Renewable Energy

Context

Renewable energy is derived from sources that are continuously replenished by nature and are therefore inexhaustible in human timescales. These sources include solar, wind, wave, hydro, biomass, tidal and geothermal. Interestingly, all 'deep green' renewable sources except tidal and deep geothermal are, in fact, derivatives of solar energy: the sun is the earth's primary energy source, ultimately driving almost every meteorological and biological process. There are also several 'pale green' anthropogenic renewable sources, such as landfill gas and other more advanced energy-from-waste technologies.

Renewable energy encompasses a lot more than just electricity generation; space and water heating as well as fuels for transport and other uses are all part of the mix. The UK is legally committed to meeting 15% of its total energy needs through renewables by 2020 (our share of the EU's overall 20% target), but presently we remain a long way behind most other European nations, reaching just 3% by the end of 2009. The Government's Renewable Energy Strategy, published in July 2009, outlines how it proposes to meet this tough target.

Renewable energy exists at large scales: examples include hydro dams rated at many gigawatts, offshore wind farms, biomass power and CHP stations, concentrating solar power and tidal barrages. But it can also be deployed at very small scales - including at the domestic level - and some of SWEA's recent work has involved assessing the suitability of renewable energy technologies at the community level. Systems below 50kW in capacity are typically described under the 'microgeneration' umbrella.

Fact Sheets

NEW FOR 2010: we have produced two simple flyers outlining the new Feed-In Tariffs (or 'clean energy cashback') for green electricity generation, and the expected Renewable Heat Incentive for green heat generation:

Feed-In Tariffs FLYER

Renewable Heat Incentive FLYER

SWEA has produced a number of quick 2-page fact sheets explaining the use of renewable energy technologies at small scales. All of these have been recently updated and enhanced, and all are downloadable and printable PDFs:

Air source heat pumps

Ground source heat pumps

Energy from wood

Wood pellet heating

- Updated

Solar photovoltaics

Solar hot water

Wind power

Micro-hydro - Updated

Anaerobic digestion

- Updated

Case Studies

The following provide illustrations of successful local projects, showing how small-scale renewable energy has benefited homes and communities in Gloucestershire and the region:

Domestic AIR source heat pump on a recent build - case study

Solar thermal retrofit - case study

Solar photovoltaics on a semi in South Glos - case study

Domestic GROUND source heat pump in South Glos - case study

Domestic AIR source heat pump retrofit - case study

Wind turbine on elevated domestic property - case study

Multifuel biomass farm boiler - case study

Solar photovoltaics at Church Farm - case study

Domestic automated pellet boiler at Cleeve Hill - case study

Batsford Estate woodchip heating - case study

See also the information on SWEA's photovoltaic system.