ALTERNATIVE AND RENEWABLE ENERGY IN BRITAIN

Alternative and Renewable Energy in Britain



Alternative and Renewable Energy in Britain

Introduction

Energy has always been an important element of human life. The industrial revolution gave an impetus to the use of energy in different instruments and machines. It was because of the use of energy that the developed nations made progress in every field and the trend continues. Despite the crises, energy has remained one of the most important pillars of human society. Now, with the advent of global warming, globalisation and other myriad of issues, the nations of the world are enticed to come forward with policies, aimed at the conservation of energy. Although energy can be conserved, but the fact that we have utilised it so badly, or we can, have not utilised it properly, which has resulted in triggering an energy crises.

Global warming has also played an important part in making the countries realise the importance of alternative energy sources. This so-called energy crisis has affected the developed and the under-developed countries as a whole. Under-developed countries have been hit the hardest due to unavailability of infrastructure and policies to regulate the generation, supply, and consumption of energy (Vogler, 2006, 33). Keeping in view the importance of energy, the developed nations, particularly the United Kingdom has rightly assessed and emphasised on the search for renewable energy sources. The search is already going on, and countries, such as the United Kingdom, United States, Italy, Germany, Brazil, etc. already have a concrete policy in place for the same. United Kingdom has also invested in wind energy production, so as to cater to the future needs of the people. This paper analyses the current situation of energy production, its consumption, and the strategies in place for the purpose of using alternative energy sources.

Options for Domestic Energy Generation

In the UK, energy mix dominated by generation from conventional fuels and nuclear, representing the period between 94 and 98% of the total. In power generation growth occurs in the period 1990-2008, of 300 thousand to 360 thousand GWh per year which represents an overall increase of nearly 20% in the period, coinciding with a growth cycle of the economy. The main rally takes place in the period 1995-2004 (Shabecoff, 2003, 80). According to the source of generation, they appreciate different behaviours. Percentage wise, the generation in the first year of study is as follows:

With 597 MW already connected to the grid, offshore wind power in operation in the UK and more than 423 MW of Denmark, a pioneer and world leader so far in this segment. The milestone was reached after the conclusion of Park Lynn and Inner Dowsing, off the east coast of England. With its 250 MW capacity, is the largest marine park in the world, according to its developer, the British company Centrica.

Minister of State and Head of Department of Energy in the UK, Mike O'Brien, said the Briton leadership will continue, as at present, there are five marine parks under construction, with ...