WillP
@wiilp.bsky.social
Energy, science, engineering, environment.
If someone does equity release on the large home in their 60s, do you find that discourages them from selling up and downsizing in their 70s/80s, which would crystallise their loss of equity for buying their bungalow?
(Asking for a friend's mum...!)
(Asking for a friend's mum...!)
November 29, 2025 at 1:31 PM
If someone does equity release on the large home in their 60s, do you find that discourages them from selling up and downsizing in their 70s/80s, which would crystallise their loss of equity for buying their bungalow?
(Asking for a friend's mum...!)
(Asking for a friend's mum...!)
Meanwhile, £1.7 billion is available to build a new railway to a part of London that is exactly 1 mile away from the previous £19 billion railway that opened 3 years ago.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Reeves to back DLR extension in major boost for deprived London district
Treasury source says chancellor will announce £1.7bn plan for rail link to Thamesmead in south-east of capital
www.theguardian.com
November 29, 2025 at 11:05 AM
Meanwhile, £1.7 billion is available to build a new railway to a part of London that is exactly 1 mile away from the previous £19 billion railway that opened 3 years ago.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Maybe quicker to build LNG tanks. They built one pretty quick at Grangemouth chemicals plant ISTR to import liquid ethane.
November 28, 2025 at 8:53 PM
Maybe quicker to build LNG tanks. They built one pretty quick at Grangemouth chemicals plant ISTR to import liquid ethane.
It's eye popping that £4k turned into £2m in that time! Think that even a well paid employee at the higher rate tax margin, wouldn't have earned that so fast?, and they'd have paid 40% tax.
Needs to be a way to tax those unearned but illiquid gains, without forcing people to sell, or preventing it.
Needs to be a way to tax those unearned but illiquid gains, without forcing people to sell, or preventing it.
November 28, 2025 at 8:42 PM
It's eye popping that £4k turned into £2m in that time! Think that even a well paid employee at the higher rate tax margin, wouldn't have earned that so fast?, and they'd have paid 40% tax.
Needs to be a way to tax those unearned but illiquid gains, without forcing people to sell, or preventing it.
Needs to be a way to tax those unearned but illiquid gains, without forcing people to sell, or preventing it.
Rough storage system doesn't come out looking much useful
November 28, 2025 at 6:51 PM
Rough storage system doesn't come out looking much useful
Seems the standard is operate thru 1-in-20 winter while the single largest infrastructure is out of action. Think that's the Milford Haven LNG terminals, about a quarter of grid supply.
Seems an onerous target. But also a lot of eggs in that basket.
Role of Ireland not clear, building own import.
Seems an onerous target. But also a lot of eggs in that basket.
Role of Ireland not clear, building own import.
November 28, 2025 at 6:50 PM
Seems the standard is operate thru 1-in-20 winter while the single largest infrastructure is out of action. Think that's the Milford Haven LNG terminals, about a quarter of grid supply.
Seems an onerous target. But also a lot of eggs in that basket.
Role of Ireland not clear, building own import.
Seems an onerous target. But also a lot of eggs in that basket.
Role of Ireland not clear, building own import.
Lots to digest in there.
November 28, 2025 at 6:09 PM
Lots to digest in there.
Could be. Don't think those are 'fiscal' (tamper proof) and they're marketed as "driver assistance" rather than for monitoring/taxing.
People got used to having 'tags' to prepay tolls on bridges etc, so maybe a tax tag isn't a big step.
But can get principle of ppm established first via MOT in 28
People got used to having 'tags' to prepay tolls on bridges etc, so maybe a tax tag isn't a big step.
But can get principle of ppm established first via MOT in 28
November 27, 2025 at 11:56 AM
Could be. Don't think those are 'fiscal' (tamper proof) and they're marketed as "driver assistance" rather than for monitoring/taxing.
People got used to having 'tags' to prepay tolls on bridges etc, so maybe a tax tag isn't a big step.
But can get principle of ppm established first via MOT in 28
People got used to having 'tags' to prepay tolls on bridges etc, so maybe a tax tag isn't a big step.
But can get principle of ppm established first via MOT in 28
Ofc can just have a coin battery powered WiFi/zigbee switch or remote control, and smart bulbs.
I went with kinetic because expected flat battery would be be nuisance.
But our kids have those RGB led strips, and their remote batteries have lasted years, hardly any drain.
I went with kinetic because expected flat battery would be be nuisance.
But our kids have those RGB led strips, and their remote batteries have lasted years, hardly any drain.
November 27, 2025 at 11:46 AM
Ofc can just have a coin battery powered WiFi/zigbee switch or remote control, and smart bulbs.
I went with kinetic because expected flat battery would be be nuisance.
But our kids have those RGB led strips, and their remote batteries have lasted years, hardly any drain.
I went with kinetic because expected flat battery would be be nuisance.
But our kids have those RGB led strips, and their remote batteries have lasted years, hardly any drain.
That's how the consultation doc says they propose checking it, also at annual services for first 3 years.
Any discrepancy gets sorted when you sell the car
no point issuing £100 telematics in order to collect £250 tax.
