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‘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.

Thermal 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. Added to this is the generation of electricity from solar radiation – known as Photovoltaism, or more commonly Solar Electrical panels. Solar Panels themselves need to be away from all light blocks, and should be on south facing roofs at angles of 30 degrees from the horizontal plane.

With Solar Power being so common within the UK, it’s Solar Water Power that is most often used. Solar Water heating systems can meet the need for more than half of all hot water needs in the domestic market. There are two options to fit these items. The first is to get a professional fit and the second is a DIY system, the first will cost around 2-5k and the second between 500 and 1500 pounds.

Biomass Energy: This is a general term for all forms of plant and animal material e.g. wood, straw, poultry litter and ‘energy crops’. Considering its ability to produce energy in the form of heat and electricity, this type of energy is extremely flexible. Indeed, within the European Markets, the UK has some of the leading levels of Biomass material at hand. The lack of C02 given out by this form of energy is another positive element in the whole process. 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). Dry matter is also very sought after – and perennial grasses are a good source of this. Of equal importance, although maybe less well known, are Municipal and Agricultural Waste. To begin with, Agricultural Waste is often produced as part of the agricultural process overall. Of equal importance is Municipal Waste, which comes from recycled wood and food.

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 – An Update On Old Technology: As an energy source, wind energy has to be one of the oldest forms of energy creation in history. Whether to your home or to a local grid, when the energy has been generated it must be delivered to a point of usage – and cannot be stored. With regard to wind generation, it is the UK that has the highest production within Europe. Although we only utilise 1 percent of the current electricity capability from wind – we do have the ability to create 10 percent. Electricity can be produced from as little as 2p per kWh, but generally comes in somewhere between 2-10p per kWh. Recovery of the cost involved is somewhere between 6-9 months.

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.

It is the growing worldwide energy requirement that is causing the growth in ‘Green Energy’. The UK domestic market appears to be one of the core beneficiaries of this technology.

Electricians and Plumbers in particular are expected to provide the main thrust of domestic installation expertise. A range of grants are available to support the growth of renewable energy ideas within the European market. As a new industry, there are a range of new certificates to gain. To cover both ends, you could consider electrical or plumbing training along with green systems.

Copyright 2009 S. Edwards. Check out HERE or www.workmap.com.