Mackay steps down

David Mackay is to step down as chief scientist at DECC and an advertisement has gone up seeking a replacement.

With blackouts and astronomical energy price rises a possibility in the next year or so, I imagine this could be a tricky role to fill.

Comments

[Peter Stroud]

There is only one certainty, he will not be replaced by a sceptical scientist.

[martin brumby]

Tricky?
Nah!
You only need to be a MIDGE.
Mendacious
Incompetent
Dogmatic
Greedy
EnviroMentalist
Just like Mackay, Slingo and all the other "Scientific" advisors.

[tom0mason]

GreenPeas and WWF member need only apply. Additionally those with at least one residence in, or close to, the PM's constituency will have preference. Ex-Bullingdon Club will be nominated regardless of qualifications.

[JamesG]

I hope Michael Kelly applies. We need a realist, not a dreamer who imagines negawatts will avoid the energy shortfall and who thinks (in contradiction of the national grid's opinion) that converting gas at 90% efficiency is somehow less efficient than using it to produce electricity at 30% efficiency, sending it on lossy power lines then recovering those losses by magicking up interior hot air from exterior colder air.

[Richard Drake]

JamesG: Good idea but is Michael Kelly too valuable as an independent voice? The system of having a chief scientist for so many departments itself needs to be questioned. Phillip Bratby would be a good person to finish the series off with some informed common sense.

[It doesn't add up...]

Davey is making the appointment. Look to his friends.

You can be sure it will be "without hot air"

[Neil McEvoy]

'Fast-paced organisation'! They're having a giraffe!

[KnR]

Will there be a swearing in ceremony where the new person pledges their unquestioning support for 'the cause ' promising never to be a 'heretic' by allowing ungreen thoughts to cross there mind?

[Phillip Bratby]

The Department of Energy and Climate Change exists to head off the twin risks of catastrophic climate change and a shortfall in the UK energy supplies.

I would have thought that DECC exists to minimise, not 'head off', the risks and to ensure we have a cheap and reliable supply of energy. Of course there is only a risk of a shortfall in UK energy supplies because of this and the previous Government's policies, as advised by DECC and its CSA.

[Kevin Marshall]

In the preamble, the job advert says

Credible scientific evidence will be a powerful tool in the hand of the Department of Energy & Climate Change (DECC) as it seeks to offer reassurances on energy security and progress in tackling climate change while delivering the largest infrastructure investment programme in government over the next decade.

So understanding of climate science, energy economics and the technological aspects of power systems would all be prerequisites? No. The person should have "a first class reputation in science or engineering", along with being able to communicate from a position of authority.

[ptw]

This is how champagne socialists scurry away from accountability.
I am sure the honourable parasite will be recycled in one or another highly taxoverpaid for "controlling" function.

[jamesp]

"Credible scientific evidence will be a powerful tool in the hand of the Department of Energy & Climate Change"

Well, it could be...

[sherlock1]

The DECC can offer all the 'reassurances on energy security' it likes, but come next winter, on a cold, still, January evening, with wind and solar contributing nothing and demand at 60GW, THERE WILL BE POWER CUTS...

[not banned yet]

Kevin - the whole spec is worth reading. It includes this:

//
The Chief Scientific (CSA) is one of the most prestigious advisory appointments to Government. Highly influential they assist Ministers and senior officials to ensure policy development and delivery is underpinned with the best available science, technology and engineering advice. Credible scientific evidence will be a powerful tool in the hand of the Department of Energy & Climate Change (DECC) as it seeks to offer reassurances on energy security and progress in tackling climate change while delivering the largest infrastructure investment programme in government over the next decade. Ministers will need to lean heavily on the independent advice and expertise of the CSA in reaching sound decisions that ensure the UK remains at the forefront of the global climate change debate.
//

Being at the forefront of the debate is increasingly the preserve of those acknowledging things are NOT proceeding in the manner predicted "settled science". Hard to see how this will square with offering "reassurances".