Any discrepancy gets sorted when you sell the car
no point issuing £100 telematics in order to collect £250 tax.
November 27, 2025 at 11:35 AM
That's how the consultation doc says they propose checking it, also at annual services for first 3 years.
Any discrepancy gets sorted when you sell the car
no point issuing £100 telematics in order to collect £250 tax.
Any discrepancy gets sorted when you sell the car
no point issuing £100 telematics in order to collect £250 tax.
Have you looked at 'kinetic' light switches that are powered by a piezo when you push on the switch?
Totally wireless, can mount them anywhere (or have them loose, like a TV remote).
Small wireless receiver relay, easy to hide in light fitting.
There is a brand leader, but cheaper direct.
Totally wireless, can mount them anywhere (or have them loose, like a TV remote).
Small wireless receiver relay, easy to hide in light fitting.
There is a brand leader, but cheaper direct.
November 27, 2025 at 11:29 AM
Have you looked at 'kinetic' light switches that are powered by a piezo when you push on the switch?
Totally wireless, can mount them anywhere (or have them loose, like a TV remote).
Small wireless receiver relay, easy to hide in light fitting.
There is a brand leader, but cheaper direct.
Totally wireless, can mount them anywhere (or have them loose, like a TV remote).
Small wireless receiver relay, easy to hide in light fitting.
There is a brand leader, but cheaper direct.
Just practicality:
It's taken 15 years to roll out smart electricity meters in GB and still 30% don't have them, complaining about big brother and cost and poor reliability.
Starting today, no way they could fit robust/reliable telematics in all existing EVs and PHEVs by 2028.
It's taken 15 years to roll out smart electricity meters in GB and still 30% don't have them, complaining about big brother and cost and poor reliability.
Starting today, no way they could fit robust/reliable telematics in all existing EVs and PHEVs by 2028.
November 27, 2025 at 11:14 AM
Just practicality:
It's taken 15 years to roll out smart electricity meters in GB and still 30% don't have them, complaining about big brother and cost and poor reliability.
Starting today, no way they could fit robust/reliable telematics in all existing EVs and PHEVs by 2028.
It's taken 15 years to roll out smart electricity meters in GB and still 30% don't have them, complaining about big brother and cost and poor reliability.
Starting today, no way they could fit robust/reliable telematics in all existing EVs and PHEVs by 2028.
Someone needs to sort out what is the correct plural of 'Raspberry Pi'
"Pis" is probably grammatical English but autocorrect makes it rude
"Pies" comes off the tongue easier (mmm, fruit pies)
"Pi" is a Greek noun so maybe the plural is "Pia" but Im totally ignorant of that language!
"Pis" is probably grammatical English but autocorrect makes it rude
"Pies" comes off the tongue easier (mmm, fruit pies)
"Pi" is a Greek noun so maybe the plural is "Pia" but Im totally ignorant of that language!
November 27, 2025 at 9:32 AM
Someone needs to sort out what is the correct plural of 'Raspberry Pi'
"Pis" is probably grammatical English but autocorrect makes it rude
"Pies" comes off the tongue easier (mmm, fruit pies)
"Pi" is a Greek noun so maybe the plural is "Pia" but Im totally ignorant of that language!
"Pis" is probably grammatical English but autocorrect makes it rude
"Pies" comes off the tongue easier (mmm, fruit pies)
"Pi" is a Greek noun so maybe the plural is "Pia" but Im totally ignorant of that language!
Excellent - this did indeed answer many q's I had!
November 27, 2025 at 9:20 AM
Excellent - this did indeed answer many q's I had!
The consultation doc says that your mileage will be checked when you get the car serviced in the first 3 years, and MOT'd after that.
It doesn't really matter because if you underpay during your ownership they'll catch up with you when you sell it on. Not totally clear how they do that tho.
It doesn't really matter because if you underpay during your ownership they'll catch up with you when you sell it on. Not totally clear how they do that tho.
November 27, 2025 at 8:45 AM
The consultation doc says that your mileage will be checked when you get the car serviced in the first 3 years, and MOT'd after that.
It doesn't really matter because if you underpay during your ownership they'll catch up with you when you sell it on. Not totally clear how they do that tho.
It doesn't really matter because if you underpay during your ownership they'll catch up with you when you sell it on. Not totally clear how they do that tho.
