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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. But in the main, this is the process of utilising modern technology to provide eco-efficient 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. Biomass Energy is the next phase, and this involves Fuel, Pellets, Stoves and Boilers burning Wood. Then there are the Ground Source Heat Pumps, which is simply the ground heat created 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. Firstly, there are elements that absorb energy from the sun and create hot water – known as Solar Water Heating Collectors. Furthermore, there are the Solar Electrical Panels (more correctly known as Photovoltaic heat collectors) which transform 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. These systems are very efficient – and can deliver 50 percent of a household’s hot water requirement annually. 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.

Biomass Energy: In the modern world this now includes genetically engineered ‘Energy Crops’ – but it also takes in natural plant and animal substances. It is by using these materials in new ways to create energy that makes it so exciting. With one of the largest production legacies within Europe, the UK is a major player in Biomass-produced electricity. The lack of C02 given out by this form of energy is another positive element in the whole process. Much of the UK wood crop is sustainable, in order to ensure that C02 produced during any heating process is absorbed.

Fast growing trees such as Willow and Poplar (under the banner of Short Rotation Coppice ‘SRC’) help to meet the need for ‘Energy Crops’ within the UK. Dry matter is also very sought after – and perennial grasses are a good source of this. Equally significant within this practice sit Municipal and Agricultural waste products. As a by-product, Agricultural Waste is simply part of the farming process. Of equal importance is Municipal Waste, which comes from recycyled wood and food.

Geo-Thermal Energy: Both warm water and electricity can be produced as by-products of the natural heating of the Earth by the Sun. Heating or cooling properties in the UK can be achieved using the ground source heat temperature of around 12 degrees centigrade. With four units replaced for every one unit of energy used, these heat pumps are very effective. Utilising the energy generated from wind turbines and solar electrical panels alongside heat source pumps, can make them alomst 100 percent renewable.

Wind Energy: As an energy source, wind energy has to be one of the oldest forms of energy creation in history. Where the local power grid demands it, energy can be diverted and sold there. To be fair, the UK has the highest level 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. Overall, electricity could be generated from as low as 2p per kWh – instead of the current 2-10 p 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.

Last of all there is Hydropower – an area of especial importance to the UK. The field of using moving water to release energy is a very old technique – albeit we now do this in new ways. Within the UK, this form of energy production is responsible for somewhere in the region of 2 percent of all electrical needs.

Transforming the energy of moving water into another type (with the aid of a turbine) is known as a Hydropower system. It is by either water ‘drop-offs’, or Natural River runs, that turbines can work through this process. A ‘Micro-Hydro’ system creates energy through the use of dams and sluices (that are no longer a part of the national distribution system.) This smaller form of electrical output has been recently reviewed and could allocate some 200MW of capacity to the UK system. A micro-hydro system like this would be expected to cost between 200 and 3,000 pounds per kW of the energy.

Because of the energy need of the Western World, we are now seeing a rapid rise in ‘Green Energy’. Within the UK and mainly the domestic sector, we are well placed to take advantage of the schemes above.

Electricians and Plumbers in particular are expected to provide the main thrust of domestic installation expertise. With ‘Green Energy’ rising up the political agenda in Europe, a range of financial aids and grants are becoming available. As a new industry, there are a range of new certificates to gain. To that end, it may be worth thinking about combined training. You can then get plumbing or electrical training along with green knowledge.

Author: Scott Edwards. Check out CLICK HERE or Green Certification.