In 2009, the 74.767 GW of installed wind energy capacity in the EU produced 163 TWh of power.
Welcome to Energy-Measures.com
Energy-Measures.com is dedicated to providing online advice to home owners, students and businesses on today’s energy saving measures.
With the recent economic downturn and global warming a rising issue every year, the need to use renewable and cost effective energy measures is ever increasing as more and more people are looking at alternative energy sources to power their homes or businesses.
This site has been set up in an attempt to educate visitors on the importance of providing renewable energy measures, with practical information to identify the benefits and costs associated with each scheme. This ties closely with the need to reduce oil dependency, through increased localisation and resilience of communities.
What is Renewable Energy?
Renewable energy may be defined as "energy generated from natural resources which are infinite, sustainable and everlasting". They are replaceable and can be continually replenished on an indefinite basis for the foreseeable immediate future.
There are many different forms of renewable energy/technology which will be discussed in more detail within this site. These include:
- Solar Panels - Thermal, Photovoltaic
- CHP (Combined Heat and Power) - Stirling engine, Fuel cells
- Wind Turbines - HAWT's, VAWT's, Micro turbines
- Heat Pumps - Ground Source and Air Source heat pumps
- Water Conservation - Rainwater Recovery tanks, Greywater systems
- Green Roofs - Intensive, Extensive types
Renewable energy technologies may be incorporated into the home/ business through adoption of a number of strategies, and their use is dependant on their financial viability; which is explored within each section. It is only through provision of such forms, can we strive to achieve a cost efficient society with eventual oil independence and zero carbon emissions.
A number of factors influence individual's choices, however these are primarily influenced by their financial viability and practicality. If the renewable scheme can fit these parameters, their choice may be reasonably justified.
Aside from the major forms listed above, a number of innocuous strategies may be taken for those on a tight budget, or have limited funds. There is a great deal of scope for improvements for the majority of homes, with minimal expenditure. Please look at Simple Energy Measures for more information.
Most of the renewable energy technologies/sources detailed are not new and have been around for years, however, their practicalities are slowly improving, due to higher efficiencies, lower prices, and greater demands due to an increasingly environmentally conscious society.
Why choose Renewable Energy?
The average British household regularly spends approximately £1,292 a year on energy within the home. This is up 42% or £380 from the previous year; consequently there has never been a greater financial incentive to provide energy saving measures within the home.
Coupled with this, the rapid rise in Global warming as a predominate issue means not only will you be saving money but you will also be an enviable, environmentally conscious homeowner to your peers.
New energy measures are also increasingly being encouraged by the Government, aligned with the targets of achieving ‘Carbon Zero’ thus there is a readily available finance to supplement ‘green’ initiatives to upgrade your home.
As a reader you should be aware that, the image of going green is one which still suffers from incredulous and negative views, which is often unjustified, as the predominate methods for achieving a Carbon Zero home, is not fancy micro wind turbines but satisfying a high level of thermal performance.
What energy sources are considered renewable?
The Sun (Solar Energy) - Energy sources from the sun can be utilized to provide heat, light, hot water, electricity, and even cooling, for homes, businesses, and industry, using energy technologies such as solar panels. The sun is approximately 4,500,000,000 (four and a half billion) years old and it’s expected to continue to burn for at least a few more billion years, hence an infinite, renewable energy source.
The Wind (Wind Energy) – Again the energy source, wind, can be considered renewable due to the fact that the wind is caused by the sun and the movement of our earth. As long as our planet keeps on spinning and the sun continues to burn our planet will always be windy, giving us an excellent renewable energy source to utilise.
Check out our article on renewable energy sources for more information on energy sources that we can continually replenish.