‘Green Energy’ is the use of resources such as wind, tides and geothermal heating to provide us with our everyday energy requirement. Collectively they are thought to be ‘Green’ because they are ecologically sound and easy to replace. 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.) However, it is the result of eco-efficient and planet friendly options that this process is maintained.
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.
Thermal Energy Systems: Typically referred to as Solar Energy this is mainly made up of two types of Solar Panels – each using different methods to achieve similar results. Initially, there is the process of obtaining hot water from the Sun via Solar Water Heating Collectors. Solar Electrical panels or Photovoltaic heat collectors transfer solar radiation into electricity. Obviously situated away from blockages such as chimneys etc., these Solar Panels need to be mounted on south facing roofs at an angle of 30 degrees from the horizontal.
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 Systems – Including all natural energy forms derived from plant and animal products – such as wood, straw, poultry litter and ‘energy crops’. As such, this is a very versatile material and can be engineered to produce heat, electricity and a combination of heat and power in the form of electricity. Furthermore, within the European Markets, the UK is one of the central producers of Biomass fuels. It should be borne in mind that the whole process is designed to produce energy without an impact on CO2. Having a tree planted in place of another (that is felled for energy production) helps overall.
‘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.
Systems Based On Geo-Thermal Energy: By naturally heating the Earth, the Sun has the potential to generate both warm water and electricity. In the UK, we are lucky that we can both heat and cool buildings from the ground source temperature of around 12 degrees. 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. This system can go even further – if energy efficient items such as wind turbines or solar electrical panels are used.
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.
Within the UK, Hydropower suits the energy generation model. Having said that, the art of using energy from moving water (just like wind power) is very traditional. In total, this could produce something like 2 percent of all electricity required in the UK.
Transforming the energy of moving water into another type (with the aid of a turbine) is known as a Hydropower system. 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. A micro-hydro system like this would be expected to cost between 200 and 3,000 pounds per kW of the energy.
Due to the energy requirements worldwide, ‘Green Energy’ is naturally growing at a fast rate. To be fair, the UK domestic market is actually leading the resurgence, with a variety of schemes.
Electrician and Plumbers are thought to be key in providing expertise during domestic installations. A range of grants are available to support the growth of renewable energy ideas within the European market. It is by gaining the right certificates that will provide opportunities and job security for the long term. By mixing green training with those of electrical or plumbing, you could cover both angles.