Oban Times Letters to the Editor - 9.1.25

There is an alternative to lithium-ion battery storage

According to Downing Renewables Development’s own website, "Downing Fund Managers is a boutique of established managers offering specialist single strategy portfolios that they believe have the potential to offer attractive long-term returns."  

If that self-endorsement makes you feel uneasy, look up their planning application on the A&BC website (ref 24/02083/PP) and read the visually impressive supporting documents – visually impressive but factually barren of any meaningful information;  just smoke and mirrors designed to dress up a fast-buck wheeze to impress gullible investors and inexpert planning officials.

Lithium-ion battery storage is a potentially very dangerous hazard, particularly the risk of extremely high temperature fires requiring trained specialist fire fighters.  It is also only short-term storage, discharging in as little as two hours according to some reports, and it only has a seven to 10-year operational life.  

Lithium extraction itself has become very controversial and environmentally unacceptable. The main attraction is that it is much cheaper to build lithium-ion systems which will initially show a quicker return and, therefore, a more marketable balance sheet.  The proposed 40-year life of the Taynuilt BESS could require at least four or five complete cell replacements.

Other options, including Vanadium Redox Flow systems, do not have any inherent fire risk (although there is always some risk in any electrical installation), they last for many times the life of a lithium-ion system and their discharge rates are five times as much as lithium-ion systems. Importantly, because they are much more stable and require much less major maintenance, they can be constructed to blend into their surroundings – essential to comply with the Scottish Government’s recent National Planning Framework 4 regulations.

However, because of their higher initial cost, it could be 8-12 years before these other options become more profitable than lithium-ion – so not fast-buck friendly!

It is to be hoped that the local planners will sensibly refuse this application so that all aspects of it can be properly examined by professional energy experts in a public inquiry.  

Downing are right in one respect though: it is vital that wind and solar electricity generation is supported by efficient storage systems if they are going to be truly viable in the long term.  But it is certainly not necessary to despoil our countryside, risk local lives and line the already bulging pockets of London "financiers" to achieve it.
G G MacDonald, Dalmally.

Balancing trees and views

We know… how much people appreciate open spaces,” we are told, as we rejoice in the creation of a new woodland that closes them.  

The walk along Druim Mor (Oban Times, December 26) yields breathtaking views in all directions, all weathers and at all times of year.  

I am much in favour of planting trees, but not at the expense of such an awesome experience.  

Last year, as we watched the sun go down over Colonsay, a friend who was just back from hiking on Skye said: “This is one of the most beautiful sights in Scotland.”  

Your article includes a photograph which could be titled, “This is what you are about to lose!”
Graham Cameron, Oban.