The evolution of the UK's power distribution network holds the key to harnessing the benefits of variable power sources, such as wind, tidal and solar farms, as well as numerous other distributed power technologies. But connecting these various sources to the network is not without its challenges, and is the subject of research at the University of Warwick, where a test rig has been built to identify the requirements of a suitable power electronics controller. At the heart of this rig, and playing an important part in the research, is a wireless torque measurement device from Sensor Technology. Over the last 10 years, the UK's electricity generation mix has changed substantially. Where coal fired power stations made up some 37 per cent in 2008, that has fallen to less than eight per cent today. Our reliance on gas continues to be a concern: it made up around 40 per cent of the fuel mix ten years ago, but still represents around 35 per cent of our fuel mix today, with the government worried not only about longevity of supply, but also stability.
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