About the session
Hidden in Britain's rural Midlands, UK industry has been inventing alternative forms of electricity for a hundred years. New production, conversion, control, light and motion technologies have appeared on a regular basis, as the demand for energy changed in both form and magnitude. What now, what next, and then what will the electrical energy technologies be? In the 21st Century, alternative energy is widely understood to be modern renewable electricity, but since the industrial revolution, alternatives have perpetually been sought to satisfy energy demand and to deliver it in forms which mankind can use. This lecture illustrates that search throughout the UK's most innovative industrial heartlands, and shows today's achievements in renewable power generation, tomorrow's steps towards greater energy security, and the massive futuristic steps which are almost ready. It is when mankind aspires to do greater things that an alternative energy is required. Either new sources or new forms are needed to achieve more. The transitions from horse to steam, then from steam to electricity, both brought with them more energy, more uses, more forms and more ability. While the fuel for those eras was plentiful, and using it appeared harmless, end-user alternatives and their controls dominated discoveries. As soon as fuel security deteriorated, and its use appeared to threaten mankind's aspirations, we have needed alternative supplies.The lecture examines the era of pioneering electricity conversion into alternative forms for innovative uses, and then illustrates the new era of alternative natural energy conversion for secure electricity supply. Examples of the machines and systems now working, those to come and the possibilities beyond will be discussed.
