Renewable energy refers to energy that is taken from natural resources and is naturally replenished. This means that it cannot run out over time, unlike energy from finite resources such as oil, coal and gas.

Not only is renewable energy always available, the process of obtaining power from renewable sources produces fewer greenhouse gases than the burning of fossil fuels, meaning it is far kinder to the entire environment. Here is an overview of the main types of renewable energy. 

Wind power
The power of wind has been used for many years to produce mechanical power for milling grain and pumping water. But thanks to wind turbines, it has now become one of the cleanest and safest ways to generate electricity. The resulting electricity is either exported to the grid for local use or to power a single, standalone unit.

Solar power
This is a method whereby solar energy from the sun is used to heat water, but it can also help to heat rooms, too. Solar energy is captured by solar panels which absorb the energy from the sun and transfer it to heat water. Solar power water heating systems are the most popular form of solar energy used in the UK and can provide more than half of a household’s hot water requirements for a year.

Biomass
Any plant matter that is grown specifically for combustion to generate heat or electricity is called biomass. There are five categories of biomass, which include: virgin wood, high-yield crops, agricultural residues, food waste and industrial waste. Biomass is a carbon-neutral process, so if trees are felled for fuel, more trees are planted so that the carbon released during the combustion of the wood is reabsorbed by the new trees.

Hydro power
Hydro power refers to the energy contained in moving water, which is then harnessed to generate electricity. Since water is about a thousand times denser than air, even a slow-flowing stream of water can yield a considerable amount of power. The rain, tidal waves and streams can all contribute to hydro power and it accounts for around 2% of the electricity used by the UK.

Geothermal power
This refers to the form of energy that is stored in the earth. It occurs as a result of the sun shining and letting off heat energy, which is absorbed into the ground. This power is usually harnessed with the help of a ground source heat pump. The pump extracts the energy from under the ground and allows it to be used for space heating.

Biofuels
Biofuels are any kind of liquid or gaseous fuels that originate from plants to be used for transportation. They are kind to the planet because although burning the fuels releases carbon dioxide, growing plants to absorb a comparable amount of CO₂ from the atmosphere means they are also carbon neutral.

Around the home
By being more energy efficient in our homes and our everyday lifestyles, we can reduce our contribution to climate change and save money on energy bills at the same time. Here’s how…

Solar panels on your roof can be used to absorb heat from the sun to use in your home. There are two basic kinds of solar panels: photovoltaic panels, which are used to generate electricity, and vacuum tube collectors, which can be used to heat up water, thereby heating up your home. Solar hot water heating is one of the most cost-effective technologies available.

The thought of having a wind turbine on your roof may sound crazy, but with the UK being the windiest country in Europe, it can be a brilliant long-term source of energy. And the process is simple: when the wind blows the blades, they rotate a shaft, and a generator then converts the energy into electricity.

One relatively new way of heating your home involves the use of geothermal heat pumps. This system is based on the fact that temperatures in the ground do not fluctuate much regardless of the temperature above the ground. To capitalise on this gift of nature, tubes laid underground are filled with water and antifreeze, and the heat pumps then circulate the liquid through the pipes to exchange heat with the ground. The heat pumps then remove heat from the fluid in the pipes, concentrate it, and transfer it to the building, where it then can heat up hot water for use in your home. It is estimated that this system can reduce the energy consumption of your home by as much as 75%, compared with conventional heating systems.

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