WillP
@wiilp.bsky.social
Energy, science, engineering, environment.
Reposted by WillP
21. Everyone is defining long-duration storage technology wrong. It's not about 6 or 8 hours — you can do that with lithium-ion and probably would — it's about having the capex to add more GWh of capacity decoupled from the capex of adding more GW.
October 20, 2025 at 7:51 AM
21. Everyone is defining long-duration storage technology wrong. It's not about 6 or 8 hours — you can do that with lithium-ion and probably would — it's about having the capex to add more GWh of capacity decoupled from the capex of adding more GW.
Cottam coal power station demolished today (the cooling towers).
Will be replaced by a solar farm, using the same grid connection.
Will be replaced by a solar farm, using the same grid connection.
August 14, 2025 at 6:55 PM
Cottam coal power station demolished today (the cooling towers).
Will be replaced by a solar farm, using the same grid connection.
Will be replaced by a solar farm, using the same grid connection.
August 7, 2025 at 11:33 AM
Reposted by WillP
So yesterday was sunny and windy and prices were very negative, -£30/MWh. Last night and today, prices went high again +£80. We badly needed a few hours storage.
But our 2.7 GW existing PSH fleet hardly reacted! 0.5 GW maximum. (Dark blue line on chart)
Why were they not busy pumping and storing?
But our 2.7 GW existing PSH fleet hardly reacted! 0.5 GW maximum. (Dark blue line on chart)
Why were they not busy pumping and storing?
April 28, 2025 at 10:23 AM
So yesterday was sunny and windy and prices were very negative, -£30/MWh. Last night and today, prices went high again +£80. We badly needed a few hours storage.
But our 2.7 GW existing PSH fleet hardly reacted! 0.5 GW maximum. (Dark blue line on chart)
Why were they not busy pumping and storing?
But our 2.7 GW existing PSH fleet hardly reacted! 0.5 GW maximum. (Dark blue line on chart)
Why were they not busy pumping and storing?
Reposted by WillP
The UK currently has 3GW of pumped storage capacity, but NESO (the system operator) expects this to more than triple to 10GW by 2035. In fact, by my count there is already 7GW of capacity that has begun the permitting process, and 5GW of this has now received planning consent. (3/9)
April 22, 2025 at 12:23 PM
The UK currently has 3GW of pumped storage capacity, but NESO (the system operator) expects this to more than triple to 10GW by 2035. In fact, by my count there is already 7GW of capacity that has begun the permitting process, and 5GW of this has now received planning consent. (3/9)
Renewables plus Nuclear producing 102% of GB demand !
Plus another 5% gas.
The excess 7% is being pumped into storage and exported to Ireland and Norway.
grid.iamkate.com
Plus another 5% gas.
The excess 7% is being pumped into storage and exported to Ireland and Norway.
grid.iamkate.com
March 30, 2025 at 1:40 PM
Renewables plus Nuclear producing 102% of GB demand !
Plus another 5% gas.
The excess 7% is being pumped into storage and exported to Ireland and Norway.
grid.iamkate.com
Plus another 5% gas.
The excess 7% is being pumped into storage and exported to Ireland and Norway.
grid.iamkate.com
www.newcivilengineer.com/latest/edf-r...
EDF now only own 16.2% of Sizewell C - might they pull out of it altogether?
EDF now only own 16.2% of Sizewell C - might they pull out of it altogether?
EDF reduces stake in Sizewell C as boss sacked | New Civil Engineer
The UK’s flagship gigawatt-scale new nuclear projects under construction – Hinkley Point C in Somerset and Sizewell C in Suffolk – are both subject to
www.newcivilengineer.com
March 26, 2025 at 9:03 AM
www.newcivilengineer.com/latest/edf-r...
EDF now only own 16.2% of Sizewell C - might they pull out of it altogether?
EDF now only own 16.2% of Sizewell C - might they pull out of it altogether?
"Adding a co-located 4-hour battery of 6.8GW capacity to ... the 8.6GW tidal barrage... reduced the negative impact on constraints costs"
www.severncommission.co.uk/final-recomm...
A multi-GW pulse of power at inconvenient times of day is one of the problems with both tidal and PV - same solution?
www.severncommission.co.uk/final-recomm...
A multi-GW pulse of power at inconvenient times of day is one of the problems with both tidal and PV - same solution?
