Petroleum is the main source of energy in the United Kingdom. The country consumed 142.0million tons of oil equivalent in 2019. UK per capita energy consumption was 2.78 tons of oil equivalent. This compares to 1.92 tonnes globally. This is a significant increase over the previous year. The trend is expected continue.
Community energy
The political and legal framework for community energy in the United Kingdom has many challenges and is difficult to implement. Community energy is not a market-based, state-run organisation. Because of this, community energy cannot act as a rule-maker within the British policy regime. As a result, it is difficult to institutionalise its benefits and challenge negative decisions.
Community energy projects typically involve a decentralised system that is connected to the local distribution grid. Local DNOs may also be able to work with community groups to develop new, smart technologies that can decrease their energy use or carbon footprint. This could include the collective switching of electricity and gas suppliers, as well as the installation of solar panels or wind turbines.
These community energy projects can be a great way of reducing energy costs and funding activities other than energy projects. Small-scale community energy projects almost always employ local contractors. According to a recent study, 161 of the 38 community-energy organizations that had completed projects have used local contractors. This means that local businesses have been able to benefit from the funds raised by these community projects.
Pumped-storage power
The UK's power system can reap many benefits from the use of pumped storage power. It helps relieve transmission bottlenecks, helps restore power supplies during blackouts, and provides a variety of other grid services. Additionally, pumped storage reduces the cost of balancing national grid, which in turn benefits consumers. As a result, SSE Renewables has welcomed the Scottish government's approval of a revised Coire Glas pumped-storage project.
In Lochaber in Scotland, the company has completed its first large-scale project in the UK. The company's plans are aimed at building a 1.5 GW pumped-storage hydroelectric project there. The developer is waiting for a better financial incentive structure before he can move forward with the project. The developer hopes that construction will begin on the project by 2024.
The United Kingdom is home to huge potential in pumped-storage power. This type of storage is possible in abandoned coal mines or closed loop sites. There are more than 600,000 locations that could be used for pumped storage. These sites can be cost-effective long-term. The UK Committee on Climate Change identified pumped storage as the most economical way to store electricity for up to one week.
Wind farms
Wind power is a major source of electricity in the United Kingdom. The UK government committed to increasing renewable energy's share in the power mix by 2020. There are currently about 22 gigawatts of installed wind capacity onshore and an additional 10 gigawatts on offshore sites. The government's efforts to reduce carbon emissions are the main reason for this increase in wind power.
There are three major offshore developers in the UK. DONG EnergyUK, RWE Npower Renewables and SSE Renewables are currently working on projects to construct wind farms on British shores. Just a few short months after the first round, the Crown Estate, the UK government, launched the third round for site allocations in June 2008. This round was much bigger than its predecessors. The sites identified could produce as high as 25 gigawatts.
Onshore wind has lower development costs than offshore wind, and the government removed subsidies for onshore wind farms in 2015. Responding to the complaints of local communities, however, government officials have tightened planning regulations. The government has tightened planning regulations to address complaints from local communities. Wind farms must be clearly identified in the neighbourhood plans and must be updated at least every five years. The lengthy planning process has slowed construction time.