Renewables

Because of the escalating costs of gas, oil, petroleum and electricity, we’ve during ten years seen a big change in attitude towards preserving energy. Both governments and the general public have woken up to the simple fact that energy produced by fossils fuels is not a never-ending resource. What’s more by burning fossil fuel, there’s the irreversible deterioration caused to the ozone by omitting CO2 gasses. It has resulted in what is known as the green revolution.

Due to the concerns seen by the risk caused from nuclear plants such as evident in Russia at Chenobyl and a lot more recently in Japan at Fukisima, alternative methods of producing energy have been given an impetus. Arguably the most significant growth has been seen in using renewable technologies.

Unlike standard fuels, which pollutes the atmosphere, renewable energy has less effect on the planet. Sustainable energy development  also contribute to jobs and much less oil being  brought in from foreign countries. There are several types of renewable energy including; wind and sun, as well as water or (hydro-power), geothermal and biological processes.  The challenge is to harness that energy for use.  Some renewable energy technologies are criticized as being intermittent or unsightly, however the industry is growing from many types of renewable energy.

 
Renewable fuels are inexhaustible and free, tapped and produced locally. The production of renewable energy  has some cons, mainly associated with the use of large of tracts of land that affects animal habitats and outdoor scenery.

The largest use of renewable energy is in the use of generating electricity such as solar photovoltaics (solar panels), wind farms and making use of the oceans currents to produce electricity. Green electricity markets have been developed in recent years in a number of European countries for example Switzerland, Germany, the Netherlands, and also the United Kingdom.  Everyone is going green, and lots of companies are making it easier than ever before.  If you want to do your bit for the environment, a great way to start is right in your own home. For a simple resource that many homeowners can do, head to how to insulate your loft.

Many governments have national programs to encourage homeowners to invest in minimizing energy consumption in the home. For instance the UK government give home owners grants for home insulation that will help towards the cost of installing cavity wall insulation and loft insulation. For more information on UK grants go to www.energygrantsdirect.co.uk/grants.html . In addition newly built UK homes have got to generate 20% of their energy usage from renewable technologies.  Both Germany and UK also give homeowners financial offers to have solar panels on the roof. It has seen a substantial uptake in the use of solar photovoltaics in domestic dwellings.

In addition to wind and solar, other types of renewable technologies are:

Biomass

This originates from reusing wood, forestry, agriculture, construction and transportation. It is generally useful for heating homes or as an alternative for burning fossils fuels.

Biofuels

Biofuel is any fuel created from biomass. The two kinds of biofuels are ethanol and biodiesel.  They are typically used to power vehicles and cooking stoves.

 
Geothemal Heat Pumps

Geothermal heat pumps uses the Earth’s capacity to store heat in the ground and water thermal masses to supply heating or air conditioning.