Final Recommendations - Severn Estuary Commission
Introduction
The Severn Estuary Commission was established in March 2024 by the Western Gateway Partnership to assess the feasibility of tidal range energy generation in the Severn Estuary. After a y...
www.severncommission.co.uk
March 19, 2025 at 11:29 AM
"Adding a co-located 4-hour battery of 6.8GW capacity to ... the 8.6GW tidal barrage... reduced the negative impact on constraints costs"
www.severncommission.co.uk/final-recomm...
A multi-GW pulse of power at inconvenient times of day is one of the problems with both tidal and PV - same solution?
www.severncommission.co.uk/final-recomm...
A multi-GW pulse of power at inconvenient times of day is one of the problems with both tidal and PV - same solution?
Sorry to see this dumped. On buying a home (new or old) you'd have been given 2 or 3 years to remove the gas boiler and fit something else.
The sale price of the home would reflect this.
Change of ownership seems like a great time to change central heating.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
The sale price of the home would reflect this.
Change of ownership seems like a great time to change central heating.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Scottish government scraps green heating plans for new homes
Acting net-zero secretary Gillian Martin told MSPs the legislation, drafted by the Scottish Greens, would
www.bbc.co.uk
March 12, 2025 at 8:33 AM
Sorry to see this dumped. On buying a home (new or old) you'd have been given 2 or 3 years to remove the gas boiler and fit something else.
The sale price of the home would reflect this.
Change of ownership seems like a great time to change central heating.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
The sale price of the home would reflect this.
Change of ownership seems like a great time to change central heating.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by WillP
Good for England to do this, but please learn from the implementation debacle in Scotland - the Scot DRS collapsed.
Pity it doesn't include glass bottles, plastic food trays, food tins or tetrapak, and is 'recycle' not 'reuse'.
Beware if this is intended to replace household recycling collections!
Pity it doesn't include glass bottles, plastic food trays, food tins or tetrapak, and is 'recycle' not 'reuse'.
Beware if this is intended to replace household recycling collections!
January 27, 2025 at 12:18 PM
Good for England to do this, but please learn from the implementation debacle in Scotland - the Scot DRS collapsed.
Pity it doesn't include glass bottles, plastic food trays, food tins or tetrapak, and is 'recycle' not 'reuse'.
Beware if this is intended to replace household recycling collections!
Pity it doesn't include glass bottles, plastic food trays, food tins or tetrapak, and is 'recycle' not 'reuse'.
Beware if this is intended to replace household recycling collections!
Reposted by WillP
🔌💡 The majority of waves are created and driven by wind. Wind is created by differential solar heating of the Earth. Solar energy is created by nuclear fusion in the Sun.
I made a diagram tracing the provenance of every primary energy source on Earth:
I made a diagram tracing the provenance of every primary energy source on Earth:
January 15, 2025 at 3:21 AM
🔌💡 The majority of waves are created and driven by wind. Wind is created by differential solar heating of the Earth. Solar energy is created by nuclear fusion in the Sun.
I made a diagram tracing the provenance of every primary energy source on Earth:
I made a diagram tracing the provenance of every primary energy source on Earth:
Reposted by WillP
Dedicated heat pumps have been built for 200+ degrees C.
A steam turbine cycle is just a heat pump running in reverse, they get up to 600 degC, so the building blocks exist to go that hot.
Gas turbines run at 1500+ deg, maybe a future HP will too? Sodium vapour cycle? If there's an application.
A steam turbine cycle is just a heat pump running in reverse, they get up to 600 degC, so the building blocks exist to go that hot.
Gas turbines run at 1500+ deg, maybe a future HP will too? Sodium vapour cycle? If there's an application.
January 18, 2025 at 10:33 PM
Dedicated heat pumps have been built for 200+ degrees C.
A steam turbine cycle is just a heat pump running in reverse, they get up to 600 degC, so the building blocks exist to go that hot.
Gas turbines run at 1500+ deg, maybe a future HP will too? Sodium vapour cycle? If there's an application.
A steam turbine cycle is just a heat pump running in reverse, they get up to 600 degC, so the building blocks exist to go that hot.
Gas turbines run at 1500+ deg, maybe a future HP will too? Sodium vapour cycle? If there's an application.
Reposted by WillP
Love your substack, but there's a public misunderstanding.
Most people are unaware that solar PV is already required on 0.4 of the roof of new homes since 2022 AD L1, same in FHS.
Too arcane for most, so politicians like parliamentary stunts that exploit this, rather than explaining the law.
