Is it possible to have 2020 vision? We've had a look at the changes to energy, waste recyling and renewable energy that might occur over the next decade. We’ve also made some maps to illustrate what these changes could mean for the landscape of the UK.
ADAS energy, planning and waste specialists have put together some predictions for how the landscape might look by the end of the decade:
1. The cost of electricity will double. With the Government stating that there will be 5 million electric cars on the roads by 2020, a massive change to the electricity infrastructure will be required to cope with extra demand and supply. This will in turn translate to a doubling of electricity bills by the utilities companies trying to recoup the costs of their investment.
2. 50 per cent of houses will generate renewable electricity. Houses will be fitted with solar photo voltaic, and combined heat and power systems as well as wind turbines. This will be driven partly through the new feed-in tariffs coming in during April 2010, whereby homeowners get cash back for installing renewable energy measures, and partly by new housing developments having to be zero carbon rated by 2016.
3. Impact of renewables on residential areas will be considered a price worth paying. Planning guidelines will be changed determining the level of acceptable impact for renewable energy projects. More renewable energy development will be given planning permission (instead of less as is the case now) helping us meet obligations for reducing carbon footprints and greenhouse gas emissions.
4. Unrecyclable mat...
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