The problem ....
- Homes use electricity which have been produced in power stations, burning coal, gas or oil to produce it, emitting CO2 in the process
- They also use gas which creates CO2, the main cause of Climate Change
Creating your own electricity from renewable energy sources, will cut down the need for energy production at a power station and therefore reduce CO2
What can I do ....
There are many different types of renewable energy that you can install in your home. Before deciding which type of renewable energy to go for, you must look at the following
- The suitability of your home
- The payback time (the amount of time it takes for the renewable energy system to pay for itself)
- The initial cost of the installation
While some forms of microgeneration are classed as 'permitted developments' and do not require planning permission, other forms may do so and it is worth checking with your local authority.
Some examples of renewable energy are as follows ....
Solar Power
Producing hot water ....
- Energy from the sun can be used to provide hot water and produce electricity for your home
- This will on average save you 65% – 75% on the price of your heating bill
- South facing roofs, walls and gardens are suitable for the installation of the heating panels
Producing electricity ....
- Photovoltaic cells convert the sunlight to electricity
- This electricity is fed into the mains grid
- PV can be put on a south facing roof that is unobstructed by trees etc Wind Turbines
- Wind turbines convert moving wind into electricity
- A micro wind turbine is attached to your chimney
- The electricity produced can be fed back into the mains generate revenue due to the feed in tariff
- An exposed house makes this type of energy appropriate
Wind
- These convert moving wind into electricity
- It is possible that a small turbine connected to your chimney or roof is the most practical
- The house needs to be exposed to the wind to make this a practice means of electricity generation
- The electricity produced is fed back into the mains electricity grid, reducing your electricity bill and generating income through the feed in tariff
Biomass
- These are materials that grow quickly and can be burned to release heat for heating and hot water
- These materials used could be wood or straw (materials that grow quickly) and therefore the fuel has to be purchased – making this method different from other renewable energy sources
- The CO2 released when it is burned is equal to the CO2 absorbed during the growth of the material – making this process carbon neutral
- Wood in the form of logs or pellets is the most commonly used biofuel
Ground Source Heat Pumps
- Heat pumps take heat from several meters under the ground which remains at 12 degrees all year round and this is used to heat your house
- They can be used to warm water before it enters your domestic hot water heater
- These are hugely efficient, as for every unit of energy used, four units of electricity are produced
Hydro-power
- If you have a fast moving stream or river running near your house – it may be possible to generate electricity from the moving water
- These systems are not the easiest to install, though they do have the capacity to generate substantial amounts of electricity, and therefore generate income
Any renewable energy technology that feeds electricity back into the mains grid will be eligible for the feed in tariffs. Which means that you can get paid for the electricity you produce
Related pages ....