Wind power in uk
Monnet Vincent Deadline: 05/12/07
10843264 Module Leader: Mr Mc Loughlin
BA European Management
MAJOR PROJECT
Semester 1-Year 2007/08
The potential development
of Wind Power Industry
upon the UK Energy Market
A project undertaken as part of BA (Hons) European Management degree, University of Westminster
PLAN
1) Introduction
– Need to change of energyresources
2) Objectives
3) Methodology
4) Wind Power Industry Overview
5) UK Objectives in Renewable Energies
6) UK Natural Resources
6.1) Wind Resources
6.2) Alternative Resources
6.3) Relationship between wind output and electricity demand
7) Wind Power Technologies
7.1) Onshore Technology
7.2) Offshore Technology
7.3) Alternative Technology
8) Wind Power Costs
9)Wind power Impacts
9.1) Wind Power & Local Communities
9.2) Public Opinion
9.3) The benefits for Local Communities
10) Actual Situation
11) Wind Power Future
12) Conclusion
1) Introduction
? The need to change of energy resources
Nowadays energy is indispensable for the growth and well functioning of an economy. The harmful effects of carbon dioxide upon the environment andthe rise of climate change concern have forced government to take action tackle carbon dioxide emissions. During the Kyoto Protocol (see Appendices) UK target was a 12.5% reduction greenhouses gases emission. An efficient strategy has to be taken on the energy production market, in order to have sustainable secure and reliable energy. Indeed energy productions like fossil fuels have been pointedout for their high pollution degree (Stern 2006). As a solution, the Government decided to promote the development of renewable energy, in which wind power.
In 2007, the actual proportion of renewable energy was small compared to other resources such as coal and gas. Only 4% of electricity comes from renewable energy compared to the massive coal 37%, figure 1 (DTI, 2007). If UK wants to reachits gas emission targets, it appears inevitable for UK, to change its energy production resources. This means also restructuring the overall energy industry, making it less dependant of resources like coal or oil whose resources are limited and prices volatile. Then figure 2 shows that wind power only represented 12.8% of 2003 overall renewable energy production. The development of wind energyshould raise the diversity and security of energy supply in the UK (Phil Michael, 2002).
Figure 1: Electricity generation by fuel source (2007)
Figure 2: Make up of renewable electricity generation (2003)
Source : Barrios, L. & Rodriguez, A. (2004)
Watt – measure of instantaneous power or capacity:
1 GW = 1,000 MW = 1,000,000 kW = 1,000,000,000 W
Watt-hour – total energy over time:
1TWh = 1,000 GWh = 1,000,000 MWh = 1,000,000,000 kWh = 1,000,000,000,000 Wh
2) Objectives
The aim of this research is to analyse UK energy market and define the need for renewable energy and especially wind power. This will results in study the role of wind power within this market. By analysing the different resources available, the costs and threats, it will be possible to study the role ofwind power within the UK energy market and investigate its potential development. Finally, this study will draw issues for the future of wind power energy taking into account the degree of uncertainty that it may involves
? Analyse the UK energy market and the need for renewable energy
? Study the role of wind power energy upon the UK energy market
? Evaluate the potentialdevelopment of wind power in UK
? Find out the different threats against wind power energy development
? Draw future issues about wind power development in UK
3) Methodology
This research has been based upon a wide information analysis. Indeed renewable energy and wind power industry are wide subjects which have been largely covered. The aim of this research is to draw conclusions about…