Case Study: Energy in the UK

Case Study: Energy in the UK

• 
• Caption: NASA VIIRS, indicating population centres of the British Isles

History of Energy Use

• The UK was once a major exporter of fossil fuels. In the 1940s Coal provided 90% of energy needs but during 2016 there were several periods where no energy at all was derived from the UK coal industry, for the first time since 1882. Once upon a time, it was also almost entirely gas self-sufficient but by 2010 40% of our gas needs were being imported.
• Oil from the North Sea reserves flowed from the 1970s but did not contribute much to the UK electricity generation and has continually declined since. The UK had already exhausted most North Sea oil and gas reserves by the start of the 2000s and had to increasingly import from abroad e.g Belgium, Norway, Russia and the Middle East. In the 1950s, the UK started a programme of nuclear power generation. It did not contribute much like a generator of electricity though, and it's use peaked in 1997.
• However, the production of all of the above fossil fuels has declined. Between 2004 and 2010, production of energy in the UK shrank by 33.9% while during the same period, imports of energy from abroad increased by a staggering 420%. It is predicted that by 2020, the UK will be importing about 3/4 of its energy needs. Growing concerns over the "energy gap", between the production and supply of energy and what is being demanded, has led to concerns over the UK's energy security. Most of the old coal and nuclear power stations will need to be de-commissioned in the next few years due to the length of time they have been in service and their inability to adapt to more stringent "clear air" targets.
• 
• Caption: Aberaman Miners' Training Centre S.Wales 1951

Climate Emergency

• 
• To tackle the growing problem of the climate change, the UK government has set ambitious emissions and pollution control targets; the "Climate Change Act" set the target of reducing emissions at 1990 levels by 80% by the year 2050. Five-yearly "budgets" have been put in place to act as "stepping stones" along the way towards this goal. so between 2013 and 2017 (the second budget phase), the target was to reduce emissions by 29% of 1990 levels. The amount of reduction increases with each 5-year budge. An annual assessment of how the UK is doing with regard to meeting these set targets is undertaken by the Committee on Climate Change (CCC). So far the UK met its first budget targets and remained on track up to the time of writing.
• From the 1990s increasing attention has turned to renewable sources of energy. Along with its emissions targets, the UK also has a target for the proportion of energy that will be provided from renewable sources. The EU set this target at 20% by 2020, but individual countries can set their own targets and the UK went with 15% at the time. This was significant as only 3% of our energy came from renewable sources in 1990. Renewable energy sources in the UK include solar, wind and Hydroelectric Power.

UK Wind Power

• 
• Caption: Two of the wind turbines at the Black Law Wind Farm in Scotland
• The UK has huge potential in terms of wind power as an energy source. Hundreds of millions of pounds are being invested in wind technology and the development of wind farms; both on-shore and off-shore although the latter is the greater focus as it causes less opposition. Wind Energy now delivers a growing proportion of our energy needs. In 2014, wind energy contributed 9.4% to our total energy demand.

UK Solar Energy

• 
• Caption: Solar panels on the BedZED development in the London Borough of Sutton.
• Solar Energy has also rapidly increased in recent years, partly due to the cost of photo-voltaic cells coming down. Also, the Government operates a "solar power scheme" whereby homeowners are encouraged to put solar panels on the roof of their house to generate electricity, which will both decrease their energy bills and reduce the demand for energy from other sources.

UK Nuclear Power

• 
• Caption: Calder Hall power station was first connected to the national power grid on 27 August 1956
• Nuclear Power has seen a bit of a comeback too. despite heavy opposition from environmental groups such as Greenpeace, it is seen by some as necessary as oil and gas reserves in the North Sea have dropped so low. In 2011 the 16 reactors in the UK contributed 20% to the UK energy generation, but its future hangs in the balance due to concerns over its potential environmental and safety risks.

UK Biofuels

• 
• Caption: A bus fueled by biogas in Bristol
• Biofuels are expanding and, as it is more predictable than other renewable sources, it is seen by some as more favourable. In 2011a new biomass plant was opened in Durham. People are concerned, though, about how sustainable this source of energy is in itself as it causes some pollution and its waste is hard to clean up. Nevertheless, in 2011, biofuels made up 2.2% of energy for heating, 6.3% of electricity generation, and 2.9 of transport.