Difference between revisions of "Renewable Energy"
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| − | Renewable energy is ''GREAT'' - it's zero-carbon and provided free of charge by Mother Nature! However, the UK doesn't produce very much … although the media tend to use the term 'energy' and 'electricity' interchangeably, they're not. Electricity is the smallest of three broad categories of energy production/supply and renewables contribute around 25% to ''electricity'' generation - as shown in the latest (2018) official figures published by the [https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/818151/Energy_Flow_Chart_2018.pdf Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy]<br> | + | Renewable energy is ''GREAT'' - it's zero-carbon and provided free of charge by Mother Nature! However, the UK doesn't produce very much … which some may find surprising - although the media tend to use the term 'energy' and 'electricity' interchangeably, they're not. Electricity is the smallest of three broad categories of energy production/supply and renewables contribute around 25% to ''electricity'' generation - as shown in the latest (2018) official figures published by the [https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/818151/Energy_Flow_Chart_2018.pdf Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy]<br> |
[[File:Energy Flow Chart 2018.png|thumb]] | [[File:Energy Flow Chart 2018.png|thumb]] | ||
Here's the breakdown: | Here's the breakdown: | ||
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* Petroleum products - largely used for transport - 77 units | * Petroleum products - largely used for transport - 77 units | ||
| − | Electricity ''can'' be used for heating (e.g. heat pumps) and electricity ''can'' be used for transport (electric trains, electric cars); the figures above show there is a '''huge''' shortfall. Presently our National (electricity) Grid compensates for renewables' [[intermittency]] to balance supply and demand by managing output from Combined Cycle Gas Turbine power stations (the work-horses of UK electricity generation) and the relatively few still operating coal-fired power stations | + | Electricity ''can'' be used for heating (e.g. heat pumps) and electricity ''can'' be used for transport (electric trains, electric cars); the figures above show there is a '''huge''' shortfall perhaps by an '''order of magnitude''' which not only will cost a great deal, but also create logistical problems with the stability of the grid. |
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| + | Presently our National (electricity) Grid compensates for renewables' [[intermittency]] to balance supply and demand by managing output from Combined Cycle Gas Turbine power stations (the work-horses of UK electricity generation) and the relatively few still operating coal-fired power stations. When these all '''close in 2025''' grid stabilisation will become harder and power shortages are a real possibility. Storage | ||
# [[Solar Power]] | # [[Solar Power]] | ||
# [[Wind Power]] | # [[Wind Power]] | ||
# [[Tidal Power]] | # [[Tidal Power]] | ||
Revision as of 11:40, 22 November 2019
Renewable energy is GREAT - it's zero-carbon and provided free of charge by Mother Nature! However, the UK doesn't produce very much … which some may find surprising - although the media tend to use the term 'energy' and 'electricity' interchangeably, they're not. Electricity is the smallest of three broad categories of energy production/supply and renewables contribute around 25% to electricity generation - as shown in the latest (2018) official figures published by the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy
Here's the breakdown:
- Gas - largely used for heating - 44 units
- Electricity - many uses - 30 units, of which
- 7 units from hydro, wind and solar PV
- Bio-fuels (4 units)
- Balance from gas, nuclear, coal
- Petroleum products - largely used for transport - 77 units
Electricity can be used for heating (e.g. heat pumps) and electricity can be used for transport (electric trains, electric cars); the figures above show there is a huge shortfall perhaps by an order of magnitude which not only will cost a great deal, but also create logistical problems with the stability of the grid.
Presently our National (electricity) Grid compensates for renewables' intermittency to balance supply and demand by managing output from Combined Cycle Gas Turbine power stations (the work-horses of UK electricity generation) and the relatively few still operating coal-fired power stations. When these all close in 2025 grid stabilisation will become harder and power shortages are a real possibility. Storage