[🌎 Universal GB] Planning, Transport and Infrastructure

[rob666]

Then there is the fact that each and every one of us uses twice as much energy around the home as in the eighties.
For all the talk of efficiencies, we just aren't.

 

[Blackrock]

There was some discussion a few years ago due to the Russia-Ukraine war and gas shortages https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-63170747

I thought more recently though we have been OK with solar/wind and reduced our dependence on gas. I've not heard anything about it being a major risk in Winter 2024/25.

The problem is the fact we’re so reliant on solar and wind and it only takes the perfect storm to push us perilously close to the edge.

Honestly it’ll take a national blackout for politicians to change course, the public mood to change. I’m pro net zero, I just don’t think solar/wind is the way to go

 

[Jb85]

Not once but twice this year, on our current trajectory it’s not an if it’s going to happen but a when. Bad energy policy for the past few decades have gotten us into a mess.

Blackouts near miss in tightest day in GB electricity market since 2011

The tightest day in the GB power market since 2011 saw a near miss for blackouts and demand control as the spare margin fell to 580 MW

watt-logic.com

If you search for the topic on twitter you’ll see those who know far more about it than I do discussing both incidents in depth.

We’re extremely, extremely vulnerable atm. We’re overly reliant on energy coming into the country try via cables, and Norway in particular aren’t exactly happy atm that we’re so reliant on them.

Useful link that cheers

 

[jon81uk]

The problem is the fact we’re so reliant on solar and wind and it only takes the perfect storm to push us perilously close to the edge.

Honestly it’ll take a national blackout for politicians to change course, the public mood to change. I’m pro net zero, I just don’t think solar/wind is the way to go

There are some plans for new nuclear at least https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c62614wejk5o

I think public mood is moving in favour of more nuclear (although this article two years old) https://www.world-nuclear-news.org/Articles/Polls-find-strong-support-for-nuclear-in-UK-and-Sw

Also there is talk to try and make solar panels mandatory on new build houses. I do think we need to do something like France and make solar panels over new car parks mandatory too.

 

[Blackrock]

There are some plans for new nuclear at least https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c62614wejk5o

I think public mood is moving in favour of more nuclear (although this article two years old) https://www.world-nuclear-news.org/Articles/Polls-find-strong-support-for-nuclear-in-UK-and-Sw

Also there is talk to try and make solar panels mandatory on new build houses. I do think we need to do something like France and make solar panels over new car parks mandatory too.

There is but unfortunately it’s 30 years too late, but I’m glad to see we’re changing course.

However it’s going to be a long, long time until we’re out of this shit heap we’ve found ourselves in.

I’d like us to build more tidal and hydro as well tbh. Rather that than wind/solar which whilst nice will never be a stable base load.

 

[dave___]

There is but unfortunately it’s 30 years too late, but I’m glad to see we’re changing course.

However it’s going to be a long, long time until we’re out of this shit heap we’ve found ourselves in.

I’d like us to build more tidal and hydro as well tbh. Rather that than wind/solar which whilst nice will never be a stable base load.

Battery storage is key but at the moment even the installs that use megapacks can only be used for demand spikes rather than consistent power, in the same way that pumped storage is used. they just aren't quite at grid scale yet.

Not to mention there has to be some kind of always-on legacy fossil/nuclear power to maintain the grid frequency at the moment until they bring the new grid forming technology online.

What is Grid Forming? | National Energy System Operator

As we transition to zero carbon technologies we need new tools to deliver inertia, frequency and other stability services. Grid Forming technology allows batteries and renewables to deliver the same outputs as traditional power stations. What is Grid Forming? With the rise of new low carbon...

www.neso.energy

 

[rob666]

The problem is the fact we’re so reliant on solar and wind and it only takes the perfect storm to push us perilously close to the edge.

Honestly it’ll take a national blackout for politicians to change course, the public mood to change. I’m pro net zero, I just don’t think solar/wind is the way to go

Now come on, if there was a perfect storm, we would have wind power.
You mean the perfect lengthy shady frosty calm...

 

[dave___]

Now come on, if there was a perfect storm, we would have wind power.
You mean the perfect lengthy shady frosty calm...

If there was a perfect storm then no rides would be open. That would in actuality make it a terrible storm.

Got myself into a bit of a logic trap there

 

[Blackrock]

Now come on, if there was a perfect storm, we would have wind power.
You mean the perfect lengthy shady frosty calm...

Well that entirely depends on how strong the storm is, over a certain wind speed and they stop spinning

 

[xtpower]

Universal have submitted the request for the SDO.

They've sent a local letter updating on progress.
https://universalukproject.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/june-2025-local-letter.pdf

 

[xtpower]

Putting the latest news here as well as the main discussion thread:
Universal have submitted the request for the SDO.

They've sent a local letter updating on progress.
https://universalukproject.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/june-2025-local-letter.pdf

 

[dave___]

Universal have submitted the request for the SDO.

They've sent a local letter updating on progress.
https://universalukproject.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/june-2025-local-letter.pdf

Always on the cards as soon as the govt announced funding yesterday

 

[xtpower]

Always on the cards as soon as the govt announced funding yesterday

Also, seems we'll be able to peruse the docs and whatnot too. So we won't be getting Universal hiding it all away, they might hide some things but I expect we'll be able to have fun analysing every minute detail.

 

[dave___]

Also, seems we'll be able to peruse the docs and whatnot too. So we won't be getting Universal hiding it all away, they might hide some things but I expect we'll be able to have fun analysing every minute detail.

VLogger fodder for _years_

 

[xtpower]

VLogger fodder for _years_

Wait til they start pushing dirt around, vlogger heaven.

 

[Quantum]

Where will the planning docs be found?

 

[Skyscraper]

Universal have submitted the request for the SDO.

They've sent a local letter updating on progress.
https://universalukproject.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/june-2025-local-letter.pdf

Newsletter subscribers like myself have received it as well. Just a waiting game now!

 

[xtpower]

Where will the planning docs be found?

Universal said we'll find out in due course, once the request is received.

 

[Benjsh]

Aapparently over at the London Resort HQ.

Filed under the name....

Project: Jumping Spider

Where will the planning docs be

 

[rob@rar]

Bedford Council has just scheduled an Extraordinary meeting of their Executive Committee for 30 July. This committee will be formalising the Council's response to whatever consultation the government conducts on the planning application, so I think that's probably the best chance we'll have of seeing application documents because I'm guessing there won't be a public consultation on Universal's plans. No guarantee that the documents will be made public via the Council through the Executive Committee, but normally their committee papers are in the public domain unless they are declared commercially sensitive.