The question often asked is whether the UK has the ability to run on renewable energy and how long it would take to achieve that goal. Greenpeace is often asked those questions and has now gone a long way towards answering them.
No need for nuclear energy
The NGO has just released an new independent report from energy systems analysts Demand Energy Equality which suggests that by the year 2030 the UK will have the ability to mainly use clean renewable power. This means it will be possible to keep the lights on without the need for new nuclear power plants. The research was commissioned by Greenpeace and makes use of 11 years of real weather data for the first time to model electricity demand and supply from renewable energy on an hour by hour basis.
New technology makes the goal achievable
Whilst the plan maybe ambitious, it is achievable. The model proposed is viable on an economic basis if the government decides it will support a major expansion of onshore and offshore wind and solar farms. The plan also envisages the introduction of new technology such as ‘smart fridges’ which will use less energy during peak hours. There will be better technology with regards to storage of electricity, electric cars, tidal power and in general energy efficiency.
