South West

Energy options

Thursday 9 November

Venue: H H Wills Laboratory, University of Bristol, BS8 1TL at 7.30pm

Speaker: Prof Max Irvine, University of Manchester.

Summary of talk

Energy is the single most important commodity. Ensuring an adequate supply of energy in a manner that does not economically disadvantage the country while minimising adverse environmental impact should be of the highest national priority.

The UK currently imports half the coal it uses. The depletion of North Sea oil and gas has resulted in the importation in 2005 of gas for the first time in the nation’s history and oil imports will be necessary from 2010. The UK will enter the international energy market at a time of increasing global demand and a changing geopolitical landscape.

The decommissioning of nuclear power stations and the closure of aging coal stations will require the replacement of 30% of UK electricity generating capacity within the next ten years. The exploitation of renewable resources will require a massive investment in the National Grid.

This talk will expose some of the energy issues facing the nation. It is intended that the subsequent question and discussion will explore some of the options.

Download the presentation here. Copyright remains with the author. The presentation may be downloaded for private use, but any other use should be cleared with the speaker. Contact: J.M.IrvineATmanchester.ac.uk

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