Author Archives: Alison Kidd
Natural energy storage
It’s good to be reminded every now and then how plants do energy storage over long time periods much more effectively than we ever can with batteries. The process is less efficient but the lengthy time shifting is invaluable from … Continue reading
Open eyed or open minded?
Are you open to new experiences and interpretations? Able to see both sides of an argument or imagine a different way the world could be? Do you quickly spot the humour of ambiguous situations? At one time in my (increasingly) … Continue reading
Enjoying disorder
Having published my own research on messy desks and knowledge workers an age ago in 1994, it was pleasing to see that people are still exploring this fascinating subject. This more recent article explores some of the benefits of living … Continue reading
1 Year domestic solar storage data
We have now had our 6kWh Wattstor solar battery (nicknamed ‘Bert’) for a full 12 months. (It actually holds 12kWh but only half of that is used by the system.) It was installed by Gwent Energy CIC. Previously, we simply … Continue reading
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
The Prospectory 