Renewable Energy
Renewable energy is a new and expanding area in the UK. We are behind many other European countries on our uptake of these technologies. The Scandanavian countries are big on Heat Pumps and well insulated homes, The Germans have had a booming Solar Photovoltaic industry for many years now. Finally the UK is realising the benefits of utilising the natural energy around us. If you're new to eco-energies or don't have much knowledge about it, below is a little run down of the technologies available and the different government schemes which help and support them.
Renewable Technologies
Solar Photovoltaic
Solar Thermal Hot Water
Heat Pump
Wind Turbines
Wood & Biomass Boilers
Rainwater Harvesting
Government Schemes
This is a non-exhaustive list of the current government schemes relating to renewable technologies and sustainability.
The Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI)
This is relating to the generation of renewable energy, primarily from wood & Biomass Boilers,Heat Pumps, and Solar Thermal Heating & Hot Water. The micro generator recieves a payment for all the energy they produce.
Feed in Tariff(FiT)
This is a scheme which benefits owners of Solar Photovoltaics. Alongside the payment generators receive from the sale of their energy to the grid, they also get a payment equal to the amount they generate.
Warm Front
Aimed at the disadvantaged and Older people this offers cavity and loft insulation at a discounted price
Green Deal
This scheme is yet to be finalised. Predicted to start late 2012, it will encourage homeowners, landlords and housing associations to improve the energy efficiency of their properties with government backed loans of up to £10000. The loan will be repaid via lower energy costs.
Boiler Scrappage Scheme
This scheme ran a couple of years ago and encouraged home owners to replace their old boiler for new 'band A' condensing boilers. There is talk of re-introducing this scheme.