Green energy helping to break new records
A Midlands energy expert has welcomed the UK Grid’s new record of not generating electricity from coal for more than three days last month.
Ron Fox was commenting after Britain used only power from wind and gas from 10am on Saturday, April 21 until Tuesday afternoon, April 25.
At the same time the country celebrated its first two-day period without using any power from fossil fuels.
“These are very encouraging statistics and show we are going in the right direction towards using renewable sources,” said Ron, of Noreus Ltd on the University of Keele Science and Innovation Park. “But there is still much work to be done as the first record was helped partly by using gas, another fossil fuel.”
He pointed out that coal now supplies less than 7 per cent of our electricity and the Government has promised to phase out all coal-fired power stations by 2025. However, gas generates 40 per cent and this fuels most of our domestic heating.
Also he added that the use of all sources of renewable energy, such as wind, solar, biomass and hydropower, beat fossil fuels on only 23 days in all of 2017.
However, he added it was not all bad news as the increasing use of renewable power helped break 13 clean energy records in 2017.
In April last year Britain had its first 24 hours without using any coal power since the Industrial Revolution in the 19th century while in June 2017 wind, nuclear and solar power generated more energy than gas and coal combined for the first time ever.
With the UK halving its carbon emissions from electricity since 2012 it now has the fourth cleanest power system in Europe and the seventh worldwide.
But Ron said the country is still using nearly eight times more gas than coal and it has to buy the former on the more volatile international markets.
Also it was nowhere near the targets of the 2008 Climate Change Act to which the Government signed up to, promising to reduce the 1990 levels of greenhouse gas emissions by 80 per cent by 2050.
The green energy expert called on the Government to give more support for onshore wind and solar power and batteries.
“They provide the cleanest and cheapest energy as well as giving new jobs and fairer bills and helping store power for homes and businesses.”
But he also said that householders could cut their carbon footprint now by insulating and draught-proofing their homes.
Around seven million properties in the UK have solid walls with little or no insulation.
Yet spray foaming the loft, inside walls and the outside walls can also cut bills by up to 45 per cent and reduce heating bills.
“The summer is a good time to get this work done ready so your home is cosy in the winter and has a protective barrier against the cold, noise and air pollutants.”
For help and advice about green energy matters contact Ron Fox on 01782 756995 or go to www.noreus.co.uk
