The UK Energy Mix

The ‘energy mix’ of a country is the proportional make-up of different types of energy

A countries energy mix is determined by:

a) Political factors b) Economic factors c) Physical factors

Colour code each factor and then once you have written

up the UK energy mix shade the various

explanations

Total Energy Consumption

- Relatively high due to levels of consumerism, affluence and industrialisation

Renewable Sources

- Rapid growth in renewable’s due to increased international pressures (Kyoto Protocol 5.2% reduction in CO2 and fears of Global Warming- Plus a more diverse Energy mix is more

stable economically in an era of ‘Peak Oil’ fears

- UK has the greatest wind and tidal potential in the world

but v.low because they are costly + inefficient

Nuclear Energy (non-renewable)

- UK has invested heavily into 10 nuclear power stations in 2010

- Relatively clean and very efficient there allows us meet Kyoto Protocol at the same time as meeting economic needs

Coal

- UK has seen a rapid decline in coal use since the Industrial Rev.

i. Scarring of landscape ii. Physical reserves have been exhausted iii. V. polluting & health issues

Oil & Natural Gas

- High % use due to the large physial reserves in the North Sea

- Oil + gas are v.efficient and drive our oil based economy and are cleaner than coal

UK Energy Mix

India’s & Sweden’s Energy MixSweden India

Oil 27% 22%

Coal 5% 34%

HEP 26% 1%

Nuclear 38% 0.8%

Biomass (fuelwood) 0% 35%

Solar 0.1% 2%

Wind 1% 0.1%

Your task is to complete a write-up on the variations between these energy mix’s

Consider the economic, political and physical reasons for the variations in the Energy Mix’s of India and Sweden. You will need to consider the following:

- The economy of the country (level of development)- Political situation and stability of the country especially for nuclear- Which renewable’s have more potential and the physical reasons for

this- What type of society it is, rural or urban & appropriate technology