Renewable energy comes from
sources that are essentially inexhaustible, using modern technology to
harness that energy, such as wind turbines, hydro-electric, offshore
wind and wave power, solar energy or photovoltaics, geothermal
technology, fast growing trees and other 'energy crops', animal waste
to produce methane and the burning of biomass (wood) to produce energy.
Today
renewable energy accounts for less than 4% of the UK's energy sources.
The majority coming from burning fossil fuels (for example coal, oil
and gas) and nuclear energy. However, fossil fuels form so slowly in
comparison with the rate of energy use, that they are considered finite
or limited resources. Moreover, the burning of fossil fuels produces
greenhouse gasses and other pollutants linked to changes in the Earth's
climate.
Renewable energy, on the other hand, generally produces few or
no greenhouse gases and reduces our dependence on non-replenishable
resources.
On the Trail...
Solar hot water systems
- The Environment Centre, St John's Church and the Blackpill Wildlife
Centre all have hot water heated by the sun. You can try the outdoor
shower at the Blackpill Wildlife Centre, next to Blackpill Lido in the
summer months.
Photo Voltaics (PV)
- The Environment Centre uses PV panels to generate electricity to
power the ventilation system for the whole eco-annexe building. You can
see the panels by visiting the turf roof at the Centre.
Biomass
- Biomass is organic matter of recent origin. It doesn't include fossil
fuels, which have taken millions of years to evolve. The CO2 released
when energy is generated from biomass is balanced by that absorbed
during the fuel's production. We call this a carbon neutral process.
Singleton Botanic Gardens uses wood chip to burn to generate heat which
keeps the tender plants in the greenhouses at the right temperature.
As
the pressure to find alternatives to fossil fuels increases, more and
more resources are being put into researching alternatives such as
tidal and wave power.
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