alpine_saint Posted 18 September, 2012 Share Posted 18 September, 2012 (edited) Only my interpretation of this comment, but the announcement that Fawley Power Station is to close but the site remains "a strategic location" does allow one to fill-in the blanks: http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/9934609.Fawley_Power_Station_to_close/ FAWLEY Power Station is to close next year after more than 40 years of service, it has been announced this morning. The giant site, next to Fawley Oil Refinery, will stop generating on March 31 having provided electricity for millions of homes and businesses across Britain over its life time. RWE npower say the oil-powered facility is opted out of the EU Large Combustion Plant Directive, aimed at reducing emissions across Europe, and was required to cease generation by the end of December 2015 at the latest. But due to “current market conditions” the main units at the plant, which produces 1,000MW of elctricity, will now close earlier than predicted. The firm says the closure was “driven by Government policy” with modern lower carbon power generation replacing older less efficient stations. Bosses say the 60-strong work force is being consulted about the closure amid hopes some of them may find work in other areas of the company or in the decommissioning stage next year. Meanwhile, the future use of the 230-acre site remains undecided but a spokesman said it remains “a strategic location for future power generation for the UK.” Demolition of the historic facility could take “many years”. Nick Stockdale, Fawley Power Station Manager, said: “We have a fantastic team at Fawley and I would like to thank them for their hard work and dedication over the 40 plus years we have been operational. “I would also like to thank our local community partners who have supported us throughout these years.” Edited 18 September, 2012 by alpine_saint Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colinjb Posted 18 September, 2012 Share Posted 18 September, 2012 Nuclear Fusion when they finally sort out the finer details. Mark my words. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alpine_saint Posted 18 September, 2012 Author Share Posted 18 September, 2012 Nuclear Fusion when they finally sort out the finer details. Mark my words. Keep your positive crap to the thread where it belongs... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suomi Saint Posted 18 September, 2012 Share Posted 18 September, 2012 No way will it become a nuclear power station. The area both sides of the water are too heavily populated. RWE have pulled the plug on any involvement in nuclear. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alpine_saint Posted 18 September, 2012 Author Share Posted 18 September, 2012 (edited) No way will it become a nuclear power station. The area both sides of the water are too heavily populated. RWE have pulled the plug on any involvement in nuclear. Ok, not following the development of UK energy policy (is there one ?) too closely, but the comments from me that your posts raise : What do you take "strategic" to mean then ? I would have argued the western side of Southampton Water is relatively sparsely populated anyway. Is a nuke plant any worse than a great big f**k-off oil refinery with relatively obsolete saftey systems ? The spokesman isnt identified as an RWE spokesmen specifically. Maybe they will flog the land ? Edited 18 September, 2012 by alpine_saint Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fanimal Posted 18 September, 2012 Share Posted 18 September, 2012 More to the point with the demise of both Marchwood and Fawley where does our power come from now? Didcot or from across the Channel, aussi Nuclear? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alpine_saint Posted 18 September, 2012 Author Share Posted 18 September, 2012 More to the point with the demise of both Marchwood and Fawley where does our power come from now? Didcot or from across the Channel, aussi Nuclear? Fawley was only a peak-usage station anyway, because of the cost of oil. We have a National Grid; always difficult to judge where your electricity is coming from (apart from the obvious joke about the socket...) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pap Posted 18 September, 2012 Share Posted 18 September, 2012 Strategic could mean many things. They might mean that it's right next to an oil refinery and a big set of docks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alpine_saint Posted 18 September, 2012 Author Share Posted 18 September, 2012 Strategic could mean many things. They might mean that it's right next to an oil refinery and a big set of docks. Sorry, thats weak. For me strategic means it is key to future UK energy-generation requirements. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trader Posted 18 September, 2012 Share Posted 18 September, 2012 Nuclear Fusion when they finally sort out the finer details. Mark my words. Unfortunately the 'finer details' may prove to be a little difficult. