Why Is Energy Important?
What do we use energy for?
Energy is a fundamental part of our lives. Energy is needed to provide heat, light and cooking facilities in our homes. Modern life is also reliant on the provision of energy for communication, transport and industrial processes.
Today energy is required at the flick of a switch or the turn of a key, it is required to be instantaneous and continuous. Energy affects every part of our life and it is vital for the successful running of a healthy economy and for ensuring a healthy population. Every product sold in the UK has involved the use energy at some stage during its production or sale.
Currently fossil and nuclear fuels are central to providing energy to industrialised nations. However, the promotion of energy efficiency and interest in renewable energy sources has grown dramatically because of increased concerns about the environmental impact of the use of fossil and nuclear fuels.
Where does our energy come from?
In the UK large power stations provide homes, businesses and industry with electricity. Gas, coal and nuclear are the main sources of fuel used in power stations across the UK.
The majority of power stations only produce electricity for distribution in the national grid. However, some power stations generate heat and electricity and these are known as Combined Heat and Power (CHP) stations.
This table shows the breakdown of the fuels used to generate electricity.
| Fuel Used | Output (2003) |
|---|---|
| Coal | 35% |
| Nuclear | 22% |
| Gas | 38% |
| Oil | 1% |
| Imports | 1% |
| Other fuels | 3% |
| Hydro | 1% |
The Association of Electricity Producers states that the UK has around 2,000 generating stations. The major power stations are fuelled by coal, gas and nuclear energy.
There are a large number of smaller renewable energy generation schemes using hydro, wind, landfill gas, wastes and biomass to generate electricity and heat. In addition to this there is an increasing number of CHP stations.
| Technology | Number of stations (2003) |
|---|---|
| Coal | 14 |
| Gas (CCGT) | 32 |
| Nuclear | 13 |
| Coal and oil/ kerosene, oil gas | 41 |
| Hydro | 68 |
| CHP | 1506 |
| Renewable | 411 |
| Total | 2085 |
Historically the UK has been the largest producer of petroleum and natural gas in Europe. However, after years of being a net exporter of both fuels, it is predicted that the UK will become a net importer of these fuels by the end of the decade. The reliance on imported fuels could lead to increase in energy prices.
The UK government is trying to tackle predicted domestic shortfalls by encouraging energy efficiency, improving the energy infrastructure (to import and store fuels and distribute electricity and gas) and by encouraging the use of renewable energy.
What happens if things go wrong?
In 2004 London suffered a major power cut during the peak of the rush hour. Thousands of commuters were stranded as mainline rail services and the underground were locked down.
In 2001 the Governor of California announced a state of emergency after power shortages led to a number of power blackouts. Around one million people in the San Francisco Bay area had their electricity cut off, as the state tried to avoid a total collapse of its electricity system. Television stations went off the air, and cash machines and traffic lights failed.
In 2003 57 million people across the north-eastern United States and Canada were left without power after a huge power cut. The New York subway failed, airports were closed, nuclear power plants were shut down, public transport came to a halt and cities were left in gridlock. People began to panic buy food and water.
In 2005 Britain was warned to prepare for the coldest winter for a decade. In addition to this the National Grid and the power industry regulator, Ofgem, warned of gas shortages during winter months. These two factors have the potential to lead to power cuts for UK industry as gas supplies to factories and power stations would be cut to ensure there is enough to supply the domestic sector.
It is predicted that energy prices will rise steadily over the next few years. As energy prices increase pensioners and poorer families face a difficult choice between heating their homes and putting food on the table. An estimated 32,000 die every winter through lack of adequate heating - a figure which rises by 8,000 for every degree the temperature falls below the average.
In late 2005 it was estimated that 1 in 10 British firms expects to cut jobs in the following months primarily because of higher energy prices.