Casa Energy

Green energy investment

admin — Wed, 26 Sep 2012 12:53:54 +0000

Investment on sources of green energy seems to be on the rise in the United Kingdom. According to a report published by The Independent in July 2012, over the last three years clean energy investment has grown by more than 50 per cent, and it now stands at an impressive £7 billion a year. The popularity of alternative energy sources has also been encouraged by new government policies and a number of subsidies, which are expected to result in the creation of thousands of jobs and in reduced household energy bills. The government has also set a target for 2020, when it is planned that 20 per cent of the total energy produced in the country will derive from green sources.

A general overview on green energy investment

Green energy investment is another name for the expenditure made on sustainable or eco-friendly energy sources. These alternative or renewable sources of energy mostly refer to solar power, wind power, bio-energy, hydroelectric energy, geothermal power, ocean energy and biomass-derived fuels.

Since 2010, we have seen a rise in the global tendency to invest in green energy sources. Nowadays, the largest investors are countries like China, Brazil, and India. In the United Kingdom, Yorkshire and Scotland are the leading regions in terms of green energy investment.

Advantages and disadvantages of green energy investment

An obvious advantage of investing in green energies relates to the environmental benefits of this type of energy. Some green energies are 100 per cent pollution free, while overall, renewable energies reduce the incidence of greenhouse gases and therefore contribute to limiting the effects of global warming. In addition, green energies can significantly improve energy security, and this in turn reduces the expenditure made in this area.

However, there are some disadvantages that future investors might want to consider. In the first place, this is a relatively new market, so returns on investment are to some extent dominated by uncertainty. High initial costs are another deterrent, although in some cases these can be offset by financial incentives and other sources of funding.

Examples of successful green energy investment

There are several ways on investing in renewable energies, including financing PV panels, electric cars, and CHP heating systems. You could always get solar panels for your own home. In the UK green energy market, Future Capital Partners is one of the leading investment companies. So far, the firm has invested more than £6 billion, mainly in the biofuel industry. Future Capital Partners works in close collaboration with other companies in the green energy sector, including Vireol (a large producer of bio-ethanol) and Acuity Energy, which is involved in the biomass, solar, wind, CHP, and tidal energy industries.

Internet giant Google has also made a number of green energy investments worldwide. Some examples include a solar plant in Germany, wind farms in Oregon, California, North Dakota, and the Atlantic coast of the United States, and rooftop residential solar power plants. All in all, the company has invested more than £570 million that will surely contribute to a cleaner, safer, and more efficient environment.

Why is green investment so important?

Flying and the environment

admin — Wed, 05 Sep 2012 10:01:51 +0000

Flying: from the first commercial plane to low cost airlines

When the first passenger flight took off in 1914, few people expected that flying would become such a popular means of transportation. In fact, demand for commercial flights was extremely low over the following 30 years, and it was not until the end of World War II that commercial aviation began to develop as an industry.

Nowadays there are hundreds of airlines operating thousands of routes that circumnavigate the globe. More than 50,000 airplanes take off every day, helping over 1 billion passengers get to their destinations every year. Today, aviation is a multi billion dollar industry, and expert analysts predict that the industry will continue to experience moderate but steady growth over the next decades.

Passenger Volume

The increase in the number of passengers is due to the fact that flying is now more affordable than it was in the past. In fact, in the 10 years between 1940 and 1950, plane tickets dropped their prices by almost 40 per cent. This trend has been sustained by the number of low cost and budget airlines that continue to spring up around the world, claiming that now everybody can fly.

Flying and the environment: key facts and figures

However, despite the advantages brought about by the increase in the number of flights around the world, the quick expansion of the aviation industry has led some people to question the impact of flying, especially in environmental terms.

According to the Energy Saving Trust, as much as six per cent of the United Kingdom’s total CO2 emissions (approximately 30 million tonnes) are caused by flying. But why is this figure important, and how do CO2 emissions impact on the environment?

Firstly, CO2 and other greenhouse gasses produced through human activity are directly responsible for an increase in global temperatures – what is commonly referred to as global warming. And although CO2 emissions are not the only element that contributes to global warming, scientists estimate that around 60 per cent of the global increase in temperatures is caused by greenhouse emissions. Global warming does not only cause an increase in temperatures worldwide, but it is also responsible for extreme weather patterns, and for an increase in the regularity and intensity of hurricanes, droughts, and flooding. Other effects of global warming include rising sea levels and damage to the world’s ecological systems.

Secondly, approximately 70 per cent of the total CO2 emissions are caused through the consumption of fossil fuels, like the ones required to keep plane engines running. Incidentally, fuel consumption is higher during take off and landing, so flights with multiple stopovers are some of the worse culprits.

Lastly, it is believed that excess CO2 released into the atmosphere can remain there for up to 250 years, so the long term environmental impact of flying cannot (and must not) be disregarded. In view of the facts, an increasing number of consumers are choosing not to fly or to contribute to carbon print offsetting schemes whenever flying is unavoidable. In any case, this remains a personal decision that is to be taken taking into account the overall impact of flying on the environment.

Fuel Efficient Driving

admin — Wed, 29 Aug 2012 09:34:46 +0000

Hardly a day goes by without us being reminded of escalating fuel prices. It is little wonder that drivers are increasingly looking at ways to squeeze extra mileage out of their vehicles between fill-ups. There is some good news; there are several simple ways to cut the cost of your driving.

