UK Government: Energy industry set for climate
change
Nov 28, 2008 -- M2 PRESSWIRE
The UK energy industry is now much more prepared for the impacts of climate
change, an innovative study has revealed today.
Results from the ground-breaking project between key UK energy companies and
the Met Office have highlighted that the majority of energy infrastructure
is already fit to meet the challenges of a changing climate.
However, the study has also shown that more needs to be done by the industry
to help it prepare for predicted rises in temperature in the future.
A clear indicator from the project was that historical climatology is no
longer relevant because of global warming. These long term changes mean that
it is likely that energy demands will be affected through the seasons.
Within the next 10 years higher temperatures could increase electricity
requirements during the summer, as air conditioning units become more widely
used.
Change in demand was one of two broad areas the project highlighted, with
developing and adapting technology to future climate being another major
factor.
This included the prospect of reduced efficiency for the output of thermal
power stations, as a result of higher summer temperatures. The study
recommended that adaptation to climate change should now be considered,
especially when re-designing or building new power plants.
John Hirst, Met Office Chief Executive said: "This innovative Met Office
project builds climate science into operational planning and showcases the
energy industry's commitment to respond to a changing climate."
Meanwhile, Energy and Climate Change Minister Mike O'Brien welcomed the
report: "Cutting emissions from energy plants is a crucial part of how we
are tackling climate change, but our energy networks themselves must also be
resilient to the changing world in which they operate.
"Energy infrastructure is costly and can have a lifespan of 40 or more
years, so it's a smart move for the energy industry to seek the expert
advice of the Met Office Hadley Centre. This will help anticipate the
potential impacts of climate change and allow the industry to future-proof
what it builds in the coming years."
For further information please contact Met Office Press Office on 01392
886655
Notes:
* The study has also covered the possible impacts on coastal infrastructure,
how wind resources may be affected and how the efficiency of cables is
affected by an increase in temperatures.
* The Met Office Hadley Centre is the UK's foremost centre for climate
change research. Partly funded by Defra (the Department for Environment,
Food and Rural Affairs), the newly-established Dept for Energy and Climate
Change and the Ministry of Defence it provides information to and advice to
the UK Government on climate change issues.
* Of the eleven energy companies involved not one is a lead. Those taking
part are C.E. Electric UK, Centrica, EDF Energy, E-ON, National Grid,
Northern Ireland Electricity, RWE nPower, Scottish Power, Scottish and
Southern Energy, United Utilities and Western Power Distribution.
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