Most people are unaware that solar PV is already required on 0.4 of the roof of new homes since 2022 AD L1, same in FHS.
Too arcane for most, so politicians like parliamentary stunts that exploit this, rather than explaining the law.
January 19, 2025 at 2:44 PM
Love your substack, but there's a public misunderstanding.
Most people are unaware that solar PV is already required on 0.4 of the roof of new homes since 2022 AD L1, same in FHS.
Too arcane for most, so politicians like parliamentary stunts that exploit this, rather than explaining the law.
Most people are unaware that solar PV is already required on 0.4 of the roof of new homes since 2022 AD L1, same in FHS.
Too arcane for most, so politicians like parliamentary stunts that exploit this, rather than explaining the law.
Reposted by WillP
I don't think we all appreciate just how much more expensive fossil fuels are in Europe than in the US since '22
In Europe switching generation from imported gas to homegrown renewables makes our bills cheaper and more stable.
In the US, not so, there's a gas surplus because of shale/fracking.
In Europe switching generation from imported gas to homegrown renewables makes our bills cheaper and more stable.
In the US, not so, there's a gas surplus because of shale/fracking.
January 21, 2025 at 10:19 AM
I don't think we all appreciate just how much more expensive fossil fuels are in Europe than in the US since '22
In Europe switching generation from imported gas to homegrown renewables makes our bills cheaper and more stable.
In the US, not so, there's a gas surplus because of shale/fracking.
In Europe switching generation from imported gas to homegrown renewables makes our bills cheaper and more stable.
In the US, not so, there's a gas surplus because of shale/fracking.
Reposted by WillP
This will be (another) new record!
Windy again today (Tuesday 17th 1830)
And forecast to stay windy until tomorrow morning.
You wait all year for a record to come, then....
And forecast to stay windy until tomorrow morning.
You wait all year for a record to come, then....
December 17, 2024 at 11:51 PM
This will be (another) new record!
Reposted by WillP
can you estimate a rough heuristic range for a typical PSH project, in $/kWh? or is there just too much variance between projects??
December 10, 2024 at 6:34 AM
can you estimate a rough heuristic range for a typical PSH project, in $/kWh? or is there just too much variance between projects??
Reposted by WillP
UK has had Economy 7 and 10 tariffs since 1978.
7 hours of cheaper electricity overnight, when there was lower demand. Typically hard-wired to heaters and hot water tanks.
Search says that ~3 million customers are still on these tariffs.
Time of Use and DSR are not newfangled ideas!
7 hours of cheaper electricity overnight, when there was lower demand. Typically hard-wired to heaters and hot water tanks.
Search says that ~3 million customers are still on these tariffs.
Time of Use and DSR are not newfangled ideas!
November 27, 2024 at 12:37 PM
UK has had Economy 7 and 10 tariffs since 1978.
7 hours of cheaper electricity overnight, when there was lower demand. Typically hard-wired to heaters and hot water tanks.
Search says that ~3 million customers are still on these tariffs.
Time of Use and DSR are not newfangled ideas!
7 hours of cheaper electricity overnight, when there was lower demand. Typically hard-wired to heaters and hot water tanks.
Search says that ~3 million customers are still on these tariffs.
Time of Use and DSR are not newfangled ideas!
Reposted by WillP
This is a key point. The whole idea of renewables is to build enough for the days when it's not very windy. Then when it is super-windy you just don't need to use them all.
The language of "curtailment" is made to sound like a bad thing, but actually it's good to have more than can be used.
The language of "curtailment" is made to sound like a bad thing, but actually it's good to have more than can be used.
November 28, 2024 at 10:58 AM
This is a key point. The whole idea of renewables is to build enough for the days when it's not very windy. Then when it is super-windy you just don't need to use them all.
The language of "curtailment" is made to sound like a bad thing, but actually it's good to have more than can be used.
The language of "curtailment" is made to sound like a bad thing, but actually it's good to have more than can be used.
The 200th anniversary this year of Carnot's publication... Heat pumps are not a new idea!
His concept of 'reversibility' is still at the heart of the 2nd Law. And he predicted that low flow temperatures would give the best CoP.
books.google.co.uk/books?id=QX9...
His concept of 'reversibility' is still at the heart of the 2nd Law. And he predicted that low flow temperatures would give the best CoP.
books.google.co.uk/books?id=QX9...
Réflexions sur la puissance motrice du feu et sur les machines propres à développer cette puissance
books.google.co.uk
November 11, 2024 at 9:47 PM
The 200th anniversary this year of Carnot's publication... Heat pumps are not a new idea!
