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Through the implementation of renewable energy schemes
your organisation will contribute to reducing the national
demand on non-renewable energy as well as reducing your
CCL payments and improving your
public image.
Photovoltaics -
Photovoltaics is the use of solar energy using a semiconductor
material such as silicon (in the form of solar cells)
to generate electricity.
This form of energy production has enormous potential
but in many cases is currently not financially the best
option due to the cost of solar cell production. However
large-scale pilot projects are being undertaken in the
UK and if these prove reliable and efficient manufacturing
costs may be reduced in the future.
Passive Solar Design
Incorporating passive solar design into new buildings
can reduce annual fuel bills by up to a third. This
is achieved by optimising energy derived directly from
the sun through the:
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Building Materials used
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Building orientation
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Size and position of glazed areas
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Wind Turbines
Generating electricity from wind turbines is often the
most effective method of producing renewable energy.
Potentially 100 % of our energy requirements could be
generated from wind power over the next 20 years.
Projects can vary in size from small-scale schemes
remote from the energy network to large-scale wind farms
producing electricity in competition with non-renewable
sources (e.g. Power stations).
Hydropower
Hydropower is the generation of energy from the movement
of water usually due to gravity (e.g. streams) or from
tidal action in the form of wave energy.
Hydropower, in the form of large dam projects, currently
produces 2% of the UK electricity needs.
In the UK there is potential, given the correct location,
for the establishment of small-scale (producing less
than 10 MW of electricity) hydro energy plants.
Biomass
All organic matter is known as biomass, this may be
burnt or converted into fuels and acts as a renewable
energy source.
Sources of Biomass utilised for energy production include
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Solid Biofuels
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Liquid Biofuels
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Biogas
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Energy Crops
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Further information is available
online
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http://www.greenenergy.org.uk
The main renewable energy pages of the National Energy
foundation, providing detailed information on photovoltaics,
solar water heating, passive solar design and wind power.
Caddett
Renewable Energy is an International Energy Agency
Agreement. The site provides information on renewable
energy sources including full-scale commercial renewable
energy projects in member countries (including the UK).
http://www.agores.org
The European Commission Website for Renewable Energy
Sources, acting as an information centre and gateway
for renewable energy.
The
Source for Renewable Energy buyers guide and directory
to more than 4500 renewable energy businesses and organisations
around the world.
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