An Analysis Of Renewable Energy Courses (UK)

It is the use of tides or wind to deliver our daily energy needs that form ’Green Energy’. They are thought to be ’Green’ due to the fact that they are easily restored and natural. If we think of some of the older energy skills e.g. Wind Power, then in many ways we are going back in time. Generally, this is the result of using up to date ideas, specifically those that are planet friendly and eco-efficient.

The home can use a range of new ideas to help with energy usage – including Solar Thermal and Solar Water Heating Collectors. To gain electricity from roof panels you would need solar electrical panels (PV’s). Biomass Energy is the next phase, and this involves Fuel, Pellets, Stoves and Boilers burning Wood. Then we have the ancient energy of the Sun and the heat that comes from it – now called Ground Source Heat Pumps. Considering items such as Wind Power and Hydro Turbines, we are finally getting to very old forms of energy production.

Solar Energy Systems: Often commonly referred to as Solar Energy, this is primarily captured by two types of solar panels; each of which utilises different technologies for the process. To begin with, we have the concept of drawing energy from the Sun to heat water – known as Solar Water Heating Collectors. Solar Electrical panels or Photovoltaic heat collectors transfer solar radiation into electricity. To get best results these panels need to be situated 30 degrees from the horizontal, on a south facing roof and obviously free from blockages such as trees and buildings.

In the UK, Solar Water Power is now one of the most sought after forms of Solar Energy. With the capacity to deliver 50 percent plus of a household’s hot water requirement annually, Solar Water heating systems are crucial to energy in the UK. 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.

Systems Utilising Biomass Energy: 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. With one of the largest production legacies within Europe, the UK is a major player in Biomass-produced electricity. Considering all this, and the relative lack of C02 produced, makes the whole process highly green overall. 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.)

’Energy Crops’ trees such as Willow and Poplar play a major part in the process – under the banner of Short Rotation Coppice (SRC). Of equal importance is the production of perennial grasses – because of their yield of dry matter. 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 Based On Geo-Thermal Energy: The constant energy of the Sun heating the Earth results in both warm water and electricity being produced. Having a consistent ground temperature of around 12 degrees centigrade is fortunate for the UK – as it allows both the heating and cooling of buildings. Whilst these heat pumps require energy to operate, their rate of return is excellent – being four units produced for every one unit used. 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 – An Update On Old Technology: In use for milling grain or pumping water, wind energy has been with us for a very long time, although its modern uses are complex. Recently though, there has been the trend to generate energy and deliver this onto the local grid. In the European union, it is the UK which is seen to have the largest wind capacity. The fact remains that in the UK, there exists the ability to realise 10 percent of our electricity requirement from wind power – as opposed to the current value of just 1 percent. Overall, electricity could be generated from as low as 2p per kWh – instead of the current 2-10 p per kWh. Therefore, recovery of cost takes approximately 6-9 months overall.

Last of all there is Hydropower – an area of especial importance to the UK. Just like a thousand years ago, we are utilising the energy from water. Within the UK, this form of energy production is responsible for somewhere in the region of 2 percent of all electrical needs.

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. Alternatively, ’Micro-Hydro’ systems use hitherto outdated sluices and dams to generate electricity. Whilst considered a smaller form of electrical output, this system is thought to be able to give some 200mW of capacity to the UK. A micro-hydro system like this would be expected to cost between 200 and 3,000 pounds per kW of the energy.

The demand on ’Green Energy’ continues to develop – in light of the energy demands worldwide. 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. With EEC and UK recognition of renewable energy getting ever-higher on the political agenda, the grants and financial aid for introduction of these systems can only increase. Getting the right qualifications can often provide job security in a new field such as this. Look for combined electrical and plumbing training, with a key emphasis on practical green systems and installation.