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Renewable energy refers to energy that occurs naturally and repeatedly in the environment. Therefore, it does not release any net greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. In the UK, at present only 4% of electricity comes from renewable sources.
Using renewable energy sources can offer a wide range of benefits to your business:
Renewable energy can be generated using various technologies and at various scales. This section talks about small scale on-site renewables.
Wind turbines are used to produce electricity. They are attached to outside of buildings – require a structural survey and planning permission.
Panels or cells convert sunlight into electricity. They are attached to outside of buildings – require a structural survey and may require planning permission
An immersed turbine uses flowing water to produce electricity. This technology is highly site-specific. It requires a near body of water that is flowing and has a drop in level that can be exploited.
Uses energy from the sun to heats water up to 55-65ºC. Systems should be roof-mounted and ideally integrated into your current immersion-heated, hot-water system.
Generating power by burning organic material, such as wood, straw, dedicated energy crops, sewage sludge and animal litter. Lots of space is required for the boiler and storage of fuel. Site access is also important for deliveries of fuel.
Bacteria break down organic material in the absence of oxygen, producing a combustible methane-rich biogas. Requires access to large amounts of high-strength liquid organic wastes. Planning permissions will be required and you should consult a specialist about odour control.
*Note: output can be for heating, combined heat and power (CHP) or fuel for transport.
Using naturally-occurring underground low-level heat. Most suitable for ‘new builds’ with appropriate geological features.
Converting low-level heat, occurring naturally in the air, into high-grade heat. System must be attached to outside of buildings – planning permission may be required
Find out more - Renewable Heating and the Renewable Heat Incentive
Before installing renewable technologies, you should consider the following:
Before any work starts, it’s a good idea to work with your energy and facility managers to understand and identify any building-specific:
Note – you should also carry out a post-refurbishment evaluation.
Produce a realistic estimate of the whole-life costs and benefits of all the potential renewable technologies.
In some cases, a pilot project in one area of the site could provide data to support good decision-making.
Funding sources that could help you upgrade to renewable technologies.
Enhanced Capital Allowances: your business can deduct 100% of capital expenditure against taxable profits in the first year. Covers solar thermal water heating, biomass boilers and ground-source heat pumps.
Feed-in tariffs: As of April 2010, businesses, consumers and communities can claim feed-in tariffs (FITs) for electricity generated from small scale renewables and other low carbon generation technologies.
When installing renewable technologies make sure that you address the following issues: operator training, staff awareness and the set-up of a maintenance schedule.
For more information - Low Carbon Refurbishment of Buildings (PDF)
For further information on low carbon technologies see our Technology Directory.