‘Green Energy’ is the use of resources such as wind, tides and geothermal heating to provide us with our everyday energy requirement. ‘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.) But in the main, this is the process of utilising modern technology to provide eco-efficient 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. 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.
Thermal Solar Energy – By using different technologies, Solar Energy is effectively made up of two types of solar panels. Firstly, there are elements that absorb energy from the sun and create hot water – known as Solar Water Heating Collectors. Secondly, Photovoltaic heat collectors – often simply referred to as Solar Electrical Panels – which transform the solar radiation into electricity. To get best results these panels need to be situated 30 degrees from the horizontal, on a south facing roof and obviously free from blockages such as trees and buildings.
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 Based Systems: Historically, this has come from plants and animals, though nowadays this also includes new genetically engineered ‘energy crops’. Due to its adaptability, it can produce a range of energy forms – from heat and electricity through to combinations of both. With one of the largest production legacies within Europe, the UK is a major player in Biomass-produced electricity. It should be borne in mind that the whole process is designed to produce energy without an impact on CO2. With a new tree being planted as each is felled, you can see how the C02 produced during heating is minimised – and why the system is deemed sustainable.
To meet the need, fast growing trees, known as Short Rotation Coppice (SRC) are utilised. Also producing high yields of dry matter are the perennial grasses. Municipal and Agricultural waste products are both little known, but essential materials to this field. Agricultural Waste is commonly formed as a by-product of traditional agricultural work. Whereas Municipal Waste is derived from wood or food – and can be used for biomass energy.
Geo-Thermal Energy Systems… The constant energy of the Sun heating the Earth results in both warm water and electricity being produced. Having a consistent ground temperature of around 12 degrees centigrade is fortunate for the UK – as it allows both the heating and cooling of buildings. 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. A greater return of energy (sometimes almost 100 percent) is produced – because heat source pumps can operate in-line with wind turbines and solar electrical panels.
Wind Energy – An Update On Old Technology: As an energy source, wind energy has to be one of the oldest forms of energy creation in history. 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. 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. Electricity can be produced from as little as 2p per kWh, but generally comes in somewhere between 2-10p per kWh. Recovery of the cost involved is somewhere between 6-9 months.
Hydropower is a method that suits the UK energy production system. The ability to utilise energy from moving water, much like wind power, has been going on for thousands of years. It is this type of energy production that could meet 2 percent of all the UK’s demand.
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.
‘Green Energy’ is growing – mainly due to the demands of the Western World. The UK is very well placed to provide most of the schemes set out above, and the UK domestic market again is one of the key 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) 2009 Scott Edwards. Go to workmap.com or Click Here.
