When our daily energy requirements are met by ‘Green Energy’, then we are using resources such as wind, tides or geothermal heat. They are thought to be ‘Green’ due to the fact that they are easily restored and natural. When considering elements such as Wind Power and Windmills, in many cases we are looking back at the history of energy production. This idea is preserved by the use of technology, eco-efficient options 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. 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.
Thermal Energy Systems: This technology is based around two core types of system. Firstly, there are elements that absorb energy from the sun and create hot water - known as Solar Water Heating Collectors. Added to this is the generation of electricity from solar radiation - known as Photovoltaism, or more commonly Solar Electrical panels. To get the best results these panels need to be south facing at an angle of around 30 degrees from horizontal, and away from blockages.
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.
Biomass Energy Systems - Including all natural energy forms derived from plant and animal products - such as wood, straw, poultry litter and ‘energy crops’. It is extremely useful - in that it can produce a range of power sources, including heat and electricity. Indeed, within the European Markets, the UK has some of the leading levels of Biomass material at hand. Considering all this, and the relative lack of C02 produced, makes the whole process highly green overall. Because the system often involves one tree being planted as another is felled, many wood crops are deemed to be sustainable sources.
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.
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. By using the ground source temperature of approximately 12 degrees, we can either heat or cool buildings within the UK. 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. A greater return of energy (sometimes almost 100 percent) is produced - because heat source pumps can operate in-line with wind turbines and solar electrical panels.
Wind Energy: As an energy source, wind energy has to be one of the oldest forms of energy creation in history. 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. 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. Electricity can be produced from as little as 2p per kWh, but generally comes in somewhere between 2-10p per kWh. The financial recovery process takes around 6-9 months.
Last of all there is Hydropower - an area of especial importance to the UK. Having said that, the art of using energy from moving water (just like wind power) is very traditional. Within the UK, this form of energy production is responsible for somewhere in the region of 2 percent of all electrical needs.
The Hydropower process uses a turbine that can convert the energy from one form into another. It is by either water ‘drop-offs’, or Natural River runs, that turbines can work through this process. ‘Micro-Hydro’ utilises a chunk of the outdated sluices and dam systems that have been killed off by the large national distribution methods. Whilst considered a smaller form of electrical output, this system is thought to be able to give some 200mW of capacity to the UK. Between 200 pounds and 3k per KW of energy output, is a good estimate of the overall cost of a project such as this.
‘Green Energy’ is growing - mainly due to the demands of the Western World. 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. It is the political view of this type of energy generation that results in grants and financial aid becoming ever-more prevalent. Gaining installation certification across these areas can only provide further opportunity and job security to anyone already in related fields or looking to retrain. To cover both ends, you could consider electrical or plumbing training along with green systems.
Copyright Scott Edwards 2009. Look at electricianscourse.co.uk/GreenEngineerCertification.html or Renewable Energy Certification.
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