News On Renewable Energy Certification
It is by using natural resources such as tidal or wind energy - collectively known as 'Green Energy' - that we could meet our daily energy needs. They're all considered naturally able to replenish - and thereby 'Green'. When considering elements such as Wind Power and Windmills, in many cases we are looking back at the history of energy production. However, it is the result of eco-efficient and planet friendly options that this process is maintained.
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 Systems: Typically referred to as Solar Energy this is mainly made up of two types of Solar Panels - each using different methods to achieve similar results. To begin with, we have the concept of drawing energy from the Sun to heat 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. Across the board, Solar Panels should be mounted on a south facing roof, at an angle of 30 degrees away from horizontal - and to some extent away from blocking trees, surrounding buildings and chimneys.
With Solar Power being so common within the UK, it's Solar Water Power that is most often used. Solar Water heating systems can provide over 50 percent of a household's hot water requirement during the year. Getting a professional fitting will cost around 2-5k, however, doing the job yourself could make it as low as 500 to 1500 pounds in total.
Biomass Energy Based Systems: This is a 'capture all' phrase which includes all natural materials. e.g. Wood, straw and poultry litter - but nowadays also includes modern 'Energy Crops'. 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. Furthermore, within the European Markets, the UK is one of the central producers of Biomass fuels. It is the minimal C02 produced, alongside the actual energy production, that makes this attractive to the markets. To that end, many wood crops come from sustainable sources (as one tree is felled, another is planted in its place; thus the new tree absorbs the CO2 produced during the heating process.)
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. Whilst Agricultural and Municipal waste may be lesser known, they are essential to the whole process. 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.
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 Systems: Without a doubt, wind energy has to be one of the oldest forms of energy production known to man. Recently though, there has been the trend to generate energy and deliver this onto the local grid. The ability to utilise wind generation is considered to be greatest in the UK. Although we only utilise 1 percent of the current electricity capability from wind - we do have the ability to create 10 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.
Then there is Hydropower - something within Europe that the UK excels in. The field of using moving water to release energy is a very old technique - albeit we now do this in new ways. In total, this could produce something like 2 percent of all electricity required in the UK.
Using a turbine, a Hydropower system can transform the energy of water into other forms. 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' however, uses the dam and sluice systems that have been made redundant by the larger national distributions. Having said that, this process could still generate 200mW of the National Capacity. The capital cost of installing a micro-hydro system can run between 200 and 3000 pounds per kW of energy output.
It can be seen that the route to 'Green Energy' is growing considerably, especially in light of the need for increasing energy outputs throughout the Western World. The UK domestic market appears to be one of the core 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. Not only in the EEC, but also in the UK, 'Green Energy' is rapidly gaining ground as the way forward - and a range of financial incentives are in place to support this. Getting the right qualifications can often provide job security in a new field such as this. To that end, it may be worth thinking about combined training. You can then get plumbing or electrical training along with green knowledge.
Copyright 2009 Scott Edwards. Navigate to Solar Power Courses or www.electricianstrainingcourses.co.uk/Solar-Training-Courses.html.
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