Tag: net zero greenhouse gas emissions

Third Update of November 2020 – An overview of last week’s Energy news

24th Nov 2020 • 0 Comments

Below is this week’s summary. It should be a one minute read relevant to UK energy with links to documents for those who wish to read more.

(Click a bullet point to open the relevant article)

Monday – 16th November

UK Government will fund carbon capture and storage at key sites in partnership with industry as part of policy to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

Tuesday – 17th November

Article in New Scientist describes UK Government policy to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by 2030.

Wednesday – 18th November

The UK Government has unveiled its “ten-point plan” for net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050: 1 Offshore wind power, 2 hydrogen, 3 nuclear power, 4 zero emissions transport, 5 healthier lifestyles, 6 ‘greener’ aviation and shipping, 7 ‘greener’ buildings, 8 carbon capture and storage, 9 protecting the environment, 10 investment into research.

Saturday – 21st November

This article describes the debate between coal mining jobs in Northern England and the environmental concerns.

Second Update of November 2020 – An overview of last week’s Energy news

16th Nov 2020 • 0 Comments

Below is this week’s summary. It should be a one minute read relevant to UK energy with links to documents for those who wish to read more.

(Click a bullet point to open the relevant article)

Wednesday – 11th November

UK offshore drilling for oil and gas in 2020 has dropped to levels not seen since the 1970’s.

UK Port of Hull has covered almost 9 acres of roofing with solar panels creating a total capacity of electricity generation of almost 7 MW.

Thursday – 12th November

CEO of UK independent Committee on Climate Change has said that achieving net zero emissions will not be as expensive as previously thought but is critical of the lack of planning to achieve net zero by 2050 by the UK Government.

UK Prime Minister has said a 10-point plan for achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 will be available ‘shortly’.

A group led by Rolls-Royce has announced plans to build 16 mini nuclear power stations. The first plant should be ready in 10 years but, following that, 2 could be built each year using modular manufacturing methods. Each station would have the capacity to generate just over 0.4 GW (“enough to power Sheffield”).

Friday – 13th November

Tesco (UK’s biggest retailer) has announced plans to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions from its operations by 2035 including setting up solar power generation sites; fitting solar panels at stores and using electric vehicles.

Saturday – 14th November

The UK Government has commissioned research into an idea first proposed by science fiction author Isaac Asimov in 1941: The aim is to generate electricity from solar panels in space and send to earth as high frequency radio waves.

Third Update of October 2020 – An overview of last week’s Energy news

13th Nov 2020 • 0 Comments

Below is this week’s summary. It should be a one minute read relevant to UK energy with links to documents for those who wish to read more.

(Click a bullet point to open the relevant article)

Tuesday – 13th October

A company in the UK has submitted 2 applications for solar power generation plants which would not require government subsidies.

Wednesday – 14th October

A professor from Imperial College London says hydrogen will be used for cars, domestic and industrial heating and power as well as fuel for trucks, trains and ships. It can also be a means of storing surplus electricity.

This article states that during Q2 2020 renewables accounted for almost 45% of electricity generation, an increase of about 10% on the same period of the previous year. It breaks down the various components into biomass (33%), offshore wind (26%), onshore wind (20%), solar PV (17%) and hydro (4%).

Thursday – 15th October

National Grid predicted a weekend ahead of low margins of supply to demand for UK electricity due to wind being low at a time when other generators including 2 nuclear plants are offline.

Friday – 16th October

The UK Government has announced that it will publish a comprehensive strategy for achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, ahead of the CoPp26 meeting in 2021.

Sunday – 18th October

A company has said it plans to explore for shale gas in Northern Ireland using horizontal drilling and without hydraulic fracturing (“fracking”).