Electricity.
Today, 12 May 2011, the UK and the Netherlands are officially linked together by a super power grid.
The link that runs under the Nort Sea is 260 km long and contains 23,000 tonnes of copper and lead.
After 25 years, the UK has now an electricity link to another country!
New inventions, such as the High Voltage DC ( HVDC) made this possible. Before these new cables, energy could only be transmitted for about 80 kilometers.
This new project will make it easier in the future to exchange renewable energy, from Germany to Scandinavia. If the UK does not get by on windpower alone, they can now easily import. But if they have a surpluss they can easily export.
Comment
I was not aware that they were building a massive line under the sea towards the UK to exchange power.
However I do think that it is a good idea. The UK cannot run on windpower alone, since the windpower is not a reliable source of energy. However, if there is the oppertunity to import energy when the windpower is not available, that would make it easier to use more green energy. I think it is very important that we start using more green energy. Most of the times, green energy is already around us, such as the wind and the sun, and even power from water. I would say it is a waste if we wouldn't use it and instead keep using old fashioned methods to produce energy.
link: http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2011/apr/11/uk-netherlands-power-cable-britned/print
I agree with you Marlot, because I think using more green energy would be a lot better since we have to make use of things around us like you said, such as wind and power of water. I think it would be good for the connection between countries as well, since they have to work together to keep the electricity cables working.
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