sustainex 2013 - renewables new technology kevin maclennan mabbett (pdf)
TRANSCRIPT
Overview
• Introduction to Renewable Energy – What is it? – Why Use it? – What are the Technologies
• Where is it suitable • Available Financial Support • Can I use Renewables • What next
Before We Begin…
• Before thinking about renewable energy, consider the energy hierarchy: – Reduce the need for energy – Use energy more efficiently – Use Renewable Energy – Use fossil fuels efficiently
Why Use Renewable Energy?
• Renewable Energy can: – Reduce environmental impact – Save money – Increase security of supply – Improve the ‘green’ credentials of your
organisation
What is Renewable Energy?
• Renewable energy is energy that comes from resources which are continually replenished such as sunlight, wind, rain, tides, waves and geothermal heat.
Renewable Technologies:
• Wind • Solar PV • Solar Water Heating • Biomass (including Biofuels) • Hydro-Electricity • Geothermal and Heat Pumps • Anaerobic Digestion
Large Wind –Suitable for your site?
Some points to consider: • Is it windy – (Wind Energy Database)? • Is there space? • Connection to the National Grid • Planning permission • High Capital Costs
Small Wind – suitable for your site?
• Again, is it windy (Wind Energy Database)?
• Lower capital costs • Do you have an electrical baseload? • Are there space, planning restrictions?
Solar PV – Electricity from the Sun
• It is a proven technology – in the right location
• Low efficiency (~10%) and low energy output
• Works best where it’s sunny • Not financially viable in UK without
NIROCs (typical payback of 60+ years)
Solar PV – is it right for your site?
• Do you have rood space? • ~£1,600 per kW • 14 year payback without NIROCs • 6.1 year payback with NIROC’s
Solar Water Heating
• Slightly more effective than PV • Can be effective in the right circumstances • High capital costs compared to returns • Can not be considered as a primary
source of hot water. • Benefits from RHI support
Solar Water Heating – Right for your site?
• Available Roof Space? • DHW demand? • £500 per m2 of panel • ~£10-12 saving per m2 per year without
RHI – 42 year payback • ~£30 saving per m2 per year with RHI (up
to 200 kWth output) – 17 year payback
Biomass Heating – is it suitable for your site
• How do you currently heat (oil, gas, electricity)?
• Can be very attractive compared to electricity or oil
• Tried and tested technology • Can often be integrated with existing
systems.
Biomass Heating – is it suitable for your site
• Requires a lot of space, particularly for fuel storage.
• Most suited to predictable constant loads – good for meeting a heating baseload
• Generally works best in tandem with oil or gas heating
• Benefits from RHI support
Hydro Electricity
• Again, a tried and tested technology • Can be very predictable in terms of output • Highly dependant on site conditions • Capital costs can be high • Well supported by NIROC’s
Hydro Electricity – an opportunity for you?
• Is there a water source on your site? • Is there a drop in height (head)? • Is there space to exploit it?
If the answer to all of the above is yes, then perhaps Hydro is worth exploring further.
Geothermal and Heat Pumps
• High capital costs for relatively low returns • May be cost effective where excavation is
being carried out • Unlikely to be suitable as a primary heat
source • Paybacks typically 15+ years
Anaerobic Digestion
• Gas from organic material, such as:
– Catering waste – Vegetables – Milk – Manure
Anaerobic Digestion
• Increasingly popular technology • Requires space and a waste stream • Relatively labour intensive • High capital costs • Can be tricky to get right
Anaerobic Digestion – right for you?
• Do you have a waste stream? • Do you have space? • Can you use the gas?
Funding Support
• Northern Ireland Renewable Obligation Certificates (NIROC’s)
• Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI)
• Interest Free Loans
NIROC’s
• Renewables Obligation Certificates (ROCs) can be sold on an open market
• ROCs earned per MWh of electricity generated (dependant on technology)
• Currently worth ~£50
Renewable Heat Incentive
• Financial incentive for renewable heat sources: – Solar Water Heating/Solar Thermal – Geothermal energy – Heat Pumps – Biomass – CHP with biomass fuel
Interest Free Loans
• Available from the Carbon trust to SME’s
• Based on amount of CO2 saved on site – doesn’t count electricity exported to grid
• Unsecured loans from £5,000 - £400,000