Get yourself energised
Recent events such as the WTO conference and the London march re-emphasized the importance of improving awareness of our unsustainable energy consumption. With this in mind, BPEC continues to encourage ways of making our homes and offices more energy efficient - even small-scale energy-saving methods such as low voltage lighting and computers, movement detection switches and low-flush toilets would have a sizeable impact if carried out by enough people. In addition, we are currently researching ways to improve green energy use at the Brighton Eco-Centre along with Ethical Property Company and fellow Eco-Centre organisations.
Green energy is power produced from renewable energy sources coupled with improvements in energy efficiency. It is cleaner and more sustainable. BPEC is anxious to employ such measures at the Eco-Centre, to reduce energy waste, demonstrate that it's not too much of a burden to undertake and encourage greater energy efficiency in the community by setting a good example. Let's look briefly at the green energy ideas under consideration:
Solar panels are used to harness energy entering the atmosphere from the sun and convert it into electricity and hot water. This conversion is achieved by the sun hitting a photovoltaic cell, a semi-conductor which produces a electrical current when exposed to light and is capable of generating usable electrical energy. This method has an efficiency of between 40-60%. Despite being pollutant free, solar panels have yet to make a serious impact on commercial energy consumption.
Whilst some people are skeptical about using solar technology in the unreliable British climate, for much of the year they can still be effective, and energy can be stored and supplemented with other sources as needed. Additionally, the cost of panels has dropped significantly over the past few years – so here's never been a better time to go solar...
Wind power has great potential to provide more than enough cleaner energy for our needs. Wind turbines currently prevent emissions of over 2.97 million tonnes of carbon dioxide per year (British Wind Energy Association) entering our atmosphere. Turbines are most efficient with wind speeds of 12-14 mph. As the windiest country in Europe, the United Kingdom could power itself several times over by using turbines to convert wind power into electricity. Various sizes of roof-mounted wind turbines have been designed for small- and large-scale deployment in businesses and homes. Once installed, modern wind turbines can run continuously for 20 years or more, and with the cost of generating electricity from wind decreasing 80% through improved technology, it is highly cost-effective.
Over the next few months, we shall keep you posted on how our research progresses into improving green energy use at the Brighton Eco-Centre. BPEC hopes that you will be able to look at the Eco-Centre roof in the years to come and see a wind turbine or solar panels! Even better, a hybrid energy system combining both kinds! Watch this space.
For more see www.greenenergy.org.uk.