Renewable energy

Renewable energy is energy derived from renewable resources such as wind, water, sun and biomass. These resources will never run out and produce little or no harmful emissions thereby providing us with a sustainable option for our future energy needs.

Renewable energy has the potential to supply 100% of the UK’s power but currently only provides 4%. The Government has set a target to increase this to 20% by 2020. In Hertfordshire we are aiming for renewable technologies to supply 3% of our predicted energy consumption by 2010.

The main types of renewable technology considered at national level are listed below.

• Wind - With a 1,000 mile coastline, Britain has the greatest potential for off-shore wind energy generation in Europe. There are currently 2,636 operational wind turbines  across the country (both on and off shore) providing electricity for over 2,142,200 homes. This is increasing rapidly as large scale investment is made to increase our offshore wind capacity.

• Wave and Tidal - Energy can be harnessed from the motion of ocean waves and tides. The UK currently leads the world in marine energy technologies. The Carbon Trust estimates that we could meet up to 15% of our electricity needs from marine sources.

• Biomass - Renewable fuel can be derived from a wide range of crops including forestry, agricultural residues and other organic waste.

Micro-generation in St Albans - generating your own energy

Micro Wind Power

Whilst there is little potential within St Albans District for large-scale wind turbines, there are many opportunities for small scale domestic turbines, called micro-turbines. These can be fitted to the roof or on a mast.

Micro-turbines can cost from £1,500-£20,000. The effectiveness of micro-turbines is highly dependent on wind speed and the surrounding land-use so are most suitable for properties in a rural location, where there is open exposure free from turbulence and obstructions from surrounding buildings or trees.

If you are considering a wind turbine it is advisable to have a professional assessment of wind-speed in the exact location of the turbine over a year. An accredited installer will be able to advise you further.

Solar Power

Solar power is ideal for urban living since solar energy systems can be easily integrated into the existing structure of a building, such as a domestic dwelling.

Solar energy can be collected by two types of systems: Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Panels and Solar Thermal Panels.

Solar Pholtovoltaic Panels convert sunlight to electricity. Contrary to popular belief they do not require direct sunlight to generate electricity and are therefore suitable in our northern climate.  Some systems allow the householder to connect a two-way meter so that any excess electricity can be sold to the grid.

Solar Thermal systems absorb heat from the sun to heat water used for showers and washing etc.  When the sun shines, the temperature of the fluid in the collector system rises. It is then circulated to the tank, where it transfers its heat to the water via a heat exchanger.

There are two different types of solar thermal collectors – either evacuator tubes or flat panel collectors. Vacuum tube collectors are the most efficient, providing almost as much energy on a cold sunny winter's day as on a warm summer's day, but they are more expensive.

A typical solar thermal system, when fitted to a south-facing roof, will provide 72% of a household’s hot water over the course of a year. They are probably the most cost-effective renewable energy technology that can be installed in a domestic situation in this country, with the shortest payback time.

Wood Fuelled Heating

Wood fuelled heating systems burn wood pellets, chips or logs to power central heating and hot water boilers or to provide warmth. This system of heating may either consist of a standalone stove which may also be connected to a back boiler to provide hot water or a wood burning boiler connected to a central heating and hot water system.

Ground Source Heat Pumps

Ground Source Heat Pumps transfer heat from the ground into a building to provide space heating and in some cases pre-heat domestic hot water. Some electricity is used to power the pump but for every unit of electricity used, 3-4 units of heat are produced, making it an efficient way of heating a building. The system is ideal for new build homes and there are no planning issues given the underground nature of the system. You will need space outside for the ground loop and the heat generated can be linked to existing systems, though it is ideally suited to households with underfloor heating.

To find out about whether any of the above renewable technologies are right for you please visit the Energy Saving Trust website or the Renewable Energy Centre.

Planning Applications for Renewable Energy Installations

Planning applications will need to show, as with satellite dishes, that any renewable technology installation is positioned with minimum visual impact on the external appearance of the building. Potential noise disruption from micro-wind turbines to adjoining occupiers will also be a consideration.

Special considerations will also apply to listed buildings or those sited within the green belt or conservation areas. Within conservation areas inconspicuous positions for installations are encouraged however this may mean that solar panels cannot be placed on the south facing slope of the roof. Unsympathetic alterations that damage the historic street scene should also be avoided.

Please note that the planning rules are changing over the next year so that some small-scale renewable energy installations may be fitted without the need for planning consent.

Switch on to Renewable Energy

If you want to see renewable energy make a difference, changing your electricity supplier to one that sells energy from renewable sources is a great start. More and more energy suppliers in the UK are offering consumers the opportunity to buy ‘green electricity’. If you were to switch to a renewable energy tariff, the electricity you receive will arrive through the same cables and wires, but for every unit of electricity you use your supplier will plough an equal amount of green energy into the National Grid.

Switching is FREE and there are websites to help you do this, such as uSwitch.com and Energywatch.org.uk. Remember to tell your old supplier why you’re switching!

Grants for Renewable Technologies

The Feed In Tariff (FIT)

The Feed In Tariff was introduced in April 2010. Under the scheme, payments are made to those who generate their own electricity from renewable or low carbon technology. Allowable technologies include, up to an installation size of 5 MW, solar PV, wind turbines, hydroelectricity, anaerobic digestion and (currently under pilot) micro combined heat and power.

The tariff has been set at a level to ensure that anyone investing in renewable technology makes a 4-5% return on investment across the life of the technology.

For further information, visit the Energy Saving Trust Feed In Tariff webpage or call 0800 512012.

Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI)

The Renewable Heat Incentive is designed to provide a financial incentive to individuals, communities and businesses to switch from using fossil fuels for heating to renewables such as wood. The scheme will be introduced in two phases from October 2011. 

Eligible technologies will most likely include air, water and ground-source heat pumps, solar thermal, biomass biolers, renewable combined heat and power and biogas and bioliquids. It is proposed that payments will be made to householders on an annual basis according to an estimation of the amount of heat generated. Any installations installed or commissioned on or after 15th July 2009 will be eligible for Phase 2 of the tariff when it becomes available, providing it meets the eligibility criteria.

For further information visit the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) Renewable Heat Incentive webpage.