Scotland's new energy boom.

Granite could be the latest renewable feather in Scotlands growing energy cap. It's always been plentiful in Scotland and Aberdeen is internationally known as the 'Granite City'. 

However a new level of excitement is surrounding this grey rock as there are many who believe it could bring about a second energy boom and go a long way to further strengthening Scotland's place on the energy map.

I know what your thinking.... How can a rock generate energy?

Well....About four miles straight down from the earths surface, the temperature rises by around 150°C. However, the interesting bit is that where there is granite rock, the temperature can rise by as much as 210°C. This is the temperature that can create hot springs, the likes of which have been used for bathing. But scientists now believe that these same “hot rocks” can provide a valuable source for electricity generation. Most importantly if this source was proven efficient it is yet another feasible renewable energy source for Scotland.

Estimates have shown that a demonstrative geothermal energy plant could be constructed somewhere between Aberdeen and Peterhead, and would generate approximately £750 million of investment in its first 10 years of operation. 

However the whole project is relying on whether or not the subterranean granite can generate enough power to keep the plant running. 

If not...we could always use another spa resort.

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Sunday Herald Interview With SSE Boss

Incase any of you didn't manage to pick up a copy of this weekends Sunday Herald (Dec 6th), there was an excellent (and rare) interview with the boss of Scottish and Southern Energy Ian Marchant. He details his role as the head of the Climate Change Business Delivery Group (CCBDG), a collaboration of eco-conscious Scottish Business leaders who lobby the government and his hopes for the future of energy supply in Scotland. SSE includes Scottish Hydro Electric, SWALEC and Southern Electric in its portfolio.

Amongst some of the best quotes from the interview are:

  • “When (Climate Change Minister) Stewart Stevenson came for our meeting, I presented him with a copy of The Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy and said, ‘Here we are. The answer to your conundrum on climate change is on p.187, which is where the answer to the universe – 42 – is revealed.”
  • “To crack renewable heat in the same scale as electricity is the real opportunity”
  • “To have a sustainable business in the long term, you have to be meeting society’s needs. Society does not need me to screw the planet"

Read the full interview here.

What do you think about the interview, are you impressed with what Mr Marchant has to say?

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