‘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 range of renewable energy technologies utilised within the home environment includes both Solar Thermal, and Solar Water Heating Collectors. Moving on from this there are the Photovoltaic Panels (PV’s) which can generate electricity from your roof. Equally important is that of Biomass Energy – which includes Stoves, Fuel, Pellets and Boilers burning Wood. We now also have Ground Source Heat Pumps – which draw out the heat left by the Sun. Not all ‘Green Energy’ is new – by considering Wind Power and Hydropower we are looking at some of the oldest forms of energy production.

Solar Thermal Energy – This technology is based around two core types of system. Making hot water from solar energy is the first stage – and is known as Solar Water Heating Collection. Then we have the work of the Photovoltaic Heat Collectors, often called Solar Electrical Panels – which transform solar radiation into electricity. 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.

Within this discipline, Solar Water Power is often regarded as the most popular form of Solar Energy within the UK. These systems are very efficient – and can deliver 50 percent of a household’s hot water requirement annually. Typically, to fit this type of equipment will cost between 500 and 1500 pounds for a DIY kit – all the way up to 2-5k for a full professional fitting.

Biomass Energy Based Systems: Historically, this has come from plants and animals, though nowadays this also includes new genetically engineered ‘energy crops’. Due to its adaptability, it can produce a range of energy forms – from heat and electricity through to combinations of both. With one of the largest production legacies within Europe, the UK is a major player in Biomass-produced electricity. It should be borne in mind that the whole process is designed to produce energy without an impact on CO2. With a new tree being planted as each is felled, you can see how the C02 produced during heating is minimised – and why the system is deemed sustainable.

Fast growing trees such as Willow and Poplar (under the banner of Short Rotation Coppice ‘SRC’) help to meet the need for ‘Energy Crops’ within the UK. 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. Under normal agricultural activity, agricultural waste is a natural by-product. Because it comes from food or wood, Municipal Waste is also considered a useful biomass product.

Systems Based On Geo-Thermal Energy: Both warm water and electricity can be produced as by-products of the natural heating of the Earth by the Sun. In the UK, we are lucky that we can both heat and cool buildings from the ground source temperature of around 12 degrees. Heat pumps are recognised as a very good form of power generation, generally giving back four units of energy for every one used. Heat source pump energy can go one step further (by gaining a 100 percent return) if the energy to power them comes from items such as wind turbines or solar electrical panels.

Wind Energy Programs: Wind Energy as a sustainable source of energy has been going on for millennia. More recently, there has been the desire to deliver the energy created to the home – or to a local power grid. The ability to utilise wind generation is considered to be greatest in the UK. 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. Therefore, recovery of cost takes approximately 6-9 months overall.

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.

Using a turbine, a Hydropower system can transform the energy of water into other forms. 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 capital cost of installing a micro-hydro system can run between 200 and 3000 pounds per kW of energy output.

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.

With the rise in demand for domestic installations, both Electricians and Plumbers are well placed to take advantage of this technology. Grants and financial aid is also set to increase within the EEC and the UK – as ‘Green Energy’ gets ever higher status. This is a new industry – but getting the right certification can only improve job security and opportunities for the future. You could consider either plumbing or electrical training programs that highlight green installation.

Author: Scott Edwards. Navigate to Click Here or workmap.com.