Updates On Solar Training Courses For 2010

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 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. To begin with, we have the concept of drawing energy from the Sun to heat water - known as Solar Water Heating Collectors. Solar Electrical panels or Photovoltaic heat collectors transfer 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. With the capacity to deliver 50 percent plus of a household's hot water requirement annually, Solar Water heating systems are crucial to energy in the UK. 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 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.

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. Perennial grasses also produce a high yield of dry matter. Other less known materials within this field are Agricultural and Municipal Waste. Under normal agricultural activity, agricultural waste is a natural by-product. Municipal Waste such as food or wood can also be utilised as a biomass product.

Geo-Thermal Energy Based Systems - This is primarily the heating of the Earth (mainly from the sun) and can be utilised in electricity and warm water production. Within the UK, the constant ground source heat temperature is around 12 degrees centigrade - and can be utilised to both heat and cool buildings. 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. The energy generated by a heat source pump can in fact be considered 100 percent renewable, if the power to operate the pump comes from solar electrical panels or a wind turbine.

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.

Within the UK, Hydropower suits the energy generation model. Although new in its approach, the act of harnessing energy from water has been going on for a long time. Interestingly enough, this type of energy production meets around 2 percent of the UK electrical total demand.

Using a turbine, a Hydropower system can transform the energy of water into other forms. Turbines use either a water drop (e.g. through a dam) or by a natural 'run of the river' - thereby having no water storage reservoir. Alternatively, 'Micro-Hydro' systems use hitherto outdated sluices and dams to generate electricity. Whilst considered a smaller form of electrical output, this system is thought to be able to give some 200mW of capacity to the UK. A micro-hydro system like this would be expected to cost between 200 and 3,000 pounds per kW of the energy.

It can be seen that the route to 'Green Energy' is growing considerably, especially in light of the need for increasing energy outputs throughout the Western World. Within the UK and mainly the domestic sector, we are well placed to take advantage of the schemes above.

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.

(C) Scott Edwards 2009. Pop over to Green Engineer Courses or CLICK HERE.