Are you thinking of installing some kind of renewable energy for your home? If so, I offer this guide.
These are the main ways of generating energy from renewable sources. All of them have their pluses and minuses. None of these forms of energy supply 100% of the energy that you need at all times, and they do need back up. All forms suffer from some kind of intermittency. That should not stop you considering one of these which will give you clean energy some of the time.
Photovoltaic
Cells joined together which react to light to produce electricity. Good in small applications, such as calculating machines, but expensive in larger applications. They become less efficient in hot weather. The cells are made from silicon, which is an energy intensive process, so the carbon payback is relatively long. They are ideal for off grid situations to avoid environmental infrastructure costs. They do not work in darkness and storing electricity is expensive and environmentally unfriendly. No maintenance apart from replacing inverters.
Should last over twenty years.
Wind turbines
These generate electricity in DC form (needs to be inverted to AC) using the wind. They work best in moderate steady wind; if it becomes too windy they are designed to shut down. They suffer from intermittency because of problems with electricity storage. Big ones work better than small ones. The jury is still out on small turbines, both in energy terms and in terms of damaging household structures. The carbon pay back is claimed to be seven or eight months. High maintenance.
Should last around 10 years.
Solar Thermal
I chose to build a business in solar thermal when I established Genersys. Light reacts to the surface of a specially designed panel to generate heat, which is deployed in heating water, space or pools. Most systems in the UK are only for water heating, but space heating systems will catch up over the next few years, and become more commonlace, as they arein Germany and in Mexico. This is the by far the best way to heat a pool. They only work in daylight but heat energy can be successfully and cheaply stored. This is the most successful and popular form of world wide microgeneration. The carbon payback is less than two years. Very low maintenance.
Should last around 35 years.
Heat Pumps
They exploit heat differentials in the ground or in the air by expanding and contracting a gas, rather like a fridge, creating heat. They operate with electricity so the carbon footprint is high and they can be expensive to run. Only really advisable if you are off the gas grid network. No carbon payback. Medium maintenance.
Should last twenty years.
Hydro electric power
If you have a small river or stream you might be able to generate electricity provided you get all the necessary permissions. It will have less intermittency than wind or photovoltaics, and it will hard to store the power. It may damage a local eco system, so proceed with great care. Carbon payback depends on installation. High maintenance.
Should last ten years.
Biomass
Burning wood or wood pellets in order to generate heat. Needs a steady and relaible source of fuel, and subject to this no intermittancy problems. Theoretically carbon neutral but probably lowish carbon, if used correctly. No carbon payback. High maintenance. Possible health problems caused by smoke in the atmosphere.
Should last ten years.
So go on, do something to reduce your carbon footprint now!
Filed under: PV, biomass, carbon emissions, climate change, electricity, energy, global warming, heat, microgeneration, pollution, solar, solar energy, wind turbines | Tagged: biomass, carbon payback, heat pumps, hydro electricity, life spans, maintenance, photovoltaics, short guide to home renewable energy, solar thermal, wind turbines
