Abstract
The UK has set itself one of the most aggressive greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets in the world: an 80% cut by 2050 Mich of the reduction will have to come from our energy systems, and that will mean great changes both in their design and in how we all use energy. What might our future electricity, transport and housing systems look like, and from where will the energy come? How will we ensure the highly reliable energy supply that is critical to modern society? What are the engineering and social challenges that lie ahead?
Devising practical solutions to the problems of "keeping the lights on", at an affordable price, with security of supply, is challenging. As CSA to DECC, at the heart of this debate, John will discuss some of the objective evidence behind the choices of a mixed supply of energy (imported gas, nuclea, tidal, PV, onshore and offshore wind, and Hydraulic Fracturing for gas). This latter course is very topical here in South West England.
