Energy Provision In the U.K.

generation is a very good alternative method to fossil fuels, as it is a renewable energy source. It can reduce acid rain, reduce pollution and (in the case of the Severn Barrage) create around 8% of the United Kingdoms Æ energy, replacing three large power stations. Its construction would be highly beneficial, as it would also create more jobs (35,000) through new buildings and businesses. The barrage would also stop the tide going out as far as it currently does, and so be a boost for holiday makers, business owners and leisure facilities, which are used by the tourists. However, there are disadvantages to this seemingly ideal form of electricity generation; it would primarily cost around 9 million to construct, 5 years for it Æs preparations, and 9 years to build. There is quite a lot of environmental controversy surrounding its construction though; many believe that other price is too high. It is believed that it would cause death or injury to the living things around the Severn. For example, pressure changes could kill fish approaching the Barrage, or alternatively, the turbines could kill them as they try and cross the Barrage. It would also submerge 60% of the existing mudflats where many birds feed on the invertebrates living in the mud, as do fish. Also, the Barrage would only be able to generate electricity for 6 hours of the 12-hour day. Therefore, the National Grid would have to get the energy at intervals. Using the wind for electricity generation: Wind farms We can also use the wind to power turbines to create electricity. The wind pushes around the huge blades of the tall Windmills that drive the turbines. However, wind is needed to keep these Windmills generating. It could supply around 10% of Britain's Æ electricity, and is cheap to install and run. It also is safe for the environment. There are downsides though, there is no means of storing the energy created by the wind, so it has to be used straight away to avoid wasting it. A change in the wind speed could also prove a problem to the productivity and supply, and many believe that the Windfarms are eyesores and have a strong visual impact in the area they are situated, which also needs to be large to accommodate the windmills. Obtaining energy from landfill gas: Biofuels Landfill gas is a mixture of Carbon Dioxide and Methane, which is collected in pipes under the ground of the tip and fed into an engine (one of 5) where it is burnt to create 4.5 Megawatts of energy. Its spare energy is sent to the fish farm nearby to heat the fish tanks in the example we were shown. There will always be a supply of rubbish to keep the Biofuels producing energy. It could possibly supply 6% of Britain's Æ energy in the future; although it's Æ production would only be small scale. Obtaining energy from the sun: Solar energy Solar energy is an excellent source of energy generation, requiring only solar panels or Photocells which take in the suns rays and transfer them into electricity. However, the downside to this alternative method is... the lack of sufficient sunlight in Britain. This method is already commonly used in other countries, which have an adequate supply of sunlight to produce the required amount of energy. Nuclear power generation: Sellafield & Heysham Nuclear power is a popular type of generating energy already, which will most probably come into more common use in the future. One tonne of the nuclear fuel, Uranium, can produce the same amount of electricity as 150,000 tonnes of coal. Although it seems an effective method, many people are opposed to it and it Æs effects on the environment. People are particularly worried about the safety of the techniques and the disposal of nuclear waste or High Level Waste Æ, which takes 50 years for the radioactivity to die away. This waste is wrapped in cement and stored safely in solid steel drums, which are then stored in a deep-water tank called a pond until they lose their radioactivity and can then be disposed of safely. It is a well-planned system that is already used widely. It relies on nuclear fission to produce it Æs energy and can be stored for use, alike to the other sources of energy; it is linked to the National Grid to pass the power through to the country. It is most people’s obvious choice for the futures fuel supply as it uses very modern technology and methods of generating, storing, saving and transferring energy. My opinion... In my opinion, the most promising alternative method of energy generation for the future is a combination of all methods. I think that on a wide-scale Nuclear power would be very appropriate for everyday generation, and Hydroelectric power is not harmful to the environment as such levels as fossil fuels, so a combination of all of these methods would be beneficial to the environment and at producing energy. In the meantime though, fossil fuels should be used more wisely, and in smaller quantities, or even replaced in some circumstances, where possible, as not only is it running out, but it is having a terrible effect on the environment. It is causing global warming, the heating up of the earth’s atmosphere, and already due to excessive pollution, a hole has developed in the ozone layer surrounding the earth. If we integrated different types of energy generation into our system, and then perhaps we could slow down any more damage to the earth’s atmosphere and prolong the use of fossil fuels. With so many opportunities for better energy generation systems, I feel it is pointless still relying upon the diminishing supplies of fossil fuels for our primary supply of energy rather than using a range of methods which would overall be beneficial to the environment and inhabitants of Earth. Æ= available energy