The leaked OBR document says pay per mile will apply to plug in hybrids as well as BEVs
So raises more money, and distinctive to PHEVs that will pay fuel duty _and_ mileage
But still not big money
So raises more money, and distinctive to PHEVs that will pay fuel duty _and_ mileage
But still not big money
November 26, 2025 at 12:42 PM
The leaked OBR document says pay per mile will apply to plug in hybrids as well as BEVs
So raises more money, and distinctive to PHEVs that will pay fuel duty _and_ mileage
But still not big money
So raises more money, and distinctive to PHEVs that will pay fuel duty _and_ mileage
But still not big money
The extra money for EV grants would go into the pot for the existing grant scheme so available now
The pay per mile would kick in after 2028
= Buy now, pay later
Addresses the complaint that EVs are more expensive to buy, even if cheaper to run and cheaper overall
But damaging publicity now
The pay per mile would kick in after 2028
= Buy now, pay later
Addresses the complaint that EVs are more expensive to buy, even if cheaper to run and cheaper overall
But damaging publicity now
Electric Car Grant : £1.3bn boost for EV scheme expected in Budget
But it is also possible electric vehicle owners could face a new tax elsewhere in Wednesday's Budget.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 26, 2025 at 10:31 AM
The extra money for EV grants would go into the pot for the existing grant scheme so available now
The pay per mile would kick in after 2028
= Buy now, pay later
Addresses the complaint that EVs are more expensive to buy, even if cheaper to run and cheaper overall
But damaging publicity now
The pay per mile would kick in after 2028
= Buy now, pay later
Addresses the complaint that EVs are more expensive to buy, even if cheaper to run and cheaper overall
But damaging publicity now
So based on the 1.3m EVs (SMMT), that would raise roughly 3p * 10k mpa * 1.3million
= £400 million raised pa, not a lot
Meanwhile they are trailing extra £1.3bn for EV grants and £0.2bn for chargers
Net transfer, reduces cost of buying EV, increases cost of driving it
Good policy - bad optics
= £400 million raised pa, not a lot
Meanwhile they are trailing extra £1.3bn for EV grants and £0.2bn for chargers
Net transfer, reduces cost of buying EV, increases cost of driving it
Good policy - bad optics
November 26, 2025 at 10:15 AM
So based on the 1.3m EVs (SMMT), that would raise roughly 3p * 10k mpa * 1.3million
= £400 million raised pa, not a lot
Meanwhile they are trailing extra £1.3bn for EV grants and £0.2bn for chargers
Net transfer, reduces cost of buying EV, increases cost of driving it
Good policy - bad optics
= £400 million raised pa, not a lot
Meanwhile they are trailing extra £1.3bn for EV grants and £0.2bn for chargers
Net transfer, reduces cost of buying EV, increases cost of driving it
Good policy - bad optics
Then at your destination you'd have to de-replane.
November 26, 2025 at 8:35 AM
Then at your destination you'd have to de-replane.
Yes, continuous ventilation much better than intermittent (=occasional) bathroom fans.
Paradoxically we need a lot less ventilation in Winter (when the incoming cold outdoor air carries fewer grammes of water per m³) than we do in Summer.
Few people turn their MVHR down in Winter, auto is best.
Paradoxically we need a lot less ventilation in Winter (when the incoming cold outdoor air carries fewer grammes of water per m³) than we do in Summer.
Few people turn their MVHR down in Winter, auto is best.
November 25, 2025 at 10:33 AM
Yes, continuous ventilation much better than intermittent (=occasional) bathroom fans.
Paradoxically we need a lot less ventilation in Winter (when the incoming cold outdoor air carries fewer grammes of water per m³) than we do in Summer.
Few people turn their MVHR down in Winter, auto is best.
Paradoxically we need a lot less ventilation in Winter (when the incoming cold outdoor air carries fewer grammes of water per m³) than we do in Summer.
Few people turn their MVHR down in Winter, auto is best.
If we extract a m³ of inside air (carries 9g of water)
and replace it with outside air (3-7g of water depending on seasons)
Then we removed 2-6g of water
Takes a lot of those, to empty two bucketfuls!
and replace it with outside air (3-7g of water depending on seasons)
Then we removed 2-6g of water
Takes a lot of those, to empty two bucketfuls!
November 25, 2025 at 10:13 AM
If we extract a m³ of inside air (carries 9g of water)
and replace it with outside air (3-7g of water depending on seasons)
Then we removed 2-6g of water
Takes a lot of those, to empty two bucketfuls!
and replace it with outside air (3-7g of water depending on seasons)
Then we removed 2-6g of water
Takes a lot of those, to empty two bucketfuls!
Here's somebody's figures FWIW, seen similar numbers from other studies.
If it was collected in one place, that's two buckets full of water!
smartvent.co.nz/resources/bl...
If it was collected in one place, that's two buckets full of water!
smartvent.co.nz/resources/bl...
November 25, 2025 at 10:03 AM
Here's somebody's figures FWIW, seen similar numbers from other studies.
If it was collected in one place, that's two buckets full of water!
smartvent.co.nz/resources/bl...
If it was collected in one place, that's two buckets full of water!
smartvent.co.nz/resources/bl...
Here's one that actually works,
Shows how much panel area is needed
www.rideapart.com/news/765852/...
Shows how much panel area is needed
www.rideapart.com/news/765852/...
What If You Could Have An E-Bike With Totally Unlimited Range?
Journalist and YouTuber Becca Farsace thought it would be a good idea to build an e-bike with “unlimited range” and ride it 450 miles through New York state
www.rideapart.com
November 25, 2025 at 9:40 AM
Here's one that actually works,
Shows how much panel area is needed
www.rideapart.com/news/765852/...
Shows how much panel area is needed
www.rideapart.com/news/765852/...