‘Green Energy’ is the use of resources such as wind, tides and geothermal heating to provide us with our everyday energy requirement. They’re all considered naturally able to replenish – and thereby ‘Green’. It’s interesting to note that in some instances we’re actually travelling back in time to utilise some of the older energy skill sets e.g. Wind Power (Windmills etc.) This idea is preserved by the use of technology, eco-efficient options and planet friendly alternatives.
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. Another key element is that of Biomass Energy, which relates to Stoves and Boilers burning Wood, Fuel and Pellets. Then there are the Ground Source Heat Pumps, which is simply the ground heat created by the Sun. Lastly, there are two of the more historical forms of energy production – namely Wind Turbines and Hydropower.
Thermal Solar Energy – Often called Solar Energy, this is fact based on two types of solar panels each using different ideas to get their results. First, we have Solar Water Heating Collectors, which absorb energy from the Sun and transfer this into hot water. Furthermore, there are the Solar Electrical Panels (more correctly known as Photovoltaic heat collectors) which transform solar radiation into electricity. Typically, these panels are found on roofs – and need to be away from any light blocks such as trees, chimneys and other buildings.
Within Solar Energy overall, Solar Water Power is most commonly used in the UK. 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. The typical cost for installation ranges from 500-1500 pounds for a DIY system, all the way through to 2-5k for a professional fit.
Biomass Energy Technology: This is a ‘capture all’ phrase which includes all natural materials. e.g. Wood, straw and poultry litter – but nowadays also includes modern ‘Energy Crops’. It is extremely useful – in that it can produce a range of power sources, including heat and electricity. The ability to generate electricity is one of the UK’s main green strengths – as it has one of the larger Biomass legacies within Europe. It should be borne in mind that the whole process is designed to produce energy without an impact on CO2. Because the system often involves one tree being planted as another is felled, many wood crops are deemed to be sustainable sources.
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. Dry matter is also very sought after – and perennial grasses are a good source of this. Equally significant within this practice sit Municipal and Agricultural waste products. Agricultural Waste is naturally formed as a by-product of conventional agricultural activity. Another biomass source is that of municipal waste – and this comes from recycled wood or food.
Geo-Thermal Energy: Both warm water and electricity can be produced as by-products of the natural heating of the Earth by the Sun. Heating or cooling properties in the UK can be achieved using the ground source heat temperature of around 12 degrees centigrade. 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. Heat source pump energy can go one step further (by gaining a 100 percent return) if the energy to power them comes from items such as wind turbines or solar electrical panels.
Wind Energy Systems: In use for milling grain or pumping water, wind energy has been with us for a very long time, although its modern uses are complex. That aside, the ability to generate energy and both transfer this into the home or the local grid has been a relatively new option. To be fair, the UK has the highest level of wind generation within Europe. Although we only utilise 1 percent of the current electricity capability from wind – we do have the ability to create 10 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. From this, the estimation of the cost recovery period is around 6-9 months overall.
Then there is Hydropower – something within Europe that the UK excels in. Energy creation from moving water is very old – although it is now being done in new ways. That aside, it is fair to say that some 2 percent of the UK’s electrical load could come from this source.
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. It is by using the eroded national distribution systems, that allows for outdated sluices and dams to be used by techniques known as ‘Micro-Hydro’. This process alone could meet 200mW of the UK requirement. 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.
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. Look for combined electrical and plumbing training, with a key emphasis on practical green systems and installation.
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