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The Power of Scotland Renewed

Andrew — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 16:52:52 +0000

: Image via Wikipedia

The UK arm of the World Wildlife Fund has a very helpful walk through of The Power of Scotland Renewed Report. They explain that Scotland could be 100% renewable in only 20 years.

If accurate it means that through renewable energy could be the complete solution for climate change and the future for some parts of the world.

The report was commissioned by Friends of the Earth Scotland, WWF Scotland, RSPB Scotland and the World Development Movement and so comes from pro-renewable founding but was based on research by Garrad Hassaan who remains independent.

There’s a whole bunch of quotes from the green charities that do a good job at summing up this side of the debate.

The CEO of Friends of the Earth Scotland, Duncan McLaren, said; “This report shows how Scotland’s energy sector can make these targets a reality. It is vital that we grasp the new economic and job opportunities that would come with a sustainable energy future.”

Head of Scottish Campaigns for the World Development Movement, Liz Murry said; “Developing countries need to see rich countries not only committing to reduce emissions, but also bringing in policies now to ensure those emissions reductions happen. Our report shows that the Scottish Government can do this by ruling out coal in Scotland and embracing energy efficiency and renewables.”

Director of WWF Scotland, Dr Richard Dixon, said; “”Scotland has the best renewable energy potential of any country in Europe and we should be aiming high. This new report provides us with a clear description of how to set ourselves on the path to 100% renewable power.”

Head of Planning and Development, RSPB Scotland, Aedan Smith, said; “Given the importance of addressing climate change, which is the largest threat to biodiversity and sustainable development, we welcome the findings of this report that demonstrates that the Government’s targets for emissions reductions and renewable energy can be met without environmental harm.”

Scotland prepares for National Blood Donor Week

Oliver — Thu, 28 May 2009 09:13:00 +0000

Next week in Scotland is billed as National Blood Donor Week in an attempt to reverse the declining number of donors in the country.

Scottish donors are at their lowest level in decades and the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service (SNBTS) is looking for ways to change this. In 2008, SNBTS predicted that if blood supplies continued to be re-stocked in the same quantities there could be a crisis within two years.

The actual donation process is, on average, shorter than 15 minutes and the donor feels almost no discomfort – just a quick needle prick before a pint of blood is effortlessly collected as they lie back.

It is thought on average each donation saves two lives – with just three teaspoons of blood being enough to save the life of premature a baby.

Sadly, it’s not just Scotland that has been having problems attracting donors. Americans have been having similar problems recently although the blood centre in Austin, Texas, has recently seen a surge in donors as a result of a new advertising campaign. Rather than the serious matter of life and death approach taken by most adverts they have gone down a light-hearted route which has seen an upturn in donors. The campaign uses the tagline “Redeem yourself. Donate blood, save two lives and make up for just about anything” alongside misdeeds such as forgetting an anniversary or using the neighbour’s Wi-Fi.

For those wanting to donate, opening hours extend later during the middle of next week and ScotBlood has a handy tool on their website to help you find your nearest centre.

Inverness to host eco-data centre

Oliver — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 10:01:00 +0000

Everybody else may be complaining about the weather in Scotland, but for one IT company it’s the backbone of their business plan.

Inverness, normally famed for its Loch Ness monster and popular Highland Games festival, will soon be the home of a Â£20million eco-friendly data centre. The centre. which is backed by partners Microsoft, is part of a plan to regenerate Inverness Harbour and hopefully provide around 400 new jobs.

Alchemy Plus, which understands the normal costs involved in running a datacentre, plans to run the centre using hydroelectric and wind power schemes. Cooling, which normally is a major cost for datacentres, will not be a burden thanks to the cold Scottish weather. Alchemy Plus then plans to recycle the generated heat, piping it into nearby offices, shops and a hotel.

Although it is still only in the planning stages, Alchemy Plus and Microsoft hope to have the company up and running by the end of 2010.

Britain’s Windy Revolution

Scientists visit Scotland’s beaches in search of energy ideas

Oliver — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 15:48:00 +0000

Although more commonly known for kilts, whisky and public drunkenness, Scotland has also made a big name for itself within the energy sector. Since 1969, when oil was first found off the north coast, Scotland’s oil industry has fuelled the cars, houses and economy of Britain. Recent reports, however, suggest that within a few decades Scotland may no longer the Dallas of the North Sea. This news combined with pressure to meet EU ‘green targets’ has forced Britain to look at other ecological ways to keep our engines running.

From the north to the south of Britain, the landscape is dotted with wind turbine sites, rainwater harvesting plants and biomass farming centres, all looking to take pressure off Scotland’s energy production. Surprisingly, it looks like scientists may be moving full circle and returning to Scotland’s coasts as they launch their latest fuel-production idea.

Backed by the Crown Estate as well as scientists across the UK, this new idea promotes seaweed as a solution to the faults in biomass farming. Unlike most current biomass production, seaweed doesn’t compete with food production for arable land or take from the much-needed water supplies. Since Scotland isn’t famed for its beach and bikini weather, scientists will also have the coast to themselves, giving them the space they need to test this very green idea.

This isn’t the first time Scotland has become famed for its seaweed production. Since as far back as the 6th century, Scotland’s waters have been famous for its mineral-rich seaweed which is used for soup, stews and even cups of tea.

Scientists are hoping that, if approved, the pilot scheme will give Scotland and the UK more options for fuel production, easing demand on the decreasing oil levels of the North Sea.