globalgrid2050

The Real Peak Challenge: Electrifying Heat and Transport

A fully electrified UK would likely require only 500 to 700 TWh of electricity rather than replacing the full 1644 TWh of primary energy one for one. This transition eliminates conversion losses and delivers the same output with far less input energy.

UK Energy Use by Sector (2019 ONS Data)

Rank Economic Sector SourceName ActivityName Mtoe TWh % of Total
1Electricity production - gasPower stationsNatural gas20.1323414.24%
2Consumer expenditure - not travelDomestic Space HeaterNatural gas16.51819211.69%
3Air transport servicesAircraft - international cruiseAviation turbine fuel9.8691156.98%
4Water transport servicesShipping - international IPCC definitionFuel oil6.013704.25%
5Consumer expenditure - not travelDomestic Water HeaterNatural gas4.832563.42%
6Consumer expenditure - travelRoad transport - cars - urban drivingPetrol4.132482.92%
7Consumer expenditure - travelRoad transport - cars - rural drivingPetrol3.572422.53%
8Consumer expenditure - travelRoad transport - cars - rural drivingDERV3.353392.37%
9Consumer expenditure - travelRoad transport - cars - urban drivingDERV2.901342.05%
10Manufacture of refined petroleum productsRefineries - combustionOPG2.682311.90%
11Crude petroleum and natural gasUpstream Oil Production - fuel combustionNatural gas2.203261.56%
12Human health servicesPublic sector combustionNatural gas1.64191.16%
13Products of agriculture, hunting and related servicesNRMM; AgricultureGas oil1.587181.12%
14Freight transport by road and removal servicesRoad transport - HGV articulated - motorway drivingDERV1.496171.06%
15Consumer expenditure - travelRoad transport - cars - motorway drivingPetrol1.493171.06%
16Manufacture of basic Iron & SteelBlast furnacesCoke1.475171.04%
17Consumer expenditure - travelRoad transport - cars - motorway drivingDERV1.448171.02%
18Electricity production - coalPower stationsCoal1.376160.97%
19Consumer expenditure - not travelDomestic Space HeaterBurning oil1.302150.92%
20Consumer expenditure - travelRoad transport - cars - cold startPetrol1.186140.84%

System-Level Interpretation

The UK consumes ~1644 TWh (141 Mtoe) of primary energy. Internal combustion vehicles lose 70-75% as heat; thermal power stations lose 50-65%.

  • EVs: 70% efficient (energy to motion).
  • Heat Pumps: 350-500% efficient (SCOP 3.5 to 5.0).

Logic: Conversion factor used is 11.63 TWh per Mtoe. Percentages relative to UK primary total.