Energy

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This page is part of the Geology for Society publication.

The need for transition to a low-carbon economy is urgent. However, as we manage this change, we will continue to be dependent for many more years on fossil fuels. Geoscience skills are essential at every step of the energy cycle, from location of energy sources through to their safe, reliable extraction, use and subsequent disposal or recycling of wastes.

Energy Resources

	Energy Security In meeting its future energy needs, the UK faces a triple challenge: to drastically reduce CO2 emissions in order to avoid dangerous climate change; to ensure security of supply; and to deliver energy affordably to industry and consumers. Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) Annual Energy Review - November 2012 DECC Energy Security Strategy - November 2012 Submission to House of Commons Energy and Climate Change Committee Inquiry: Energy Security - April 2011 British Geological Survey: Energy Research Areas back to top
	Shale Gas Shale Gas resources on the GSL website The Society has issued a number of resources which may be helpful in answering questions from friends and colleagues. Geological Society Shale Gas Briefing Note British Geological Survey: Shale Gas Information Page The ReFINE Project The leading independent research consortium on fracking, led jointly by Newcastle University and Durham University Policy documents and consultation responses: Society Policy and Position Statement - Implmenting Geological Disposal: A Framework for the Long-term Management of Higher Activity Radioactive Waste - July 2014 Submission to Department of Energy and Climate Change: Review of the Managing Radioactive Waste Safely Siting Process - December 2013 Submission to Department of Energy and Climate Change: Siting Process for a Geological Disposal Facility - June 2013 Submission to House of Commons Energy and Climate Change Committee Inquiry: The Impact of Shale Gas on Energy Markets - October 2012 Submission to Department of Energy and Climate Change Inquiry: Preece Hall Shale Gas Induced Seismicity - May 2012 Submission to House of Commons Energy and Climate Change Committee Inquiry: Shale Gas - January 2011 Royal Society, Royal Academy of Engineering and Geological Society Report on Shale Gas - April 2012 Meetings & Lectures: 5th UK Deep Geothermal Symposium - Conference resources, October 2016 Fracked or fiction: so what are the risks associated with shale gas exploitation? London Lecture, April 2014 Shale Gas in the UK: Policy Meeting June 2012 Introductory talk on Shale Gas in the UK - David Manning What is shale gas, what is the likely UK resource and where is it? - Professor Mike Stephenson, BGS Shale gas and Hydraulic Fracturing - Richard Davies Can shale gas be extracted safely? Induced Seismicity - Professor Peter Styles Can shale gas be extracted safely? Groundwater, well integrity, use of water - Rob Ward What is the regulatory framework for shale gas exploration in Great Britain - Tony Grayling Open discussion after the Shale Gas Talks Shell Lecture, Unconventional Gas, Melvyn Giles - Video, May 2012 back to top
	Carbon Capture and Storage Geological Society Press Release on CCS - December 2012 CCS - Capturing Global Opportunities - Shell Lecture, Paul Garnham, Shell, May 2013 back to top
	Renewable Energy Submission to the BERR UK Renewable Energy Strategy - September 2008 Geological Aspects of Renewable Energy - Shell Lecture, Bruce Levell, Shell, November 2012 back to top
	Radioactive Waste Disposal Geological Society Position Statement: Managing Radioactive Waste Safely (MRWS) - September 2012 Policy documents and consultation responses: Society Policy and Position Statement - Implementing Geological Disposal: A Framework for the Long-term Management of Higher Activity Radioactive Waste - July 2014 Submission to Department for Energy and Climate Change inquiry: Managing Radioactive Waste Safely - September 2011 Submission to House of Lords Science and Technology Committee Inquiry: Nuclear Research and Development Capabilities - November 2011 Submission to Committee on Radioactive Waste Management draft report: R&D for management for Nuclear Materials - September 2009 Submission to CoRWM Report to Government: Deep Geological Disposal of Higher Activity Wastes - May 2009 Submission to Committee on Radioactive Waste Management's call for fact checking: Research and Development for management of nuclear materials - May 2009 Submission to the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority on proposed research and development strategy - November 2008 Meetings & Lectures: Radioactive Waste Disposal: Site Characterisation - A one-day conference held at the Geological Society in 2011 Policy for Higher Activity Waste Disposal in the UK - Andrew Craze, DECC MRWS Process and Site Characterisation - Alun Ellis, NDA Initial Geological Unsuitability Screening of West Cumbria - Dr John Powell, BGS Strategy for Site Characterisation - Andy Parkes, NDA Site Characterisation: An Overview - Paul Armstrong, NDA The Forsmark Experience - Kaj Ahlborn, SKB The Commercial Strategy for Surface-based investigations - Andy Parkes, NDA Podcasts: Radioactive waste disposal part 1 - Rebecca Lunn of the University of Strathclyde discusses UK efforts to dispose of high level radioactive waste, and our moral obligation to find a long term solution Radioactive waste disposal part 2 - Professor Neil Chapman explains the hazards which need to be looked at when disposing of radioactive wastes, and what they mean for the future of the nuclear industry. back to top