Among the world’s largest resources of wind, wave and tidal energy the UK is already within a good place to harness the power of renewable energy. Relying on natural energy sources in the environment, in 2009 renewable energy including wind and thermal energy provided 6.7% of electricity generated in the UK and by 2011 that figure rose to nearly ten percent. Wind energy provided over 5.7 gigawatts alone, which helped to rank the UK as the eighth largest producer of wind power worldwide. Despite these impressive numbers, the likelihood of the UK achieving a score of 100 on the “green” scale remains a distant reality.
Currently two percent of the country’s electricity comes medium to large-scale hydroelectric plants. Development of substantial growth in wind and waste projects continues yet government relegation of offshore tidal, wind and wave energy in attempts to curb cost leaves little in obtaining maximum use of this powerful resource.
A leader in wave and tidal stream energy, the UK generates some of the highest wave power levels in the world. In a recent study it is estimated that up to 22TWh per year of energy is available through this energy. Despite these high numbers, the UK still continues to lag far behind in harnessing renewable stores.
By 2020, government plans for renewable energy production include 20% of electricity production. Yet the 2002 Energy Review, which set a ten percent target by 2011 remains elusive. According to the latest data reported by the Department of Energy and Climate Change, only nine percent of electricity was generated through renewable resources specifically offshore wind and rainfall.
Finding a solution to effectively capturing this energy remains problematic. Renewable energy companies such as Good Energy which supply 100% carbon-free renewable energy are helping to find a solution. Making it as easy as “flicking a switch,” conscientious consumers can reduce their energy bill generated from a power source of over 7,000 independent generators spread nationwide. Selling their own energy supply directly by harnessing the natural power of water, wind, sun and sustainable biogeneration to their customers, Good Energy alleviates cost fluctuation. This creates a reliable energy market in turn creating the foundation for a stable national and global market.
Offering ‘green’ tariffs, the zero carbon supply of Good Energy allows 100% of its energy to come from renewable source. Yet the UK remains far off from a perfect 100 on the green scale as burning of fossil fuels to supply global energy needs contributes to nearly 74% of human greenhouse gas emissions.
For the foreseeable future, harnessing solar energy could be one of the most viable and cost-effective ways of exploitation through insulated, passive solar houses equipped with large south facing windows trapping solar heat. Despite the considerable advantages of trapping solar energy including reducing cost emissions heat collection from other sources like geothermal energy proves not as renewable. Limited regeneration would gradually exhaust supplies and contributing only ten percent to UKs electricity requirement leaves little room for further energy potential to be harvested.
