When our daily energy requirements are met by ‘Green Energy’, then we are using resources such as wind, tides or geothermal heat. When ‘Green’, they are all thought to be replenishable and natural. When considering elements such as Wind Power and Windmills, in many cases we are looking back at the history of energy production. This idea is preserved by the use of technology, eco-efficient options and planet friendly alternatives.
It is the use of simple renewable energies such as Solar Thermal and Solar Water Heating Collectors, that suits the home environment. It is equipment such as Photovoltaic Panels (PV’s) that develop electricity through suitable roof-panels. Equally important is that of Biomass Energy - which includes Stoves, Fuel, Pellets and Boilers burning Wood. Then we have the ancient energy of the Sun and the heat that comes from it - now called Ground Source Heat Pumps. Considering items such as Wind Power and Hydro Turbines, we are finally getting to very old forms of energy production.
Solar Energy Systems: Often called Solar Energy, this is fact based on two types of solar panels each using different ideas to get their results. To begin with, we have the concept of drawing energy from the Sun to heat water - known as Solar Water Heating Collectors. Additionally, there is the method of converting solar radiation into electricity known as Photovoltaic - or simply Solar Electrical panels. Solar Panels themselves need to be away from all light blocks, and should be on south facing roofs at angles of 30 degrees from the horizontal plane.
With Solar Power being so common within the UK, it’s Solar Water Power that is most often used. With the capacity to deliver 50 percent plus of a household’s hot water requirement annually, Solar Water heating systems are crucial to energy in the UK. 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 Technology: Historically, this has come from plants and animals, though nowadays this also includes new genetcially engineered ‘energy crops’. Due to its adaptability, it can produce a range of energy forms - from heat and electricity through to combinations of both. It is interesting to note that the UK has some of the largest quantities of Biomass material to generate electricity within Europe. Considering all this, and the relative lack of C02 produced, makes the whole process highly green overall. 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.)
By the growth of Short Rotation Crops (SRC), the UK is able to maximise the ‘Energy Crops’ return overall. Perennial grasses are also responsible for large quantities of dry matter. Municipal and Agricultural waste products are both little known, but essential materials to this field. Under normal agricultural activity, agricultural waste is a natural by-product. Whereas Municipal Waste is derived from wood or food - and can be used for biomass energy.
Systems Using Geo-Thermal Energy - The constant energy of the Sun heating the Earth results in both warm water and electricity being produced. Within the UK, the constant ground source heat temperature is around 12 degrees centigrade - and can be utilised to 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 - An Update On Old Technology: When you consider the milling of grain and pumping of water, it is easy to see how long wind energy has been with us. Whether to your home or to a local grid, when the energy has been generated it must be delivered to a point of usage - and cannot be stored. The UK is considered as one of the best sources of wind generation within Europe. For the fact remains that, within the UK, we have the ability to generate 10 percent of our requirement from Wind Production - as opposed to the current value of only 1 percent. Frankly, electricity can be realised from as little as 2p per kWh - as opposed to the current level of 2-10 p per kWh. Due to this, we are looking at 6-9 months in total to cover the costs.
Lastly, we have a discipline that the UK does well - namely Hydropower. Energy creation from moving water is very old - although it is now being done in new ways. It is this type of energy production that could meet 2 percent of all the UK’s demand.
By using a turbine, a Hydropower system can transfer the kinetic energy of moving water into another form. 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 utilises old outdated sluices and dams. Whilst considered a smaller form of electrical output, this system is thought to be able to give some 200mW of capacity to the UK. When considering the installation cost of items such as this, we’re looking at somewhere between 200 pounds and 3k per kW of energy created.
It can be seen that the route to ‘Green Energy’ is growing considerably, especially in light of the need for increasing energy outputs throughout the Western World. The UK domestic market appears to be one of the core beneficiaries of this technology.
Once again, it is the Electrician and Plumbing trades that are set to capitalise on the domestic installation process. Grants and financial aid is also set to increase within the EEC and the UK - as ‘Green Energy’ gets ever higher status. This is a new industry - but getting the right certification can only improve job security and opportunities for the future. Look for combined electrical and plumbing training, with a key emphasis on practical green systems and installation.
Author: Scott Edwards. Navigate to Solar Energy Training or Solar Energy Courses.
