Renewable Energy
Everyone knows that fossil fuels are finite and will eventually run out, so we need to prepare for that eventuality and not just wait for it to happen. The question is what can replace fossil fuels and meet modern society's high energy demands. The answer is unlikely to be a single solution and will in all likelihood involve a mix of sources and technologies. Part of this mix is energy from renewable sources, those often classed as clean and sustainable alternative energies, including wind, solar, hydro and biomass. Many of the technologies needed to harness these sources are still in their infancy, but they do exist today and are technically improving all the time and becomming cheaper to install as they become more common. You may have seen wind turbines sprouting up around the country. Each one of these can produce enough power for around 1200 homes. These are an early sign of the new energy revolution, but in the future we will rely ever more on nature to provide us our energy source.
There are many famous supporters of renewables:
Alex Kapranos, lead singer of Franz Ferdinand
"Our modern lives depend upon easy access to huge resources of energy. We're going to run out of fossil fuels so need to find an alternative resource. It's unlikely that we'll run out of wind so we may as well use that."
Wayne Hemingway, designer
"Wind turbines are mesmerising structures of beauty that point our energy industry in the right direction"
Guy Berryman, Coldplay
"There is no longer any doubt that for the future of the planet we need to start saving energy and look for renewable sources. Wind energy makes economic and environmental sense. There are some things that really can make a difference to the world; wind energy is one of them."
More quotes can be found on the Embrace the wind website.
But ultimately the responsibility to tackle climate change and to find new energy solutions will come down to individuals in local areas and communities. Ultimately the responsibility will come down to you.
What does renewable energy mean?
Renewable energy is the term used to cover ‘those energy flows that occur naturally and repeatedly in the environment and can be harnessed for human benefit. The ultimate sources of most of this energy are the sun, gravity and the earth’s rotation’.
How does renewable energy work?
Fossil fuels and uranium are finite and are non-renewable. Once sources of such fuels have been used they are gone forever.
Renewable forms of energy are secure and inexhaustible. They are energy sources ultimately based on heat and light from the sun.
Solar energy drives the world’s weather patterns and indirectly provides wind, wave and hydro power.
The technologies used to exploit renewable energy all work in very different ways and as such the equipment needed is varied. Renewable technologies range from those that are well established and mature such as wind, hydro and solar, to those that need further research and development but show great potential, such as wave and tidal.
Renewable energy technologies do not produce harmful emissions in operation and therefore do not contribute to adverse environmental impacts.
What are the main renewable energy technologies?
Photovoltaics (PV)
Solar radiation is converted directly into electricity by photovoltaic cells. PV cells are arranged into modules that can be attached to existing buildings, installed as integral parts of new buildings or used as stand alone systems.
Examples in the North East:
- The Doxford Solar Office, Doxford Business Park, Tyne and Wear
- The Northumbria Building, Northumbria University, Newcastle
- Newcastle Great Park, Newcastle
- Devonshire Building, Northumbria University, Newcastle
Solar Hot Water (SHW)
Solar radiation is absorbed in collectors to provide space and water heating. In the UK solar water heating systems can provide about 50% of a household’s annual hot water requirements. They need minimal maintenance and have a life span of 20 years.
Examples in the North East:
- Earth Balance, nr Bedlington, Northumberland
Passive solar design (PSD)
PSD harnesses the sun’s energy to provide space heating and reduce the need for artificial light in buildings. PSD buildings use orientation, materials and layout to capture, store and distribute solar radiation.
Examples in the North East:
- Eco Centre, Jarrow, Tyne and Wear
Wind energy
Wind is the result of different pressures around the world caused by extremes of temperature created by the sun. Wind energy can be harnessed by small, medium and large turbines that generate mechanical power and produce electricity.
Examples in the North East:
- Eppleton Wind Farm, Hetton le Hole, Tyne and Wear
- Cassop Primary School, Durham
- Wansbeck General Hospital, Ashington, Northumberland
- Business Innovation Centre, Sunderland
- Eco Centre, Jarrow, Tyne and Wear
- Nissan, Sunderland
Biomass
The energy stored in living material such as trees or straw can be converted into heat and electricity through burning, pyrolisis or gasification. Because the overall amount of carbon dioxide absorbed whilst the plant is growing is the same as that which is released when it is burned, biomass is seen as being ‘carbon neutral’. Systems harnessing the heat from biomass can be as small as log fires or pellet and chip boilers or can be larger such as district heating schemes and power generation stations.
Examples in the North East:
- Durham schools
- Kielder District Heating Scheme, Kielder Village, Northumberland
- Semcorp (Wilton 10), Teesside
- Co-firing at the ALCAN power station
- Approx. 20-30 manufacturing companies in the region use their waste wood for onsite heat
- Lee Moor Farm District Heating Scheme.
- Falstone visitor centre/café has a pellet boiler
Hydroelectricity
The power of falling water can be converted into electricity by the means of hydro - turbines. Hydroelectricity power stations are highly efficient, reliable and have a long life span. Hydro power is controllable and offers an element of storage in the electricity supply systems.
Examples in the North East:
- Kielder Reservoir, Northumberland.
- Cragside, Rothbury, Northumberland
Geothermal energy
The earth's interior heat can be utilised for both space heating and electricity production. Geothermal steam can be used to produce electricity or heat can be transferred to water to provide hot water or heat.
Examples in the North East:
- Eastgate, Weardale
Biofuels and biogas
These are transport fuels derived from biological sources such as sustainable crops, which are digested to produce gas or liquids such as methane.
Examples in the North East:
- Work is nearing completion on what will be the UK’s largest Biodiesel producing plant at Seal Sands on Teesside.
Tidal power
Tides can be harnessed to provide electricity. There are many sites around the UK’s coastline where geographical features help increase the tidal resource. Although the output from a tidal power station is variable it is highly predictable. However, it does not necessarily coincide with variations in electricity demand. Currently tidal projects are prohibitively expensive and more research is needed to progress this technology.
Wave energy
The motion and force of waves can be harnessed for conversion to electricity, although this technology is still at the experimental stage and is not yet commercial the UK has significant potential for using wave energy.