Energy conservation is all
about altering our behaviour in such a way that we become less wasteful with
our resources. However, equally important
issues to consider are the origins of our fuel and the subsequent energy we use
in our everyday lives. Where does it all come from? How long will the resources
last? What kind of damage do we cause by extracting them and using them? Can
they be replaced by some other type of resource? These are just a few questions
worth considering when we turn the kettle or the light switch on.
There are two groups of fuel
source: fossil fuels and renewable source of energy.
Fossil fuels: There are three main fossil
fuels, coal,
natural gas and oil.
Fossil fuels originate from ancient fossilized organic materials such as
decayed plants or algae but as they has taken millions of years to form they
are classified as a mineral and not organic.
Coal: By the end of 2016 the UK mined only about 1 million tonnes of coal, 99 per cent of which was from surface mining. This is significantly less than the 225 million tonnes a year
which were mined in the mid 1950’s. Coal produces around 10% of
electricity in the UK but many old coal fired power
stations have closed in the last few years and any new ones will need to
meet tough emission standards.
Natural Gas: In the 1990’s there
was a dramatic increase in the use of natural gas to produce electricity partly
due to new efficient Combined Cycle Gas Turbine Generators and also the
increase in the production of gas in the UK from the North Sea. Natural Gas now
accounts for around 43% of electricity generation.
Oil: Very little electricity is now produced from oil with transport using a vast majority of the oil used in the UK.
Nuclear Energy: Currently
around 25% of UK electricity is generated from nuclear. The
Government promote nuclear as a low carbon, affordable, dependable and safe.
Low carbon electricity generation is important in the fight to prevent climate
change but some people are still worried about the pollution problems
associated with the energy production and waste storage. The World
Nuclear Association and
the Nuclear Industry Association
provide information
of the state and evolution of nuclear power industry in the UK.