Energy: the basics
Monday 18 April 2005
When you think of power, what comes to mind? Does it all just happen with the flick of a switch or the push of a button?
Do you ever think about where this power comes from? Or what you might be doing to the planet by using it?
Fossil fuels
Every time we turn on the TV or a light, we are contributing in some way to global warming. This is because electricity is produced by burning fossil fuels, such as coal, oil and gas.
The damage caused to the environment from burning fossil fuels is one of the most serious issues faced by mankind today. Another problem is that coal, gas and oils aren't going to be around for ever. This is why fossil fuels are known as a non-renewable energy source; when they are gone, they are gone for good.
So we will have to find other ways to generate electricity before the fossil fuels are all used up.
Renewable energy
Luckily, there are renewable sources of energy that will last for ever and are able to generate electricity without harming the environment.
For example, the UK is the windiest country in Europe, so it makes sense for us to use this wind to generate electricity. This is usually done using wind turbines, which transform the energy that occurs naturally in wind into mechanical power. You can find out more about wind energy by checking out our links.
Solar power
Another source of renewable energy is solar power. Even though the UK may not be known as one of the sunniest countries in the world, each south-facing roof in this country receives enough energy from the sun to provide hot water and generate electricity.
Although the set-up costs for apparatus that can transfer solar power into energy can be quite high, it's possible that in years to come, many homes and businesses will be using it.
Hydroelectric
Water can also be used to generate electricity, either by hydroelectric power, which is energy originating from flowing water, or through the energy found in waves or the tide.
Water has been used to create energy for centuries, and around 2% of the UK's electricity currently generated by water. New innovations such as a tidal power station in Scotland are the first steps in using this type of renewable energy on a wider scale.
Conserving energy
Sadly, renewable energy sources won't be enough on their own. If we are to stop our climate changing, we will need to use our energy as efficiently as we can. You might be surprised to learn that the average household in Britain wastes about 30 per cent of the energy they pay for.
There are lots of things you can do to be energy efficient. For example, just by turning your heating thermostat down by one degree you can cut heating bills by 10 per cent annually and save energy at the same time.
Try not to leave televisions on standby, and always switch off lights when they're not needed. You can also use energy saving light bulbs to do your bit. If everybody stopped using standby mode on their televisions and video recorders, £150 million worth of energy would be saved each year. If everyone also used just two energy efficient light bulbs (in lights that are used a lot), we would save enough energy to power all the street lighting in the UK.
If you would like to learn more about how to be energy efficient, the first place to go is the Energy Saving Trust web site
There are further details on renewable energy sources and more tips on being energy efficient in our links. Why not have a look and see what you can do to help?
