Together in electronic dreams – the history of energy in the UK from fossil fuels to Net Zero
Global efforts are underway to reduce carbon emissions for better and to prevent climate catastrophe as COP26 last year revealed. Energy is a key component of this process. The story of the shift from fossil fuels like oil and coal to cleaner, renewable or nuclear power sources will make the history books. But where did the energy source come from? What’s the history of human use of energy? What’s the reason? Understanding the sources of energy can help us better understand the ways we can utilize in the near future to transform lives and our planet for the better.
In the beginning , there were the sun, water, and wood.
The sun and the water were the first sources of energy for life on earth. Lateron, early humans burned wood to get heat. Then, a bit later, people used flowing water to turn their mills.
Fossil fuels and the beginning of coal
After they invaded Britain around 43 AD, the Romans realised that coal provided superior heat than wood. They used charcoal to heat baths and for forging iron of combat equipment and ornaments. In the middle ages between the 11th and 13th centuries charcoal helped to speed up the first industries of brick and glass production. Wood was utilized as a fuel but also used in shipbuilding which pushed up prices. In fact, there was an energy crisis around 1550, owing to an absence of firewood that lasted until the 17th century’s end. It was at this point that coal mining grew in popularity as it was cheaper and more readily available than wood for energy sources.
Burn baby burn – the original electric power system for transportation and industry
The Industrial Revolution was the new age of human-generated coal-powered electricity. Since 1750, coal has been used for powering machines and tools and in 1752 Benjamin Franklin is credited with discovering electricity through the sparks produced by lightning strikes.
The year 1769 was the time that James Watt patented the world’s first coal-powered steam engine. It was accompanied by powerful and reliable machinery for mills and factories. Between the years 1769-1801, British mining of coal nearly doubled. And that was only the start of the rapid growth increasing from 12 million Mega-tonnes at the time of 1800 to close to 300 million tonnes by 1913.
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The year was when the UK began to make use of gas?
In 1812, Frederick Winsor created the first company in the world to build public gas works as well as distribution via pipeline networks. This opened the market for gas and would improve the lives of millions of people for the better with the ability to have reliable lighting and heat as well as energy. (Pretty amazing when you consider that this is also the period Britain was at war with Napoleon!)
Gas was used to light the streets of London and, by 1827, the London system had supplied gas to nearly 70,000 streetlights.
There must be lights – and heat everywhere! The Victorian period
The Victorian period saw huge advancements in the field of energy throughout the world. The first hydroelectric power plant began working in Cragside located in UK. The world’s first coal-fired power station, the Edison Electric Light Station, was built in London in 1882. The station brought light and warmth to London homes.
Stable and solid- it is the time that National Grid opens its doors
The 20th century saw the explosion of energy innovations. Electricity was flowing into businesses and homes through electricity pylons.
The first interconnected National Grid launched in 1935. Instead of having a number of small power stations, seven grid areas were created within Manchester, Leeds, Newcastle, Birmingham, Bristol, London and Glasgow. Thanks to the National Grid, energy supplies have become more affordable and stable.
Reducing carbon emissions – UK renewable energy
1958 saw one of the first US satellite to use solar energy as its energy source. However, back in the UK gas and coal were the main sources of energy until the end of the 1900s. In 1960, 90 percent of power came from coal. However, in the 1970s the focus on climate change shone a spotlight on the environmental impact of fossil fuels and the need for cleaner, renewable energy.
Wind power
Wind energy is a low carbon and abundant energy source that will never be exhausted. It is therefore an essential component of the energy mix – especially since new technologies, like battery storage, are being developed to make renewable energy sources more efficient. The first wind farm in the world opened within New Hampshire in 1980, immediately following by the UK’s very first wind farm in the year 1991, located on the blustery Cornish coast. Wind power is the biggest source of renewable power across the UK. EDF owns and operates 36 wind farms, including two offshore wind farms in the UK.
Solar power
Solar power was only an extremely small percentage of the power generation in the UK prior to the 2010s, where it significantly increased. The first big solar farm in the UK, a 32 MW solar farm, started construction during the month of November. This farm is located in Leicestershire near those runways at the old military airfield Wymeswold.
In the present the UK’s renewable energy sector is in a boom thanks to increased investments and production. The year 2019 was marked by a major milestone where for the first time in both the UK and the US there was more energy produced from carbon-free sources than fossil fuels. By using a mix of renewable and nuclear sources to generate electricity, the UK is in a position to reach our 2050 UK goal of net zero emissions total.
The nuclear energy sector is used in the UK
Britain was the site of the world’s first industrial-scale reactor in nuclear energy in the early 1950s and over the course of the past 60 years it has continued to contribute to the UK’s energy mix , as the most reliable, low carbon power source currently available in the UK. In the year 2020, EDF’s eight nuclear power stations produced enough electricity that was low carbon to power 44% of UK homes. We’re proud of being Britain’s biggest generator of energy through nuclear, wind and solar.
A Net Zero future for carbon emissions
Being one of UK’s leading renewable energy firms, EDF Renewables runs wind solar, battery storage, and solar projects all over the UK. About 20% of the electricity in the UK is produced by our eight nuclear power stations and we’re currently building a brand new nuclear power plant located at Hinkley Point C, and planning a second at Sizewell C. To assist in helping Britain reach Net Zero, we need to change our ways and consume less energy. We’re here for help – helping people to get the advice to use the tools, equipment and technology they require to reduce the carbon.
Do your part to ensure Net Zero
There are many ways you can make in your home to cut down on carbon footprint. Even small changes can make a huge difference to your carbon footprint:
Warm your home in a low carbon method
Reduce your home’s carbon footprint and lower your energy bills by using electric heating and insulation.
Drive electric
Driving electric cars as well as other vehicles (EVs) will reduce Britain’s carbon emissions. We have everything you need to go electric, including leasing deals, home charging points and the right EV tariffs for your lifestyle.
Find a smart meter
Smart meters track your energy consumption in real time, showing your how much energy you’re using and how much in pounds and cents.