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Climate change has definitely starting to show its effects. This is due to carbon emissions being pumped into the atmosphere. The fuels we use to power our lives are causing these carbon emissions and our carbon footprints are increasing. Renewable energies and carbon footprints will be explained, if more understanding exists more can be done to improve our environmental life. At the moments our energy comes from fossil fuels like coal and gas or nuclear power. These are used to power things in our daily lives like fridges, central heating and cars. These fuels are pumping carbon dioxide into the atmosphere and the sulphur and carbon in the air is having direct effect on climate change and acid rain. The fossil fuels are also a limited source so will not last forever. Renewable fuels will start to be used in more households and will also start to supply higher and higher percentage of a household's energy. The types of renewable energy used in the UK are wind, hydroelectric and solar panels. Wind
Wind energy is created by wind farms that are found off shore on shore lines where wind levels are higher. Airflows pass through the wind turbines to created power of up to 5 mega watts. Wind energy only supplies about 5% of Britain's energy but is predicted to have an annual growth rate of 30%. Wind energy is the safest and cleanest of the renewable energies and has no pollutants or emissions. The energy used to set up the wind turbines are recovered in 3-6 months. Britain also has 1,000 of coast lines, the best in Europe for wind energy. Hydro Power
Hydroelectric power is created by water held back in dams creating a reservoir. The reservoir has gates that let a surge of water through a tunnel with turbines that can spin to electric generators. The amount of energy that can be created by hydroelectric is determined by the power and the volumes of water that can pass through to the turbines. Hydroelectricity currently supplies 2% of UK's power but there are still some untapped resources in the UK that could be used in the future. Solar Panels
The sun is captured by solar panels and can heat water or turn the solar energy into electricity. There are 2 types of solar panels and use the energy from the sun in different ways. Solar water heating collectors absorbs the energy and it then heats water. Solar electric panels transform the solar radiation directly into electricity. The most popular is solar water heating panels in the UK. It had the potential to heat half a household's water requirements over a year. It is also the fastest growing of the renewable energies and it is possible to purchase a panel to go on your on your roof.
Although renewable energy only supplies about 2% of overall energy supplies the government plans for it to be 10% by 2010 and 50% by 2050. Renewable energy is better for the environment as the resources can be used again and again and they do not release the carbon emissions that fossil fuels produce. These renewable energy sources also will be cheaper in the long run.
Staff editor, Gas & Electricity Section, November 2007 |
