The UK's energy supply

The UK's energy supply

Author: Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: Energy and Climate Change Committee

Publisher: The Stationery Office

Published: 2011-10-25

Total Pages: 294

ISBN-13: 9780215561886

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The Government must start thinking strategically about energy security to protect the UK's energy supply against short-term shocks and rising global energy prices, according to a report by MPs on the Energy and Climate Change Committee. Gas storage capacity needs to be increased in the UK to minimise the potential damage from supply interruptions or price spikes, the report argues. It reveals that the UK's current storage capacity amounts to only 14 days worth of gas supply - a dangerously low level compared with France which has 87 days worth of gas storage, Germany 69 and Italy 59. 19 gigawatts (GW) of ageing electricity plant will close by 2018 and the UK will become increasingly reliant on energy imports as North Sea oil and gas reserves decline. The report concludes that new electricity generation currently being built or planned will fill this "gap". But it urges the Government to ensure security of supply by delivering on its energy efficiency targets, rolling out smart meters - that can balance demand - and maintaining a diverse energy mix.


Electricity Network Regulation in the EU

Electricity Network Regulation in the EU

Author: Leonardo Meeus

Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing

Published: 2018-03-30

Total Pages: 179

ISBN-13: 1786436094

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The UK model of incentive regulation of power grids was at one time the most advanced, and elements of it were adopted throughout the EU. This model worked well, particularly in the context of limited investment and innovation, a single and strong regulatory authority, and limited coordination between foreign grid operators. This enlightening book shows that since 2010 the whole context has changed and regulation has had to catch-up and evolve. The EU is entering a wave of investment, and an era of new services and innovation which has created growing tensions between national regulatory authorities in terms of coordinating technical standards and distribution systems. This is being played out against an increasingly disruptive backdrop of digitzation, new market platforms and novel business models.


HC 386 - Energy Network Costs: Transparent and Fair?

HC 386 - Energy Network Costs: Transparent and Fair?

Author: Great Britain. Parliament. House of Commons. Energy and Climate Change Committee

Publisher: The Stationery Office

Published: 2015

Total Pages: 40

ISBN-13: 0215081609

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Network costs (which cover the transmission and distribution of gas and electricity from power stations to households and industry) are a very significant component of household and industrial energy bills. Ofgem has created a new regulatory framework (RIIO) that was designed to ensure that costs were competitive and that profits weren't excessive, but there is clear evidence that network companies are making higher profits than expected. This suggests that the targets and incentives set by Ofgem are too low, barriers to market entry are high and that Ofgem needs to monitor RIIO more effectively and to equip RIIO with stronger, corrective measures. Ofgem has not yet created the conditions for the market to thrive and provide consumers with best value for money. In the short-term, market conditions can be improved if: (i) an interim independent audit of price controls is conducted; (ii) the 40-day notification period for price changes is increased to 15 months; and (iii) stronger, corrective measures are applied to companies that have received incentive payments for reducing leakages when such reductions have not taken place.


The future of marine renewables in the UK

The future of marine renewables in the UK

Author: Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: Energy and Climate Change Committee

Publisher: The Stationery Office

Published: 2012-02-19

Total Pages: 150

ISBN-13: 9780215041821

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The Energy and Climate Change Committee believes the UK could become a leading exporter of wave and tidal power equipment and expertise if the Government adopts a more visionary approach to developing marine renewables. Technologies that can harness the power of the sea to generate electricity are still in their infancy. But with the largest wave and tidal resources in Europe, up to 20% of the UK's electricity could eventually come from this reliable and predictable low-carbon source. Developing a thriving wave and tidal industry could also bring economic benefits to the UK. Companies based here could export equipment and components for marine devices to other markets, and also provide specialist skills and expertise, such as offshore surveying. The UK is currently the world leader in the development of wave and tidal energy technologies. Of the eight full-scale prototype devices installed worldwide, seven are in the UK. But an overly cautious approach to developing this sector may allow other less risk-averse countries to steal the UK's lead, as happened with wind turbines. The report identifies a number of crucial areas for development of the marine renewables industry: investor confidence, policy certainty, public-private risk sharing, improved grid connections and a workforce with the necessary engineering skills are all. The UK needs a strong political vision to boost confidence and drive the pace of development in order to reap the rewards of a successful wave and tidal power industry.


