From 2005 to 2030, it is thought that energy consumption in the UK will rise by 50%. This is mainly down to the growing population and our increased demand for energy. Join us as we take a look at what energy sources make up the market and how reliable they are.
The use of fossil fuels
One of the most prominent sources of energy here in Britain is fossil fuels. Made up of natural gas and coal, it is a reliable form of energy that has supplied both domestic and commercial needs for many years.
1. Coal
After the closure of three coal power stations, coal electricity generation dropped from 22.6% to 9.2%. Now it is at its lowest output in 80 years.
2. Natural gas
The brilliance of natural gas is that it is one of the most reliable sources and can provide power whenever it is needed. The presence of gas-fired power stations was up 45% between 2015 and 2016. This could be down to the collapse of coal generated energy.
Not only that, natural gas is known to emit 45% less carbon dioxide than coal, as well as 30% less than oil. This shows that the impact that it has on the environment is not as extreme as alternate forms of fuel.
Gas can be used to provide energy to a variety of areas. It has its own purpose domestically for cooking, heating and drying as well as being able to generate electric power, power vehicles, produce plastics and many more useful purposes.
Available around the world, gas has been a common source extracted from the majority of countries.
3. Renewable
A lot of businesses are turning to renewable energy — especially those based here in the UK. Many countries are investing in solar panels and wind farms to generate electricity in new ways. However, many believe that these are less reliable sources of energy and we could never be 100% reliant on them.
4. Wind power
Wind farms seem to be popping up more often, but the power generated depends on the strength of the wind. In 2016, it was reported that windfarms across the UK generated more electricity that coal power plants and were able to produce more power than solar panels.
5. Solar
We’re seeing more solar panels being installed across Britain. Currently, the UK is leading in Europe with the growth of solar energy produced. In the entirety of Europe, solar provides 4% of all electricity demand. However, following the UKs government’s decision to cut incentives for householders to fit solar panel and for solar farms to be built, the amount of solar power installed in 2016 fell by around 50% compared to the year before.
However, the power generated does depend on the amount of sunlight that is available.
6. Nuclear
The use of nuclear power is becoming more common too. In June 2017, it was reported that it accounted for 23.2% of energy generated in the UK. This source of energy is also reliable as it can provide power whenever it is needed. It does not emit carbon dioxide but can be harmful if there are any accidents on site.
From the research carried out by business gas providers Flogas, we found that natural gas seems to be the most reliable. Although renewable energy is on the rise, it is not always able to provide power and this can be problematic in some situations.
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