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| - | Trade Convenient Training Courses In Domestic Green Energy - The Options
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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. Collectively they are thought to be 'Green' because they are ecologically sound and easy to replace. It is easy to think that we may be travelling back in time when we think of items such as wind power and windmills. Generally, this is the result of using up to date ideas, specifically those that are planet friendly and eco-efficient.
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| - | In the home environment, one can see examples such as Solar Thermal and Solar Water Heating Collectors. To gain electricity from roof panels you would need solar electrical panels (PV's). Following on from this is a process known as Biomass Energy - which includes Boilers burning wood and other fuels. There is also the ground heat from the Sun - now known as Ground Source Heat Pumps. Lastly, there are two of the more historical forms of energy production - namely Wind Turbines and Hydropower.
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| - | Solar Energy Systems: Also known as Solar Energy, this mainly uses two, albeit different types of solar panels to get the desired results. Initially, there is the process of obtaining hot water from the Sun via 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.
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| - | Within Solar Energy overall, Solar Water Power is most commonly used in the UK. With the ability to provide almost half the annual need for hot water in the house, Solar Water heating systems are very important. 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.
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| - | Biomass Energy Systems - Including all natural energy forms derived from plant and animal products - such as wood, straw, poultry litter and 'energy crops'. Due to its adaptability, it can produce a range of energy forms - from heat and electricity through to combinations of both. It is a useful point to make that the UK is one of the major producers of Biomass fuels within Europe. It should be borne in mind that the whole process is designed to produce energy without an impact on CO2. Having a tree planted in place of another (that is felled for energy production) helps overall.
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| - | By the growth of Short Rotation Crops (SRC), the UK is able to maximise the 'Energy Crops' return overall. Also producing high yields of dry matter are the perennial grasses. Equally significant within this practice sit Municipal and Agricultural waste products. One natural offshoot of agricultural work is Agricultural Waste. Of equal importance is Municipal Waste, which comes from recycled wood and food.
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| - | Geo-Thermal Energy: The constant energy of the Sun heating the Earth results in both warm water and electricity being produced. Using the ground temperature of around 12 degrees in the UK - we can both heat and cool buildings. Heat pumps are recognised as a very good form of power generation, generally giving back four units of energy for every one used. By using energy from solar electrical panels or wind turbines to power them, heat source pumps can be almost 100 percent renewable in energy production.
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| - | Systems Based On Wind Energy: Without a doubt, wind energy has to be one of the oldest forms of energy production known to man. That aside, the ability to generate energy and both transfer this into the home or the local grid has been a relatively new option. With regard to wind generation, it is the UK that has the highest production 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. Because of this, it is estimated that it takes between half a year to three quarters of a year to cover the installation costs.
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| - | Lastly, we have a discipline that the UK does well - namely Hydropower. The ability to utilise energy from moving water, much like wind power, has been going on for thousands of years. It is this type of energy production that could meet 2 percent of all the UK's demand.
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| - | 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. 'Micro-Hydro' however utilises old outdated sluices and dams. Having said that, this process could still generate 200mW of the National Capacity. Installing systems like this could cost between 200 pounds and 3k per kW of energy created.
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| - | Due to the energy requirements worldwide, 'Green Energy' is naturally growing at a fast rate. Within the UK and mainly the domestic sector, we are well placed to take advantage of the schemes above.
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| - | 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. As a new industry, there are a range of new certificates to gain. Electrical or plumbing training that incorporates green technology could be very useful for the future.
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