Categories Energy Change Energy Revival Green Investment Green Power Growth Paradigm Major Shift Oil Change Optimistic Generation Peak Energy Peak Oil Renewable Resource Technofix Technological Sideshow Energy Matrix #1 : Are We Ready for Energy Change ? Post author By Jo Post date March 25, 2011 What is this survey ? This survey is about your views on the future of energy, and the changes that will take place. Why take part in this survey ? If you spend 15 to 20 minutes to give your opinion of the 30 statements in this survey, you will be contributing to an ambitious university study. Please give yourself 15 to 20 minutes to complete the survey. With each statement, please click the option that best matches your view. Please don’t forget to answer the general questions at the end, which will help with making the final report. NUCLEAR POWER The age of nuclear power is coming to a close as there will not be a replacement for every nuclear reactor shut down at the end of its working life. Strongly disagreeDisagreeNeutralAgreeStrongly agreeNot sureThe plan for new nuclear power plants in the UK will experience serious delays due to risks and uncertainties. Strongly disagreeDisagreeNeutralAgreeStrongly agreeNot sureGlobal competition for nuclear engineers and nuclear fuel will mean new capacity cannot grow at a high rate. Strongly disagreeDisagreeNeutralAgreeStrongly agreeNot sureThe rising costs (and risks) of safe nuclear engineering will mean that it will become tougher to finance new nuclear power plants. Strongly disagreeDisagreeNeutralAgreeStrongly agreeNot sureNew designs for nuclear power are untested and will not be ready to use for 20 years. Strongly disagreeDisagreeNeutralAgreeStrongly agreeNot sureThe risks of breakdown in nuclear power plants make them unreliable, and force the National Grid to depend on backup power supply, high in carbon dioxide emissions. Strongly disagreeDisagreeNeutralAgreeStrongly agreeNot sure OIL (TRANSPORT) Sharp swings in the prices of vehicle fuels such as diesel, petrol and kerosene aeroplane fuel will badly damage international trade, particularly in the transportation of food and consumer goods.Strongly disagreeDisagreeNeutralAgreeStrongly agreeNot sureThe vehicle manufacturing industry will face economic difficulties in rolling out significant numbers of new low carbon cars in the period to 2030. Strongly disagreeDisagreeNeutralAgreeStrongly agreeNot sureIt will be common for people to drive high mileage mopeds and microcars running on compressed renewable gas by 2030. Strongly disagreeDisagreeNeutralAgreeStrongly agreeNot sureThe cost of fuel will continue to rise as energy stocks and shares become a home for financial speculation. Strongly disagreeDisagreeNeutralAgreeStrongly agreeNot sureNew discoveries of crude oil will be small and in awkward places, with a diminishing return on investment. Strongly disagreeDisagreeNeutralAgreeStrongly agreeNot sureBiofuels such as Biodiesel and Bioethanol from crops, bacteria and algae will be slow to become widespread and might not offer an overall reduction in carbon dioxide emissions. Strongly disagreeDisagreeNeutralAgreeStrongly agreeNot sure RENEWABLE ENERGYIn an economic framework of low growth it could be hard to source the steel, glass and concrete construction needed to accelerate Renewable Energy deployment. Strongly disagreeDisagreeNeutralAgreeStrongly agreeNot sureInternational and national renewable energy targets, well-thought-out financial frameworks and intense industrial effort are required to significantly increase renewable energy supply.Strongly disagreeDisagreeNeutralAgreeStrongly agreeNot sureRenewable Energy particularly from solar, wind and the sea have the capability to provide for all global energy needs. Strongly disagreeDisagreeNeutralAgreeStrongly agreeNot sureTargeted financial incentives to encourage investment in renewable energy will no longer be needed when the technologies are mature.Strongly disagreeDisagreeNeutralAgreeStrongly agreeNot sureRenewable gas from sewage treatment, farm waste and other sources could be fed into the National Grid and provide something like a quarter of all the UK’s needs.Strongly disagreeDisagreeNeutralAgreeStrongly agreeNot sureSome renewable energy sources are variable, like the wind. However, increasing the range of sources, finding ways to store energy, and connecting to other countries, will ensure that emergency backup is only rarely used.Strongly disagreeDisagreeNeutralAgreeStrongly agreeNot sure NATURAL GAS There will start to be global Natural Gas shortages in about 20 years’ time. Strongly disagreeDisagreeNeutralAgreeStrongly agreeNot sureCompressed Natural Gas vehicles will be increasingly