Author Archives: Alison Kidd
Oblique or Obscure – Psychology & Art
For the past couple of years, I’ve been part of a small artist group, the Larks and Ravens. My personal interest, as ever, is psychology – in this case exploring how visual art can trigger new ways of viewing our … Continue reading
May 2016 to March 2017 Solar Storage Data
As the days get longer, our solar generation increases. March actually generated about the same as last September but the Wattstor battery control system is cautious about allowing the batteries to discharge beyond 70% or so until it’s confident there’s … Continue reading
Underground Energy Storage
The Glyn Rhonwy pumped storage scheme has apparently received the go-ahead, overcoming objections to any development like this in a National Park. It uses a disused slate quarry for the upper reservoir, which should make the overall development cheaper, and … Continue reading
The divisive nature of referendums
We’ve experienced two referendums in the UK in the past 2 years (first Scotland’s Indyref and then the UK’s Brexit). Both have proved socially divisive – across and within countries, across and within regions and neighbourhoods and even across and … Continue reading
May 2016 to Feb 2017 – Solar Storage Data
Spring is in sight and we have just done the analysis of February’s performance with our solar PV (4kW) plus Wattstor battery (6kWh) system. The longer days and the sun being higher in the sky have started to make a … Continue reading
May 2016 to January 2017
This month saw a small increase in solar output, offset by a major face-lift on our house which increased our electricity demand – the cement mixer and jack hammer are both electric! So although the solar output has started its … Continue reading
May to December 2016 – Domestic Solar Battery Data
“‘Tis the year’s midnight, and it is the day’s, Lucy’s, who scarce seven hours herself unmasks; The sun is spent, and now his flasks Send forth light squibs, no constant rays;” So, how has Bert, our Wattstor solar battery, fared … Continue reading
In a world without jobs, how do we prosper?
The concept of a universal basic income (if a way can be found to achieve it) could help address a combination of problems. It would replace the administratively complex, expensive and psychologically debilitating benefits system. It would avoid people doing … Continue reading
May to November – our solar battery data
The latest update – 7 months with Bert our Wattstor battery (May to November). November here in Wales has been pretty murky until the last week. We also lose the sun over the hill behind the house at around 2:30pm … Continue reading
Exploring value in Aldi
I am part of the experimental art group Larks and Ravens and we recently ran a Big Draw event where we invited customers in a Bristol Aldi store to draw what they valued on the shop windows! It was a … Continue reading
