[ Spotlight: Energy solutions ]
Scenarios Possible or not in 2015? Yes, definitely possible. Take storm damage to overhead lines, low margins of generation, precious little wind power (forget about solar PV at a time of year like that) and one or two power stations tripping out because of faults, and you soon have a scenario that means area-wide power cuts. Consider recent warnings by Ofgem, the
electricity supply regulator, that – due to power station closures – supply margins (the difference between capacity and demand) are too low for comfort during high demand in winter and we can see that the above scenario could easily come about. Why is this possible? There has been no major
investment in large power stations since privatisation in 1990, and some large coal-fired stations that are the backbone of our generation capacity are now at the end of their useful lives. The EU Emissions Directive has stated that old polluting power stations must be shut down before 2016, and closures have taken place. Rather than being mothballed, they have been
demolished, sometimes because land is regarded as more valuable. Our nuclear power stations, once world leading, are scheduled for closure as they reach the end of their useful lives, and the proposed new nuclear power station for Hinckley Point is not due for completion until 2023. That is not going to be of much use if we get power shortfall problems in 2015. Our increased reliance on ‘renewable’ sources, such as wind power, has given us ‘greener’ non- polluting power, but we are, of course, at the mercy of the elements. If an area of high pressure covers the UK and there is little or no wind, that will be the equivalent of switching off three or four large power stations. The government has recognised the problem,
but is hardly moving to resolve it. The Energy Bill has brought into being conditions that will encourage investment in new power generating capacity and subsidise nuclear and renewable sources, but this will not help until the new plant is financed and constructed.
March 2014 ECA Today 23
SERGEY NIVENS / SHUTTERSTOCK
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65