Wood Burners

AFAIK, no-one's suggesting compulsory discharge ..... Did that sound a bit rude? ..... Point is, that the most likely time for feed-in would be ahead of yer overnight cheap-rate charge. I've not crunched the numbers yet, but as it'd initially be your own domestic peak demand you'd be meeting for the most part (the larger 'evening out' being when you consider the effects the whole kit'n'kaboodle on the grid as a whole), before flogging juice bought off-peak back into the grid at higher rate, there's a fair chance the sums may come out win-win.

 

Overnight cheap rate is only cheap because no-one is using electricity that is being generated at that time of night. Once they start plugging in their virtue-signallers in any number (if it ever happens) then overnight demand goes up, generators have to kick in (with increased emissions) to meet increased demand and the price goes up accordingly.

No more cheap rate.

Then you add on the tax, because if we stop using petrol and diesel then the massive fuel duty plus VAT that the treasury currently syphons from our tanks is choked off and the taxman needs to replace his fix from the motorists. Welcome to the future - Vehicle Electricity Duty.

 

You've hit on a very valid point there and we're definitely in a transitional EV 'honeymoon period' Until the 'smart grid' evolves to the point where there's sufficient storage though, today's demand fluctuations will continue and current economic models pretty much dictate employing financial incentives to shift demand away from peak requirements.

I share your views on governmental attitudes to what will be a significant reduction in revenue, as income from fossil fuel taxes withers on the vine. My guess is that the level of systems interrogation possible with smart systems will provide an opportunity for taxing juice to EVs at a higher rate than 'domestic' use. Recall that magic 2023 date which keeps getting bandied about? My guess, as a fully paid up cynic, is that's when we'll see major tax changes. (Note to self: check bookies for odds)

Ultimately, whatever happens to the 'cost per mile', ongoing maintenance costs of EVs will be less than for ICE (less to go wrong in the first place). Vehicle security and the safety enhancements, these last courtesy of 'driver assist'/'autodrive' (whatever term you prefer) are likely to mean substantial insurance savings ..... assuming they're passed on. One thing is for sure .... much at a legislative level is going to need serious overhaul.

Another consideration is, keeping a weather eye on our political parties. The temptation to defer to the wants of corporate interests could completely stuff things up for the consumer. The potential for all these changes to actually benefit individuals and wider society is massive, but so's the risk of politicians acting to the dertiment of same. That's going to come down to folks not believing the self serving propaganda of certain news sources with a long proven track record of obfuscation and outright deceit. Some hope ..... eh?

 

Yes agree with that the government only panders to corporations and bankers the 1% that pays little or no tax but has the most influence on government and we are left to pay the bill!
We can get 1000 miles per filling from our fleet and expect to do half million miles between vehicle replacement, with petrol we can expect 400 miles per filling and 100.000 miles between replacement.
We are being told that the batteries on ev's/hybrid's will not offer guarantees with little indication of time replacement "we estimate 30.000" and are in excess of £5000 to replace and the range as tested so far averages at 30 miles.
When we can get 1000 miles per charge and get half million miles plus per vehicle/battery it has a viability, that is not taking into account of the carbon footprint which is higher for ev's at the moment things will change but it has long way to go.

 

The financial services sector contributes £70 billion in tax revenue. When that has gone (cf Brexit), the revenue shortfall due to loss of fuel duties will seem a drop in the ocean!

Dave

 

Now you all know why there is a drive to make us all have "smart meters" fitted to our electricity supplies, folks. Initially simply charging more at peak times, but then the next move will likely be a new generation of combined meter/breaker units, giving 'authority' the ability to be able to remotely switch properties off to avoid blacking out whole areas. Paranoid? Given the wish of some to micro-manage our whole lives, it would not surprise me at all.

 

Gosh ..... that chap's not wearing safety goggles.

This would have been a great shot for the photo competition ......

 

There's more for the HSE to get worried about in that film than a lack of safety googles! But at least they had women firemen on wood burners back in those days ...




See:



for a pleasant way to spend the morning.

Tom

 

Relax .... even the clinically paranoid can, on occasion, have a valid point. IMHO there's nowt paranoid about your post ..... and for the record, I share your cynicism

Let's be clear about the scale of changes coming in what's (without hyperbole) an energy revolution. Right now, there's the potential for some truly transformative improvements .... or we can sit back and let politicians (or rather, their paymasters) steal the whole agenda. What I'll be keeping an eye on is whether us ordinary plebs get steamrollered by governments acting to ensure their mates get the only incentives to produce clean energy. We gave North Sea hydrocarbons away, when we collectively fell for the hogwash we were fed. Where did the profits end up? Oh yeah ..... paying the unemployment bill for TINA's vision of a new jerusalem (which remains just as out of reach as 40 years ago) .... or in corporate coffers, in either case, never to benefit the public purse again. Remember: Fool me once, more fool you .... fool me twice, more fool me. Let's please not be as gullible again this time.

Introducing some degree of decentralisation of generating capacity / storage would clearly at least help the grid cope with demand surges. No-one is going to tell me the upper echelons of government are entirely devoid of anyone not utterly clueless ..... so why's there next to nothing by way of official information to engage us ordinary plebs regarding key considedations relevant to an issue affecting literally everyone?

Regarding a future govenment hijacking authority from individuals (as if that hasn't been going on for ever anyway!), it's down to us lot, i.e. the electorate, not to let them. Pity recent experience gives next to zero confidence in said elctorate's ability to see (or even try to see) through all the smoke and mirrors.

Having functioning democratic institutions (as opposed to a shadow puppet theatre playing to a captive audience of pliant somnabulists) where real world clout and proper accountability are more important than hopelessly maudlin navel gazing (or, if you prefer ... nostalgia) would also help. Some hope .... Eh?

 

Life must be a real blast for you with the continual worry of all this.

 

I get by ..... but thanks for your concern.