There has been recent debate and media discussion about the use of fracking in the UK and its role in … read more
The UK is currently experiencing a substantial rise in gas prices and a shortage of C02 gas. Prof Jon … read more
Tremors of 1.55 and 0.87 magnitude were recorded on the 21st and 22nd of August in Lancashire following fracking events … read more
Research, published in Nature Communications, reports that the UK’s shale gas reserves are lower than they were previously thought to … read more
Research, published in Biogeosciences, reports that shale gas extraction through fracking may be responsible for increases in methane gas in … read more
The government has given the go ahead for horizontal fracking at a site in Lancashire. read more
Gas is sometimes seen as a bridging fuel between dirty coal and a low carbon future. But is that really true for the UK, and what future does it have in our energy mix? How much gas can we permit ourselves to use and still meet emission targets? And how damaging was the Chancellor’s withdrawal of support for carbon capture and storage? read more
We’ve become accustomed to a reliable supply of electricity, but short, local power cuts still occur. And every year at this time we hear questions about whether we have enough power station capacity to meet demand – and about the risks of the ‘lights going out’. What causes power cuts and what can we expect in future? What will be the impact on reliability from changes in the electricity system from renewables and new nuclear, as well as the phasing out of coal power stations by 2025? What role will smart systems play, and what measures will be used to balance demand as well as supply? A new briefing document prepared by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) explores these questions and addresses the myths and truths about power cuts and blackouts. read more
The Oil and Gas Authority and the Department for Energy and Climate Change have announced that 27 sites for shale gas extraction will be formally offered to companies following the latest round of licensing. read more
Lancashire County Council has rejected an application for fracking for shale gas at a coastal site in Fylde. read more
The UK Energy Research Centre is publishing a new report on the use of gas as a bridge to a low-carbon future. In ‘Gas by Design’, researchers examine the future role of gas in our energy mix if we are to prevent global temperatures from rising above 2C by 2100, and how much longer we can keep burning gas without widespread use of carbon capture. read more
Public Health England (PHE) reviewed the literature on the potential public health impacts as a result of shale gas extraction, concluding the potential risks to public health are low if extraction is properly run and regulated. read more
Shale gas extraction has become a polarised issue with claims and counterclaims on each side of the debate and it’s hard to know what’s true. This background briefing featured four senior experts with knowledge of the major issues around shale gas and fracking. read more