Renewable energy, renewable heating, geothermal heating & solar panels
At Ecovision, we advise on the most appropriate type of renewable energy system for a customer’s location, premises and budget. The whole renewable energy sector is one which is often viewed as highly complex, with a range of different technologies – geothermal heating, renewable heating, solar panels, heat pumps, wind power – competing for attention.
We’re experts in the renewable energy sector, which is why we’re able to provide you with the best possible advice. Here’s some basic background on terms and definitions relating to renewable energy, renewable heating, geothermal heating, hydro-electric power and solar panels, which we hope will be of use to you if you’re considering installing any kind of renewable energy system. Remember, you can call us at any time, and we’ll be happy to discuss any aspects of renewable energy technology.
Renewable energy
Renewable energy is energy generated from natural resources (sunlight, wind, rain, tides and geothermal heat). It’s renewable because it’s naturally replenished. In 2006, renewable energy provided around 18% of global consumption. Contributing renewable energy sources include traditional biomass (e.g. woodburning) with by far the highest proportion being generated from hydro-electric systems. Other renewable energy sources (solar panels, photo-voltaics, geothermal heating, wind and small hydro systems) account for an estimated 3.4% of renewable energy generation. With oil and gas prices rising, and peak oil approaching, renewable energy is becoming increasingly important globally, and arguably in the future, the term “renewable energy” will be redundant: the only energy we’ll have will be renewable.
Whilst many renewable energy systems are very large scale, there’s clearly a key part to play for individual householders and businesses. Ecovision has many options on offer, with particular emphasis on heat pumps.
Geothermal heating
Geothermal heating is heat from the earth. The earth absorbs the sun’s energy and stores it as heat underground. The temperature is constant at a point between 42 degrees and 100 degrees year round (depending on where you live). Geothermal heating exploits that resource. In some cases, geothermal heating taps into geysers and other sources. More commonly, geothermal heating relies on installing a series of pipes in vertical bore holes, or horizontally buried at about a metre deep. These pipes contain a refrigerant which absorbs the heat. The geothermal heating system then connects to a heat pump, which extracts the heat. For an explanation of geothermal heating technology, go to how heat pumps work.
Renewable heating
Renewable heating is heating which produces its outputs through the use of renewable energy sources. This could be in the shape of geothermal heating, heat pumps or solar panels, which are Ecovision specialities. Heat pumps do consume energy (required to power the pump), but if that power is produced from a renewable energy source, then it can be defined as renewable heating. Renewable heating systems supply all the heating and hot water which orthodox gas and oil-fired systems provide, at a fraction of the cost.
Solar panels
Solar panels are one of the most commonly recognised technologies in the renewable heating and renewable energy areas. There are different types of solar panels. All solar panels consist of the same basic components. There’s a thermal collector. Some solar panels use evacuated glass tubes to collect the heat, other solar panels use flat metal plates. A fluid system moves the heat to its point of use. Some solar panels (active systems) use electricity to do this. Other types of solar panels (passive systems) use natural convection. Heated fluid from solar panels passes to a hot water tank. Should the water temperature from the solar panels fall below (typically) 50 degrees, an auxiliary heating source is used to raise the temperature.
For further information on renewable energy, geothermal heating, renewable heating or solar panels, please get in touch. We’ll be happy to point you in the direction of further sources of information.
Renewable energy, renewable heating, geothermal heating and solar panels – some background.
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