An Introduction to Renewable Energy
The term 'renewable energy' or Green Energy has become familiar to many of us in recent years. Described as an inexhaustible source for energy production that harnesses the power of nature in an environmentally friendly way, it is heavily associated with methods for producing electricity that do not require the burning of fossil fuels (Fossil fuels are formed from organic and non-renewable materials over many years. Coal, mineral oil and natural gas are examples of fossil fuels. Source: DFeS Standards site:Science:Energy Resources:
The importance of renewable energy
Traditionally, the UK's energy needs have been met by fossil fuel sources. Coal-fired power stations provide the nation with electricity; pipelines pump in natural gas extracted from the North Sea and elsewhere, while oil extracted from rock beds around the world keep our vehicles on the road. All of these energy sources however spew enormous amounts of carbon compounds and other pollutants out into the atmosphere - both in their production (turning raw materials into usable energy) and end use (consumption of the product by burning). It is natural that they would for the 'fuel' is derived from organic matter - collections of carbon compounds!
But just how bad is the problem? Well the UK emits some 2 million tonnes of carbon dioxide into the sky above Britain every single day. As carbon dioxide is a so-called 'greenhouse gas' - i.e. it prevents surface heat from escaping back into space by bouncing it back down towards the ground - our fossil-fuel energy consumption is contributing significantly to global climate change.
Renewable energy on the other hand is carbon-neutral. That is to say that the generation of energy from renewable sources does not add to the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere each day, and neither does its consumption.
Clearly then, the more energy that we can generate from renewable 'green' energy sources, the less polluted the air will be and the more efficient we will be at fighting climate change!
Types of renewable energy
There are several economically viable sources of renewable energy in the UK. A brief description of each follows:
Solar Energy: Heat from the sun may be converted into electrical power via photovoltaic (PV) solar panels. Heat energy from the sun's rays can also be transferred directly to warm a hot water system for example, as is the case in Eretz Yisroel (Israel) where most roofs are equipped with what they call a "Dood Shememsh" (Sun Vat)
Wind Energy: 40% of Europe's wind resource blows across the UK. With such a massive natural force it makes sense to convert that energy into electricity, which is achieved courtesy of wind turbines.
Wave Energy: The UK is surrounded by water. We therefore have easy access to areas where we can explore methods of energy creation and transfer of that energy from tidal motion and the movement of ocean waves.
Geothermal Energy: The ground beneath our feet is a source of heat energy. It may be extracted by direct heat transfer, or by piping water through an underground loop, the stored heat in the rock bed below warming the water as it passes by.
Bio Fuels: Energy crops such as Miscanthus (Elephant Grass) and willow - both of which can be grown in the UK - can be burned in electrical power stations as an alternative to fossil fuels. Certain types of crop-based bio fuels may also be used as an alternative to petrol and diesel to power our vehicles.
Recycling: Whilst the recycling of used products - like plastic and synthetic rubber - might not fall under the strict term of "renewable energy", the reason being that fossil fuels are used, nevertheless it certainly goes half-way in reducing the amount of new fossil fuel that is being used.
Renewable energy is the energy of the future. But to get to that 'future'…a future in which our air is cleaner…we have to act NOW. Embrace renewable energy sources and the world will be a more hospitable place for us, our children and grandchildren.
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