Uk City Plans to Be the First to Shun the National Grid

[Faline]

A UK city is aiming to become the first to power itself independently of the National Grid.
Stoke-on-Trent burns 600 megawatts of power every year, the equivalent of half a power station's annual output.
But the city council believes existing power sources and industry may already generate enough surplus power to fuel the whole city. It now needs to provide a way of sharing the power.

The authority is working on a blueprint outlining how the city can harness its own power, cutting energy bills for businesses and making the city 'irresistible to investors'.



The plans include creating networks of businesses to sell their surplus energy below market value for powering nearby commercial premises and houses and plunging a giant borehole into Chatterley Whitfield to convert energy from hot water bubbling 1,000 metres (3,280ft) below ground level.
They also include transferring organic waste currently composted to a factory which creates usable gas to power manufacturing businesses and sharing power between Michelin, Stoke town centre, the council's Civic Centre and a redeveloped Spode site.

Businesses such as Michelin in Stoke generate more power than they need, meaning they could create extra income selling power, as well as providing neighbours with cheaper energy.
Heat produced in pipes channelled beneath the streets as part of the new energy networks could even defrost pavements during the winter.
The aim is to make Stoke-on-Trent self-sufficient as the national grid depends increasingly on fossil fuels.
Jane Forshaw the council's head of environmental services, said the long-term ambition was to make the city entirely self-powered.
She added: 'We are looking at local fuel solutions that divorce us from the vagaries of fossil fuel prices nationally.
'It gives us a unique selling point. Not only will it benefit businesses already here, but it could reach out to new inward investment as we can say to businesses 'come here because we're cheaper on energy prices'.'
Councillor Janine Bridges, cabinet member for city services, said: 'Fossil fuel supplies are running out and there is increasing demand in the Far East. It is something we have to look at seriously and urgently.
'The technology is there. The next step will be getting funding in place.'

Plan: To plunge a giant borehole into Chatterley Whitfield colliery, pictured, to convert energy from hot water bubbling 1,000 metres (3,280ft) below ground level:


The council has also secured funding of more than £435,000 from the EU to create a wood fuel supply which boils down wood chip to generate power.
It is working with an energy firm to fit 1,000 solar panels at council houses in Chell Heath, Fegg Hayes and Blurton.
The council is one of 17 chosen by National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts (NESTA) to move forward with its plans.

[Viking64]

Cheers to them for having the foresight to look ahead.

[Wolf]

I like it. Thinking independently creates innovative ideas.