Tag Archives: Energy

Energy and Water for New Buildings

Recently, there has been some controversy, reported in the Menorcan press, concerning requirements for energy efficiency and water consumption in new buildings. The issue began with a memo from the College of Architects and the discussion continued at a meeting of the Mayors with the Island Council however, the information released by the press seems to be more of a complaint than a solution to the proposals. Continue reading Energy and Water for New Buildings →

The Central Electricity Power Station and Creative Headlines

There are many ways to analyse data and news headlines. Sometimes, the data are analysed well, however, the headlines hardly do them justice. So it is with the Central Electricity Power station.

We have recently seen headlines announcing that the turbines of the Power Station have reduced their pollution by 83%, thanks to the injection of treated wastewater. Someone, who does not know the details of how the factory operates to generate energy for the island, would think that the whole of the Power Station has contributed to this air pollution reduction. This is not so. Continue reading The Central Electricity Power Station and Creative Headlines →

Wind direction multiplies pollutants in Mahon

We have studied how the direction of the wind affects the measurements of the pollutants, and show that the winds from the north increase the concentrations of oxides of sulphur and nitrogen by 4 to 8 times. When the wind comes from the direction of the Central Electricity Power Station, these pollutants go as far as the town of Mahon. A change to the criterion of the production of electricity to that which prioritises the health of the public is urgently required. Continue reading Wind direction multiplies pollutants in Mahon →

Series of debates in February and March

Last Friday was the start of a new series of round table talks dedicated to innovatory projects in Menorca. They are organized by the Ateneu in Mahon and GOB with the collaboration of the Menorca Preservation Fund. They can be followed by video conferencing. The first one was on Friday dealing with the problem of rubbish and was titled “Collection and processing of domestic rubbish in Menorca”. Continue reading Series of debates in February and March →

Large hotels, or how to miss the evolution train

The argument relating to the conditions that ought to exist for large hotels when they become out of date covers many similar examples. A project has been presented at Arenal d’en Castell that is inappropriate for the 21st century having no environmental parameters nor does it have any intention, even, to connect to the new water treatment plant. This is as a result of making rules a la carte that are not in the general interest. Continue reading Large hotels, or how to miss the evolution train →

Ideas for public investment confronting an economic recession

The intervention of government ministries considering investment at the end of the economic crisis following the pandemic emergency, must take into account that public money is for generating work at the same time as solving environmental problems. There are many possibilities for directing efforts along these lines. Here are various proposals. Continue reading Ideas for public investment confronting an economic recession →

A meeting with the Balearic Government requested to discuss the Central Power Station

Control of the Central Power Station, the approach to renewable energy, control of transport emissions and other similar subjects are the questions on which GOB wishes to deal with the new Counsellor for Energy Transition and with the Vice President of the Balearic Government. Continue reading A meeting with the Balearic Government requested to discuss the Central Power Station →

Let us prioritise renewables and not piped gas

Menorca needs to move on with urgency to renewable energies. Figures showing the level of contamination from the central power station are becoming more and more unsustainable. Relating to this, constructing a network of piped gas through all the streets of towns is an obsolete idea that does not fit in with the necessity for the island to make its own, clean energy. Continue reading Let us prioritise renewables and not piped gas →