The Energy Gap - could zero carbon technologies meet the demand?

With the demise of nuclear power in the UK, the present government has promoted both energy efficiency and renewable energy to meet its targets resulting from signing up to the Kyoto Treaty. This paper considers whether the development of the many renewable energy systems that are currently available and meet commercially viable standards will, by 2010, provide the Governments target of 10% of total UK energy provision at a present level of 3% in 2005. The significant point is that present energy sources are reducing in economic viability (coal, oil) and security of supply politically is heightened, (gas) while renewables are slow in investment, potential awareness and stature. There emerges an energy gap which may result in power cuts, blackouts and a potential energy crisis. Can we meet with this risk for the period of time until zero carbon energy supply is equal to the present fossil and nuclear power levels? The UK has an ever increasing energy demand as we see increases in population, longer life spans, use of technological systems and transport demands both for business and pleasure. With energy supplied from fossil fuel sources, primarily, will our life style and culture need to change dramatically to open the door for renewable energy systems? This paper will consider whether integrated renewable energy should become a recognised feature of modern 21st century life, in our houses, our transport, our offices and our industrial plants and be as common as the simple brick, car, desk and machine respectively.