6.6A - Renewable and Recyclable Energy
Renewable and recyclable energy (nuclear power, wind power and solar power) could help decouple fossil fuel from economic growth; these energy sources have costs and benefits economically, socially, and environmentally, and in terms of their contribution to energy security. (changing UK energy mix)
The global drive to reduce carbon dioxide emissions must involve increasing reliance on alternative sources of 'clean' energy, so decoupling economic growth from dependence on fossil fuels. Basically, this means widening the energy mix to include substantial inputs from both renewable and recyclable energy sources.
The main sources of renewable energy today are hydro, wind, solar, geothermal and tidal. The contribution made by these sources to the national energy budget varies from country to country.
Not all countries have renewable energy to exploit for geographic reasons:
Other factors reinforcing this include:
The main sources of renewable energy today are hydro, wind, solar, geothermal and tidal. The contribution made by these sources to the national energy budget varies from country to country.
Not all countries have renewable energy to exploit for geographic reasons:
- not all countries have coasts, strongly flowing rivers or climates with either long sunshine hours or persistently strong winds
Other factors reinforcing this include:
- the relative financial costs of using non-renewable and renewable energy sources. When oil and gas prices are low, renewables become a more expensive option.
- the harnessing of renewables is not without environmental costs. River valleys have to be drowned to create HEP reservoirs, and large areas of land/the offshore zone are covered by solar or wind farms.
- While the majority of people believe that we should make greater use of renewable sources, most suddenly go off the idea when constructing a wind or solar farm near them is proposed (NIMBYism)
Recyclable Energy (Nuclear)
In addition, those countries with high levels of energy consumption will have no option but to look to nuclear energy to generate their electricity supply in a reasonably carbon-free manner. A possible plus here is that nuclear waste can be reprocessed and reused, thereby making it into a recyclable energy source.
Downsides of nuclear energy:
Downsides of nuclear energy:
- risks to do with safety and security (accidents and terrorism)
- the disposal of radioactive waste with an incredibly long decay life
- the technology involved is complex and therefore its use is only an option for developed countries
- although the operational costs are low, the costs of constructing and decommissioning power stations are high
The UK's Changing Energy Mix
When it comes to primary energy consumption in the UK, there has been a complete shift away from coal.