RSSStudying For Solar Courses
Feb 21
Uncategorized advice, career, computer, education, games, hobbies, home, Money, self-improvement, shop, software, technology, Uncategorized, web, work No Comments
It is by using natural resources such as tidal or wind energy – collectively known as ‘Green Energy’ – that we could meet our daily energy needs. They’re all considered naturally able to replenish – and thereby ‘Green’. 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.
The range of renewable energy technologies utilised within the home environment includes both Solar Thermal, and Solar Water Heating Collectors. It is equipment such as Photovoltaic Panels (PV’s) that develop electricity through suitable roof-panels. Then there are Stoves that burn Bio-Pellets – which make up the subject commonly known as Biomass Energy. Then we have the ancient energy of the Sun and the heat that comes from it – now called Ground Source Heat Pumps. Lastly, there are two of the more historical forms of energy production – namely Wind Turbines and Hydropower.
Thermal Solar Energy Systems: Typically referred to as Solar Energy this is mainly made up of two types of Solar Panels – each using different methods to achieve similar results. To begin with, we have the concept of drawing energy from the Sun to heat water – known as Solar Water Heating Collectors. Additionally, there is the method of converting solar radiation into electricity known as Photovoltaic – or simply 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.
Within this discipline, Solar Water Power is often regarded as the most popular form of Solar Energy within the UK. These systems are very efficient – and can deliver 50 percent of a household’s hot water requirement annually. The typical cost for installation ranges from 500-1500 pounds for a DIY system, all the way through to 2-5k for a professional fit.
Biomass Energy Systems – This is a general term for all forms of plant and animal material e.g. wood, straw, poultry litter and ‘energy crops’. It is by using these materials in new ways to create energy that makes it so exciting. It is a useful point to make that the UK is one of the major producers of Biomass fuels 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.
‘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. Whilst Agricultural and Municipal waste may be lesser known, they are essential to the whole process. One natural offshoot of agricultural work is Agricultural Waste. Municipal Waste such as food or wood can also be utilised as a biomass product.
Geo-Thermal Energy Based Systems – This is primarily the heating of the Earth (mainly from the sun) and can be utilised in electricity and warm water production. In the UK, we are lucky that we can both heat and cool buildings from the ground source temperature of around 12 degrees. These heat pumps do need some power to operate; but for every one unit of energy they use, they generate four units of energy in return. 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: The use of wind as a source of energy has been going on for thousands of years, especially in milling grain and pumping water. However, in more recent times there’s been the option to recover the energy for its own sake – and deliver this either to a home unit or to the local power grid. The UK is considered as one of the best sources of wind generation 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. Instead of producing electricity at a rate of 2-10p per kWh, we could be generating at 2p per kWh. From this, the estimation of the cost recovery period is around 6-9 months overall.
Within the UK, Hydropower suits the energy generation model. Just like a thousand years ago, we are utilising the energy from water. Interestingly enough, this type of energy production meets around 2 percent of the UK electrical total demand.
By using a turbine, a Hydropower system can transfer the kinetic energy of moving water into another form. By using a dam or a natural river drop, these turbines do not require water storage. ‘Micro-Hydro’ however, uses the dam and sluice systems that have been made redundant by the larger national distributions. Although a lesser known form of electricity output, this process could supply 200mW of UK demand. 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 remains one of the main beneficiaries of this technology.
With the rise in demand for domestic installations, both Electricians and Plumbers are well placed to take advantage of this technology. With ‘Green Energy’ rising up the political agenda in Europe, a range of financial aids and grants are becoming available. It is important to gain the correct qualifications to install these items. Electrical or plumbing training that incorporates green technology could be very useful for the future.
Copyright 2009 Scott Edwards. Pop over to electricaltraininguk.co.uk/Solar-Energy-Training.html or Solar Energy Courses.
No related posts.
Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.