‘Green Energy’ is the use of resources such as wind, tides and geothermal heating to provide us with our everyday energy requirement. ‘Green’ basically means that all the energy is renewable. 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.) But in the main, this is the process of utilising modern technology to provide eco-efficient and planet-friendly alternatives.
The home can use a range of new ideas to help with energy usage – including Solar Thermal and Solar Water Heating Collectors. To gain electricity from roof panels you would need solar electrical panels (PV’s). Biomass Energy is the next phase, and this involves Fuel, Pellets, Stoves and Boilers burning Wood. Then we have the ancient energy of the Sun and the heat that comes from it – now called Ground Source Heat Pumps. Considering items such as Wind Power and Hydro Turbines, we are finally getting to very old forms of energy production.
Thermal Solar Energy – By using different technologies, Solar Energy is effectively made up of two types of solar panels. Firstly, there are elements that absorb energy from the sun and create hot water – known as Solar Water Heating Collectors. Secondly, Photovoltaic heat collectors – often simply referred to as Solar Electrical Panels – which transform the solar radiation into electricity. To get best results these panels need to be situated 30 degrees from the horizontal, on a south facing roof and obviously free from blockages such as trees and buildings.
As a result, Solar Water Power is often considered the most common form of Solar Energy in the UK. Solar Water heating systems are extremely important – and can provide over half of the hot water needs for houses within the UK. The cost of fitting depends on whether you do it yourself (500 to 1500 pounds) or whether you get a professional fitter – in which case it will cost between 2-5k overall.
Systems Utilising Biomass Energy: In the modern world this now includes genetically engineered ‘Energy Crops’ – but it also takes in natural plant and animal substances. 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. It is a useful point to make that the UK is one of the major producers of Biomass fuels within Europe. 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.
To meet the need, fast growing trees, known as Short Rotation Coppice (SRC) are utilised. Also producing high yields of dry matter are the perennial grasses. Municipal and Agricultural waste products are both little known, but essential materials to this field. Agricultural Waste is commonly formed as a by-product of traditional agricultural work. Whereas Municipal Waste is derived from wood or food – and can be used for biomass energy.
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. Using the ground temperature of around 12 degrees in the UK – we can both heat and cool buildings. Generally, items such as Heat Pumps are thought of as very effective, as they produce four units of energy for every one that is used for generation. By using energy from solar electrical panels or wind turbines to power them, heat source pumps can be almost 100 percent renewable in energy production.
Wind Energy: Without a doubt, wind energy has to be one of the oldest forms of energy production known to man. Where the local power grid demands it, energy can be diverted and sold there. In fact, the UK has the largest wind resource within Europe. For the fact remains that, within the UK, we have the ability to generate 10 percent of our requirement from Wind Production – as opposed to the current value of only 1 percent. Instead of producing electricity at a rate of 2-10p per kWh, we could be generating at 2p per kWh. The financial recovery process takes around 6-9 months.
Finally, we have Hydropower; an area in which the UK does well within Europe. Energy creation from moving water is very old – although it is now being done in new ways. Interestingly enough, this type of energy production meets around 2 percent of the UK electrical total demand.
A hydropower system uses a turbine to create energy from moving water. No water reservoirs are required – as the turbines either run through a water drop-off system or the natural power of the river. ‘Micro-Hydro’ utilises a chunk of the outdated sluices and dam systems that have been killed off by the large national distribution methods. Having been reviewed recently, this form of electricity supply could provide 200mW of the UK capacity. A micro-hydro system like this would be expected to cost between 200 and 3,000 pounds per kW of the energy.
The demand on ‘Green Energy’ continues to develop – in light of the energy demands worldwide. The UK remains one of the main beneficiaries of this technology.
Electricians and Plumbers in particular are expected to provide the main thrust of domestic installation expertise. A range of grants are available to support the growth of renewable energy ideas within the European market. As a new industry, there are a range of new certificates to gain. To cover both ends, you could consider electrical or plumbing training along with green systems.
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