Promise of Blackouts

[MarkS]

Great news - because of the UKs underinvestment in power generation (windmills and solar panels of course don't work on calm Winter evenings) we are now promised the possibility of proper dark nights.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/energy/10145803/Risk-of-UK-blackouts-has-tripled-in-a-year-Ofgem-warns.html

Excellent reason to keep 12v as the main power source for the observatory - to take advantage of the blackouts.  Imagine the frustration of looking at pristine skies with no chance of imaging them because of lack of mains power.

[Fay]

exactly what i was thinking this morning Mark

[mickw]

Perhaps if they turned the streetlights off at midnight, stopped floodlighting pointless buildings, stopped floodlit sports, banned insecurity lights over 50 watt then some savings could be made - I wonder why nobody thought of this 

[RobertM]

If only someone had the 'bright' idea of turning off all unnecessary office lights - just look at the canary wharf christmas tree when you come over wrotham hill. 

Unnecessary lighting should be penalised !

[MarkS]

If only someone had the 'bright' idea of turning off all unnecessary office lights

This happens in France from Monday:
http://www.standard.co.uk/arts/book/too-much-light-in-our-darkness--a-plea-for-the-pleasure-of-seeing-stars-8675992.html