Memorandum by the Open University Energy
& Environment Research Unit
PARTS A AND
B
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 The Open University Energy and Environment
Research Unit (EERU)
The Energy and Environment Research Unit was
set up in 1986 and is based in the Faculty of Technology at The
Open University. The Unit undertakes research on the sustainable
generation and use of energy. It also presents a course T206
Energy for a Sustainable Future within the Open University's
undergraduate programme and supports a range of post-graduate
research work. Further details of EERU and its activities can
be found on its Web site: http://technology.open.ac.uk/eeru/index.htm
1.2 Contents of Memorandum of Evidence from
EERU
Our Memorandum of Evidence to the Committee
is in two parts:
Part A, "Nuclear's Inherent Insecurities",
is an extensive submission in which we describe in detail our
concerns about the security implications of the UK nuclear power
programme and its proposed expansion.
Part B, "Non-Nuclear Sustainable Energy
Futures: What Can the UK Learn from Germany?", describes
the rapid progress being made in Germany in deploying renewable
energy sources and improving energy efficiency. It suggests that
the UK could learn a great deal from the German example.
Members of the Committee will be aware that
the political situation in Germany is currently in a state of
flux. Nevertheless, we believe that Germany continues to be highly-relevant
as an example of what can be achieved by a Government determined
to implement renewable and sustainable energy policies with vigour.
Moreover, it seems unlikely that any new German Government will
implement policies that would seriously jeopardize the future
of its highly-successful renewable energy industry, which in 2003
had a turnover of 10 billion Euros and employed 120,000 people.
1.3 Authors and Acknowledgements
Part A is authored by Dr David Lowry, a visiting
research fellow in EERU; part B is authored by Godfrey Boyle,
Director of EERU. The authors acknowledge helpful comments received
during the preparation of their memoranda from Professor David
Elliott.
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