climate change
Last edited 14 March 2011 at 4:12pm
Solar power is energy harnessed from the sun’s rays. It is already producing electricity and heating homes around the world, and it is truly a power source of almost unlimited potential. Properly exploited, it could meet the world’s energy demands many times over.
In the past, solar had a reputation for being uneconomic and impractical, but this is no longer the case. Rapid advances in manufacturing techniques mean that solar is now a mature technology. It is playing an increasingly important role in the mix of clean energy sources which we need to replace our current dependence on fossil fuels.
Three main types of solar power are in regular use today: photovoltaic, solar thermal, and concentrated solar plants.
Last edited 1 January 1970 at 1:00am
n/a
Last edited 14 March 2011 at 4:19pm
While the government needs to act to transform our energy and transport systems for a
low carbon future we can all do our bit to reduce our energy demand. Changes
big and small in the way we use electricity, power our vehicles and
heat our homes and businesses cumulatively have a significant impact.
Reducing our energy demand is something that we should be excited about, not scared of. It can save us money (the government estimates that increased efficiency in heating, electricity and transport could save us £12bn in reduced bills), as well as protect our planet.
Last edited 14 March 2011 at 4:23pm
When we combine efficiency and technology we can lower greenhouse gas emissions, provide cheaper electricity and heating, and create a more secure energy supply.
Decentralised
energy
The city centres of
tomorrow’s networked world will produce power and heat as well as
consume it. The roofs and facades of public buildings are ideal for
harvesting solar energy. Efficient energy use will become the
standard for all buildings. We will have a diversity of energy
sources that are well suited to the needs of the area and in some
cases, particularly in developing countries, independent from the
national network.
Last edited 18 March 2011 at 12:51pm
The single most significant step we can take in the UK to reduce carbon emission is to make Britain truly energy efficient. With the right policies at national and local levels, we can deploy existing solutions on a scale large enough to bring about real changes.
Perhaps the only problem is deciding where to start. From badly insulated buildings to poorly designed appliances and gas guzzling vehicles, the UK needlessly throws away almost a third of the energy it uses. This is costing us all dearly – damaging the climate and hitting our pockets.
Last edited 7 September 2012 at 4:33pm
Britain is already committed to a 34 per cent cut in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020. This is a big leap from where we are now, but in reality it's unlikely to be a big enough step to stop temperatures rising to levels that result in extreme weather events and droughts. Developed countries like the UK will need to go further.
Possibly the most useful - and least understood - step we could take is to reduce our overall energy demand.
This doesn't have to mean a drop in our living standards - wastefulness is built right into the system we use. Many of our power plants (whatever the fuel type) waste around two-thirds of the energy that goes into them; our homes and offices are poorly insulated; our appliances keep using energy even on standby; our cars use only a fraction of the energy in petrol and diesel... the list is goes on.
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