There is a lot more focus on Renewable Energy Sources these days as more traditional fuels like oil and gas are becoming more scarce, prices of these finite fuel sources are rising and people and their Governments are becoming more aware of the effects that old energy management has on the environment and climate change.

These factors are influencing the education and speed at which householders and businesses embrace greener energy solutions, alternative energy sources, new technologies and more efficient fuels.

The provision of energy and utilities have to be carefully considered as part of any new build; not only deciding which fuel source is required, which heating system is needed but also which associated air conditioning and ventilation technologies and building products are required.

Energy management and energy efficiency through suitable product and systems selection contribute to meeting the green directives being introduced through the latest building regulations such as Part L and of course keeps running costs down.

Renewable Energy, green power, clean energy or alternative energy systems use renewable resources that provide heating or electricity supply systems, with specific technologies being suited to particular applications.

For buildings, the foremost renewable energy sources and renewable fuels comprise; solar power, wind power or heat pump technologies using either air source or ground source heat pump systems.

Hydro power systems provide an efficient renewable energy source with the capability of producing significant power levels, however these systems are normally more suited for utility providers rather than for individual homes or buildings.

Renewable energy sources like Geothermal Energy systems in which natural heat of the earth is utilised, are becoming more popular but in the majority of instances require space that not everyone has,to run trenches and associated pipe-work.

Biomass energy sources have been used for hundreds of years – normally wood based such as wood pellets. Non- woody biomass energy is increasing with large and small anaerobic digesters.

Renewable Fuels

Renewable fuels include wood where renewable forest planting offers a sustainable heating solution, or biomass fuelled heating systems. These renewable fuel boiler systems have the advantage of being as controllable as other boilers but, unlike free energy from solar and wind power, require sustainable fuels on an ongoing basis in order to run.

Wind energy

Wind energy is harnessed using wind power generation technologies to produce electricity as a renewable power source. Wind energy is converted to electricity using wind turbines which can either be used in wind farms, where very large wind turbines are utilised, or using smaller turbine systems to supply electricity on a per-building or campus basis. The electricity generated can be used immediately, sold back to the utility companies, or stored in batteries or via an intermediate systems such as pumped water storage linked to a hydro generation system.

Solar Energy

There are two primary types of solar energy system, one which works as a heat source using a water / fluid based system and heat exchanger or heat pump, or a solar power system that produces solar power electricity using an array of photovoltaic cells. There are significant developments taking place in photovoltaic systems and the power levels that can be provided are increasing as the technology develops.

Heat pump technologies

Ground source and air source heat pumps are Renewable Energy Sources that produce a form of electrical heating. They use a little electricity to pump a liquid around the system. Heat is extracted from the ground, outside air or water and that is used to heat any building. For every bit of electrical energy you put in, you can get up to an annual average of 3.5 times as much for free from the ground and a little less from the air source.

“We recognize the importance of renewable energy for sustainable development, diversification of energy supply, and preservation of the environment. We will ensure that renewable energy sources are adequately considered in our national plans and encourage others to do so as well. We encourage continuing research and investment in renewable energy technology, throughout the world”.

Communiqué from the G8 Leaders’ Summit, Genoa, July 2001.