Yorkshire Philosophical Society

Event Information

Prof. Philip Wright – Director of Research, The Management School of The University of Sheffield, Fellow of The Institute of Energy, Senior Research Advisor to The Oxford Institute Of Energy

Report
by Patrick Mason
Prof. Wright presented an analysis of the state of the UK’S energy resources, security and usage. The main points of the analysis were presented in terms of:
• Production and Consumption
In recent years, production of hydrocarbons in the UK have been in decline to the extent that since 2006, consumption has exceeded production. The UK is no longer “self-sufficient” in energy.
• Reserves of Oil and Gas
Proven reserves of oil and gas will currently only satisfy 5 to 6 years of present levels of consumption. Possible future reserves might provide up to an additional 10 years (based on current prices).
• Competition For Global Energy Reserves
Europe is more heavily dependent on energy imports than other regions in the world including North America. Within Europe, the expansion of gas pipeline networks has opened the market to greater international competition.
• Balance of Payments
The UK trade balance in energy has for many years been as a net exporter. However, since 2005, this situation has changed to the UK having a net deficit in energy trade, including oil.
• Electricity Generation
The UK’s electricity generation plant is aging. Replacement with new coal and nuclear plants is overdue while gas-fired generation has been expanding. Renewable generation has been increasing but its contribution is marginal.
• Consumption Trends
The dominant trends over the past 40 years in consumption of energy in the UK has shown a decline in industry sector consumption and an increase in transport sector consumption. Much of the increase in transport energy consumption is due to domestic use. It was concluded that there is good potential for addressing national energy consumption by means of saving in the domestic sector.

Download
A copy of Philip Wright’s slides for this lecture are available to download in PDF format (members only – please login for access to this content)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD

Book

Philip Wright is co-editor of the following book related to the subject of this lecture. Follow the links to Amazon for further details.