Li and Pb batteries

[Kelpie]

Another update: we've just arrived in Guadeloupe, 18 days from Mindelo. Lithium bank lowest SOC was 24% after a day close hauled where the panels were in shade. Most days we dropped to around 50% and returned to full or very nearly by the end of the day, using solar charging alone.
We used the Hydrovane the vast majority of the time but in certain conditions used the autopilot instead, running off the lithium.
So in conclusion, I have no regrets about not installing a system to allow the lithium to charge from the engine. It simply was not necessary.
We cooked primarily on gas, but used the lithium at times for e.g. the toaster, and for the last couple of days when the gas hob developed a fault and started setting off the gas alarm.
I set up the Aquair towed generator just in case, but never used it. Overall, very pleased with the performance of the system.

 

[TiggerToo]

where is it going to come from? - ignoring the long term availability of rare earths.....

deep down under Cornwall, perhaps.

 

[Kelpie]

Clearance fees at Jolly Harbour, Antigua were 85 EC so about £28. Included in that is a cruising permit for 2 months that is 25 EC or £9.

We're looking at figures on Noonsite, I think there's some discrepancy between what is USD and what is EC, because SWMBO assures me that to check in and out will add up to about $170. Our son counts as a passenger rather than crew which for some reason costs more. I hope we're mistaken about this!

 

[st599]

deep down under Cornwall, perhaps.

At least on of the ions used in Li-ion is only really mined in the DRC.

The UK is one of the places that is problematic for renewable tech. Whilst the US uses more energy per person, it has significantly more space per person for renewables. I read somewhere that top of the range renewables like solar and wind power can output 5kW/m2 and the UK uses about 2.4kW/m2.

 

[Farmer Piles]

The irony is that so called rare earth metals aren't actually that rare, it's more about mining them at a profit. Certainly we are a densely populated island, but in recent years there have been times when more of our power has come from renewables than fossil fuels. Still a long way to go of course.
Not sure how close the two mining companies are to extracting lithium from the ground down this way.

 

[geem]

We're looking at figures on Noonsite, I think there's some discrepancy between what is USD and what is EC, because SWMBO assures me that to check in and out will add up to about $170. Our son counts as a passenger rather than crew which for some reason costs more. I hope we're mistaken about this!

Jolly harbour is way cheaper than Falmouth. Costs an extra £50 to clear in at Falmouth. You can now clear in at North Sound as well. All new team there and cheery unlike Jolly and Falmouth
Also Falmouth only issue a 1 month cruising permit. Jolly will issue a 2 month permit

 

[st599]

The irony is that so called rare earth metals aren't actually that rare, it's more about mining them at a profit. Certainly we are a densely populated island, but in recent years there have been times when more of our power has come from renewables than fossil fuels. Still a long way to go of course.
Not sure how close the two mining companies are to extracting lithium from the ground down this way.

There are a few fascinating books on the subject, but all agree that if everything that is currently fossil fuel driven switches to electric, then you'd be looking at a wind farm about 1/2 the size of the UK to power the UK. Similar for solar.

Not a problem for the US or even Germany where the figures are a much smaller percentage. But for the UK, the conclusions always seem to require a significant change in transportation away from personal vehicles and similar lifestyle changes.

 

[AntarcticPilot]

There are a few fascinating books on the subject, but all agree that if everything that is currently fossil fuel driven switches to electric, then you'd be looking at a wind farm about 1/2 the size of the UK to power the UK. Similar for solar.

Not a problem for the US or even Germany where the figures are a much smaller percentage. But for the UK, the conclusions always seem to require a significant change in transportation away from personal vehicles and similar lifestyle changes.

Nowhere near true, I am afraid. Currently, fossil fuel provides about 30% of demand; WInd and Nuclear are the main components; Wind alone provides at least 25% (not all wind input is monitored, so the actual figure is higher). Solar energy is, of course very variable in the UK. The point is that the majority of our energy already comes from carbon-free sources. This site (G. B. National Grid status) is an excellent resource, giving up-to-date information. I have watched the changing proportions for several years now, and the proportion provided by CCGT (the main carbon emitting source) has steadily declined. Coal is almost insignificant.

 

[st599]

Nowhere near true, I am afraid. Currently, fossil fuel provides about 30% of demand; WInd and Nuclear are the main components; Wind alone provides at least 25% (not all wind input is monitored, so the actual figure is higher). Solar energy is, of course very variable in the UK. The point is that the majority of our energy already comes from carbon-free sources. This site (G. B. National Grid status) is an excellent resource, giving up-to-date information. I have watched the changing proportions for several years now, and the proportion provided by CCGT (the main carbon emitting source) has steadily declined. Coal is almost insignificant.

The issue is when all the petrol and diesel cars are also electric.

See David MacKay FRS: : Download

 

[goeasy123]

Nowhere near true, I am afraid. Currently, fossil fuel provides about 30% of demand; WInd and Nuclear are the main components; Wind alone provides at least 25% (not all wind input is monitored, so the actual figure is higher). Solar energy is, of course very variable in the UK. The point is that the majority of our energy already comes from carbon-free sources. This site (G. B. National Grid status) is an excellent resource, giving up-to-date information. I have watched the changing proportions for several years now, and the proportion provided by CCGT (the main carbon emitting source) has steadily declined. Coal is almost insignificant.

I'm not sure your figures are relevant. i.e. the UK and electricity demand.

True.... 29.3% of global electricity is generated from renewables, but renewable energy makes up a small share of the TOTAL global energy consumption - only about 4 %. This doesn't take into account the significant non-energy consumption of hydrocarbons such as fertilizer, paints, road surfacing and plastics... like the polyester resins to make boats!

 

[AntarcticPilot]

I'm not sure your figures are relevant. i.e. the UK and electricity demand.

True.... 29.3% of global electricity is generated from renewables, but renewable energy makes up a small share of the TOTAL global energy consumption - only about 4 %. This doesn't take into account the significant non-energy consumption of hydrocarbons such as fertilizer, paints, road surfacing and plastics... like the polyester resins to make boats!

The figures are for the UK, and the post that started this discussion was also about the UK.

 

[vyv_cox]

The figures are for the UK, and the post that started this discussion was also about the UK.

I read late last year, maybe November (?) that on one particular day the UK's electrical needs were supplied 50% by renewables. That was an exception but apparently 35% is more normal.

 

[AntarcticPilot]

I read late last year, maybe November (?) that on one particular day the UK's electrical needs were supplied 50% by renewables. That was an exception but apparently 35% is more normal.

And there has been zero contribution from coal several times during the year. As the site shows, even at its greatest, coal's contribution these days is tiny.

 

[goeasy123]

The figures are for the UK, and the post that started this discussion was also about the UK.

The post that started the discussion mentions Australia, nothing about the UK and is nothing to do with energy consumption.

 

[AntarcticPilot]

The post that started the discussion mentions Australia, nothing about the UK and is nothing to do with energy consumption.

Sorry, I meant the discussion about energy use and renewal provision in the UK. I wasn't clear enough.