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StoneRoad2013

StoneRoad2013 club

Posted: 23 Oct 2021

Taken: 05 Oct 2021

3 favorites     2 comments    92 visits

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UK •
climate change •
electricity generation •

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clch - electricity generation [UK]

clch - electricity generation [UK]
Fossil fuels - reduction from just over 75% to about 45% between 1990 and 2020. Mainly from shutting coal-fired power stations, but still using a lot of natural gas [methane] instead. In the last couple of years there have been several periods without using coal at all.
Gov't aims to get these fossil fuel stations closed by 2035.
There's been a slight drop in power from nuclear stations, but renewable sources are now making up a significant proportion. "Other" wasn't clearly described, but I think they mean sources such as biomass and the interconnectors to France [and in 2021 one to Norway] - In the future, I think this category could include district heat & power schemes working from a number of sources such as ground source heat pumps and clean incineration plants.
Renewables : The UK has a lot of offshore wind farms, but climatically speaking, I don't think solar can really be a major player. Hydro includes several pumped storage systems, and an increasing number of "micro" HEP schemes as although the UK has plenty of rain, it doesn't really have the landscape for the many reservoirs that widespread or larger HydroElectricPower schemes would need.
[these points ^^^ are my interpretation of this graphic in light of knowledge gained as a student and whilst working for several consulting engineers working in power generation and distribution].
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Not my Image : Fair Use & public information

Erhard Bernstein, Peter_Private_Box, Liliane LR have particularly liked this photo

Comments
 Peter_Private_Box
Peter_Private_Box club
Hi Sara,

So, this means that we are using much less electricity than 30 years ago. Perhaps because our homes are better insulated.. Tell that to the troublemakers blocking the M25 causing no end of pollution..!

But what will happen when there are no more petrol cars? We will need more electricity! A lot more! So does that mean we need to bring in more coal again, as the gas won't last for ever!

Best Wishes, and stay safe!!
Peter
2 years ago.
StoneRoad2013 club has replied to Peter_Private_Box club
Hi Peter, Apologies for the lateness & length of this reply.

Actually, I don't know if the UK is using more electricity overall, but I suspect that the total demand for electricity will only continue to increase.

We, as a country, need to find other means to produce (& store) electricity, as well as do things like increase building insulation.

The capital cost of building & disposing of nuclear power stations and the long times in the planning process seem to preclude this option. [operationally almost zero carbon, but that ignores the carbon locked into the concrete & steel of the buildings. Plus recycling the expended fuel !]

Obviously, I favour renewables, especially hydro {including, low head/high flow, tidal & pumped storage} wind turbines, and solar. Plus district heating using combined heat & power plants.
For example, a new interconnector has just been commissioned - linking the UK & Norway - allowing better utilisation of hydro & wind power.
Power for heating homes & offices is a growing sector, as they want to phase out Natural Gas boilers - heat pumps, which are in the news, are only one alternative, but have a very high capital cost, which means electricity use will increase.

It is a very complicated subject and to be honest, I feel doing anything substantive has been left almost too late.

Keep Safe.
Sara
2 years ago.

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