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pap Posted 18 September, 2012 Share Posted 18 September, 2012 Sorry, thats weak. For me strategic means it is key to future UK energy-generation requirements. It could mean a lot of things, including what we've both suggested, at the same time. I don't think you can conclude that the plant will be nuclear. Probably more a case of the things I've listed, the fact that a power station has been on the site for 40 years, and the relative lack of NIMBYism in getting a new generation facility approved. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suomi Saint Posted 18 September, 2012 Share Posted 18 September, 2012 The western side of Southampton Water is not sparsely populated, and of course the eastern side is even more populated - and is in the fall-out zone of the prevailing wind. As the poster above states, strategic could mean many things. Of course, if the money grubbing French - EDF - get hold of the land, then they might try and build one of their nuclear plants on it. Judging by their performance at Olkiluoto and Flammanville, we'll be all pushing up daisies by the time it's finished. Google might even buy the site - they use old industrial plants which have a good cooling water system for their major server sites. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GenevaSaint Posted 18 September, 2012 Share Posted 18 September, 2012 I would more than likely assume gas powered. I'm with Suomi, you wouldn't place a nuclear power station there, and besides at present we're not on the nominated list of sites. http://namrc.co.uk/industry-intelligence/uk-new-build-plans/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alpine_saint Posted 18 September, 2012 Author Share Posted 18 September, 2012 I would more than likely assume gas powered. I'm with Suomi, you wouldn't place a nuclear power station there, and besides at present we're not on the nominated list of sites. http://namrc.co.uk/industry-intelligence/uk-new-build-plans/ Plans change to fit various expediences. Also a whopping great hole on the South coast on that development plan. It may well be unlikely, but unless someone comes back with a really solid argument like the area is insufficiently geologically sound, there is always a danger. What the hell, with planning objections and various other types of politics at play, not least how they are going to be paid for, means in all likelihood none of them will get built anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcjwills Posted 18 September, 2012 Share Posted 18 September, 2012 I started my working life at Fawley Power Satation as an apprentice, when all large companies had them. Alps, the main generating units could not be used for just peak time generation as the boilers would take too long to run up for a couple of hours. What they did have was 4 Rolls Royce Avon gas turbines that could be run up at a moments notice. On a personal note I think it will be a very sad day when Fawley finally shuts, had some really good times and made some good friends there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
revolution saint Posted 18 September, 2012 Share Posted 18 September, 2012 I started my working life at Fawley Power Satation as an apprentice, when all large companies had them. Alps, the main generating units could not be used for just peak time generation as the boilers would take too long to run up for a couple of hours. What they did have was 4 Rolls Royce Avon gas turbines that could be run up at a moments notice. On a personal note I think it will be a very sad day when Fawley finally shuts, had some really good times and made some good friends there. You might know my Dad then, name of Roger, worked as a Mech fitter. Would be a shame if the place closes down, anyone remember the kids christmas parties? Awesome if you were a young. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Huffton Posted 18 September, 2012 Share Posted 18 September, 2012 There will be an ideal site for a nuclear plant available in the very near future, about 18 miles to the east... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smirking_Saint Posted 18 September, 2012 Share Posted 18 September, 2012 Could mean many things really, I mean the network around that way is set up to incorperate a large scale generation plant and the area I would imagine would be easy to gain permissions to build a new carbon friendly plant if required. I would inagine you have all ruled out the possible location of a biomass plant that SCC where looking to locate somewhere, this situation would certainly solve a few issues there. Yes we have a grud but because of losses over long distances its a lot easier to locate a generator nearer to the load. There are plans for a large wind darm off of the isle of wight for this reason too. In fact, although not a something I directly deal with YET I think Ofgems plans for a smart grid is about steategic generator locations closer to load points instead of the extremities such as Scotland etc Basically I doubt it will be Nuclear, surprised its shutting down though, looks like Ill have more crap to deal with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ecuk268 Posted 18 September, 2012 Share Posted 18 September, 2012 There will be an ideal site for a nuclear plant available in the very near future, about 18 miles to the east... It would certainly be an improvement. