|
|
Under a plan to be considered by peers and MPs later this year, a network of turbines could be placed underwater near the Palace of Westminster. He goes on to say that MPs are anxious to generate “green” electricity to curb emissions of carbon dioxide caused by parliamentary energy consumption, which has gone up 45% since 1997. Tidal power is being studied because opportunities for other forms of generation, such as wind turbines and solar panels, would have to be restricted to hidden parts of the roof on the grade I listed building. He quotes Paul Monaghan, director of the parliamentary estates as saying: “There are a whole series of techniques available to harness the natural resource of the Thames, It is known technology. It is possible to get energy from the movement of the tide. We need to look at these things, analyse which are efficient and pursue them — certainly harnessing energy from solar cells or heating water on the flat roofs are possible.” An example of tidal power being harnessed in this way is about to happen in New York, where marine current turbines are being installed in the city’s East River. The review of parliamentary energy follows a report last year by Norman Baker, the Liberal Democrat MP, which found that the Commons alone was using enough energy in a year to supply 5,000 households and the heating bill for each MP was more than £180. Baker pointed out that, "lights were often left on all night, lifts were travelling empty between floors and television monitors were routinely left on standby throughout the building.” The review, carried out by experts in building technology and the environment, is near completion and a series of options and costs will be put to MPs and peers later this year. Supporters of green energy argue that parliament should be setting an example: earlier this year it was announced that Britain would miss its 2010 target of cutting by 20% the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere from industry and transport. (In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, this material is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes.) |
In a recent article in a
British mainstream newspaper, the Sunday Times Robert Booth reports that the Houses of Parliament may about to be powered by the tidal force of the River Thames and
solar panels in a green makeover of the 140-year-old buildings.