Inside Green Engineer Certification – The Facts

It is by using natural resources such as tidal or wind energy – collectively known as ‘Green Energy’ – that we could meet our daily energy needs. They are considered ‘Green’ because they are environmentally friendly. The older energy skill sets have had value for years, especially when we think of wind power and windmills. But in the main, this is the process of utilising modern technology to provide eco-efficient and planet-friendly alternatives.

It is the use of simple renewable energies such as Solar Thermal and Solar Water Heating Collectors, that suits the home environment. Moving on from this there are the Photovoltaic Panels (PV’s) which can generate electricity from your roof. Following on from this is a process known as Biomass Energy – which includes Boilers burning wood and other fuels. Then we have the ancient energy of the Sun and the heat that comes from it – now called Ground Source Heat Pumps. Lastly, there are two of the more historical forms of energy production – namely Wind Turbines and Hydropower.

Solar Energy Systems: Typically referred to as Solar Energy this is mainly made up of two types of Solar Panels – each using different methods to achieve similar results. First, we have Solar Water Heating Collectors, which absorb energy from the Sun and transfer this into hot water. Added to this is the generation of electricity from solar radiation – known as Photovoltaism, or more commonly Solar Electrical panels. To get the best results these panels need to be south facing at an angle of around 30 degrees from horizontal, and away from blockages.

Within Solar Energy overall, Solar Water Power is most commonly used in the UK. Solar Water heating systems can provide over 50 percent of a household’s hot water requirement during the year. Typically, to fit this type of equipment will cost between 500 and 1500 pounds for a DIY kit – all the way up to 2-5k for a full professional fitting.

Biomass Energy Based Systems: This is a general term for all forms of plant and animal material e.g. wood, straw, poultry litter and ‘energy crops’. Due to its adaptability, it can produce a range of energy forms – from heat and electricity through to combinations of both. Indeed, within the European Markets, the UK has some of the leading levels of Biomass material at hand. It should be borne in mind that the whole process is designed to produce energy without an impact on CO2. Having a tree planted in place of another (that is felled for energy production) helps overall.

‘Energy Crops’ trees such as Willow and Poplar play a major part in the process – under the banner of Short Rotation Coppice (SRC). Perennial grasses also produce a high yield of dry matter. Within this process also sits the lesser known Agricultural and Municipal Wastes. As a by-product, Agricultural Waste is simply part of the farming process. Municipal Waste such as food or wood can also be utilised as a biomass product.

Geo-Thermal Energy: Both warm water and electricity can be produced as by-products of the natural heating of the Earth by the Sun. Within the UK, the constant ground source heat temperature is around 12 degrees centigrade – and can be utilised to both heat and cool buildings. Although heat pumps require energy to function, their rate of return is superb – being a four-fold benefit over the energy put in. Heat source pump energy can go one step further (by gaining a 100 percent return) if the energy to power them comes from items such as wind turbines or solar electrical panels.

Wind Energy Based Systems – In use for milling grain or pumping water, wind energy has been with us for a very long time, although its modern uses are complex. However, in more recent times there’s been the option to recover the energy for its own sake – and deliver this either to a home unit or to the local power grid. In fact, the UK has the largest wind resource within Europe. Potentially, we can produce 10 percent of our annual energy needs through wind power, although at present within the UK we still only use 1 percent. Frankly, electricity can be realised from as little as 2p per kWh – as opposed to the current level of 2-10 p per kWh. From this, the estimation of the cost recovery period is around 6-9 months overall.

Within the UK, Hydropower suits the energy generation model. The ability to utilise energy from moving water, much like wind power, has been going on for thousands of years. That said, this type of energy can generate around 2 percent of the total electrical demand for the UK.

The Hydropower process uses a turbine that can convert the energy from one form into another. No water reservoirs are required – as the turbines either run through a water drop-off system or the natural power of the river. A ‘Micro-Hydro’ system creates energy through the use of dams and sluices (that are no longer a part of the national distribution system.) Having said that, this process could still generate 200mW of the National Capacity. Between 200 pounds and 3k per KW of energy output, is a good estimate of the overall cost of a project such as this.

Because of the energy need of the Western World, we are now seeing a rapid rise in ‘Green Energy’. The UK domestic market appears to be one of the core beneficiaries of this technology.

It is the drive for installations in the domestic sector that looks to favour jobs such as plumbers and electricians. With ‘Green Energy’ rising up the political agenda in Europe, a range of financial aids and grants are becoming available. It is important to gain the correct qualifications to install these items. You could consider either plumbing or electrical training programs that highlight green installation.

(C) Scott Edwards 2009. Check out www.squidoo.com/PlumbingCourses or CLICK HERE.