LOW CARBON ENERGY FOR THE FUTURE
Part 1: Introduction to UK Energy Flows*
Primary energy is the input to the energy distribution and electricity generation system, including imports. The chart below shows the fuel mix used to comprise the total primary energy supply requirement of 331GW.
To gain some idea of the scale of supply, one GW (GigaWatt) could power one million one bar electric fires. One nuclear power station produces about one GW of electricity.
Energy use by each sector is shown in the following chart:
The domestic sector consumes 70 of the total consumption of 231GW. Most of this domestic consumption is used for heating with only 19% used as electricity.
Of the 331GW of primary energy the first column shows that only 231GW is used. The missing 100GW is lost at power stations and in energy distribution systems e.g. the National Grid
The chart below illustrates the large waste of energy at power stations:
Over 60% of the energy in the fuel is dissipated to the atmosphere or nearby rivers/lakes as heat. Enough energy is lost in this way to heat the whole UK housing stock. This huge loss of energy can be reduced by:
1. Putting the power stations near to the people with hot water pipes under pavements to supply domestic heating. This is known as combined heat and power with community heating.
2. Promoting energy efficiency in designs for new-build dwellings and additional insulation in existing dwellings.
3. Generating electricity or heat within the curtilage of individual dwellings or groups of dwellings. This is often done by using renewable resources to provide supplementary energy and is known as micro-generation with micro-renewables.
* DTI energy statistics for 2004
Part 2: Selected notes from the Micro Renewables Conference London June 8th 2006.
Held by the Renewable Energy Association and the Town and Country Planning Association.
Selections from the speakers with brief summaries of their presentations follow:
1. Yvette Cooper MP. Minister for Housing and Planning.
The stark consequence of climate change
According to Christian Aid 182 million African deaths will occur from climate change
Our homes account for 27% of UK carbon emissions
New homes are required- restriction is not sustainable
Review of Building Regulations
All Local Planning Authorities must implement Low Carbon Technologies embedded within Local Development Frameworks and local plans.
Government Ministerial Statement to strengthen PPS22.
New Planning Policy Statement (PPS) on climate change
Micro-generators to be treated as permitted development.
Challenge nimbyism
Home Improvement Packs to include Energy Performance Certificates.
1. Phyllis Starkey MP Chair of the ODPM Select Committee.
Public perceptions still did not recognize the importance of housing in relation to climate change.
New housing was only 1% of the problem. More emphasis needs to be placed on the existing housing stock.
1. Stephen Phillips DCLG Buildings Division said that the building code for sustainable homes requires improvement
2. John Duggan, Gazely Ltd.(Wallmart) Gave an account of a new food distribution center for ASDA with many environmental features. He commented on the unacceptable food wastage in supermarket distribution systems (up to 80%) with most of the environmental impact in the supply chain.
3. George Osborne MP, Conservative Shadow Chancellor spoke of the necessity for new regulatory frameworks relating to electrical supply, particularly the need for feed-in metering. Reform of the Planning System was urgent and new, high standards for planning need to be formulated.
4. Hugh Ellis, Head of Planning, Friends of the Earth said that planning is an immensely powerful tool to reduce CO2 emissions. Every Local Plan must embody CO2 reduction measures. Building regulations should be mandatory and a new PPS is required.
5. Greg Barker MP, Conservative Shadow Environment Minister said that Renewable Obligation Certificates were too cumbersome for micro-generation projects and suggested a ‘feed-in-tariff’ in which surplus generation could be fed into the grid for payment for would be more workable. Combined heat and power (CHP) projects should be encouraged and he cited the excellent work of Woking Borough Council in their use of CHP, solar and fuel cell technologies. Other points were:
The planning system must change
Building Regulations must change
Parish Councils should be given power to introduce renewable energy schemes.
A new approach to planning should trust local communities.
1. Vince Cable MP, Liberal Democrat Shadow Chancellor. An all-party consensus on energy should be sought. Nuclear power could only be sustained within a centralized energy generation system which was inefficient and wasteful.
2. Other speakers spoke of the excellent pioneering work done by a few local authorities in reducing carbon emissions. Merton, Croydon, Woking and Kirklees were mentioned. The opportunities of micro-wind, solar thermal, solar photo-voltaic and biomass were promoted by speakers and by a small exhibition.
Cllr. John Turton 10/07/06
Recent developments
Since the conference of June 8th reported above, two significant developments relating to microgeneration have occurred:
1. A government supported Private Members Bill, the Climate Change and Sustainable Energy Bill received the Royal Assent on 21st June 2006. This provides a wide legislative base to promote microgeneration and in particular to facilitate buy-back rates for self generation technologies such as small wind turbines and solar PV panels.
2. The eagerly awaited government Energy Review was published on 11th July 2006 and is available on the DTI website. This sets out the thrust of government policy on energy supply and use. Chapter 3 deals with distributed energy (combined heat and power) and microgeneration. In a summary of the proposals for microgeneration the review states that it will be implemented aggressively by Government under the Climate Change and Sustainable Energy Act. Key policies will be:
Easier access to the monetary benefits of Renewable Obligation Certificates (ROCS)
Producing reports on energy measures for local authorities
Promoting community energy projects
A review of information provision
A new power for Parish Councils to promote microgeneration in their own Parishes.
Consultation on changes to the Planning System to facilitate the installation of microgeneration equipment on existing houses without the need to submit a planning application.
The Energy Review ushers in a period of government consultation with many interest groups, stakeholders and public bodies.
J. T. 18/07/06.
