Power generation in the UK – what are the realistic alternatives?
We’re making great progress in the transition to green energy but where do we go now?
Consider the large number of initiatives under way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and address the climate change issue: everything from roof insulation to nuclear fusion, air-tight cowsheds to solar-powered charging points, re-usable clothing to anaerobic digesters, is on the table. And then there’s greenwashing, people claiming products or processes are green when there is only a flicker of truth in their claims.
Only a few decades ago coal powered everything, this created smuts of soot which fell on to the washing, dreadful smogs that blackened the nostrils and traffic came to a grinding halt. Homes were heated by coal which was delivered in filthy hundredweight bags and lugged to the coalhouse by burly strangers. Making the fire and getting it going involved some dangerous techniques for creating the draught. And was it effective? Remember the ice in the inside of the windows? Banking down the fire with dusty slack meant it would last longer, but at a cost. Smoke!
Then there were the mining jobs, the army of sturdy men who went down those deep holes and tramped miles underground to the coal face, where the ceilings were supported by hydraulic props. The trepanner clawed at the coal seam, turning its prize on to the conveyor running alongside. One false move and your arm was lost.
Our progress to a national gas system supplying a clean light fuel to efficient automatic heating systems should not be derided. Most people today have no idea how savage the winter was to deal with. The coal industry was the foundation of prosperity within the UK, then it was North Sea oil and gas, and now it’s in manging without these resources. We are in a transition, but that shouldn’t mean we dismiss our progress so far. Nor should it mean we ignore the short-term opportunities because they fall short of our ultimate goals.
Two realistic alternative power opportunities
If we are really on-board with seeking to address climate change we must look at the bigger picture and recognise where we are now, and how we can achieve our aims quickly, economically and without impoverishing everyone, avoiding social disruption and a return to feudal tyranny.
We are, dare we admit, doing quite well. We have massively reduced carbon emissions in the UK, and our emissions are an extremely small proportion of the global total. We have a good mix of power generation with a high proportion of renewables, supported by a small number of highly efficient gas fired power stations and a nuclear base load generation. On top of that we have an increasing proportion of distributed generation from roof-top panels to supplement the grid network. We also have a well organised natural gas production and distribution system which ensures the horrors of cold winter nights of old are no longer endured. Our high energy-density liquid fuels are easily obtained and give us great freedom of movement.
So, how do we move forward? Well, of the utmost importance for people in the UK is the availability of electricity, gas for heating and transport fuel. We have a well-balanced grid which is a top performer globally in terms of reliability, carbon intensity and coverage. We have efficient gas boilers and our cars are increasingly efficient and reliable. This cannot be put at risk whilst coal use is increasing globally at a rapid pace and scale.
A) Hydrogen from surplus power is easily achieved
One response is the idea of making hydrogen with surplus green power, during the night for example. This can be implemented almost immediately and developed incrementally. Measures to allow up to a 20% hydrogen concentration in the gas grid are in train. Feeding it into the gas grid, where it can be used for heating appears feasible.
For those consumers seeking supplies of green hydrogen at their sites, separation systems could be installed. The separation of hydrogen from methane and other gases is relatively easy technically, so the provision of separation systems to deliver hydrogen to users at gas grid nodes appears quite feasible. At Avioxx we are developing some novel techniques to make this happen on a large scale.
The expectation that a market for gaseous hydrogen beyond the 20% capacity of the existing grid appears to be somewhat unrealistic at this stage. For the time being, the concept of hydrogen production from surplus power can readily be accommodated with very little disruption or cost. At Avioxx we want to be part of that simple transition in transmission.
B) Liquid fuels made sustainably
We motorists enjoy a liquid fuels production and distribution system which raises huge revenues for the exchequer as well as ensuring, by-and-large, no discrimination on freedom of travel. Liquid fuels have become so popular because they are relatively safe, easy to use and store, effective and available. Moreover, most vehicles and manufacturing capacity is liquid fuel based. The problem is they emit carbon dioxide.
Our solution to the adverse impact of fossil-based fuels is to make them from sustainable sources, in our case wastes which are otherwise incinerated. By using wastes we can reduce the carbon dioxide given off by incinerators and at landfill sites, and at the same time offset the emissions from jet fuels made from petroleum.
Our unique Avioxx process for turning wastes into sustainable fuel is based on a patent developed for making hydrogen and power. This leaves a concentrated stream of carbon dioxide which can be captured easily for long-term storage. However, we can make use of these carbon oxides to make fuels in our Avioxx waste-to-liquids process.
Avioxx – making progress where we can
Avioxx is on-the-ball, seeking to implement change where we have a reasonable prospect of succeeding. Our innovation is in using our technology to make life better sooner rather than later. We believe there are many cases where a little thought and well-planned action can achieve great things. “Deeds not words” is our motto. So, join us on the journey and let’s make it happen.