Does Scotland have enough energy resources?

Answer:
There are three elements to power supply - generation, distribution and selling. It is probable that distribution will be nationalised as a public utility. Power also relates to gas supply. The distribution is already regulated by Scottish Power Networks.

Full answer here: How to keep the lights on



Answer:
To meet future demand and ensure energy security we will need to double the amount of currently-installed renewable generation.  It will also need a lot of energy storage. We have much more marine energy to generate hydrogen than we need for domestic and heavy goods transport. These resources are potentially an amazing export opportunity.

Full answer here: Energy resources of Scotland



Sorted. A handbook for a better Scotland

Author / Creator: Commonweal

Media type: book

Date published: 2022

'Sorted' is a vision for a shared future in an independent Scotland.  A future which puts all of us first. It looks at what's possible and describes how we can make independence and Scotland successful.


Three Reasons Westminster’s Energy Strategy Doesn’t Work for Scotland

Author / Creator: Believe in Scotland

Media type: Article

Date published:

Scotland urgently needs a transformation of the UK’s electricity transmission system which does not serve Scotland’s needs.  It also needs more investment in energy efficiency and demand reduction


Pioneering North Sea renewables project unveiled at COP 26

Author / Creator: Believe in Scotland

Media type: Article

Date published: 2021

Offshore wind resources in the North Sea will create thousands of jobs and boost Scotland ‘s ambitions to be a world leader in renewable energy through a plan unveiled at COP 26 in Glasgow.


Why the Oil Barons Can’t Survive a Green New Deal

Author / Creator: Craig Dalzell

Media type: Article

Date published:

The alternatives to oil are already apparent. The transition to a green economy will remove the demand for almost all oil based products.

 


How Scottish independence could re-ignite the north-east energy sector. Open minds on independence #17

Author / Creator: Believe in Scotland

Media type: News Media

Date published:

With independence, Scotland could manage a just transition from economic dependence on fossil fuels. And take our rightful place at the heart of developing renewables to power the world.


The key to powering an independent Scotland’s future. Open minds on indepencence #16

Author / Creator: Believe in Scotland

Media type: News Media

Date published:

Renewable energy holds the key to powering Scotland’s future. The country is so richly blessed with prized natural resources. It is well-placed to become a key player in the sector.  The renewables industry currently contributes £6.4bn to Scotland’s economy and employs more than 23,000 people. 


Energy-food nexus in the marine environment: A macroeconomic analysis on offshore wind energy and seafood production in Scotland

Author / Creator: Yang Qu

Media type: Academic Paper

Date published: February 2021

  • Low-cost offshore wind farms (OWFs) would increase both energy security and GDP.
  • Subsidising the high-cost OWFs would benefit energy security but not the economy.
  • Limited negative impacts on seafood sectors by the OWF expansion were identified .


Life cycle assessment of the carbon intensity of deep geothermal heat systems: A case study from Scotland

Author / Creator: Alistair T.McCay

Media type: Academic Paper

Date published:

We calculate that the carbon intensity of the heat produced 4.9–7.3% of the emissions from heat from natural gas. These values are compatible with Scotland's plans for long term decarbonisation.


Low-carbon GeoEnergy resource options in the Midland Valley of Scotland, UK

Author / Creator: N. Heinemann

Media type: Academic Paper

Date published:

The study suggests that the Midland Valley [of Scotland] represents a viable option in Scotland for the exploitation of the majority of low-carbon GeoEnergy resources.


Watershed: the Turning Point for North Sea Oil and the Just Transition

Author / Creator: Rachel Tansey

Media type: Assessment report

Date published: September 2021

No new oil and gas fields can be approved for development.  Given the right policies, a just transition can generate more than three jobs in clean industries for every North Sea oil job at risk


Get the future of energy right

Author / Creator: Common Weal

Media type: Video

Date published: 2020

Energy – electricity, heating and transport fuel – is crucial for the modern Scotland we live in. But it can also be one of our biggest threats if we don’t get them right. It can harm our environment and play a major role in causing the climate crisis.  ‘Energy inequality’ can harm the health of those who can’t afford to heat their homes. Scotland is one of the few countries in Europe which does not own its energy publicly and the only one that doesn’t  own its own National Grid. 

Video 1:35 minutes


The Economics of Shale Gas Extraction

Author / Creator: Craig Dalzell

Media type: Assessment report

Date published: April 2016

Wells become non-productive within a few years, requiring ever more to be drilled. Profit margins are small so require high oil and gas prices. Community stress and negative economic effects are likely. The jobs created are short-lived and highly mobile.


Incentives and Opportunities Signalled by Transmission Charges in Scotland

Author / Creator: Iain Wright

Media type: Policy Paper

Date published:

Scotland is not well served by the UK’s National Grid and the current system restricts the development of Scotland’s renewable energy potential and leads to high charges for Scottish consumers.


Public Energy Company

Author / Creator: Keith Baker

Media type: consultation response

Date published:

A publicly owned energy company to generate and deliver energy to the people of Scotland is necessary.


Energy Strategy Consultation

Author / Creator: Susan Brush

Media type: consultation response

Date published: 2017

This paper

― Urges the Scottish Government to add a “just and fair transition” of jobs to the low carbon economy. 

― Has concerns about continued use of fossil fuels and carbon capture.

― Strongly supports exploration of alternative energy carriers, such as hydrogen.

― Supports the priority of increasing renewable generation.

― Views that increasing the flexibility, efficiency and resilience of a future energy system as fundamentally essential to underpin a future energy system 


Renewables Scotland 2030: A discussion paper on how to transform Scotland’s energy sector by 2030

Author / Creator: Craig Berry

Media type: Policy Paper

Date published: February 2018

Scotland needs an energy infrastructure to adequately exploit renewable sources at a level to meet the variety of demands likely to be demanded.  To do this it needs an energy agency at government level,.


Feed-In Tariffs Scheme: Common Weal Consultation Response

Author / Creator: Gordon Morgan

Media type: consultation response

Date published:

Common Weal strongly disagrees with the proposal to end export and generation tariffs for renewable energy. It will be harmful to the renewable energy industry. It will not significantly reduce energy costs for consumers - they cost approximately £1 per household per year.


Energy Performance Certificates: An Alternative Approach

Author / Creator: Keith Baker

Media type: Policy Paper

Date published:

There is an urgent need to understand the highly significant uncertainties around both the ratings and the appropriateness of the improvements recommended by EPC assessments.  The alternative approach is based on the fundamental principle of maximising the use of real data in order to provide buyers and tenants with accurate, robust, relevant, and useful information.