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| Fig. 1: Nuclear energy consumption in the United Kingdom 2010-2020. [4] |
In response to escalating climate change concerns, the United Kingdom's transition to low-carbon energy sources has become an urgent imperative. A low-carbon energy strategy is anchored by nuclear energy, which works hand in hand with renewable energy sources. In a constantly changing energy landscape, this combination of nuclear's consistent production and renewables' sustainability shows a dynamic way to satisfying energy demands, implementing climate change targets, and improving energy security.
In the United Kingdom, efficiency in energy systems refers to the optimal use of energy resources to produce and deliver energy services with minimal losses. Notably, nuclear power stands out for its high energy density, giving substantial energy production from a relatively small spatial footprint, contrasting sharply with the variability of wind and solar outputs, which are influenced by weather conditions and time of day. Hydro power offers a stable and reliable energy source, although its deployment is highly dependent on specific geographic locations that can support hydroelectric infrastructure, marking it as a location-dependent option for energy generation. [1] Nuclear energy's scalability in the United Kingdom is hindered by the substantial initial investment required to establish massive networks and reach financial viability through a high user count. However, rapid deployment is made possible by renewable energy sources, which is crucial for supplying the growing demand for electricity. [1] Energy security plans and the United Kingdom's decarbonization ambitions are in line with renewable energy's modular approach, which permits more flexible expansion. Nuclear projects, on the other hand, struggle with the complications of high starting costs and large infrastructure requirements. [2]
Nuclear energy projects in the United Kingdom need a large initial capital investment as well as ongoing operating costs, and their financial viability depends on high user connection rates and government backing. [2] These initiatives, which establish nuclear heat networks, offer long-term cost benefits, especially for local economies. On the other hand, declining costs are associated with renewable energy, which is made possible by market penetration and technological advancements. [1] The shift to low-carbon systems emphasizes the necessity of consistent financial incentives to maintain the long-term advantages of nuclear power as well as the rising affordability of renewable energy sources. The construction, operation, and decommissioning phases of nuclear energy all have an impact on the environment in the United Kingdom. Waste management is particularly problematic because radioactive materials need to be stored for a long time. The management of radioactive waste presents considerable hurdles to the nuclear energy business, as demonstrated by its complexity. [2] On the other hand, renewables have less of an influence on land use and produce very little emissions when in use. [2] The environmental stewardship issues associated with nuclear energy are juxtaposed with the much smaller and more sustainable environmental impact of renewable energy sources in this striking contrast.
From 2010-2020, the United Kingdom has shown a strong effort to diversify its energy portfolio and enhancing its capacity for sustainable energy production. There has been a notable increase in renewable energy capacities, highlighted by a determined drive toward the integration of wind, solar, and various other renewable sources. These initiatives are in sync with the overarching targets set by the European Union. [3] As seen in Fig. 1, nuclear energy capacity has been steadily decreasing in the United Kingdom. This decline contributes to a larger strategic goal to reduce the nation's reliance on fossil fuels and reduce carbon emissions. [4] While nuclear energy has been steadily decreasing, it is still an essential component of the United Kingdom's energy mix, helping to ensure the country's energy security and supplying a steady supply of low-carbon electricity. The United Kingdom has taken a combination of methods to combating climate change by actively pursuing improvements in nuclear and renewable energy. This approach guarantees the nation's advancement towards a more sustainable energy future while also supporting energy security.
Leveraging the flexibility of renewables and the dependability of nuclear energy is necessary to incorporate both sources of energy into the United Kingdom's energy mix. This strategy promotes a resilient and diverse energy system by striking a balance between variable renewable energy sources and stable nuclear production for overall energy security and sustainability. [1]
The complementary qualities of nuclear and renewable energies are revealed through inquiry, underscoring the significance of incorporating both into the energy mix. In the United Kingdom's future energy policy, a balanced approach is essential to guaranteeing energy security as well as sustainability.
© Nico Godsick. The author warrants that the work is the author's own and that Stanford University provided no input other than typesetting and referencing guidelines. The author grants permission to copy, distribute and display this work in unaltered form, with attribution to the author, for noncommercial purposes only. All other rights, including commercial rights, are reserved to the author.
[1] P. Mounfield, "The Future of Nuclear Power in the United Kingdom," Geography 80, 263 (1995).
[2] J. Chilvers et al., "Realising Transition Pathways for a More Electric Low-Carbon Energy System in the United Kingdom: Challenges, Insights, and Opportunities," Proc. Inst. Mech. Eng. A 231, 440 (2017).
[3] M. Banja et al., "Renewable Energy Progress in EU 27 (2005-2020)," European Commission, EUR 26481, 2013.
[4] "BP Statistical Review of World Energy 2021," British Petroleum, June 2021.