It is the use of tides or wind to deliver our daily energy needs that form ‘Green Energy’. When ‘Green’, they are all thought to be replenishable and natural. It is easy to think that we may be travelling back in time when we think of items such as wind power and windmills. Generally, this is the result of using up to date ideas, specifically those that are planet friendly and eco-efficient.
The range of renewable energy technologies utilised within the home environment includes both Solar Thermal, and Solar Water Heating Collectors. Moving on from this there are the Photovoltaic Panels (PV’s) which can generate electricity from your roof. Equally important is that of Biomass Energy - which includes Stoves, Fuel, Pellets and Boilers burning Wood. We now also have Ground Source Heat Pumps - which draw out the heat left by the Sun. Not all ‘Green Energy’ is new - by considering Wind Power and Hydropower we are looking at some of the oldest forms of energy production.
Solar Thermal Energy - This technology is based around two core types of system. Making hot water from solar energy is the first stage - and is known as Solar Water Heating Collection. Then we have the work of the Photovoltaic Heat Collectors, often called Solar Electrical Panels - which transform solar radiation into electricity. To get the best results these panels need to be south facing at an angle of around 30 degrees from horizontal, and away from blockages.
With Solar Power being so common within the UK, it’s Solar Water Power that is most often used. Solar Water heating systems can meet the need for more than half of all hot water needs in the domestic market. There are two options to fit these items. The first is to get a professional fit and the second is a DIY system, the first will cost around 2-5k and the second between 500 and 1500 pounds.
Biomass Energy: This is a general term for all forms of plant and animal material e.g. wood, straw, poultry litter and ‘energy crops’. Considering its ability to produce energy in the form of heat and electricity, this type of energy is extremely flexible. Indeed, within the European Markets, the UK has some of the leading levels of Biomass material at hand. The lack of C02 given out by this form of energy is another positive element in the whole process. To that end, many wood crops come from sustainable sources (as one tree is felled, another is planted in its place; thus the new tree absorbs the CO2 produced during the heating process.)
Fast growing trees such as Willow and Poplar (under the banner of Short Rotation Coppice ‘SRC’) help to meet the need for ‘Energy Crops’ within the UK. Of equal importance is the production of perennial grasses - because of their yield of dry matter. Within this process also sits the lesser known Agricultural and Municipal Wastes. Under normal agricultural activity, agricultural waste is a natural by-product. Because it comes from food or wood, Municipal Waste is also considered a useful biomass product.
Geo-Thermal Energy: This is primarily the heating of the Earth (mainly from the sun) and can be utilised in electricity and warm water production. Using the ground temperature of around 12 degrees in the UK - we can both heat and cool buildings. Generally, items such as Heat Pumps are thought of as very effective, as they produce four units of energy for every one that is used for generation. By using energy from solar electrical panels or wind turbines to power them, heat source pumps can be almost 100 percent renewable in energy production.
Wind Energy Programs: Wind Energy as a sustainable source of energy has been going on for millennia. More recently, there has been the desire to deliver the energy created to the home - or to a local power grid. The ability to utilise wind generation is considered to be greatest in the UK. It is interesting to note that whilst we can produce 10 percent of our entire power requirement from wind power, at present we only produce 1 percent. Although electricity is still being produced from between 2-10 p per kWh, it could be generated from as little as 2p per kWh. Therefore, recovery of cost takes approximately 6-9 months overall.
Last of all there is Hydropower - an area of especial importance to the UK. Just like a thousand years ago, we are utilising the energy from water. Within the UK, this form of energy production is responsible for somewhere in the region of 2 percent of all electrical needs.
Using a turbine, a Hydropower system can transform the energy of water into other forms. Turbines use either a water drop (e.g. through a dam) or by a natural ‘run of the river’ - thereby having no water storage reservoir. ‘Micro-Hydro’ however, uses the dam and sluice systems that have been made redundant by the larger national distributions. Whilst considered a smaller form of electrical output, this system is thought to be able to give some 200mW of capacity to the UK. The capital cost of installing a micro-hydro system can run between 200 and 3000 pounds per kW of energy output.
The demand on ‘Green Energy’ continues to develop - in light of the energy demands worldwide. The UK remains one of the main beneficiaries of this technology.
Electricians and Plumbers in particular are expected to provide the main thrust of domestic installation expertise. A range of grants are available to support the growth of renewable energy ideas within the European market. As a new industry, there are a range of new certificates to gain. To cover both ends, you could consider electrical or plumbing training along with green systems.
(C) S. Edwards 2009. Look at Workmap or Click HERE.
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