In a nutshell, ‘Green Energy’ utilises natural resources such as sunlight, wind, tides and geothermal heat to provide our daily energy requirement. ‘Green’ basically means that all the energy is renewable. It is easy to think that we may be travelling back in time when we think of items such as wind power and windmills. Overall, this is the method of using modern techniques to provide eco-efficiency and planet friendly options.

It is the use of simple renewable energies such as Solar Thermal and Solar Water Heating Collectors, that suits the home environment. Equally there is electricity that is generated through roof-installed panels. A further factor revolves around stoves and boilers – which are known as Biomass Energy. Of course, then there is the heating from the Sun – often just called Ground Source Heat Pumps. Finally, we have two of the most traditional forms of energy generation that have gone through some resurgence over the last few years; these being Wind Power, Wind Turbines and Hydropower (including Water Wheels.)

Solar Thermal Energy – Often called Solar Energy, this is fact based on two types of solar panels each using different ideas to get their results. Initially, there is the process of obtaining hot water from the Sun via Solar Water Heating Collectors. Then we have the work of the Photovoltaic Heat Collectors, often called Solar Electrical Panels – which transform solar radiation into electricity. To get the best results these panels need to be south facing at an angle of around 30 degrees from horizontal, and away from blockages.

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 cost of fitting depends on whether you do it yourself (500 to 1500 pounds) or whether you get a professional fitter – in which case it will cost between 2-5k overall.

Biomass Energy Systems – This is a ‘capture all’ phrase which includes all natural materials. e.g. Wood, straw and poultry litter – but nowadays also includes modern ‘Energy Crops’. Considering its ability to produce energy in the form of heat and electricity, this type of energy is extremely flexible. Furthermore, within the European Markets, the UK is one of the central producers of Biomass fuels. It should be borne in mind that the whole process is designed to produce energy without an impact on CO2. Because the system often involves one tree being planted as another is felled, many wood crops are deemed to be sustainable sources.

By the growth of Short Rotation Crops (SRC), the UK is able to maximise the ‘Energy Crops’ return overall. Dry matter is also very sought after – and perennial grasses are a good source of this. Municipal and Agricultural waste products are both little known, but essential materials to this field. Agricultural Waste is commonly formed as a by-product of traditional agricultural work. Another biomass source is that of municipal waste – and this comes from recycled wood or 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. 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. 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. To be fair, the UK has the highest level of wind generation within Europe. For the fact remains that, within the UK, we have the ability to generate 10 percent of our requirement from Wind Production – as opposed to the current value of only 1 percent. Rather than electricity production running at 2-10 p per kWh, it could be run at 2p per kWh. The financial recovery process takes around 6-9 months.

Last of all there is Hydropower – an area of especial importance to the UK. Just like a thousand years ago, we are utilising the energy from water. Within the UK, this form of energy production is responsible for somewhere in the region of 2 percent of all electrical needs.

The Hydropower process uses a turbine that can convert the energy from one form into another. No water reservoirs are required – as the turbines either run through a water drop-off system or the natural power of the river. ‘Micro-Hydro’ however, uses the dam and sluice systems that have been made redundant by the larger national distributions. Having said that, this process could still generate 200mW of the National Capacity. The capital cost of installing a micro-hydro system can run between 200 and 3000 pounds per kW of energy output.

Because of the energy need of the Western World, we are now seeing a rapid rise in ‘Green Energy’. To be fair, the UK domestic market is actually leading the resurgence, with a variety of schemes.

It is the drive for installations in the domestic sector that looks to favour jobs such as plumbers and electricians. Not only in the EEC, but also in the UK, ‘Green Energy’ is rapidly gaining ground as the way forward – and a range of financial incentives are in place to support this. Gaining installation certification across these areas can only provide further opportunity and job security to anyone already in related fields or looking to retrain. You could consider either plumbing or electrical training programs that highlight green installation.

Copyright Scott Edwards 2009. Browse around Green Engineer Courses or www.plumbingtraininggb.co.uk/GreenEngineerTraining.html.

1. Considering Solar PV Training In The UK In a nutshell, 'Green Energy' utilises natural resources such as sunlight, wind, tides and geothermal...
2. Outlines For Plumbing Training To begin with newspapers appear to love discussing what can be earned in Plumbing. Figures...