Objective
To find out what are the real and global effects of energy consumption on the environment, and to define strategy proposals for the future:
- The safeguard and improvement of the environment by reducing atmospheric pollution. Emphasis has been placed in particular on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and especially a promotion of public transport policies capable of reducing road traffic. Moreover, the aim is to achieve a better "carbon balance" in the city by creating more green spaces.
- A better use of energy, with greater energy efficiency, the use of renewable energies, and the development of cogeneration. Another concern has been to optimize use of different energy sources, with renewable energies, and better use of indigenous resources.
- Boosting the economy of the city and region. Thanks to developments stimulated by energy saving and awareness of the environment, new opportunities are offered to industry and the service .sector. or to local economic initiatives.
The first results relate to the analysis of the present situation:
- today, Newcastle Upon Tyne's energy supply is based mainly on fossil fuels, like gas, petrol, and - to a lesser extent - coal. Nuclear energy and renewable energies only account for 6% of the total amount consumed;
- the domestic sector is far and away the largest consumer of energy. It is followed directly by industry and transport;
- as far as the "(greenhouse effect" is concerned, we have already said that the city's total emissions amount to some 2 million tonnes of CO2.
The model has regrouped different initiatives possible within two scenarios.
- The first, based on the minimalist hypothesis, (Business as Usual", assumes that energy consumption will continue at the current level. Thus, in 2010, Newcastle Upon Tyne would use
the same amount of energy as in 1990, although there would be a different mix (slight increase in the use of gas, renewable energies and nuclear energy) and a modest rise in cogeneration. Part of the pollution produced by transport could be reduced by using catalytic converters; however, in this scenario, efforts made to reduce greenhouse gases would not be particularly successful (-9% C02 in 2000, and -16% in 2010).
- The second scenario, which is far more voluntary, is called (New Policy Initiatives for the Environment". These initiatives include:
* the large-scale introduction of the cogeneration process supplied by natural gas, through a major initiative known as the "Forth Energy Project" (as part of a 150 MW power station, providing 83% of the city's electricity energy needs);
* major restrictions on traffic:
* substantial improvements in the level of domestic, commercial and industrial energy consumption. This is aimed in particular at electrical consumption (20% decrease by 2010).
The initiatives proposed in this second scenario do not need to use advanced technologies rather, they are centred on the judicious application of policies that concentrate on reducing the impact of energy at the environmental level. The estimates forecast that by 2010, CO2 emissions could be reduced by 45%, that carbon monoxide (CO2) emissions could fall by 82%, sulphur dioxide (SO2) by 89% and nitrous oxides (NOX) by 76%.
The action plan suggested is based on the main suggestions and recommendations formulated for the two scenarios, in particular for the realisation of the " Forth Energy Project" . It details the different initiatives that should ensure its implementation, at the local, regional and governmental levels, and the necessary cooperation between these different levels. On the other hand, as regards other points like traffic reductions, the debate is still open and the plan of action can be adapted with time and according to circumstances.
Newcastle Upon Tyne has a determining role in the Tyne & Wear region. The population of the city itself, as throughout the region, has been declining for some time, though it has now stabilised. The main cause has been recession in the manufacturing industry, which has only kept retained a limited - though fairly diverse - base. Following this evolution, the services sector today accounts for 90% of employment.
This predominance of services in the city's activities has been accompanied by a spatial spreading of their sites. Moreover, dwellings are widely dispersed. This explains the growing importance of the transport sector, which is supported by large-scale investments in road infrastructure. However, since the 1970s, there has been more emphasis on public transport.
In many respects, the "energy/environment" relation in Newcastle Upon Tyne represents a rather positive model of urban growth. During recent years, many efforts have been made to improve the air quality, includingsmoke control, the introduction of natural gas, rationalisation of energy use in municipal departments, in companies and in dwellings, the use of lead-free petrol and the closing of the old electricity power station - which has now been moved away from the city. Although the air quality currently is cleaner than targets set by European and British regulations, in 1990, two million tonnes of CO2 were released into the atmosphere. The main source of pollution is from vehicles, and these represent the major "blackmark" with regard to the environment in the coming years.
In addition to these targets, the study aimed to define a
- the establishment of an "agency"-type structure, which will be in charge of implementing the action plan;
- the creation of a system to monitor energy and environmental standardsin relation to European Community legislation.
The study first required a huge amount of data gathering. A detailed inventory was made of different sources of energy used in the city of Newcastle. based on different sources of energy offered, consumption by large energy vectors and by final use, and possibilities offered by renewable energies. This data was used to establish a detailed energy analysis for 1990.
A second stage concentrated on forecasting two scenarios, by modifying the different variables for energy supply and demand (domestic, commerce and industry, transport). The TEMIS model was used to test various hypotheses and the existing links between energy and the environment.
At the end of this procedure, an action plan was proposed .
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Programme(s)
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Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Coordinator
NE99 2BN Newcastle upon Tyne
United Kingdom
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.