It is the use of tides or wind to deliver our daily energy needs that form \’Green Energy\’. \’Green\’ basically means that all the energy is renewable. 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.) Overall, this is the method of using modern techniques to provide eco-effiency and planet friendly options.
It is the use of simple renewable energies such as Solar Thermal and Solar Water Heating Collectors, that suits the home environment. Next on the list you would find the actual solar electricity Photovoltaic Panels (PV\’s) – which basically generate electricity through roof-installed panels. A further factor revolves around stoves and boilers – which are known as Biomass Energy. Then there are the Ground Source Heat Pumps, which is simply the ground heat created by the Sun. At the end there are two of the most mature forms of energy production in the UK – albeit renamed now to Wind Turbines and Hydropower.
Solar Energy Systems: Typically referred to as Solar Energy this is mainly made up of two types of Solar Panels – each using different methods to achieve similar results. As a first strategy, we have Solar Water Heating Collectors – which basically creates hot water from solar energy. Added to this is the generation of electricity from solar radiation – known as Photovoltaism, or more commonly Solar Electrical panels. Obviously situated away from blockages such as chimneys etc., these Solar Panels need to be mounted on south facing roofs at an angle of 30 degrees from the horizontal.
For the UK, this is often considered the most popular form of \’Green Energy\’. These systems are very efficient – and can deliver 50 percent of a household\’s hot water requirement annually. The cost of fitting depends on whether you do it yourself (500 to 1500 pounds) or whether you get a professional fitter – in which case it will cost between 2-5k overall.
Biomass Energy: 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 by using these materials in new ways to create energy that makes it so exciting. Furthermore, within the European Markets, the UK is one of the central producers of Biomass fuels. One of the main factors of this style of energy is the result without the impact on C02. 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.)
A process called Short Rotation Coppice (SRC), utilising trees such as Willow and Poplar, is used to meet the demands of such \’Energy Crops\’. Perennial grasses also produce a high yield of dry matter. Whilst Agricultural and Municipal waste may be lesser known, they are essential to the whole process. One natural offshoot of agricultural work is Agricultural Waste. Municipal Waste such as food or wood can also be utilised as a biomass product.
Geo-Thermal Energy Technology: This is primarily the heating of the Earth (mainly from the sun) and can be utilised in electricity and warm water production. In the UK, we are lucky that we can both heat and cool buildings from the ground source temperature of around 12 degrees. These heat pumps do need some power to operate; but for every one unit of energy they use, they generate four units of energy in return. The energy generated by a heat source pump can in fact be considered 100 percent renewable, if the power to operate the pump comes from solar electrical panels or a wind turbine.
Wind Energy – An Update On Old Technology: The use of wind as a source of energy has been going on for thousands of years, especially in milling grain and pumping water. More recently, there has been the desire to deliver the energy created to the home – or to a local power grid. With regard to wind generation, it is the UK that has the highest production within Europe. Although we only utilise 1 percent of the current electricity capability from wind – we do have the ability to create 10 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. The financial recovery process takes around 6-9 months.
Within the UK, Hydropower suits the energy generation model. Just like a thousand years ago, we are utilising the energy from water. That aside, it is fair to say that some 2 percent of the UK\’s electrical load could come from this source.
A hydropower system uses a turbine to create energy from moving water. By using a dam or a natural river drop, these turbines do not require water storage. A \’Micro-Hydro\’ system creates energy through the use of dams and sluices (that are no longer a part of the national distribution system.) Although a lesser known form of electricity output, this process could supply 200mW of UK demand. 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.
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.
With the rise in demand for domestic installations, both Electricians and Plumbers are well placed to take advantage of this technology. With \’Green Energy\’ rising up the political agenda in Europe, a range of financial aids and grants are becoming available. It is important to gain the correct qualifications to install these items. Electrical or plumbing training that incorporates green technology could be very useful for the future.
(C) 2009 Scott Edwards. Visit electricalcourseuk.co.uk/Renewable-Energy-Certification.html or Green Engineer Certification.
