Zero Emission Technologies - Option 10

The UK has long starved zero emission technologies of the funds needed to ensure economic viability. Despite being a world leader in the early development of wind power, the UK failed to take the lead, ensuring the market was captured by the Danes and United States. A return to nuclear power will almost certainly result in the UK failing to invest significantly in the wider range of renewable technologies, setting back the fight against climate change and denying the UK economy of the benefit of the development of other emerging technologies.

There are vital national security and economic reasons to invest in renewable technologies because, if we do not do so, we will become overly dependent upon unreliable energy sources from abroad and miss out on the multi-billion pound renewables markets of the future.

The conspiracy against the power of the sea

The UK is uniquely blessed with the know-how and tidal currents around its coast to develop the power of the tides and the sea. While the sea is an unforgiving environment, and the corrosive effects of salt water and storms are formidable barriers, the north sea oil industry has many of the technological answers needed to provide the UK manufacturers with a head start in this field. The fact that this area of renewable technological research has been neglected for so long has led to many feeling there is a "conspiracy against the power of the sea"! Three options need immediate and substantial financial investment:

A. Tidal Lagoons

At Option 5 we discussed tidal barriers and the potential for tidal lagoons. Tidal lagoons within the River Severn alone could produce 6% of the UK's electricity needs. Development of this technology will not only help to ensure UK energy security and avert climate catastrophe, it will provide a huge new export market.

B. Wave power

Wave power is an example of how the UK government almost appears determined to destroy fledgling renewable technologies.

While this energy source could provide up to 10% of Scotland's electricity needs by 2020, there is a very real danger that Government will allow this technology to falter for lack of investment. We demand that wave power be supported to ensure that prototypes are deployed, the technology is refined and mass producing gets underway within the next 15 years.

C. Tidal Turbines

Southampton University has undertaken preliminary work to assess potential sites for tidal turbines and is undertaking R&D into the construction of a full trial facility.

A small number of sites around the UK have been identified but the potential energy that can be harnessed is enormous.

We must stop starving the zero emission technologies of the funds needed to get them going and call for a serious commitment and investment.

Other Renewables

Bio-fuels

There are a range of fuels which are considered to be carbon neutral, which can make a significant contribution to ensuring UK energy security. A report for the Scottish Parliament in 2004 provides a good overview of the various emerging technologies.

So, there are three main areas in need of further investment and development: -

Micro and Small-scale wind developments

See Option 6 above for more information.

Solar Water Heaters

These are the most cost effective form of solar energy, and can reduce household and business use of gas for heating water considerably. Despite the moderate climate of the UK, these can work all year round, and can make a significant contribution to the need to reduce our reliance upon the import of energy resources from abroad.

As we argue in Option 3, Building Regulations should be reformed to ensure these are installed in virtually all new buildings, and grants should be made available to ensure a large scale take up for provision of hot water to the existing housing stock. Reform of Stamp Duty is also required, to provide the fiscal incentives that will ensure a high level of take up of micro-generating technologies within the home and business.

Photovoltaic cells (PV)

PV cells are expensive but, where a connection to the national grid is expensive or impractical, they can provide a cost effective means of providing power.

A key element in the process of bringing down the price of PV technology is the need to achieve the economies of scale which mass production would bring. Japan and Germany are both investing heavily in PV technology, recognising that this source will make a significant contribution in the years to come.

Ground Source Heat Pumps

See Option 3 - ground source heat pumps would best be fitted as part of the process of constructing new homes, but a range of fiscal measures and grants should be applied to ensure most homes and businesses take advantage of this source.

There also exists huge potential for district wide heating systems as this report from Southampton University shows.

Geo-thermal

There are a small number of areas within the UK where geo-thermal power from hot rocks will be viable, mainly in the North Pennines, parts of Scotland, Cornwall and Derbyshire. While the UK has a far more limited resource compared to other countries such as Iceland or New Zealand, this is a valuable resource which can help in the renewable mix which can make the UK a carbon neutral economy.

Hydroelectric power

In addition to the large hydro-electric damns and power plants already constructed there remain a large number of potential small scale schemes which can deliver considerable power and help protect the environment. In 2004 the Queen famously announced the intention to build two small scale plants at Balmoral and Windsor.

Methane gas from landfill sites and other sources

In addition to burning methane gas from land fill sites, a number of new possibilities are emerging within agriculture and farming. This report from the US Environmental Protection Agency provides insight into a number of potential applications for farmers.

ITER (Nuclear fusion)

Whether nuclear fusion to be a renewable resource or not is a keenly debated issue amongst many environmentalists, with many still opposing this form of energy. Many people fear that the investment of such huge sums of money into ITER will deprive other renewable technologies of the funds needed to bring them onto the energy market. Additionally, many argue, while other renewable technologies will be able to make a large contribution over the next 20 years, the ITER programme, through to development, might take 40 years before commercial electricity is generated. However, while there are risks that ITER may never work cost effectively, a number of nations have now committed funding to the trial, so we do not support any further opposition to the experiment. But, it is vital that people remember that nuclear fusion may never work cost effectively and so it would be reckless for nations to place blind faith that this technology will provide the world with limitless cheap energy.

Of course, ITER may turn out to be a huge success - we just don't know.

To learn more about ITER visit the ITER website.