Northumberland Renewable Energy Group

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Harnassing wind power

The use of wind as a renewable energy resource involves harnessing the power contained in moving air. Wind represents a vast source of energy that has already been harnessed for hundreds of years. The UK has the largest potential wind energy resource in Europe and wind power is currently one of the most developed and cost-effective renewable energy technologies. Wind turbines can be situated either onshore or offshore. Offshore wind is just beginning to be developed, but has enormous potential.

British Wind Energy Association - www.bwea.com

Solar Energy - Harnessing the sun's energy

Solar energy involves capturing and harnessing the sun’s energy. There are three main ways of doing this:

Passive solar design ensures that a building’s form and fabric captures the sun’s energy and reduces the need for artificial light and heating.

Active solar water heating converts solar radiation into heat, which can be used directly or stored.

Solar photovoltaic (PV) panels or solar cells convert sunlight into electricity.

Solar Trade Association - www.greenenergy.org.uk
PV North East - www.pvnortheast.org.uk

Biomass, also known as biofuels or bioenergy, is obtained from organic matter, either directly from plants or indirectly from industrial, commercial, domestic or agricultural products. The use of biomass is generally classed as a ‘carbon-neutral’ process because the carbon dioxide released during the generation of energy is balanced by that absorbed by plants during their growth. However, it is important to account for any other energy inputs that may affect this carbon-neutral balance on a case-by-case basis, for example any use of fertiliser, or energy consumed in vehicles when harvesting or transporting the biomass to its point of use.

Renewable Energy Association - www.r-p-a.org.uk
NorthWoods - www.northwoods.org.uk

Harnassing the movement & energy contained in the ocean

Both wave energy and tidal power involve harnessing the movement and energy contained in the ocean and converting it into electrical power.

NaREC - www.narec.co.uk

Hydrogen is an ‘energy carrier’ rather than a fuel source because it can only be produced using energy. It can be produced from fossil fuels such as natural gas or coal by the application of heat, but it can also be produced using renewable energy. Producing this would allow the whole of the energy chain to produce only low or even zero greenhouse gas emissions.

Scottish Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association - www.shfca.org.uk

Ground-source heat is extracted from the low-temperature heat (10–20°C) that is found at relatively shallow depths within the earth’s crust. This source of heat remains at a relatively constant temperature all year and can be taken from the ground itself or from groundwater. Heat pumps can increase the temperature to provide a more useful output temperature of around 40–50°C, ideal for low-temperature heating systems like under floor systems and radiant panels.

Heat Pump Association - www.heatpumpnet.org.uk