Basically, the ‘Green Energy’ idea is how our everyday needs are supplied by natural resources such as wind, tides and even geothermal heat. They are thought to be ‘Green’ due to the fact that they are easily restored and natural. Often, by going back in time, we can see the value of wind power and windmills as modern energy sources. Generally, this is the result of using up to date ideas, specifically those that are planet friendly and eco-efficient.
The home environment, for example, encompasses a range of energy ideas – including Solar Thermal and Solar Water Heating solutions. Next on the list you would find the actual solar electricity Photovoltaic Panels (PV’s) – which basically generate electricity through roof-installed panels. 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. 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. Initially, there is the process of obtaining hot water from the Sun via Solar Water Heating Collectors. Furthermore, there are the Solar Electrical Panels (more correctly known as Photovoltaic heat collectors) which transform solar radiation into electricity. 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.
Within Solar Energy overall, Solar Water Power is most commonly used in the UK. 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.
Biomass Energy: Historically, this has come from plants and animals, though nowadays this also includes new genetcially engineered ‘energy crops’. It is extremely useful – in that it can produce a range of power sources, including heat and electricity. It is interesting to note that the UK has some of the largest quantities of Biomass material to generate electricity within Europe. Considering all this, and the relative lack of C02 produced, makes the whole process highly green overall. Having a tree planted in place of another (that is felled for energy production) helps overall.
By the growth of Short Rotation Crops (SRC), the UK is able to maximise the ‘Energy Crops’ return overall. Also producing high yields of dry matter are the perennial grasses. Equally significant within this practice sit Municipal and Agricultural waste products. As a by-product, Agricultural Waste is simply part of the farming process. However, waste derived from food or wood is another biomass entity – called Municipal Waste.
Systems Using Geo-Thermal Energy – Used in the generation of both warm water and electricity, this energy mainly comes from the Sun and heats the Earth. Using the ground temperature of around 12 degrees in the UK – we can both heat and cool buildings. 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. The energy generated by a heat source pump can in fact be considered 100 percent renewable, if the power to operate the pump comes from solar electrical panels or a wind turbine.
Wind Energy Programs: The use of wind as a source of energy has been going on for thousands of years, especially in milling grain and pumping water. That aside, the ability to generate energy and both transfer this into the home or the local grid has been a relatively new option. With regard to wind generation, it is the UK that has the highest production 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. Overall, electricity could be generated from as low as 2p per kWh – instead of the current 2-10 p per kWh. Due to this, we are looking at 6-9 months in total to cover the costs.
Finally, we have Hydropower; an area in which the UK does well within Europe. Having said that, the art of using energy from moving water (just like wind power) is very traditional. Interestingly enough, this type of energy production meets around 2 percent of the UK electrical total demand.
A hydropower system transforms the kinetic energy of the moving water into another type of energy by means of a turbine. 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. Between 200 pounds and 3k per KW of energy output, is a good estimate of the overall cost of a project such as this.
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. Grants and financial aid is also set to increase within the EEC and the UK – as ‘Green Energy’ gets ever higher status. As a new industry, there are a range of new certificates to gain. You could consider either plumbing or electrical training programs that highlight green installation.
Copyright 2009 Scott Edwards. Hop over to Solar Training Courses or www.electricaltrainingcourseuk.co.uk/Solar-Power-Courses.html.