Interesting times.

[Steve Jones]

I recommend HRH Prince Charles!

[sherlock1]

'....best available scientific, technology and ENGINEERING advice..'...?
That'd be a first..!
'Carbon capture..? It won't work, mate...'
'Offshore wind turbines..? Way too difficult to maintain..'
'Solar panels..? Well, they only work when the sun shines - and still need cleaning and maintenance...'

[Ex-expat Colin]

Advert: The Role:

Science and evidence appears twice.

There is some Science there somewhere, obviously. However, related evidence is often very questionable and in many instances we find it's not available to us or crucially limited. Being paid for by the state and not freely available negates everything and everyone involved with using science to gain/present related conclusions/advisories.

My old fag packets did better and contained a much needed draw.

[sherlock1]

Its a brilliant bit of management-speak, isn't it..?

[It doesn't add up...]

Speculative shortlist:

Bob Ward
Roger Harrabin
Kevin Trenberth

Oh? It's meant to be a scientist?

[Euan Mearns]

Does the UK Economy Run on Energy or Hot Air?

For so long as the Climate Change Act exists, it will be a thankless task. He has been there for almost 5 years. I wonder if he feels he or DECC achieved anything in that time? We have seen about 50 million toe per annum wiped off our energy production, > 10 GW of legacy power plants closed, energy prices go through the roof and as you point out the security of our grid put at risk – though for so long as we can source gas, I don’t see the same blackout risk that you see since we have a large idle capacity of CCGTs. Falling out with one of Europe’s main and most reliable gas providers is of course ultra smart in the circumstances.

We’ve also seen zero new nuclear plants begun and zero shale gas wells fracked. I guess zero ICG tests performed. We’ve seen the Wood Review recommend that the main energy producing part of the economy be removed from DECC.

But I bet ya we’ve seen CO2 emissions fall – mainly due to recession. I’d like to know how much improved our energy efficiency has become.

[It doesn't add up...]

In 2013, UK emissions of the basket of six greenhouse gases covered by the Kyoto Protocol were
provisionally estimated to be 569.9 million tonnes carbon dioxide equivalent (MtCO2e). This was 1.9 per cent
lower than the 2012 figure of 581.1 million tonnes.

The largest decrease between 2012 emissions and provisional 2013 emissions was a 7.5 per cent (14.5 MtCO2e) decrease in the energy supply sector, due to a decrease in fossil fuel use for electricity generation.

In 2013, UK net emissions of carbon dioxide were provisionally estimated to be 464.3 million tonnes (Mt). This was 2.1 per cent lower than the 2012 figure of 474.1Mt. Carbon dioxide (CO2) is the main greenhouse gas, accounting for 82 per cent of total UK greenhouse gas emissions in 2012, the latest year for which final results are available.

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/295968/20140327_2013_UK_Greenhouse_Gas_Emissions_Provisional_Figures.pdf

[ZT]

Lewandosky?

[Harry Passfield]

"Credible scientific evidence will be a powerful tool in the hand of the Department of Energy & Climate Change"

And, Incredible scientific evidence will be an incrediblypowerful tool in the hand of the Department of Energy & Climate Change - and still be incredibly wrong.

[Anoneumouse]

I nominate the renowned and esteemed 'Dr Zaius'

[thinkingscientist]

I am going to apply. I'll let everyone know what happens.

[not banned yet]

TS - cool! Trust you'll reference contributions at BH to support your application :-)

[sherlock1]

As the DECC wrote to me in response to my e-mail recently complaining about wind farms:
'The UK leads the world in use of wind to produce electricity..'
Quite. Why is that, do you suppose..? Not by any chance because the rest of the world has realised that its a crap way of producing electricity..?
Equally, perhaps: 'The UK leads the world in the production of chocolate teapots...'
I expect the writer 'leaned heavily' on the advice and expertise of the CSA...

[Clive Best]

So can the "Hot Air" now please be reunited with "Sustainable Energy" ?

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