Electricity
Low carbon sources generated more than 50% of UK electricity in 2017
Derived from the flow of electric charge, electricity has become an integral part of modern life. Many work, communication, transport and leisure activities depend on this form of energy. In most cases it is also an invisible form of energy, which makes it easy to forget its important role in our lives. Most electricity globally is produced in large power plants, where energy from burning coal, natural gas, or oil is converted into electricity. This electricity flows through the transmission and distribution grid, into our homes and businesses. However, renewable sources such as the sun, wind, water and biomass are being used to produce increasingly large proportions of global electricity.
Learn more about these sources of electricity by exploring our Energy Matrix.
Discover UK energy professionals' views of the future of electricity, gathered in our annual Energy Barometer.
Search for articles on electric vehicles and the role of electricity in transport published in our magazines.
What's new?
Power line length to triple by 2050 to accommodate renewable electricity
2018-9-12
Installed power line length and capacity around the world will triple by 2050 to meet the growth in electrification and in new renewables, suggests a new report by DNV GL.The company says ‘mass...
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Energy Insight: Electricity - UK: UK electricity demand by sector (DSS33)
2018-9-1
Electricity demand fell by 0.8% in 2017 from 356.7 TWh in 2016 to 353.8 TWh in 2017. A breakdown of the electricity demand shows losses accounted for 7.5% and final consumption accounted for 85%. Fina...
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Tidal power plants – predictable electricity from the sea
2018-9-1
Although there is much attention being given to tidal stream power plants, which depend on flowing seawater, tidal range technology – barrages and lagoons which rely on the rise and fall of the...
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Energy Insight: Electricity - renewables: hydro electricity production, OECD countries (DSS32)
2018-9
Production of electricity from hydroelectric plants has increased on average 0.6% per year from 1990 to 2017. There has been a rapid growth of electricity generation from other renewable sources from ...
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Energy Insight: Electricity - renewables: renewables electricity production, OECD countries (DSS31)
2018-9
Electricity production from renewables sources (excluding generation from pumped storage plants) reached 2731.8 TWh in 2017. The US produced 720.4 TWh of electricity from renewables in 2017 which was ...
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Technical guidance publications
Design, construction, modification, maintenance and decommissioning of filling stations (known as the Blue Book)
2018
The fourth edition of Design, construction, modification, maintenance and decommissioning of filling stations (also known as the Blue Book) is essential reading for all those involved in the design, c...
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Assessing and managing the risk of arc flash
2018
The objective of this publication is to provide a practical approach to the management of arc flash risk within electrical installations. It provides general guidance on the causes of arc flash events...
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HM 27. A guide to gas metering systems
2018
This publication covers the specification, design, installation and operation of metering stations for high accuracy measurement of the bulk flow of gases in pipelines and process plants. It was first...
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HM 62. Guidelines for cargo inspection order management
2018
This document is free to download for registered users of this site.This publication has been prepared for those persons involved in the order management aspect of an independent inspection and specif...
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Guidance on managing environmental risks associated with land contamination at filling stations
2018
The intent of this publication is to act as a reference guide for individuals charged with the management of environmental risks associated with land and groundwater contamination at filling stations ...
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Online tools and software collection
A selection of interactive maps and calculators that let you explore trends across a range of different energy topics, including electricity.
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