deployed in anticipation of a ramp up in Renewable Gas. Strongly disagreeDisagreeNeutralAgreeStrongly agreeNot sureDue to the cost and safety questions surrounding Carbon Capture and new Nuclear Power, the world will increasingly turn to Natural Gas for electricity generation, transportation and building heat.Strongly disagreeDisagreeNeutralAgreeStrongly agreeNot sureAs the world economy becomes progressively dependent on Natural Gas, there will be actions taken to control its price. Strongly disagreeDisagreeNeutralAgreeStrongly agreeNot sureProducing shale gas, a widely-reported new source of Natural Gas, is suspected of causing pollution to underground water systems and the wells rapidly run out. Strongly disagreeDisagreeNeutralAgreeStrongly agreeNot sureSwitching from coal burning to Natural Gas in electricity power stations could cut carbon dioxide emissions by round about a half. Strongly disagreeDisagreeNeutralAgreeStrongly agreeNot sure COAL POWER The global consumption of coal is so fast that 45 years of known reserves were used in the last 5 years. It is likely that the world will see problems in the supply of coal within 20 years. Strongly disagreeDisagreeNeutralAgreeStrongly agreeNot sureThe International Energy Agency projects that new coal-fired power plants will continue to be built at a high rate. Strongly disagreeDisagreeNeutralAgreeStrongly agreeNot sureAbout half of all the UK’s electricity is generated from burning coal, and this percentage will only drop a small way by 2030. Strongly disagreeDisagreeNeutralAgreeStrongly agreeNot sureCoal consumption is high and this will lead to stress in supply and price. Strongly disagreeDisagreeNeutralAgreeStrongly agreeNot sureCarbon capture and storage, promoted to reduce emissions from coal burning at power stations, will not be widespread before 2030. Strongly disagreeDisagreeNeutralAgreeStrongly agreeNot sureThe best way to avoid carbon dioxide emissions from coal power is to invest strongly in energy conservation. Strongly disagreeDisagreeNeutralAgreeStrongly agreeNot sure Background Information Please give a few brief details about what kind of person you are, to help us check that a representative sample of people have answered the survey. What region are you living in ?Please select…United KingdomIreland (Eire)Europe (outside UK)United States of AmericaCanadaAustraliaNew ZealandWorldPrefer not to sayHow old are you ?Please select…Under 1515 to 1920 to 2425 to 2930 to 3435 to 3940 to 4445 to 4950 to 5455 to 5960 to 6465 to 6970 to 7475 to 7980 to 8485 and overPrefer not to sayWhat gender are you ?Please select…FemaleMaleOtherPrefer not to sayHow do you prefer to keep up to date with science ?Please select…Online NewsNewspaperTelevisionInternet web logRadioElectronic NewsletterScientific MagazineConversation with colleaguesConversation with friendsScientific Research JournalsOther Is Climate Change really happening ?Please select…Climate Change is a hoax !The climate is always changing, and that’s no problem.There are faults with Climate Change science.We just don’t know.Changes in the climate are serious, but we’re not changing it.Climate Change is caused by us, but nothing to worry about.Human-caused Climate Change is a serious risk to life on Earth.Is Peak Oil really happening ?Please select…Peak Oil is a myth !The global supply of oil will keep on rising for at least 40 years.We just don’t know.Global economic instability is causing temporary problems with the supply of oil.Global political disputes are causing problems with making new oil discoveries.Global military actions are preventing the exploitation of known oil reserves.We are approaching the limits of good quality fossil fuel resources.Peak Oil has arrived, and from now on supply will not meet demand.Do you know a lot about energy ?Please select…No. I know very little about energy.Basic. I know what fossil fuels and renewable energy are.Some. I never met a kilowatt hour I didn’t have to pay for.Involved. I count my carbon and I’ve insulated my loft.Yes. I work in the energy industry.Absolutely. I manage energy projects.Definitely. I own an energy business.Enter your e-mail address if you want the final results General Questions This is your chance to explain in more detail what you think, and add any comments you would like to make. For starters, here are some sample questions you might have ideas about :- 1. In your view, what will be the most major change in energy systems in the next 20 years ? 2. Who is responsible for making significant change to the energy systems ? 3. How will the major changes in energy systems be paid for ? Tags Are We Ready for Energy Change ? ← The Cost of a Tankful → The answer, my friend