The report revealed that, this winter, the capacity margin – the gap between the total electricity generating capacity and peak demand – was expected to be the narrowest for eight years: 4.1% narrowing to 2.8% in the event of a serious winter.
The strain a serious cold snap would cause on the network could see Britain face the threat of factory shutdowns.
In 2010, Britain and Ireland were on the receiving end of the coldest winter since Met Office records began back in 1910. The lowest recorded temperature in the UK that winter was -21°C in Altnaharra, Scotland.
Another drastic winter like 2010 would leave the National Grid unable to meet its basic reserve requirement of spare capacity needed to run the system. The electricity and gas utility companies would be forced to resort to a contingency plan that was drawn up last year.
The National Grid has agreed with 431 industrial sites that they shut down at peak hours if necessary. Furthermore, contracts are in the process of being agreed with power stations across the UK to provide reserve capacity.
However, I think that a quick and easy fix for the energy shortage conundrum is for industry to become more energy efficient.
Let's take motors, for instance. Electric motors consume vast amounts of electricity. If factories were to employ more efficient motors or even decreased speeds where possible, both energy usage and cost would be reduced. A variable speed drive (VSD) can reduce motor energy consumption by up to 60%.
So, let's say you had a 90kW motor running eight hours a day, seven days a week, 50 weeks a year. The installation of a VSD to the circuit would mean a 20% reduction in speed and a whopping 49% in energy saving. That works out at just above £12,000 savings a year on your energy bill: for just one motor.
The moral, I believe, is that factories should take a more proactive approach to their energy efficiency, and electric motors would be an excellent place to start.
