Basically, the ‘Green Energy’ idea is how our everyday needs are supplied by natural resources such as wind, tides and even geothermal heat. ‘Green’ basically means that all the energy is renewable. Often, by going back in time, we can see the value of wind power and windmills as modern energy sources. Overall, this is the method of using modern techniques to provide eco-efficiency and planet friendly options.
Solar Thermal and Solar Water Heating Collectors are examples of what can be used in your house as part of renewable energy technologies. Moving on from this there are the Photovoltaic Panels (PV’s) which can generate electricity from your roof. Following on from this is a process known as Biomass Energy - which includes Boilers burning wood and other fuels. There is also the ground heat from the Sun - now known as Ground Source Heat Pumps. Lastly, there are two of the more historical forms of energy production - namely Wind Turbines and Hydropower.
Solar Thermal Energy Systems - Also known as Solar Energy, this mainly uses two, albeit different types of solar panels to get the desired results. Making hot water from solar energy is the first stage - and is known as Solar Water Heating Collection. Secondly, Photovoltaic heat collectors - often simply referred to as Solar Electrical Panels - which transform the solar radiation into electricity. Across the board, Solar Panels should be mounted on a south facing roof, at an angle of 30 degrees away from horizontal - and to some extent away from blocking trees, surrounding buildings and chimneys.
In the UK, Solar Water Power is now one of the most sought after forms of Solar Energy. These systems are very efficient - and can deliver 50 percent of a household’s hot water requirement annually. Getting a professional fitting will cost around 2-5k, however, doing the job yourself could make it as low as 500 to 1500 pounds in total.
Biomass Energy: In the modern world this now includes genetically engineered ‘Energy Crops’ - but it also takes in natural plant and animal substances. It is by using these materials in new ways to create energy that makes it so exciting. With one of the largest production legacies within Europe, the UK is a major player in Biomass-produced electricity. The lack of C02 given out by this form of energy is another positive element in the whole process. Much of the UK wood crop is sustainable, in order to ensure that C02 produced during any heating process is absorbed.
‘Energy Crops’ trees such as Willow and Poplar play a major part in the process - under the banner of Short Rotation Coppice (SRC). Of equal importance is the production of perennial grasses - because of their yield of dry matter. Within this process also sits the lesser known Agricultural and Municipal Wastes. Agricultural Waste is naturally formed as a by-product of conventional agricultural activity. Municipal Waste such as food or wood can also be utilised as a biomass product.
Geo-Thermal Energy Systems… This is primarily the heating of the Earth (mainly from the sun) and can be utilised in electricity and warm water production. 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. Whilst these heat pumps require energy to operate, their rate of return is excellent - being four units produced for every one unit used. 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 Based Systems - 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. Rather than electricity production running at 2-10 p per kWh, it could be run at 2p per kWh. Therefore, recovery of cost takes approximately 6-9 months overall.
Last of all there is Hydropower - an area of especial importance to the UK. The field of using moving water to release energy is a very old technique - albeit we now do this in new ways. Within the UK, this form of energy production is responsible for somewhere in the region of 2 percent of all electrical needs.
A hydropower system uses a turbine to create energy from moving water. Utilising natural river runs, or water drop-offs (through dams,) the turbines can work without a reservoir of water. ‘Micro-Hydro’ utilises a chunk of the outdated sluices and dam systems that have been killed off by the large national distribution methods. This process alone could meet 200mW of the UK requirement. Between 200 pounds and 3k per KW of energy output, is a good estimate of the overall cost of a project such as this.
‘Green Energy’ is growing - mainly due to the demands of the Western World. That said, the UK is well placed - especially in the domestic sector - to take full advantage of the items above.
Electricians and Plumbers in particular are expected to provide the main thrust of domestic installation expertise. With ‘Green Energy’ rising up the political agenda in Europe, a range of financial aids and grants are becoming available. As a new industry, there are a range of new certificates to gain. To that end, it may be worth thinking about combined training. You can then get plumbing or electrical training along with green knowledge.
(C) S. Edwards 2009. Pop to CLICK HERE or Green Certification.
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