Basically, the ‘Green Energy’ idea is how our everyday needs are supplied by natural resources such as wind, tides and even geothermal heat. They are thought to be ‘Green’ due to the fact that they are easily restored and natural. Often, by going back in time, we can see the value of wind power and windmills as modern energy sources. Generally, this is the result of using up to date ideas, specifically those that are planet friendly and eco-efficient.
The home can use a range of new ideas to help with energy usage – including Solar Thermal and Solar Water Heating Collectors. It is equipment such as Photovoltaic Panels (PV’s) that develop electricity through suitable roof-panels. Another key element is that of Biomass Energy, which relates to Stoves and Boilers burning Wood, Fuel and Pellets. What shouldn’t be forgotten is the heat stored in the ground from the Sun – often simply referred to as Ground Source Heat Pumps. 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. Initially, there is the process of obtaining hot water from the Sun via Solar Water Heating Collectors. Furthermore, there are the Solar Electrical Panels (more correctly known as Photovoltaic heat collectors) which transform solar radiation into electricity. 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.
Within this discipline, Solar Water Power is often regarded as the most popular form of Solar Energy within the UK. These systems are very efficient – and can deliver 50 percent of a household’s hot water requirement annually. Typically, to fit this type of equipment will cost between 500 and 1500 pounds for a DIY kit – all the way up to 2-5k for a full professional fitting.
Systems Utilising Biomass Energy: This is a general term for all forms of plant and animal material e.g. wood, straw, poultry litter and ‘energy crops’. It’s the ability of this power source to generate diverse forms of energy, such as heat and electricity, that makes this so adaptable. It is a useful point to make that the UK is one of the major producers of Biomass fuels within Europe. Added to all this, is the lack of C02 produced as a by-product of the whole process. 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.
By the growth of Short Rotation Crops (SRC), the UK is able to maximise the ‘Energy Crops’ return overall. Also producing high yields of dry matter are the perennial grasses. Equally significant within this practice sit Municipal and Agricultural waste products. As a by-product, Agricultural Waste is simply part of the farming process. However, waste derived from food or wood is another biomass entity – called Municipal Waste.
Systems Based On 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. In the UK, we are lucky that we can both heat and cool buildings from the ground source temperature of around 12 degrees. Whilst these heat pumps require energy to operate, their rate of return is excellent – being four units produced for every one unit used. A greate 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 Programs: The use of wind as a source of energy has been going on for thousands of years, especially in milling grain and pumping water. That aside, the ability to generate energy and both transfer this into the home or the local grid has been a relatively new option. With regard to wind generation, it is the UK that has the highest production within Europe. 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. Overall, electricity could be generated from as low as 2p per kWh – instead of the current 2-10 p per kWh. Due to this, we are looking at 6-9 months in total to cover the costs.
Then there is Hydropower – something within Europe that the UK excels in. The field of using moving water to release energy is a very old technique – albeit we now do this in new ways. In total, this could produce something like 2 percent of all electricity required in the UK.
A hydropower system transforms the kinetic energy of the moving water into another type of energy by means of a turbine. It is by either water ‘drop-offs’, or Natural River runs, that turbines can work through this process. A ‘Micro-Hydro’ system creates energy through the use of dams and sluices (that are no longer a part of the national distribution system.) This smaller form of electrical output has been recently reviewed and could allocate some 200MW of capacity to the UK system. Between 200 pounds and 3k per KW of energy output, is a good estimate of the overall cost of a project such as this.
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.
Electrician and Plumbers are thought to be key in providing expertise during domestic installations. Grants and financial aid is also set to increase within the EEC and the UK – as ‘Green Energy’ gets ever higher status. As a new industry, there are a range of new certificates to gain. You could consider either plumbing or electrical training programs that highlight green installation.
Copyright Scott Edwards. Pop over to Click HERE or Solar Training Courses.