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patrick Bateman Posted 18 September, 2012 Share Posted 18 September, 2012 Scarily, I didn't realise it was only 4 years older than me - I thought it'd been part of the landscape long before I arrived in the Waterside!! Shame about the workforce obviously, but also, the chimney is a bit of an icon. Can see it for miles - I hope they keep it. It's one of those "so ugly but you'd miss it" structures. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcjwills Posted 18 September, 2012 Share Posted 18 September, 2012 ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcjwills Posted 18 September, 2012 Share Posted 18 September, 2012 You might know my Dad then, name of Roger, worked as a Mech fitter. Would be a shame if the place closes down, anyone remember the kids christmas parties? Awesome if you were a young. Revolution what is your dad surname was a mech fitter on day shift until i was took voluntary redundancy in 1993 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcjwills Posted 18 September, 2012 Share Posted 18 September, 2012 Scarily, I didn't realise it was only 4 years older than me - I thought it'd been part of the landscape long before I arrived in the Waterside!! Shame about the workforce obviously, but also, the chimney is a bit of an icon. Can see it for miles - I hope they keep it. It's one of those "so ugly but you'd miss it" structures. The lights from the Chimney has been used by sailors as a navigation aid by sailors for 40 years. The view from the top of the Chimney is superb you can see foe miles on a clear day, even if you can feel the top of the tower shifting in the wind. I remember being on the roof of the Power Station with a big Union Jack when the Ships came back from the Falklands. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whitey Grandad Posted 18 September, 2012 Share Posted 18 September, 2012 Seen with the naked eye the red lights flash. Seen through binoculars they don't. Do they still flush out the boilers and chimney at night time when nobody can see? I can see why it's considered a strategic site. The distribution infrastructure is there, and there is a bloody great pool of water to sink the heat to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Posted 18 September, 2012 Share Posted 18 September, 2012 Could be an ideal location for the Biomass power station they were talking about a while ago. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-17955109 A better option than trying to build at the docks, and would be a nice project for us industrial tradesmen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LGTL Posted 18 September, 2012 Share Posted 18 September, 2012 Plenty of us live to the west of Southampton Water! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
revolution saint Posted 19 September, 2012 Share Posted 19 September, 2012 Revolution what is your dad surname was a mech fitter on day shift until i was took voluntary redundancy in 1993 Sounds like you'd almost certainly know him then. Surname is Leversuch, was there from 79 - 93/94 when he also took voluntary redundancy. Quite a few characters around back then from what he tells me and I recall. If you ever got in the Esso Club between 1990 - 2002 then I probably served you as well... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dellboypete Posted 19 September, 2012 Share Posted 19 September, 2012 Interesting thread as my dad was the site manager for C A Parsons who put in the steam turbines in (not rolls royce gas turbines as mentioned above.). As a school kid he used to take me down to the site regularly from when the construction first started in 1963 through to when it was commissioned in 1971. There were four 500Mw turbine sets, which were probably the world's most advanced at the time. The problem with Fawley was that when it was planned and construction started, oil was ultra cheap - the spot price for oil was under us$3 in 1963. by 1974 (arab/israel war) it had quadrupled to $12 and by 1981 (some other minor middle east disagreement?) it hit $36, making electricity generation using oil unbelievably uneconomic. Fawley rarely ran at full capacity and two of the turbine sets were mothballed in the late 80's or early 90's, reducing max output to 1000Mw. My dad died some years ago but I still have loads of his photos, most of which were official ones taken for his company. I dug some out last night and I have a superb A3 aerial shot of the power station with the then brand new QE2 in Soton Water behind, probably taken around 1970. As an aside, anyone who remembers the QE2 coming into Soton for the first time in late 68/early 69 will remember that it was towed in by tugs from Cowes Roads as it suffered from severe turbine problems during it's sea trials (I nipped down to Calshot to get some fotos with my instamatic from home in Holbury). My dad, being a turbine specialist, was called in to help out and advise and the QE2 eventually made its maiden voyage to New York in May 69 I think - there were tens of 1000's in soton watching her go (including me!