SPREADSHEET ON SOURCES AND SAVINGS FOR ELECTRICITY IN THE uk
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Since it is easier to obtain figures relating to electricity supplies for the
UK than for other kinds of energy, the spreadsheet shown on this page focuses on
potential sources of green electricity for the UK and opportunities to save
elecricity. Background information about each of the sources of clean electricity are on Energy Supply and Conservation. Further information may be found in Energy UK.
Even with rather cautious assumptions about what is possible, it is very
clear that we can meet our current needs very easily and there is scope for
accommodating increases in demand. Since sources like concentrating solar power
and photovoltaics can in principle produce much larger quantities of electricity
than shown in this spreadsheet, there is clear potential for using electricity for such things as transport and space heating (via
technologies such as ground-source heat pumps) where it currently has only a
minor role.
| Electricity generation |
|
% UK demand |
| and conservation |
|
|
|
|
|
| Concentrating solar power |
|
15 |
| Wind |
|
20 |
| Marine |
|
|
| Waves |
20 |
|
| Tidal currents |
3 |
|
| Tidal lagoons |
8 |
|
|
|
|
| Total (marine) |
|
31 |
|
|
|
| Microgeneration |
|
|
| Photovoltaics |
20 |
|
| Micro-wind |
6 |
|
| CHP and fuel cells |
16 |
|
|
|
|
| Total (microgeneration) |
|
42 |
|
|
|
| Electricity conservation |
|
|
| Low-energy bulbs |
2 |
|
| Eliminate 'stand by' |
2 |
|
| More efficient motors |
6 |
|
|
|
|
| Total (conservation) |
|
10 |
|
|
|
| Total |
|
118 |
|
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Last updated:
2008-08-09
(ISO 8601)
|