Explaining Solar PV Training – Where To Go
It is the use of tides or wind to deliver our daily energy needs that form ‘Green Energy’. When ‘Green’, they are all thought to be replenishable and natural. It’s interesting to note that in some instances we’re actually travelling back in time to utilise some of the older energy skill sets e.g. Wind Power (Windmills etc.) Overall, this is the method of using modern techniques to provide eco-efficiency and planet friendly options.
The home can use a range of new ideas to help with energy usage – including Solar Thermal and Solar Water Heating Collectors. 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. There is also the ground heat from the Sun – now known as Ground Source Heat Pumps. Considering items such as Wind Power and Hydro Turbines, we are finally getting to very old forms of energy production.
Thermal Energy Systems: This technology is based around two core types of system. Firstly, there are elements that absorb energy from the sun and create hot water – known as Solar Water Heating Collectors. Added to this is the generation of electricity from solar radiation – known as Photovoltaism, or more commonly Solar Electrical panels. 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.
For the UK, this is often considered the most popular form of ‘Green Energy’. Solar Water heating systems can meet the need for more than half of all hot water needs in the domestic market. 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 Based Systems: 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. Added to all this, is the lack of C02 produced as a by-product of the whole process. 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). Perennial grasses also produce a high yield of dry matter. Within this process also sits the lesser known Agricultural and Municipal Wastes. 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.
Systems Using Geo-Thermal Energy – Used in the generation of both warm water and electricity, this energy mainly comes from the Sun and heats the Earth. By using the ground source temperature of approximately 12 degrees, we can either heat or cool buildings within the UK. Generally, items such as Heat Pumps are thought of as very effective, as they produce four units of energy for every one that is used for generation. A greater return of energy (sometimes almost 100 percent) is produced – because heat source pumps can operate in-line with wind turbines and solar electrical panels.
Wind Energy Programs: In use for milling grain or pumping water, wind energy has been with us for a very long time, although its modern uses are complex. 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. Potentially, we can produce 10 percent of our annual energy needs through wind power, although at present within the UK we still only use 1 percent. Frankly, electricity can be realised from as little as 2p per kWh – as opposed to the current level of 2-10 p per kWh. Recovery of the cost involved is somewhere between 6-9 months.
Then there is Hydropower – something within Europe that the UK excels in. Although new in its approach, the act of harnessing energy from water has been going on for a long time. In total, this could produce something like 2 percent of all electricity required in the UK.
The Hydropower process uses a turbine that can convert the energy from one form into another. It is by either water ‘drop-offs’, or Natural River runs, that turbines can work through this process. ‘Micro-Hydro’ utilises a chunk of the outdated sluices and dam systems that have been killed off by the large national distribution methods. Whilst considered a smaller form of electrical output, this system is thought to be able to give some 200mW of capacity to the UK. Between 200 pounds and 3k per KW of energy output, is a good estimate of the overall cost of a project such as this.
‘Green Energy’ is growing – mainly due to the demands of the Western World. 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. With EEC and UK recognition of renewable energy getting ever-higher on the political agenda, the grants and financial aid for introduction of these systems can only increase. It is by gaining the right certificates that will provide opportunities and job security for the long term. Look for combined electrical and plumbing training, with a key emphasis on practical green systems and installation.
(C) 2009 Scott Edwards. Try Green Engineer Certification or CLICK HERE.