Abstract :
The UK gets nearly all its energy from the fossil fuels (coal, oil, gas etc.) and nuclear power, approximately 15% being consumed in the form of electricity. It is now well known that the burning of fossil fuels is accompanied by atmospheric pollution in the form of acid rain, ozone depletion and the greenhouse effect. Renewable energy sources, e.g. wind, solar, tidal, wave, hydroelectric and geothermal power do not at present contribute significantly to the UK energy supply and are also accompanied by adverse effects on the environment. The best hope for meeting future energy needs may lie in containing energy consumption, increased generation efficiency and an expanded nuclear power programme. The author discusses the problems of acid rain and the greenhouse effect and describes several forms of renewable energy: wind energy, solar energy, tidal power, wave power, hydroelectricity, biomass geothermal power and nuclear power
Keywords :
air pollution; bioenergy conversion; energy conservation; energy resources; geothermal power; hydroelectric power; nuclear power; solar power; tidal power stations; wave power generation; wind power; UK; acid rain; atmospheric pollution; biomass; electricity; fossil fuels; geothermal power; greenhouse effect; hydroelectricity; nuclear power; ozone depletion; solar energy; tidal power; wave power; wind energy;
