Wind, Waves, and Organic Whiskey

Another episode of Fully Charged – this time a visit to Scotland, well on track to the goal of 100 percent renewable energy.

Earth Techling:

Scotland is right on track for its goal of 100 percent energy from renewables by 2020, according to a new government report. The Electricity Generation Policy Statement (EGPS) released by the Scottish government emphasized emissions reduction by means of carbon capture and storage for fossil fuel power plants as well as addition of renewable energy generation instead of new nuclear plants.

Nuclear energy currently comprises nearly a third of the country’s electricity generation (see graph above). But the government predicts that if major changes can be put into effect in the coming decades, nuclear will become a smaller percentage of the mix and overall emissions will drop drastically, with carbon being eliminated completely from emissions by 2030. If succesful, the government predicts that household electricity prices will also fall from the projected 2020 cost of £1,379 to £1,285.

Scotland’s goal might not be so far-fetched. The country already boasts a relatively high percentage of renewables: nearly a fifth of the country’s power is from hydro and other renewable generation sources, more than any other country in the United Kingdom.

Wave and tidal power may become more significant sources of electricity generation for Scotland as well, as the country is surrounded by water and has easy access to waves.

Government of Scotland:

Energy Minister Fergus Ewing has welcomed new figures that demonstrate Scotland will beat the 2011 renewables target.

Statistics published today show that the amount of renewable electricity generated in 2011 rose 45 per cent on 2010 to 13,750 Gigawatt hours.

Assuming gross consumption in 2011 is similar to 2010, that means around 35 per cent of Scotland’s electricity needs came from renewables in 2011, beating the Scottish Government’s target of 31 per cent.