GLASGOW could become the centre of an energy revolution with the potential to radically alter how cities of the future power homes and businesses. The ambitious proposals involve establishing a community-owned company which would convert derelict land or buildings into renewables hubs to wean the city off its reliance on the national grid. With tough climate change legislation and fossil fuel levies due to take effect in the coming years, campaigners believe now is the time to begin serious discussions on how electricity can be produced and sold at a local level rather than relying upon the existing system of remote power stations based across the country. Glasgow is uniquely positioned to benefit from a new wave of urban solar farms and windmills due to the “unusual” amount of vacant land and buildings, many of them already under public ownership, within it s boundaries. Jim Metcalfe, a trustee and director of the UK Energy Saving Trust, said changing the way we produce and use energy was a worldwide challenge – but one that could be met at a local level. “Our cities can and must do more,” he said. “We must take on more responsibility for that concerted energy action. Policy makers and the public sector alone cannot deliver the pace of change that is needed.” Metcalfe delivered a talk on the subject at a meeting of the Glasgow Skeptics society this week, in which he outlined why Scotland’s biggest city could take the lead on energy sustainability.
Scotsman 14th April 2016 read more »