In a nutshell, ‘Green Energy’ utilises natural resources such as sunlight, wind, tides and geothermal heat to provide our daily energy requirement. They are considered ‘Green’ because they are environmentally friendly. It is easy to think that we may be travelling back in time when we think of items such as wind power and windmills. However, it is the result of eco-efficient and planet friendly options that this process is maintained.
The home can use a range of new ideas to help with energy usage – including Solar Thermal and Solar Water Heating Collectors. Equally there is electricity that is generated through roof-installed panels. A further factor revolves around stoves and boilers – which are known as Biomass Energy. There is also the ground heat from the Sun – now known as Ground Source Heat Pumps. Considering items such as Wind Power and Hydro Turbines, we are finally getting to very old forms of energy production.
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. Initially, there is the process of obtaining hot water from the Sun via 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.
For the UK, this is often considered the most popular form of ‘Green Energy’. Solar Water heating systems can meet the need for more than half of all hot water needs in the domestic market. 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: This term encompasses all forms of natural products – such as plant and animal material. Considering its ability to produce energy in the form of heat and electricity, this type of energy is extremely flexible. 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.)
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). Of equal importance is the production of perennial grasses – because of their yield of dry matter. Other less known materials within this field are Agricultural and Municipal Waste. To begin with, Agricultural Waste is often produced as part of the agricultural process overall. 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. Heating or cooling properties in the UK can be achieved using the ground source heat temperature of around 12 degrees centigrade. Whilst these heat pumps require energy to operate, their rate of return is excellent – being four units produced for every one unit used. Heat source pump energy can go one step further (by gaining a 100 percent return) if the energy to power them comes from items such as wind turbines or solar electrical panels.
Wind Energy Programs: 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. However, in more recent times there’s been the option to recover the energy for its own sake – and deliver this either to a home unit or to the local power grid. The UK is considered as one of the best sources of wind generation within Europe. Potentially, we can produce 10 percent of our annual energy needs through wind power, although at present within the UK we still only use 1 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. Recovery of the cost involved is somewhere between 6-9 months.
Then there is Hydropower – something within Europe that the UK excels in. Although new in its approach, the act of harnessing energy from water has been going on for a long time. In total, this could produce something like 2 percent of all electricity required in the UK.
Using a turbine, a Hydropower system can transform the energy of water into other forms. No water reservoirs are required – as the turbines either run through a water drop-off system or the natural power of the river. 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. 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.
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.
It is the drive for installations in the domestic sector that looks to favour jobs such as plumbers and electricians. With EEC and UK recognition of renewable energy getting ever-higher on the political agenda, the grants and financial aid for introduction of these systems can only increase. It is by gaining the right certificates that will provide opportunities and job security for the long term. Look for combined electrical and plumbing training, with a key emphasis on practical green systems and installation.
Copyright 2009 S. Edwards. Check out Renewable Energy Certification or www.electricianscourse.co.uk/GreenEngineerCertification.html.