It is by using natural resources such as tidal or wind energy- collectively known as \’Green Energy\’ -that can meet our daily energy needs. When \’Green\’ they are all thought to be replenishable and natural. 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 home can use a range of new ideas to help with energy usage including Solar Thermal and Solar Water Heating Collectors. For electricity created through roof-installed panels you would need elements such Photovoltaic Panels or PV\’s. Another key element is that of Biomass Energy, which relates to Stoves and Boilers burning Wood, Fuel and Pellets. We now also have Ground Source Heat Pumps which is simply the heat from the Sun. Lastly, there are two of the more historical forms of energy production namely Wind Turbines and Hydropower.
For those wanting to train in this area we will expand on each section and cover off some of the skills required. Working in the field of Plumbing, Gas or as an Electrician you can see that the points raised would be of value to you. It would definitely be worth looking at modern careers such as Electricians, Plumbers and Green engineers and see how they relate to this information. So we have researched this site and added links and adverts for interested parties and bookmark via CTRL-D.
Solar 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. As a first draft there are elements absorbing energy from the sun and creating hot water known as Solar Water Heating Collectors. Whereas Solar Electrical panels or Photovoltaic heat collectors transfer 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.
In the UK, Solar Water Power is now one of the most sought after forms of Solar Energy. Solar Water heating systems are extremely important and can provide over half of hot water needs to 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 fit in which it will cost between 2-5k overall.
Biomass Energy Based Systems: Includes all natural forms derived from plant and animal products such as wood, straw, poultry litter and \’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. It is interesting to note that the UK has some of the largest quantities of Biomass material to generate electricity within Europe. It is the minimal C02 produced alongside the energy production that makes this attractive to the markets. That being said the process where each tree felled is replaced by another helps to reduce the overall effect on C02 as a part of energy produced.
\’Energy Crops\’ such as Willow and Poplar play a major part in the process under the banner of Short Rotation Coppice (SRC). Also producing high yields of dry matter are perennial grasses. Municipal and Agricultural waste products are both little known but essential materials to this field. Agricultural Waste is commonly formed as a by-product of traditional work in agriculture. Of equal importance is Municipal Waste, which comes from wood and food.
Geo-Thermal Energy Based Systems – This is where both warm water and electricity can be produced as by products of the natural heating of the Earth by the Sun. Using the ground temperature of around 12 degrees in the UK we can both heat and cool buildings. With four units replaced for every one unit of energy used these heat pumps are very effective. 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: The use of wind as a source of energy has been going on for thousands of years, especially in milling grain and pumping water. Whether to a home or local grid when the energy has been generated it must be delivered to appoint if usage and cannot be stored. To be fair the UK has the highest level of wind generation within Europe. It is interesting to note that whilst we can produce 10 percent of our entire requirement from wind power at present we only produce 1 percent. Electricity can be produced from as little as 2p per kWh, but generally comes in somewhere between 2-10p per kWh. Because of this it is estimated that it takes between half a year to three quarters of a year to cover the costs.
Finally, we have Hydropower; an area in which the UK does well within Europe. The fact is that energy creation from moving water is very old although it is now being used in new ways. That aside it is fair to say that some 2 percent of the UK\’s electrical load comes from this source.
By using a turbine a Hydropower system can transfer the kinetic energy of moving water into another form. No water reservoirs are required as the turbines either run through a water drop system or the natural run of the river. \’Micro-Hydro\’ however avoids this system killed off by the larger national distribution methods and plans to use the outdated sluices and dams. Although a lesser known form of electricity output this process could supply 200mW of UK demand. So installing a system like this could cost between 200 pounds and 3k per kW of energy created.
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. Within the UK and mainly the domestic sector we are well placed to take advantage of the schemes listed above.
With the bulk of development work in the domestic field both the Plumbers and Electricians are set to capitalise in this area. You can now get a range of grants to support the growth of renewable energy ideas within the European market. This is a new industry but getting the right certification can only improve job security and opportunities for the future. By mixing green training with those of electrical or plumbing you could cover both angles.
Copyright Scott Edwards 2009. Navigate to Green Engineer Courses or CLICK HERE.
No comments yet.