Visit the website www.energydashboard.co.uk and study the graphs using the colour-coded key at the top of the left one. These show live charts of the mix of sources for the UK’s electricity generation. Hover over each colour segment to reveal their percentage contribution. The stacked column chart on the right distinguishes between fossil fuel source, renewables, and low carbon — which refers to nuclear power. As heat is generated by radioactive decay in a nuclear power station it does not directly contribute to atmospheric carbon emissions, however it is not renewable as the fuel source is mined uranium. Carbon emissions still occur in construction and maintenance of nuclear power stations and storage of waste materials.
The compound line chart in the centre shows how electricity generation changes half-hourly during the day in response to changing demand. Notice how solar energy is the most variable, based on times of daylight.
Your organisation does not have access to this article.
Sign up today to give your students the edge they need to achieve their best grades with subject expertise
Subscribe
