It is the use of tides or wind to deliver our daily energy needs that form ‘Green Energy’. When ‘Green’, they are all thought to be replenishable and natural. It is easy to think that we may be travelling back in time when we think of items such as wind power and windmills. Overall, this is the method of using modern techniques to provide eco-efficiency and planet friendly options.
It is the use of simple renewable energies such as Solar Thermal and Solar Water Heating Collectors, that suits the home environment. 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. We now also have Ground Source Heat Pumps – which draw out the heat left by the Sun. 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.
Thermal Energy Systems: Often called Solar Energy, this is fact based on two types of solar panels each using different ideas to get their results. Making hot water from solar energy is the first stage – and is known as Solar Water Heating Collection. Added to this is the generation of electricity from solar radiation – known as Photovoltaism, or more commonly Solar Electrical panels. 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.
In the UK, Solar Water Power is now one of the most sought after forms of Solar Energy. Solar Water heating systems can meet the need for more than half of all hot water needs in the domestic market. 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. Indeed, within the European Markets, the UK has some of the leading levels of Biomass material at hand. It should be borne in mind that the whole process is designed to produce energy without an impact on CO2. Because the system often involves one tree being planted as another is felled, many wood crops are deemed to be sustainable sources.
A process called Short Rotation Coppice (SRC), utilising trees such as Willow and Poplar, is used to meet the demands of such ‘Energy Crops’. Dry matter is also very sought after – and perennial grasses are a good source of this. Within this process also sits the lesser known Agricultural and Municipal Wastes. Under normal agricultural activity, agricultural waste is a natural by-product. Municipal Waste such as food or wood can also be utilised as a biomass product.
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. 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. With four units replaced for every one unit of energy used, these heat pumps are very effective. This system can go even further – if energy efficient items such as wind turbines or solar electrical panels are used.
Wind Energy Based Systems – 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. 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. It is interesting to note that whilst we can produce 10 percent of our entire power requirement from wind power, at present we only produce 1 percent. Although electricity is still being produced from between 2-10 p per kWh, it could be generated from as little as 2p per kWh. Because of this, it is estimated that it takes between half a year to three quarters of a year to cover the installation costs.
Within the UK, Hydropower suits the energy generation model. Energy creation from moving water is very old – although it is now being done in new ways. It is this type of energy production that could meet 2 percent of all the UK’s demand.
The Hydropower process uses a turbine that can convert the energy from one form into another. Turbines use either a water drop (e.g. through a dam) or by a natural ‘run of the river’ – thereby having no water storage reservoir. ‘Micro-Hydro’ however, uses the dam and sluice systems that have been made redundant by the larger national distributions. Whilst considered a smaller form of electrical output, this system is thought to be able to give some 200mW of capacity to the UK. The expected cost of installing a system such as this would be between 200 pounds and 3k per kW of output.
Because of the energy need of the Western World, we are now seeing a rapid rise in ‘Green Energy’. The UK is very well placed to provide most of the schemes set out above, and the UK domestic market again is one of the key beneficiaries of this technology.
With the bulk of development work in the domestic area, both Plumbers and Electricians are set to capitalise in this area. 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. By mixing green training with those of electrical or plumbing, you could cover both angles.
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