Main content
Sorry, this episode is not currently available

Series presenting the science behind the headlines. Jem Stansfield, Liz Bonnin and Maggie Philbin investigate how close Britain might get to running out of electricity.

Presenters Jem Stansfield, Liz Bonnin and Maggie Philbin investigate how close Britain might get to running out of electricity.

We live in a world where the lights are always on, but will that be the case in 20 years time?

Maggie Philbin spends a day in one of Britain's most secret locations, the control room of the National Grid where she monitors our demand for electricity with supply. Here she learns almost half our generating capacity will disappear in our lifetimes.

Jem shows how and why most of our electricity now relies on gas and reveals a potential fuel of the future - liquid air.

Liz investigates renewable energy and tackles what could really offer viable solutions to our energy needs going forward.

28 minutes

Last on

Mon 1 Mar 2021 14:00

More episodes

Previous

You are at the first episode

See all episodes from Bang Goes the Theory

Music Played

  • The Boo Radleys

    Wake Up Boo!

  • Bat for Lashes

    Pearl's Dream

  • Air

    Sexy Boy

  • Elbow, Richard Jupp

    One Day Like This

  • Simon May

    Eastenders Theme (2009 Version)

  • Air

    Alpha Beta Gaga

The surge of 80,000 kettles

The surge of 80,000 kettles

Electricity demand can surge at the end of TV programmes as thousands of people switch on their kettles. Maggie witnesses how National Grid responds to meet this increased demand.

  • Μύ

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Liz Bonnin
Presenter Jem Stansfield
Presenter Maggie Philbin
Series Producer Ed Booth
Executive Producer Tina Fletcher-Hill

Broadcasts

Featured in...

Find out more with The Open University

Visit the OU website.