Monday, November 24, 2008
Housing Department under fire?
I note that Radio Tay is carrying a story that housing bosses are under fire for not carrying out nearly 700 gas safety checks. I've brought this issue up with the Housing Department and the subject comes up at the Housing Committee tonight (24 November). According to the paper being presented to the meeting, 92% of checks have been done, but that means 8% haven't been done. And 8% adds up to nearly 700 homes. I'm glad to say the Housing Department is working hard to put things right, and fewer tenants are now waiting for their safety checks, but I'm still concerned.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Dundee's burns - a source of power?
The Scottish Government wants 1000 mini hydro electric generators in Scotland, and I think two or three of them could be in Dundee. Here's a news release carried by the Evening Telegraph which says a bit more ...
Hydro power for Dundee? Coldside Councillor investigates ...
A Dundee councillor says power from Dundee's burns could help cut fuel bills, and reduce the city's carbon footprint at the same time. Cllr Jimmy Black says the possibility of hydro power on the Dighty and other burns is worth further study.
"Before the city spread out in Victorian times there were several important burns flowing through Dundee, some of which powered water wheels on mills. The Dighty looks the most promising - I'm told there were four water mills on that burn. There was also a mill at the foot of Commercial Street, powered partly by water which flowed through an aqueduct from Albert Square.
"In my own ward we have the Dens Burn, which now surges through a culvert underneath Dens Road; and an old map shows that the Wallace Burn flowed down under the Dens Brae to the Harbour. I think the Wallace Burn and Dens Burn are probably the same thing, but I'd be delighted if anyone could provide further information."
Councillor Black's researches follow a Scottish Government call for 1,000 micro hydro schemes across Scotland to cut carbon emissions and save fuel costs. New technology means that hydro schemes no longer need to be on a large scale.
"If we could provide enough electrical power from a burn for the street lights in a small housing scheme, or heating in a sheltered housing complex, that would make it worth the effort. Along with other small scale schemes such as the use of windpower, bringing Dundee's burns back into use could help make the city greener and save us all some money."
Councillor Black has written to the Director of Planning and Transportation, Mike Galloway, asking for more information about the city's watercourses. He has also been in touch with Dundee's Sun City project and staff at the University of Dundee.
"I'm hoping that someone with resources and expertise will take this suggestion forward," said Councillor Black. "There are grants available from various agencies for feasibility studies, and even more grants to assist with the cost of building small scale hydro schemes. I strongly believe this is worth further study and I will take every chance to push the idea wherever I can."
The Scottish Government wants 1000 mini hydro electric generators in Scotland, and I think two or three of them could be in Dundee. Here's a news release carried by the Evening Telegraph which says a bit more ...
Hydro power for Dundee? Coldside Councillor investigates ...
A Dundee councillor says power from Dundee's burns could help cut fuel bills, and reduce the city's carbon footprint at the same time. Cllr Jimmy Black says the possibility of hydro power on the Dighty and other burns is worth further study.
"Before the city spread out in Victorian times there were several important burns flowing through Dundee, some of which powered water wheels on mills. The Dighty looks the most promising - I'm told there were four water mills on that burn. There was also a mill at the foot of Commercial Street, powered partly by water which flowed through an aqueduct from Albert Square.
"In my own ward we have the Dens Burn, which now surges through a culvert underneath Dens Road; and an old map shows that the Wallace Burn flowed down under the Dens Brae to the Harbour. I think the Wallace Burn and Dens Burn are probably the same thing, but I'd be delighted if anyone could provide further information."
Councillor Black's researches follow a Scottish Government call for 1,000 micro hydro schemes across Scotland to cut carbon emissions and save fuel costs. New technology means that hydro schemes no longer need to be on a large scale.
"If we could provide enough electrical power from a burn for the street lights in a small housing scheme, or heating in a sheltered housing complex, that would make it worth the effort. Along with other small scale schemes such as the use of windpower, bringing Dundee's burns back into use could help make the city greener and save us all some money."
Councillor Black has written to the Director of Planning and Transportation, Mike Galloway, asking for more information about the city's watercourses. He has also been in touch with Dundee's Sun City project and staff at the University of Dundee.
"I'm hoping that someone with resources and expertise will take this suggestion forward," said Councillor Black. "There are grants available from various agencies for feasibility studies, and even more grants to assist with the cost of building small scale hydro schemes. I strongly believe this is worth further study and I will take every chance to push the idea wherever I can."
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