Dear Reader,
When I was a small lad, I believed that without the glass barrier on the speedometer in my father’s automobile, he could manually elevate the dial to 100 mph and we would zoom away. Of course, as I grew, I realised this wasn’t as easy as it seemed.
Neither the piece written by Conor Purcell and Michael Keary titled “Irish homes need to eliminate gas boilers, oil-based systems, fireplaces and chimneys” (Opinion & Analysis, October 15th), nor Philip Donnelly’s communique (October 16th) broached the topic of our delicate power supply. The ongoing warnings about our energy infrastructure nearing capacity and the risk of it not being adequate during peak demand in the forthcoming winter have not been mentioned.
Imagine for a moment, if we halved the usage of gas and oil in Ireland homes, transitioning to uncomplicated electric heaters. While it might be an uncomplicated transition, the grid simply would not accommodate this increase in demand. It would be the equivalent of everyone in Ireland adopting heat pumps.
We’ve seen a decrease in electric vehicle purchases, and the current clamour amongst the elite is for an increased availability of high-speed chargers. These chargers are voracious consumers of electricity, yet they can provide power even during peak times.
The introduction of costly battery-powered automobiles and SUVs seems to have diverted the focus. The novelty for the affluent has quickly faded. They’ve tired of fumbling in the early hours of cold winter mornings, connecting and disconnecting a charger.
The plug-in cars have seen a dip in sales. The voice of the well-off is now advocating for more high-speed charging stations that consume vast amounts of power but can operate during peak hours.
Notably, the immediate solution to this impending crisis is the installation of more standby generators operated by fossil fuel.
No past writers have referred to the successful integration of wind energy.
Ireland has the potential to mitigate various challenges by constructing additional wind farms, given that the native legal sector and a multitude of planning consultants do not overly complicate the process. It’s worthwhile considering legislation akin to the 1927 Electricity Act. Unavoidably, wind energy often generates a prominent surplus during non-peak periods. In the 60s, ESB introduced a storage heater initiative. These crude, large boxes housed concrete-embedded heating components that would heat up overnight and emit heat throughout the day. They were distinct from today’s smart meters, requiring a separate clock, meter, and wiring system. Their limitations were always evident and hence were deserted as controllable domestic oil-based systems gained traction. However, with advanced materials and smart systems, we could revisit similar alternatives.
Moreover, Philip Donnelly’s letter dated 16th October appreciates the established and universally favoured fossil fuel technology for residential heating. This challenges the advocates of net-zero to present compelling reasons for a drastic shift from the existing norms. The primary rationale for such a change is climate change. Dependence on oil and gas for domestic heating is about to trigger ecological devastation and consequent societal disintegration. Despite familiarity, a nationwide refurbishment program is crucial to trim down emissions. Mr. Donnelly concerns about financing this transformation. To solve this, carbon tax proceeds fund complimentary energy upgrades for households with low income, while other home-owners are aided with numerous subsidies and incentives. As a result, they enjoy reduced energy costs courtesy of efficient, clean and operable electric heat pumps. This eliminates further fuel delivery requirements, improving home comfort levels, and at the same time, prevents further contribution to the climate crisis that may turn vast areas of our planet uninhabitable within the lifespan of the next generation causing immense human suffering. Attachment to outdated and polluting systems mustn’t deter us from adopting friendlier alternatives.
Dear Sir,
It baffles me as to how residential heat pump systems could be so unpredictable and expensive, given that their core technology is acknowledged to be efficient, durable and dependable. Components of car air conditioners, refrigerators and freezers – which are practically the same as those used in heat pumps – have been known to last for more than two decades without any major hitches or even needing maintenance, based on personal experience.
Astoundingly, in the vicinity of my dwelling, four heat pump units which were installed less than half a decade ago had to be replaced. It’s genuinely alarming how a single malfunctioning component can render a heat pump unit worth ten grand redundant.
Yours Sincerely,
Michael Terry,
Lucan,
County Dublin.