It is by using natural resources such as tidal or wind energy - collectively known as ‘Green Energy’ - that we could meet our daily energy needs. They are considered ‘Green’ because they are environmentally friendly. The older energy skill sets have had value for years, especially when we think of wind power and windmills. Regardless of this, we are mainly talking about using modern techniques to offer planet friendly and eco-efficient solutions.
The range of renewable energy technologies utilised within the home environment includes both Solar Thermal, and Solar Water Heating Collectors. For electricity created through roof-installed panels, you would need Photovoltaic Panels or PV’s. Then there are Stoves that burn Bio-Pellets - which make up the subject commonly known as Biomass Energy. What shouldn’t be forgotten is the heat stored in the ground from the Sun - often simply referred to as Ground Source Heat Pumps. 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: 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.
As a result, Solar Water Power is often considered the most common form of Solar Energy in the UK. Solar Water heating systems can meet the need for more than half of all hot water needs in the domestic market. The average cost of installing this type of equipment is expected to range from 500 to 1500 pounds for a DIY system, through to 2-5k for a professionally installed system.
Biomass Energy and ‘Energy Crops’ - 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’s the ability of this power source to generate diverse forms of energy, such as heat and electricity, that makes this so adaptable. Indeed, within the European Markets, the UK has some of the leading levels of Biomass material at hand. It is the minimal C02 produced, alongside the actual energy production, that makes this attractive to the markets. As each tree felled, it is replaced by another. This helps to reduce the overall effect on C02.
Within this field is the need for the use of ‘Energy Crops’, such as fast growing trees, e.g. Willow and Poplar or other entities grown on a Short Rotation Coppice (SRC). Also producing high yields of dry matter are the perennial grasses. Other less known materials within this field are Agricultural and Municipal Waste. One natural offshoot of agricultural work is Agricultural Waste. Because it comes from food or wood, Municipal Waste is also considered a useful biomass product.
Geo-Thermal Energy Based Systems - Basically this is the warming of the Earth from the Sun - and is often used in the manufacture of warm water and electricity. By using the ground source temperature of approximately 12 degrees, we can either heat or cool buildings within the UK. Heat pumps are recognised as a very good form of power generation, generally giving back four units of energy for every one used. 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.
Systems Based On Wind Energy: 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. In the European union, it is the UK which is seen to have the largest wind capacity. Although, within the UK we currently only utilise 1 percent of electricity from wind, yet the potential rests at a surprising 10 percent. Instead of producing electricity at a rate of 2-10p per kWh, we could be generating at 2p per kWh. From this, the estimation of the cost recovery period is around 6-9 months overall.
Finally, we have Hydropower; an area in which the UK does well within Europe. Just like a thousand years ago, we are utilising the energy from water. Interestingly enough, this type of energy production meets around 2 percent of the UK electrical total demand.
A hydropower system transforms the kinetic energy of the moving water into another type of energy by means of a turbine. By using a dam or a natural river drop, these turbines do not require water storage. 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’. Having said that, this process could still generate 200mW of the National Capacity. The capital cost of installing a micro-hydro system can run between 200 and 3000 pounds per kW of energy output.
It is the growing worldwide energy requirement that is causing the growth in ‘Green Energy’. The UK remains one of the main 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.
Written by Scott Edwards. Try electricaltraininginfo.co.uk/SolarEnergyTraining.html or Solar Energy Courses.
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