Part-time Environmentalism

[Jackaroo]

A nice atmospheric shot of the wind turbines erected by Michellin a few years ago on the Pitkerro industrial estate in Dundee.Are they a serious initiative toward offsetting the energy demands of a fairly major commercial producer or mere tokenism and cynical self advertisement dreamt up by P.R.officers in an organisation so bloated that they can afford a throwaway gesture costing god knows how many euros to put in place?
Discuss!

[Hobjob]

Originally Posted by Jackaroo

Are they a serious initiative toward offsetting the energy demands of a fairly major commercial producer or mere tokenism and cynical self advertisement dreamt up by P.R.officers in an organisation so bloated that they can afford a throwaway gesture costing god knows how many euros to put in place?
Discuss!

Sizewell B puts out 750 MW (although it has been closed for repairs for getting on for 6 months I think)

The new 100 wind turbines off Thanet (the biggest in the world according to recent press reports) put out 300 MW - when they run. Depending on which source you use this is 25% - 60% of the time.

Some companies think it is worth putting massive amounts into advertising and sponsoship - look at Barclasy and the premiership or Coke etc..

The turbines you show in amongst big buildings and not especially high -goodness how often they turn.

[Doggle Avaddit]

Originally Posted by Jackaroo

A nice atmospheric shot of the wind turbines erected by Michellin a few years ago on the Pitkerro industrial estate in Dundee.Are they a serious initiative toward offsetting the energy demands of a fairly major commercial producer or mere tokenism and cynical self advertisement dreamt up by P.R.officers in an organisation so bloated that they can afford a throwaway gesture costing god knows how many euros to put in place?
Discuss!

I have emailed Michelin for information. If they reply I will let you know!

[Jackaroo]

Originally Posted by Hobjob

Sizewell B puts out 750 MW (although it has been closed for repairs for getting on for 6 months I think)

The new 100 wind turbines off Thanet (the biggest in the world according to recent press reports) put out 300 MW - when they run. Depending on which source you use this is 25% - 60% of the time.

Some companies think it is worth putting massive amounts into advertising and sponsoship - look at Barclasy and the premiership or Coke etc..

The turbines you show in amongst big buildings and not especially high -goodness how often they turn.

Hi, the photo's perhaps a bit deceptive as regards the height, I'll try to get a better perspective if I can, but they're a fair height close up. The point is that there are only two,which smacks of a vanity project more than anything else. However they are innovative in one sense and that is that they're only a few hundred metres from residential built-up areas, not plonked in the middle of nowhere and, call me paranoid, that smacks of collusion with the local authorities! I have no particular axe to grind with the hypocrisy of large companies and the cyncism of local councils it is,after all,endemic and here to stay whatever you or I have to say about it but I do resent their habitual treatment of the public as if our heads all zip up the back.

[Doggle Avaddit]

Originally Posted by Jackaroo

Hi, the photo's perhaps a bit deceptive as regards the height, I'll try to get a better perspective if I can, but they're a fair height close up. The point is that there are only two,which smacks of a vanity project more than anything else. However they are innovative in one sense and that is that they're only a few hundred metres from residential built-up areas, not plonked in the middle of nowhere and, call me paranoid, that smacks of collusion with the local authorities! I have no particular axe to grind with the hypocrisy of large companies and the cyncism of local councils it is,after all,endemic and here to stay whatever you or I have to say about it but I do resent their habitual treatment of the public as if our heads all zip up the back.

You appear to have come to quite a number of cynical conclusions without the slightest piece of evidence to back it all up! Blimey.


I'll wait and see what Michelin have to say before making up my mind on the matter.

[Jackaroo]

Fair comment.Ill-informed,opinionated Scots aren't a rarity!I look forward,with an open mind, to being educated.

[Doggle Avaddit]

Originally Posted by Jackaroo

Fair comment.Ill-informed,opinionated Scots aren't a rarity!I look forward,with an open mind, to being educated.

You may have a long wait.

Perhaps you should try the Daily Mail for your sources instead, I hear there's one out tomorrow morning.

[Jackaroo]

What on earth is a Daily Mail?

[Doggle Avaddit]

Hey, guess what? Michelin finally replied!

Here it is:

Hello XXXXXXXXX

Thanks for your enquiry via our website regarding the Michelin Dundee wind turbine operation. The site is partially powered by E70s supplied by Ecotricity.

The answer is that we do have a breakdown of the energy produced by the wind turbines. The percentage varies dependant on wind speed and the total energy requirements of the site, but is generally in the order of 25% of our electricity need across the year. Each wind turbine produces 2MW and we have two turbines at the site. There is no energy saving associated with the wind turbines, simply a change of source from non renewable to renewable energy.

Thanks for your interest in Michelin Dundee and apologies for delay in responding to your query.

Kind regards

Lina Ryden
Internal Communications Manager & Déplacement Coordinator

[Jackaroo]

Cool.