Renewable Energy
The use
of Renewable Energy can help the environment by offsetting our
reliance on fossil fuels. When fossil fuels are burnt they produce
carbon dioxide which is one of the gases that cause the greenhouse
effect. Some of the alternative ways of producing sustainable
energy are
- Solar Power (hot water and Photovoltaics)
- Wind Generation
- Hydro Power
- Tidal Power
- Energy from Waste (Biogas - Incineration)
- Energy Crops (Biomass)
- Ground/Air source heat pumps
From 1 April 2010 eligible low carbon electricity producers
may be eligible to receive a guaranteed rate for each unit of
electricity generated and exported. Further information on
the Clean Energy Cashback Scheme (Feed In Tariffs) is available on
DECC's website.
Solar Power
The sun provides the energy for Solar Power. There are two main
applications for solar power - these are:-
Solar Water Heaters
A typical solar water heater may provide around half of a
households hot water requirements over a full year, thus reducing
water heating bills. The technology can be incorporated either in
new build or retrofit to existing housing.
Photovoltaics
The suns energy can be converted into electricity using the
photo voltaic effect. Photovoltaics (PV) panels can be installed on
new or existing buildings to provide electricity for household
appliances. Surplus electricity can be sold back to the grid during
the daytime when PV cells can produce more electricity than can be
used.
Solar power can also be used in locations where mains electricity
is unavailable.
Wind Generation
In addition to the commercial wind farms that are springing up
all over the UK - there is an increasing range of small scale wind
generators coming onto the market that are suitable for use in the
home, caravan and leisure craft industry.
Hydro Power
Hydro schemes are limited by the natural geography of the
British Isles, however where there is sufficient potential energy
available from a head of water - this can be used to generate
electricity.
Tidal Power
Electricity can be generated by the natural rhythm of the tides.
This is achieved either by directly converting tidal energy or by
tidal barrage - holding back the mass of water until electricity is
required.
Energy from Waste (Biogas - Incineration)
In the UK over 50,000,000 tonnes of combined waste are produced
each year. The EU advises that we should manage waste in a
hierarchy:
- Reduce
- Re-use
- Recover (recycle, compost & energy recovery)
- Landfill
As long as we are producing waste it can be counted as a
renewable form of energy, however this may not be strictly true as
the waste may contain non-renewable material. In addition to biogas
from landfill sites, the hot flue gases from waste incineration can
be utilised for energy use. The waste ash and incombustibles may be
used as sub-base by the construction industry.
Energy Crops
Before fossil fuels became widely used, wood was commonly used
as a fuel. Short Rotation Coppice (SRC) plans to maximise the yield
of combustible matter for use to generate energy. At present three
Electricity Generating companies use wood as a fuel under the Non
Fossil Fuel Obligation. (NFFO).
For more information:
Contact Us
Climate Change Officer
Property, Leisure and Waste Management
White Cliffs Business Park
Dover
Kent CT16 3PJ
Tel: 01304 872218
E-mail: energy@dover.gov.uk