His concept of 'reversibility' is still at the heart of the 2nd Law. And he predicted that low flow temperatures would give the best CoP.
books.google.co.uk/books?id=QX9...
His concept of 'reversibility' is still at the heart of the 2nd Law. And he predicted that low flow temperatures would give the best CoP.
books.google.co.uk/books?id=QX9...
The CIBSE Thermal Admittance method combines the effusivity of the wall or floor material, with the convection and radiation of the air.
cibsejournal.com/cpd/modules/...
The first 25-100mm damps out day-night cycles. Seasonal cycles go much deeper.
cibsejournal.com/cpd/modules/...
The first 25-100mm damps out day-night cycles. Seasonal cycles go much deeper.
Module 48: Simple thermal analysis for buildings
This module explores the parameters required to assess the relative thermal performance of the building fabric
cibsejournal.com
November 11, 2024 at 9:43 PM
The CIBSE Thermal Admittance method combines the effusivity of the wall or floor material, with the convection and radiation of the air.
cibsejournal.com/cpd/modules/...
The first 25-100mm damps out day-night cycles. Seasonal cycles go much deeper.
cibsejournal.com/cpd/modules/...
The first 25-100mm damps out day-night cycles. Seasonal cycles go much deeper.
PV is already the cheapest power source in the UK, as bid in recent AR6 auction.
PV was pre-sold at £50.06/MWh for delivery in 2026, slightly cheaper than onshore wind £50.90, offshore wind £58.87, tidal stream £172.
Previously nuclear was £92.50. Gas was ~£100 today.
PV was pre-sold at £50.06/MWh for delivery in 2026, slightly cheaper than onshore wind £50.90, offshore wind £58.87, tidal stream £172.
Previously nuclear was £92.50. Gas was ~£100 today.
November 11, 2024 at 9:28 PM
PV is already the cheapest power source in the UK, as bid in recent AR6 auction.
PV was pre-sold at £50.06/MWh for delivery in 2026, slightly cheaper than onshore wind £50.90, offshore wind £58.87, tidal stream £172.
Previously nuclear was £92.50. Gas was ~£100 today.
PV was pre-sold at £50.06/MWh for delivery in 2026, slightly cheaper than onshore wind £50.90, offshore wind £58.87, tidal stream £172.
Previously nuclear was £92.50. Gas was ~£100 today.
a 5 minute x 11kW = 30L shower takes 5 mins extra either side for drying and dressing.
If a store can reheat 30L in 15 mins, it can cope with back to back showers.
15mins x 5kW is > 5mins x 11kW
The graph shows the store reheating in ~15mins after each shower
If a store can reheat 30L in 15 mins, it can cope with back to back showers.
15mins x 5kW is > 5mins x 11kW
The graph shows the store reheating in ~15mins after each shower
November 11, 2024 at 9:23 PM
a 5 minute x 11kW = 30L shower takes 5 mins extra either side for drying and dressing.
If a store can reheat 30L in 15 mins, it can cope with back to back showers.
15mins x 5kW is > 5mins x 11kW
The graph shows the store reheating in ~15mins after each shower
If a store can reheat 30L in 15 mins, it can cope with back to back showers.
15mins x 5kW is > 5mins x 11kW
The graph shows the store reheating in ~15mins after each shower
What's the capacity factor for UK gas?
98 TWh generated ÷ 27GW capacity ÷ 8760hoursperyear
= 41%
> Capacity factor for gas is the same as for offshore wind.
Capacity factors for each source of electricity (2021 data)
en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capacit...
98 TWh generated ÷ 27GW capacity ÷ 8760hoursperyear
= 41%
> Capacity factor for gas is the same as for offshore wind.
Capacity factors for each source of electricity (2021 data)
en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capacit...
Capacity factor - Wikipedia
en.m.wikipedia.org
November 11, 2024 at 9:12 PM
What's the capacity factor for UK gas?
98 TWh generated ÷ 27GW capacity ÷ 8760hoursperyear
= 41%
> Capacity factor for gas is the same as for offshore wind.
Capacity factors for each source of electricity (2021 data)
en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capacit...
98 TWh generated ÷ 27GW capacity ÷ 8760hoursperyear
= 41%
> Capacity factor for gas is the same as for offshore wind.
Capacity factors for each source of electricity (2021 data)
en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capacit...