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Environmental grants and energy initiatives:
Renewable energy
Types of renewable energy
Environment Unit - July 2011
environment.unit@kirklees.gov.uk
Wind energy
Wind energy is generated when the wind rotates a turbine's blades which drive a generator to produce
electricity. Wind turbines vary in size, they can be very small (one metre in diameter) and attached to a
building; they can be larger and power a school or hospital, or they can be over 100m tall and based off-shore
to generate large amounts of electricity. |
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Solar hot water heating (also called solar thermal)
Solar thermal systems capture the energy from the sun's radiation and use it to heat water. The hot water can
then be used immediately or stored in a cylinder for later use. Some solar thermal systems can be linked to
underfloor-heating systems. |
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Solar electricity
Solar electricity systems capture the energy from the sun's radiation and convert it into electricity. They
will work in any weather, as long as there is daylight, and the electricity is available for use in the
building immediately. |
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Ground or air source heat pumps
There are two types of heat pumps: ground source and air source. Ground source heat pumps use the constant
temperature of the soil at 1 metre below the surface as their heat source. Air source heat pumps extract heat
from the air by a unit that is sited outside the property. |
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Biomass and Biofuels
Biomass falls into two broad categories: woody (forest residues and energy crops like willow) and non-woody
(animal waste and high energy crops like rape). For domestic use of biomass, the fuel used is usually wood
pellets, wood chips and wood logs. Biofuels are derived from biomass, for example ethanol produced from sugar
cane is commonly used as an automotive fuel in Brazil. |
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Hydro
Hydroelectric power is derived from the energy of flowing waterways; this can be either natural watercourses or
the flow from man-made reservoirs. The flow of water drives a turbine which powers a generator. In the Kirklees
area hydropower was a key historical factor in the development and success of the textile industry. |
Get paid to generate renewable energy (Feed in Tariff and Renewable Heat Incentive)
Feed-in Tariffs (FITs)
These were introduced on 1st April 2010. Under this scheme energy suppliers make
regular payments to householders and communities who generate their own electricity
from renewable or low carbon sources such as solar electricity panels(PV) or wind
turbines.
The FITs scheme guarantees a minimum payment for all electricity generated by the
system, for 25 years. You also get paid for any electricity that you produce but
do not use on site, which is exported to the grid.
If your installation is sub-50kW you need to use an Microgeneration Certification
Scheme (MCS) certificated installer and product to be eligible for FITs.
Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI)
From July 2011 up to 25,000 household heating installations will be supported by
a Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) Premium Payment. This will help people cover the
purchase price of green heating systems such as solar hot water panels or large
wood pellet boilers.
Those taking up the premium will then able to apply for an RHI tariff when the Green
Deal begins. The tariff will provide fixed annual payments to people who install
renewable heating systems.
The Green Deal is a scheme to make homes (owned or rented) and businesses more energy
efficient. The cost of the work would be funded from the savings on their energy
bills. The scheme is due to start in October 2012.
The following websites provide further useful information:
Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) - information for consumers and installers
- covers types of renewable energy, energy cashback schemes and a search tool to
find local MCS accredited installers.
Directgov - generating and using greener energy - which energy is best for you?
Energy grants and FITs information.
Energy Saving Trust - A non profit organisation that provides free and impartial
advice on saving energy and renewable energy.
Department of Energy and Climate Change - website covering national policies and
government news about climate change and energy.
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Information on Renewable Energy Systems (PDF 111kb)