Robin Fearon is a science writer and is the current features editor for the Veterinary Times.
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How much longer do we have our carbon-heavy fossil fuels for, and what will replace them when they run out? Robin Fearon looks at the energy sources most likely to step up to the challenge
Siemens Energy Service Training Centre, Newcastle
nergy production in the 21st century is a conundrum. Total world
consumption in 2010 was equivalent to more than 12,000 million tonnes of oil, according to British Petroleum (BP). Leading the pack in energy generation
are hydrocarbons – oil, gas and coal – widely accepted as the most environmentally unfriendly methods of energy production. Society needs renewable
sources to meet demand if it is going to hit climate change targets and scale back the