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcjwills Posted 22 September, 2012 Share Posted 22 September, 2012 Sounds like you'd almost certainly know him then. Surname is Leversuch, was there from 79 - 93/94 when he also took voluntary redundancy. Quite a few characters around back then from what he tells me and I recall. If you ever got in the Esso Club between 1990 - 2002 then I probably served you as well... Yes knew Rodger very well tell him Raggy says hello. Your dad always said God took the pee out of him No hair on his head but bucket loads elsewhere. lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
revolution saint Posted 23 September, 2012 Share Posted 23 September, 2012 Yes knew Rodger very well tell him Raggy says hello. Your dad always said God took the pee out of him No hair on his head but bucket loads elsewhere. lol Hi Raggy, I remember you and the old fella says hello. He's enjoying semi retirement these days and looking after the grandkids. Some of the stories he tells of the work nights out are legendary. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TopGun Posted 25 September, 2012 Share Posted 25 September, 2012 (edited) Only my interpretation of this comment, but the announcement that Fawley Power Station is to close but the site remains "a strategic location" does allow one to fill-in the blanks: http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/9934609.Fawley_Power_Station_to_close/ FAWLEY Power Station is to close next year after more than 40 years of service, it has been announced this morning. The giant site, next to Fawley Oil Refinery, will stop generating on March 31 having provided electricity for millions of homes and businesses across Britain over its life time. RWE npower say the oil-powered facility is opted out of the EU Large Combustion Plant Directive, aimed at reducing emissions across Europe, and was required to cease generation by the end of December 2015 at the latest. But due to “current market conditions” the main units at the plant, which produces 1,000MW of elctricity, will now close earlier than predicted. The firm says the closure was “driven by Government policy” with modern lower carbon power generation replacing older less efficient stations. Bosses say the 60-strong work force is being consulted about the closure amid hopes some of them may find work in other areas of the company or in the decommissioning stage next year. Meanwhile, the future use of the 230-acre site remains undecided but a spokesman said it remains “a strategic location for future power generation for the UK.” Demolition of the historic facility could take “many years”. Nick Stockdale, Fawley Power Station Manager, said: “We have a fantastic team at Fawley and I would like to thank them for their hard work and dedication over the 40 plus years we have been operational. “I would also like to thank our local community partners who have supported us throughout these years.” Sorry Alps, that's just nonsense. The potential sites for new UK nukes were decided about 3 years and companies such as EDF, RWE nPower etc all bid for the sites and bought them. There were about 8 of them and each one is located alongside an existing or closed nuke. They include Hinckley Point, Sizewell, Bradwell, Oldbury, Wylfa, Hartlepool and a couple of sites near Sellafield. Fawley will likely be reused in the future as a new CCGT (gas fired power station), as might Marchwood. Edited 25 September, 2012 by TopGun Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TopGun Posted 25 September, 2012 Share Posted 25 September, 2012 (edited) Fawley was only a peak-usage station anyway, because of the cost of oil. We have a National Grid; always difficult to judge where your electricity is coming from (apart from the obvious joke about the socket...) Fawley was built as base load rather than peak but was sidelined by the oil price increases in the 1970s when it was still brand new. In contrast, Drax power station in North Yorks was built as a coal fired station (although 4x the output) and is still going strong, as coal is cheap though more polluting than gas or renewables. Though less polluting than oil in terms of power stations. I am working with Drax at the moment to help them cut down on their pollution. I am involved with a new carbon capture plant they are proposing which can be viewed at http://www.whiteroseccs.co.uk if anyone is interested. Edited 25 September, 2012 by TopGun Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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