Climate Change and Global Warming - Sustainability

CHP produces electricity and heat from a single plant in a more efficient manner, with less energy lost through generation and transmission. Energy is produced in the same way as conventional electricity, using wood pellets and chips, biomass or natural gas with a more efficient internal combustion process. Waste heat is then retained and distributed for heating and hot water via highly insulated pipes. Surplus electricity can also be sold to energy supply companies.

Micro-CHP is increasingly used in individual commercial and residential buildings as units become smaller and quieter. They have the potential to be used instead of traditional boilers.

These systems require somewhere dry to store wood pellets, etc., and Smokeless Zones can also constrain their use.

Large scale CHP is suitable for large housing projects and commercial ventures, and can benefit existing housing/commercial property.

Micro-CHP can be applied to small groups of individual properties or flats.

Wood fuelled heating systems burn wood pellets, chips or logs to run central heating and hot water boilers, or as a standalone stove to provide warmth.

These systems require little space themselves, but somewhere dry to store the wood pellets, etc.. A suitable flue is also required, and compliance with Building Regulations is paramount. Smokeless Zones can also constrain their use.

These are suitable for individual dwellings and small businesses, and can significantly reduce heating bills.

With 40% of all wind energy in Europe blowing over the UK , this makes England an ideal location for wind turbines. There large turbines seen on wind farms both on and off shore, and small domestic turbines found on dwellings (roof mounted) or in back gardens (mast mounted). The latter types can produce enough electricity to power electrical appliances and lighting in the home.

Their efficiency is highly dependent on average wind speeds. A non-turbulent, unobstructed minimum average wind speed of 5m/s is ideal. Stronger winds generate greater levels of electricity, which can be stored in batteries if not immediately used. If the system is connected to the National Grid then there is the opportunity to make money by selling surplus electricity back to the electricity suppliers.

Large scale and domestic installations may struggle to be viable in North Warwickshire due to few areas benefitting from the minimum wind speed required. In addition, small scale turbines suffer from turbulence in the towns.

Solar panels fitted to the roof of the dwelling collect heat and use it to warm water stored in cylinders. A conventional boiler is used to provide hot water at times of low solar radiation. The system works all year round, although additional heating may be necessary in winter. Savings are moderate and over a number of years, with a solar water heating system providing about a third of hot water demand.

It also requires around 5m2 of generally south facing roof space which receives direct sunlight for part of the day.

These are highly appropriate for individual dwellings and/or commercial buildings. They can help to significantly reduce hot water heating bills.

PVs capture sunlight and convert it into electricity for lighting the house and running appliances. The advantage is that direct sunlight is not needed, just daylight, to create supply of electricity. PVs generally come in panels which can be attached to roof and walls, with varying designs and sizes available (traditional panels, mock roof tiles and transparent cells in glass). Despite reports to the contrary, PVs are nowadays very efficient and productive.

A typical home system can produce around half of the annual electricity demand. The only cost arises from installation, with installation beginning at around £8,000, although grants exist to assist. As with wind power, surplus electricity can also be stored or sold back to the Grid.

It also requires a strong, generally south facing roof space which receives direct sunlight for part of the day.

These are highly appropriate for individual dwellings. Large commercial buildings can also significantly benefit from installation, with the opportunity from April 2010 to generate income from surplus electricity.

The ground receives a great deal of solar energy from above and thermal energy from the earth. Ground source heat pumps use pipes buried just below the surface or a borehole, where the ground stays at a constant temperature even during the winter, to extract this energy. This is then usually used for radiators or underfloor heating, and sometimes for pre-heating water for conventional boilers.

However, ground source heat pumps require electricity, and hence it is often prudent to install photovoltaic's in conjunction. The ground must also be suitable for digging a trench or borehole, such that rocky soils may not be suitable.

Combining installation with construction of the home can reduce installation costs, however long term savings can be considerable.

These are mainly appropriate for individual dwellings, especially as part of a renovation or retrofit of an older property which has poor efficiency or no central heating.

Air source heat pumps absorb heat from outside, very much like a fridge would extract heat from inside. It can work even when temperatures are as low as -15C. This is then usually used for radiators or underfloor heating, and sometimes for heating the air in the home.

Again, it is often prudent to install photovoltaic's in conjunction with such a system to provide the necessary pumping. They are also compact and can easily be accommodated in new housing.

Combining installation with construction of the home can reduce installation costs, however long term savings can be considerable.

These are appropriate for dwellings and commercial buildings, especially as part of a renovation or retrofit of an older property which has poor efficiency or no central heating.