Engineering news
The Centre for Alternative Technology today published an “energy strategy” that it claims could reduce carbon emissions to zero in the UK by 2030, while supplying all the energy the country requires from renewable sources.
The “Zero Carbon Britain 2030” strategy maintains that a transition to a zero carbon society is possible in the UK without building any new nuclear power stations – a view contrary to most of the energy industry and the government.
According to Paul Allen, director of the Centre for Alternative Energy, “you don’t need new nuclear to get zero carbon”.
He said: “The electricity we need would come from offshore wind positioned in the North Sea and off the Hebrides. It would also come from the strong links we would have with Europe, with who we would sell surplus electricity to and buy high voltage DC from when we need it.”
He added: “Managing variability is difficult but achievable through demand management, use of biogas, smart grids and by using the thermal mass of the housing stock.”
The strategy, which includes input from 13 universities, 12 research bodies and the renewables industry, also calls for houses to be built from low carbon materials such as wood and straw instead of cement and bricks. The Centre for Alternative Energy is a charity based in Wales, and has a small community living at its centre “experimenting” with environmental lifestyles alongside a visitor’s centre.
The new government also confirmed today its support for new nuclear plants for the first time. As the Centre for Alternative Technology launched its comprehensive 370 page strategy document in London, Energy Minister Charles Hendry told a nuclear industry conference just a few miles away that “the coalition clearly sees a role for new nuclear, provided that there is no public subsidy”.
He said: "Nuclear power can have a key role in our energy mix. But I appreciate clarity from us is essential if new investment is to happen.
"I am pleased that some of those most interested in new nuclear, such as EDF, have welcomed the coalition's position on nuclear. From the commitment I've seen from the nuclear industry I have no doubt that you can rise to the challenge.”
The Liberal Democrats have long opposed nuclear new build, but under the coalition agreement the government will bring forward a national planning statement to Parliament that presents the case for new nuclear build. The Liberal Democrats will be allowed to speak against the plans but the party's MPs will abstain from the vote on them.