Low carbon technologies in a green economy

Low carbon technologies in a green economy

Author: Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: Energy and Climate Change Committee

Publisher: The Stationery Office

Published: 2010-03-28

Total Pages: 104

ISBN-13: 9780215545350

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Low carbon technologies will create jobs and lower carbon dioxide emissions but the Government must act faster if the UK is to reap the economic benefits it deserves. To date, there has been disappointingly slow progress with the move towards a green economy. Having reviewed low carbon technologies across the energy supply chain - from low carbon energy generation, through storage and transmission, to end user efficiency - the Committee concludes that whilst the development of many such technologies will require significant support from both the public and private sector, they have the potential to create jobs. In 2007/8, there were 881,000 so-called 'green jobs' in the UK's low carbon and environmental goods and services sector. This could potentially grow by 44 per cent to over 1.27 million jobs by 2015. Government has done well to develop a regulatory system for carbon capture and storage (CCS), but slow progress on demonstration projects has put the UK behind international competitors. Implementation of the Government's target to install smart meters in every home by 2020 needs to be fully integrated with the development of smart communication technologies, smart appliances and electric vehicles. The Government must tackle domestic energy efficiency more aggressively. And it should widen its portfolio of green fiscal policy measures to drive forward investment in low carbon technologies.


HC 830 - Fuelling the Debate: Committee Successes and Future Challenges

HC 830 - Fuelling the Debate: Committee Successes and Future Challenges

Author: Great Britain. Parliament. House of Commons. Energy and Climate Change Committee

Publisher: The Stationery Office

Published: 2015

Total Pages: 33

ISBN-13: 0215084039

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The Climate Change Act 2008 committed the UK to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by at least 80 percent by 2050. The 2010-2015 Parliament has been a defining period for energy and climate change policy. Three Energy Acts set the policy framework to help the UK achieve its goal. Each Act was designed to support new forms of energy generation, promote energy efficiency and protect consumers. These ambitious pieces of legislation have set the benchmark against which the progress towards providing a secure, clean and affordable energy supply will be judged. The Energy and Climate Change Committee plays a central role in scrutinising and improving the Government's policy and legislation. In section two of this report, the Committee provides a quantitative overview of the work it has undertaken in this Parliament. In section three, the Committee looks in more detail at three case studies - electricity market reform, competition in the energy market and shale gas - each of which highlights the key role the Committee has played in holding the Government to account and improving policy and legislation. Finally, in section four the Committee sets out our future vision for the UK energy system, based on the views and evidence provided by the wide range of stakeholders that it works with. The Committee also explores the challenges which will need to be overcome in the next Parliament if the UK is to achieve its ambitious long-term climate and energy goals.


Sessional returns

Sessional returns

Author: Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons

Publisher: The Stationery Office

Published: 2010-07-27

Total Pages: 256

ISBN-13: 9780215554451

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On cover and title page: House, committees of the whole House, general committees and select committees


Sustainable Futures in the Built Environment to 2050

Sustainable Futures in the Built Environment to 2050

Author: Tim Dixon

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons

Published: 2018-02-20

Total Pages: 409

ISBN-13: 1119063817

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Brings together leading thinking on issues of new professional practice and on the future of a sustainable built environment This book focuses on both construction and development issues, and examines how we can transition to a sustainable future by the year 2050—bringing together leading research and practice at building, neighbourhood, and city levels. It deftly analyses how emerging socio-economic, technological, and environmental trends will influence the built environment of the future. The book covers a broad spectrum of interests across the scales of buildings, communities and cities, including how professional practice will need to adapt to these trends. The broader context is provided by an analysis of emergent business models and the changing requirements for expert advice from clients. Sustainable Futures in the Built Environment to 2050: A Foresight Approach to Construction and Development features chapters covering: data and trends, including historical data and UK and international case studies; policies and practice related to the field; current state of scientific understanding; key challenges; key technological advances (including disruptive and systemic technological innovations); change issues and critical uncertainties; and future visions. It provides: A strong conceptual framework based on a ‘Foresight' approach Discussion of the key data and trends that underpin each chapter Coverage of both construction and property development Specially commissioned chapters by academics and practitioners A synthesis of the main findings in the book and key insights for the future to 2050 Sustainable Futures in the Built Environment to 2050: A Foresight Approach to Construction and Development is an important book for postgraduate students and researchers, construction, real estate and property development specialists, engineers, planners, architects, foresight and futures studies specialists, and anyone involved in sustainable buildings.