Alternative Energy Sources For The Home
Natural gas and electricity are the two most common providers of heat and light in today’s homes. These two commodities have been around so long it is difficult to imagine a world where they are replaced with an alternative.
So far as we can see, on the scientific horizon at least, they wont be replaced either by some such method as zero point energy, which is energy created by the mechanical oscillations of quantum particles...Sound like science fiction ? Well, so far, yes it is still in the realms of science fiction and if it were possible today, would be hugely expensive to produce. But don’t despair, because In 1989 two chemists, Pons and Flieschman conducted an experiment and claimed to have determined a process of cold fusion. Fusion is a process that happens in the heart of stars, while fission is something that occurs in nuclear reactors. Both very big and at least one, very expensive! Neither a viable option for sole domestic use.
Anyway, Pons and Flieschman rocked the world when they published the results of an experiment they conducted that produced energy, namely heat, at room temperature by using some noble materials and heavy water, through a process of fusion, which generated heat from a sustainable source at room temperature. It wasn´t until the end of April that year when the experiment was conducted by independent bodies, that they were unable to achieve the same claimed results as Dr´s Pons and Flieschman. The process was deemed flawed and the two chemists were discredited and that, by and large, was the end of the matter. The two chemists were, as far as their careers were concerned, finished and they faded into obscurity. Pons and Flieschman committed the cardinal sin of the scientific world by releasing the results to the press first instead of their scientific piers for review. Tut tut tut, off to scientist hell, never to return again!
However, twenty years on, research is still being carried out and there have been some promising results, not just with cold fusion but with hot fusion also. Hot fusion has had more media coverage, probably because it doesn’t attempt to side line conventional physics. Phenomenal heat, Phenomenal pressure, incredible amounts of money and wallah, fusion! Cold fusion on the other hand requires a glass beaker, some deuterium, palladium, heavy water. Now this, I am led to believe, is an atomic reaction and not a chemical reaction and as such may or may not produce a rise in temperature of a few points of a degree over a couple or so weeks, depending on impurities and how it is measured. Non the less, there have been significant advances in researching cold fusion that some serious companies have invested some serious money in its continued research.
Before you clasp your hands in delight at the thought of having a particle colliding, atom smashing, deuterium and palladium guzzling cold/hot fusion reactor at the bottom of the garden, you may want to consider some readily available, non-controversial alternatives to supplying you with electricity.
Wind Turbines
40% of all the wind energy in Europe blows over the UK, making it an ideal country for small domestic turbines. Wind turbines use large blades to catch the wind. When the wind blows the blades are forced round, driving a turbine which generates electricity. The stronger the wind, the more electricity produced. There are two types of domestic-sized wind turbine:
Mast mounted: These are free standing and are erected in a suitably exposed position, often around 2.5kW to 6kW.
Roof mounted: These are smaller than mast mounted systems and can be installed on the roof of a home where there is a suitable wind resource. Often these are around 1kW to 2kW in size. If your small wind system is connected to the National Grid then you can make money by selling any generated electricity to an electricity supply company. If it isn´t connected, the surplus electricity can be stored in a battery for use when there is no wind.
Costs and savings: Costs for a roof mounted microwind system start at about £1,500. Larger mast mounted systems cost between £11,000 and £19,000, including installation. These provide enough electricity for lighting and appliances in a typical home. Recent monitoring of a range of small domestic wind systems has shown that a well sited 2.5kW turbine could save around £380 a year off electricity bills when some generation is exported, and a saving of around 2.6tonnes of carbon dioxide per year. Maintenance checks are necessary every few years, and a well-maintained turbine should last over 20 years. Battery storage life is typically between 6 and 10 years.
Photovoltaic (Solar electricity)
Solar electricity systems capture the sun's energy using photovoltaic (PV) cells. The cells convert the sunlight into electricity, which can be used to run household appliances and lighting. PV cells are panels you can attach to your roof or walls. Each cell is made from one or two layers of semiconducting material, usually silicon. When light shines on the cell it creates an electric field across the layers. The stronger the sunshine, the more electricity is produced. PV cells come in a variety of shapes and colours, from grey “solar tiles” that look like roof tiles to panels and transparent cells that you can use on conservatories and glass. The strength of a PV cell is measured in kilowatt peak (kWp) - that's the amount of energy the cell generates in full sunlight.
Do you have a sunny place to put it? You'll need a roof or wall that faces within 90 degrees of south, and isn't overshadowed by trees or buildings. If the surface is in shadow for parts of the day, your system will generate less energy.
Is your roof strong enough? Solar panels are not light and the roof must be strong enough to take their weight, especially if the panel is placed on top of existing tiles. If in doubt, ask a construction expert or an installer.
Do you need planning permission? In England and Scotland, you don't need planning permission for most home solar electricity systems, as long as they're below a certain size - but you should check with your local planning officer if your home is a listed building, or is in a conservation area or World Heritage Site.
In Wales and Northern Ireland, you still need to get planning permission before installing a solar electricity system - though the legislation may soon change. To find out how to apply for permission, contact you local authority. Sunlight is free, so once you've paid for the initial installation your electricity costs will be greatly reduced. A typical home PV system can produce around 50% of the electricity a household uses in a year. Costs for installing a solar electricity system vary a lot - an average system costs between £8,000 and £20,000, depending on its size and type. The more electricity the system can generate, the more it costs but the more it could save. Solar tiles cost more than conventional panels, panels built into a roof are more expensive than those that sit on top but, if you need major roof repairs, PV tiles can offset the cost of roof tiles.
Savings can be considerable - around 1.2 tonne of CO2 a year, and around £250 off your electricity bill. A 2.5 kWp system could provide 50% of a household's yearly electricity needs. Maintenance is generally small - you'll need to keep the panels relatively clean and make sure trees don't begin to overshadow them. This article has barely scratched the surface of what is available to enable the home owner to produce their own electricity, there are other methods such as Hydrogen fuel cells, Bio fuel for generators, recycled cooking oil for generators...and so on.
However, implementing these technologies is pointless unless your home is adequately insulated first. By contacting Saving Energy Ltd we can ensure your energy supply investment is maximised to it´s fullest potential. So before you consider supplying your own electricity, contact us first for a free, no obligation consultation.
We will be happy to deal with your enquiry.
