tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10698887.post3887477468455486099..comments2023-10-22T18:25:39.688+08:00Comments on The View from Taiwan: Taiwan and Renewables at JapanFocusMichael Turtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17974403961870976346noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10698887.post-15377974049604989822013-06-28T17:09:58.580+08:002013-06-28T17:09:58.580+08:00The use of molten salts (or ammonia) does appear t...The use of molten salts (or ammonia) does appear to be a big step forward for solar thermal; 15 hours of storage would allow the array to keep supplying electricity 24/7 so long as the weather remains conducive. The old joke that solar power can't be introduced overnight can then be retired. But 15 hours of storage is still not quite the same as a spinning reserve from a fossil fuel plant. <br /><br />One thing the cheerleaders who wrote that article seem to have neglected in their enthusiasm (unless I've missed it) is that the cost reductions in solar power should make competition among manufacturers more intense and therefore ensure the industry remains low-margin. That spells <i>subsidies</i>.<br /><br />Assuming improvements in other tech (esp in air conditioners and washing machines) will further complement the use of solar PV over grid, particularly in countryside areas where power lines are more vulnerable to damage, then it might be that grid reliance for residential use will rapidly decline.Mike Faganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08745281285031316740noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10698887.post-91754120858428432632013-06-26T12:37:21.182+08:002013-06-26T12:37:21.182+08:00David, the conflict over the wind turbines is rela...David, the conflict over the wind turbines is related to something else. I am still working on proving it.<br /><br />Land for turbines or other renewable energy projects will have zero impact on Taiwan's food security. There are thousands of hectares out of production due to Taiwan's agreements with the US on rice imports and other factors. Land for renewables constitutes a tiny tiny fraction of that. <br /><br />Moreover, land conflicts for the science parks are partly disguised conflicts over access to water, an issue that does not occur with turbines. <br /><br />I agree that it will be difficult to acquire land on the scale required, even though it is not large. As the Miaoli stupidity shows, protests are easily summoned over the flimsiest of bullshit.<br /><br />Michael<br /><br />Michael Turtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17974403961870976346noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10698887.post-78126926345246156972013-06-26T09:50:03.338+08:002013-06-26T09:50:03.338+08:00It is good to see some numbers on land area requir...It is good to see some numbers on land area required for renewable energy in Taiwan. However, I think it is optimistic to think that land could be easily acquired on this scale. There is already considerable conflict over the acquisition of land for so-called "science parks". It is also important to remember that land acquisitions would also have negative impacts on Taiwan's agricultural production and undermine food security. <br /><br />The conflict over the wind farm in Miaoli is related to the turbines being located too close to residences. If a buffer of 500 to 800 metres were applied to wind farms then this would mean Taiwan's potential for development of wind power is not as great as it seems. <br /><br />I am all in favour of renewable energy, but there are major obstacles to its development in Taiwan compared with places like Australia or the USA.Davidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13061413827755873948noreply@blogger.com