High Altitude Wind

High altitude wind could be a large step towards our targets of renewable energy in the future – whilst the wind at ground level is very apparent to us & we can effectively harvest it for its energy, the rewards for wind at high altitudes are even greater. With much more consistent levels of faster wind than at the surface. Now that technologies are available which can harvest this wind, maybe we should start looking up to the skies for our energy. It is approximated that over their lifespan, the various technologies of high altitude wind farming can generate electricity for 1-2 pence per kW/h, which is cheaper than the 3.7 – 5.2 pence that it costs for generating electricity at onshore wind farms. This figure is even lower than the 2.2 pence per unit generated at coal power stations.

The Renewable Heating Incentive (RHI)

On 10 March 2011, the Government announced the details of the Renewable Heat Incentive policy to encourage changes in the way heat is generated and used in buildings and homes.

Heating

The heat used in our homes, public buildings, businesses and factories is responsible for around half of all the energy consumed in the UK, and accounts for roughly half of all the UK’s carbon emissions.

Solar Cookery

Last week we experimented with solar power, and in particular, attempted to harness the energy of the sun in order to cook various food stuffs. We had varying degrees of success in our attempts – but our creations definitely attracted some attention!

The Green Deal

Today, we have an article from another energy worker – Adam, who was keen to write an article discussing the recent updates to the governments Green Deal scheme.

Recently, the Government has released more information on the greatly anticipated ‘Green deal’ initiative – this is ,to put it simply, the Government establishing a framework that enables private firms to offer consumers energy efficiency improvements to: homes, community areas and businesses – at no upfront costs. Instead the money is paid back out of the savings that the improvements have made towards the energy bills.  This means the expected financial savings must be equal to, or greater than the costs attached to the energy bill – this is known as the “Golden rule” of the ‘Green Deal’. The Government also predicts that the introduction of this scheme could create “100 000 jobs within five years, spread across the UK”.

Ground Source Heat Pump Feasibilities

Last week we made a trip up to two neighboring properties in Widdop in order to partake in feasibilities for the installation of Ground Source Heat Pumps (GSHP’s). The properties are both single faze electric properties, without a gas supply (ideal for this technology) Having been up there previously with our resident advisor on all thing’s EPC & scouted the place around, we knew what we were working with – a shell of a barn conversion just in the early phases of renovation & in an ideal state for the implementation of green technologies & one bungalow built in the 1980’s which is somewhat lacking on the green front. Thankfully both of the properties have surrounding acreage so finding enough space for the trenches should be a cinch. Sadly one of the companies we arranged to meet backed out, but on we went regardless.

An Energy Workers Blog

Recently I became involved in a number of projects and thus have decided to start a blog detailing & documenting the day to day activities of an Energy Worker.

Here at the ATC we are regularly approached by members of our community, who are seeking advice on how to become sustainable, (which as we all know can be a daunting task in these times.) so in this blog, I intend to show some of the problems that people encounter along their path to sustainability, share the solutions to their problems and include other interesting info & facts along the way.