Articles from BBC NEWS

How you would solve a problem like Eyjafjallajokull

Explore BBC NEWS (May 20 2010)

Our article in which scientists launched theoretically plausible, if practically utterly unlikely, suggestions for tackling the Eyjafjallajokull eruption provoked an energetic response from readers. Now Prof Gillian Foulger of Durham University's earth science department and Dr David Rothery, a volcanologist with the Open University, offer your ideas the full weight of scientific examination. All we need is a giant carbon-nano-tube. Placing the tube over the top of the volcano, internal turbines could be used to generate electrical power. The remaining exhaust could be funnelled out into space (see diagram above) in such a way as to propel the Earth away from the Sun to mitigate the effects of global warming by reducing the incidental power received from the sun. Mike (Read Full Article)

Comment Mentions:   Iceland

Iceland looks to serve the world

Explore BBC NEWS (Oct 12 2009) Carbon Footprint , Geothermal , Cloud Computing , Servers

Since the financial crisis, Iceland has been forced to retreat back from high octane bubble living to nature. Fortunately, there is a lot of that nature to retreat to. It is a breathtaking world of volcanoes, endless prairies and ethereal winter landscapes. Not, you might think, the most obvious place to stick millions of the world’s computer servers which are, for all their uses, rather less attractive. But the country now wants exactly that - to become home to the world’s computing power. Behind all the large internet companies lurk massive and ever growing data centres chock full of servers churning away. Google for instance is thought to have around a million of the things, but even less IT intensive operations, banks for example, need hundreds of thousands of servers to store all their data. Up to 60% extra energy is required to cool computer servers in the UK ... (Read Full Article)

Comment Mentions:   Iceland   Europe   Verne Global

uk could face blackout by 2016

Explore BBC NEWS (Sep 14 2009) Power and Cooling , Fossil Fuel , Nuclear

The government's new energy adviser says the UK could face blackouts by 2016 because green energy is not coming on stream fast enough. Ministers have previously denied that the UK is heading for an energy gap. But David MacKay, who takes up his post at the Department of Energy on 1 October, says that the public keep objecting to energy projects. This, he says, is creating a huge problem, which could turn out the lights. Professor MacKay is a researcher at Cambridge University. His recent book, Sustainable Energy - Without The Hot Air, won applause for its examination of current government plans to keep the lights on whilst also cutting carbon emissions. (Read Full Article)

Comment Mentions:   Department of Energy

£1bn plan to electrify rail line

Explore BBC NEWS (Jul 24 2009)

A £1bn plan to electrify the main rail route between London and Swansea has been announced by the government. A second line between Liverpool and Manchester will also be converted from diesel to electric. Ministers say electric trains are lighter and more energy efficient, cutting the running cost and environmental impact of train services. The Conservatives welcomed the move but said the government was leaving the taxpayer to foot the bill. (Read Full Article)

Comment Mentions:   Europe   Netherlands

Global warming by computer (BBC Video)

Explore BBC NEWS (Apr 27 2009) Emissions , Servers

Newsnight's Science Editor Susan Watts on how growing internet use is being driven by giant "server farms", increasing carbon emissions. (Read Full Article)

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