Renewable Energy and the UK - for iPod/iPhone The Open University

Is the UK on course to meet its renewable energy targets? The UK has accepted a binding target to produce 15% of its energy from renewables but has been reluctant to sign up to new targets beyond 2020. What are the UK’s reservations, and what targets is it considering?

Is the UK on course to meet its renewable energy targets? The UK has accepted a binding target to produce 15% of its energy from renewables but has been reluctant to sign up to new targets beyond 2020. What are the UK’s reservations, and what targets is it considering?

While the government has adopted a range of targets for renewable energy and carbon reduction, there is still a lot of work to do to ensure the targets are met. Managing energy supply from variable renewables to ensure it meets demand is one of the key challenges in a transition to a renewable future. Because wind and solar power output is variable, new ways of balancing supply and demand are being developed. These involve a mixture of demand management, storage, backup from conventional power stations, and new grid connections to other countries.

While the government has adopted a range of targets for renewable energy and carbon reduction, there is still a lot of work to do to ensure the targets are met. Managing energy supply from variable renewables to ensure it meets demand is one of the key challenges in a transition to a renewable future. Because wind and solar power output is variable, new ways of balancing supply and demand are being developed. These involve a mixture of demand management, storage, backup from conventional power stations, and new grid connections to other countries.

Is a renewable-powered future for the world achievable? The International Energy Agency in 2013 predicted that within three years renewable electricity generation will grow to be the world’s second largest source of electricity ahead of natural gas and nuclear power. However while the European renewable energy council predicts up to 100% of power coming from renewables by 2050 BP predicts only between 10 - 20%. Who is right?

Is a renewable-powered future for the world achievable? The International Energy Agency in 2013 predicted that within three years renewable electricity generation will grow to be the world’s second largest source of electricity ahead of natural gas and nuclear power. However while the European renewable energy council predicts up to 100% of power coming from renewables by 2050 BP predicts only between 10 - 20%. Who is right?