Going with the energy flow
I have to confess that my knowledge of small flood defence schemes being recommended for major Borders towns is as yet inadequate and not sufficient to make practical observations one way or the other. However, I am aware that funding is a major issue, in fact reported as a “major stumbling block”.
Without being discourteous to Councillor Gordon Edgar and the Flood Advisory Group, are they perhaps failing to notice an obvious characteristic of the problem they are grappling with – i.e. energy?
At worst floodwater causes untold damage and misery as torrential rivers rage uncontrollably through our towns. To build flood protection schemes means, by definition, keeping in check and controlling this destructive energy which incidentally is one of our greatest resources. There is, as a result, an opportunity to harness, channel and exploit this energy.
Establishing a water turbine generating electricity into the flood protection scheme is surely an obvious component of its overall plan. The income generated by this recognised source of constant energy delivered as a by-product, even when relatively calm, would not only reduce substantially the projected budget for the flood protection scheme, but provide evidence once again supporting the argument that water power is superior on all levels compared to that of wind power.
We would have a direct comparison with the already established wind turbines in our area, or perhaps that is a contrast those promoting wind power would rather avoid.
Hugh Lovatt
Selkirk
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Weather for Galashiels
Friday 24 May 2013
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 1 C to 11 C
Wind Speed: 26 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 6 C to 17 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: South west
