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When our daily energy requirements are met by ‘Green Energy’, then we are using resources such as wind, tides or geothermal heat. They are considered ‘Green’ because they are environmentally friendly. When considering elements such as Wind Power and Windmills, in many cases we are looking back at the history of energy production. This idea is preserved by the use of technology, eco-efficient options and planet friendly alternatives.

In the home environment, one can see examples such as Solar Thermal and Solar Water Heating Collectors. 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. At the end there are two of the most mature forms of energy production in the UK – albeit renamed now to Wind Turbines and Hydropower.

Solar Thermal Energy Systems – Also known as Solar Energy, this mainly uses two, albeit different types of solar panels to get the desired results. As a first strategy, we have Solar Water Heating Collectors – which basically creates hot water from solar energy. Added to this is the generation of electricity from solar radiation – known as Photovoltaism, or more commonly Solar Electrical panels. Typically, these panels are found on roofs – and need to be away from any light blocks such as trees, chimneys and other buildings.

With Solar Power being so common within the UK, it’s Solar Water Power that is most often used. With the ability to provide almost half the annual need for hot water in the house, Solar Water heating systems are very important. 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: This is a general term for all forms of plant and animal material e.g. wood, straw, poultry litter and ‘energy crops’. It’s the ability of this power source to generate diverse forms of energy, such as heat and electricity, that makes this so adaptable. The ability to generate electricity is one of the UK’s main green strengths – as it has one of the larger Biomass legacies within Europe. It is the minimal C02 produced, alongside the actual energy production, that makes this attractive to the markets. Having a tree planted in place of another (that is felled for energy production) helps overall.

A process called Short Rotation Coppice (SRC), utilising trees such as Willow and Poplar, is used to meet the demands of such ‘Energy Crops’. Also producing high yields of dry matter are the perennial grasses. Within this process also sits the lesser known Agricultural and Municipal Wastes. Agricultural Waste is naturally formed as a by-product of conventional agricultural activity. Whereas Municipal Waste is derived from wood or food – and can be used for biomass energy.

Geo-Thermal Energy Technology: Basically this is the warming of the Earth from the Sun – and is often used in the manufacture of warm water and electricity. 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. This system can go even further – if energy efficient items such as wind turbines or solar electrical panels are used.

Wind Energy Based Systems – Without a doubt, wind energy has to be one of the oldest forms of energy production known to man. More recently, there has been the desire to deliver the energy created to the home – or to a local power grid. In fact, the UK has the largest wind resource within Europe. 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. From this, the estimation of the cost recovery period is around 6-9 months overall.

Hydropower is a method that suits the UK energy production system. Energy creation from moving water is very old – although it is now being done in new ways. That aside, it is fair to say that some 2 percent of the UK’s electrical load could come from this source.

A hydropower system uses a turbine to create energy from moving water. Utilising natural river runs, or water drop-offs (through dams,) the turbines can work without a reservoir of water. It is by using the eroded national distribution systems, that allows for outdated sluices and dams to be used by techniques known as ‘Micro-Hydro’. This smaller form of electrical output has been recently reviewed and could allocate some 200MW of capacity to the UK system. When considering the installation cost of items such as this, we’re looking at somewhere between 200 pounds and 3k per kW of energy created.

‘Green Energy’ is growing – mainly due to the demands of the Western World. The UK is very well placed to provide most of the schemes set out above, and the UK domestic market again is one of the key beneficiaries of this technology.

Electricians and Plumbers in particular are expected to provide the main thrust of domestic installation expertise. It is the political view of this type of energy generation that results in grants and financial aid becoming ever-more prevalent. It is by gaining the right certificates that will provide opportunities and job security for the long term. By mixing green training with those of electrical or plumbing, you could cover both angles.

Copyright 2009 S. Edwards. Browse around CLICK HERE or Green Engineer Careers.

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