64
Con: +11
Reform: -44
yougov.co.uk/politics/art...
Support: 60%
Oppose: 25%
Net support by party
Green: +81
Lib Dem: +67
Lab: +64
Con: +11
Reform: -44
yougov.co.uk/politics/art...
November 11, 2025 at 10:50 AM
Net zero is one of the many areas where commentators are out-of-touch with public opinion in Britain. There is still broad support for cutting carbon emissions - except from among Reform supporters, who are the outliers.
Some former general on #bbcwato literally contradicting himself; yes indeed soldiers have the yellow card (properly card alpha) and those are the rules you follow. There is no ambiguity now and there won't be in future.
Honestly don't have these dinosaurs on the radio please
Honestly don't have these dinosaurs on the radio please
November 11, 2025 at 1:31 PM
Some former general on #bbcwato literally contradicting himself; yes indeed soldiers have the yellow card (properly card alpha) and those are the rules you follow. There is no ambiguity now and there won't be in future.
Honestly don't have these dinosaurs on the radio please
Honestly don't have these dinosaurs on the radio please
Although... The EPA likely significantly underestimates methane leakage in the US.
Using satellite and aircraft data, academics believe increased methane leakage from burgeoning US oil and gas production, especially fracking has wiped out two-thirds of the official GHG emissions reduction
Using satellite and aircraft data, academics believe increased methane leakage from burgeoning US oil and gas production, especially fracking has wiped out two-thirds of the official GHG emissions reduction
November 10, 2025 at 9:55 PM
Although... The EPA likely significantly underestimates methane leakage in the US.
Using satellite and aircraft data, academics believe increased methane leakage from burgeoning US oil and gas production, especially fracking has wiped out two-thirds of the official GHG emissions reduction
Using satellite and aircraft data, academics believe increased methane leakage from burgeoning US oil and gas production, especially fracking has wiped out two-thirds of the official GHG emissions reduction
In absolute terms (which is what matters) the country that has cut emissions the most since the Paris Agreement was signed in 2015 is... the United States
Most of this is from electricity utilities switching from coal to gas, as fracking for oil led to so much nat gas production that the price fell
Most of this is from electricity utilities switching from coal to gas, as fracking for oil led to so much nat gas production that the price fell
In the decade since the landmark COP21 Paris agreement aimed to limit global warming, both a lot and a little has changed when it comes to the energy sector makeup and the trajectory of emissions.
www.reuters.com/markets/comm...
www.reuters.com/markets/comm...
November 10, 2025 at 5:46 PM
In absolute terms (which is what matters) the country that has cut emissions the most since the Paris Agreement was signed in 2015 is... the United States
Most of this is from electricity utilities switching from coal to gas, as fracking for oil led to so much nat gas production that the price fell
Most of this is from electricity utilities switching from coal to gas, as fracking for oil led to so much nat gas production that the price fell
Sigh, this lack of progress is very frustrating.
(Though the "single energy market" isn't as grandiose as it seems; it just means access to the system were both capacity *and* flows on interconnectors are traded together via algorithms...)
(Though the "single energy market" isn't as grandiose as it seems; it just means access to the system were both capacity *and* flows on interconnectors are traded together via algorithms...)
EU reset getting a bit stuck according to @financialtimes.com www.ft.com/content/03ef... (£). For free you can join our expert panel @instituteforgovernment.org.uk @ukandeu.bsky.social to hear about it on 19/11. Sign up here www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/six-mo...
Von der Leyen dodged Starmer request for meeting on EU money demands
European Commission president had ‘scheduling’ issues at COP30 summit in Brazil and did not meet the UK premier
www.ft.com
November 10, 2025 at 10:22 AM
Sigh, this lack of progress is very frustrating.
(Though the "single energy market" isn't as grandiose as it seems; it just means access to the system were both capacity *and* flows on interconnectors are traded together via algorithms...)
(Though the "single energy market" isn't as grandiose as it seems; it just means access to the system were both capacity *and* flows on interconnectors are traded together via algorithms...)
Reposted by Dan Grey
From net zero to NDCs: your comprehensive #COP30 jargon buster
- Brief explanations of 19 key terms likely to be heard at the Cop30 summit in Brazil
#climatecrisis
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
- Brief explanations of 19 key terms likely to be heard at the Cop30 summit in Brazil
#climatecrisis
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
From net zero to NDCs: your comprehensive Cop30 jargon buster
Brief explanations of 19 key terms likely to be heard at the Cop30 summit in Brazil
www.theguardian.com
November 10, 2025 at 8:33 AM
From net zero to NDCs: your comprehensive #COP30 jargon buster
- Brief explanations of 19 key terms likely to be heard at the Cop30 summit in Brazil
#climatecrisis
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
- Brief explanations of 19 key terms likely to be heard at the Cop30 summit in Brazil
#climatecrisis
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
To be clear this is exactly what Gates was talking about.
Far, far too many people die needlessly young around the world, when their lives could so easily and cheaply be saved
Far, far too many people die needlessly young around the world, when their lives could so easily and cheaply be saved
1 billion people in Africa still cook with basic fuels like wood, charcoal & dung, contributing to over 800,000 premature deaths a year – mostly women & children.
Solving this major injustice would cost less than 0.1% of global energy investment.
More 👉 iea.li/4nW9z1Y
Solving this major injustice would cost less than 0.1% of global energy investment.
More 👉 iea.li/4nW9z1Y
November 9, 2025 at 5:45 PM
To be clear this is exactly what Gates was talking about.
Far, far too many people die needlessly young around the world, when their lives could so easily and cheaply be saved
Far, far too many people die needlessly young around the world, when their lives could so easily and cheaply be saved