Drive Smarter
Some minor changes to your driving style can lead to major changes to your bank balance and the environment. Get into the habit of driving as smoothly as you can; gentle acceleration and gradually decreasing your speed when necessary will use far less fuel than pedal-down acceleration and hard braking – and your passengers will thank you for it too.

It is also advisable to maintain a steady speed and change to a higher gear when your engine is between 2000rpm and 2500rpm.

Give Your Vehicle Some TLC
To get your car to give you maximum fuel efficiency, you have to give it a little in return. Keeping up with your cars service schedule, ensuring that you only use the specification of lubricant detailed in the car handbook and keeping your tyres inflated to the appropriate pressure (dependant on the weight of the load you are carrying) are all ways to slow the speed at which you are burning fuel.

Lose Some Weight
The more your car and its load weighs, the more fuel you will use up on your travels. Look to make your whole car – glove box, boot, interior storage compartments – as free from non-essential clutter as possible. Fuel itself will weigh your vehicle down too; if you can deal with a few extra trips to the petrol pumps, you could also profit from running with as little fuel in the tank as possible.

Idle Engine, Empty Wallet
Allowing your engine to idle unnecessarily will cost you money. Modern cars are ready to drive as soon as the engine starts up so there is no need to allow the engine to ‘warm up’. Similarly, if you are stopped in traffic and likely to remain there for a minute or more, turn off the engine. Cars today use up very little fuel when restarted; you will almost certainly use more by allowing the engine to idle until the traffic moves again.

Cool Can Be Uncool
We are not often blessed with soaring temperatures in the UK. Nevertheless, many drivers have the air-conditioning turned on constantly. Air-conditioning uses up fuel, particularly when driving at low speeds in urban areas. Using your air-conditioning more selectively can have a positive impact on your fuel consumption.

Driving with your windows down is an even bigger drain on your fuel usage. The extra drag created as the outside air fills your car have your tank emptying at a much faster rate.

Make these minor tweaks to your motoring and you will soon reap the rewards of greater fuel efficiency; keep the pounds in your pocket and out of the pumps.

For more tips on fuel efficient driving see here.

Energy Efficient Fridges

admin — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 11:17:04 +0000

In these difficult financial times, and with a growing need to be kinder to the -environment, many of us are looking for ways to save energy. One way to do this is to buy energy efficient appliances, such as an energy efficient kettle or fridge. Here we take a look at some top energy efficient fridges.

What Makes a Fridge Energy Efficient?
Obviously the effect you are looking for in an energy efficient refrigerator is that it uses less electricity than a standard refrigerator. One big way that manufacturers are doing this is by adding in extra insulation, as this prevents heat from getting into the refrigerator. However, this can reduce the storage space inside the fridge, requiring you to buy a larger appliance for the same storage space.

Siemens KU15LA60GB
This is an under-counter fridge with a small capacity of just 3.9 cubic feet for the main fridge section and 0.5 cubic feet for the tiny freezer section. Great for someone living alone, it uses just 140 kWh of energy per year, produces only 75.82 kg of carbon dioxide per year, and costs £20.02 per year to run (or £5.13 per cubic foot).

Smeg FAB28QAZ
This small upright fridge is about double the size of the under-counter fridge shown above, with a capacity of 7.8 cubic feet and 0.9 cubic feet for the fridge and freezer sections respectively. It uses more energy at 215 kWh per year, but produces less carbon dioxide at 116.44 kg per year. It costs £30.75 per year to run, although this is only £3.53 per cubic foot.

Liebherr IKP2654
This is another upright fridge of a similar capacity. However, it is more energy efficient. It uses only 171.5 kWh per year of electricity, produces only 92.88 kg of carbon dioxide per year, and costs only £24.52 per year to run, which works out at just £2.85 per cubic foot.

Liebherr IKB3454
This is a much larger upright fridge, with a capacity of 12.7 cubic feet for the main fridge section and 1 cubic foot for the small freezer section. This is less energy efficient than the others we are featuring, with it using 288.4 kWh per year in energy, and it produces 156.2 kg of carbon dioxide per year. It costs £41.24 per year to run, although this works out at only £3.01 per cubic foot. It seems that the larger the fridge, the more difficult it is to conserve energy.

AEG S71700TSX0
This small under-counter larder fridge is extremely energy efficient, being only 5.4 cubic feet and using only 94 kWk per year of energy. It produces just 50.91 kg of carbon dioxide per year, and costs only £13.44 per year to run.

Home Energy Audit

admin — Wed, 18 Jul 2012 10:07:49 +0000

The Secret Art of Saving Energy and Money
Saving energy is something that can save YOU hundreds and hundreds of pounds on energy bills. It also helps the environment too. By conducting a home energy audit, you can find out where savings on energy can be made. The good news is, that a large investment doesn’t have to be made by having a professional carry out a home energy audit, as you can do it yourself with little professional intervention.

What is a Home Energy Audit?
A home energy audit is an inspection of one’s home primarily to identify where energy is lost. This includes checking where drafts are, such as in gaps between windows and open doors. The individual assesses how much energy is being lost, and then acts accordingly to close these energy gaps. It doesn’t require a professional to complete this audit and it can be done with just a little know-how.

Why Perform an Audit?
A home energy audit should be carried out by everybody at least once every few years. The benefits of one of these audits are far reaching and can really help with a whole household’s economic situation.

The economic benefit is the main reason why people decide to perform one of these audits. Hundreds of pounds can easily be saved each year by simply plugging the gaps where energy leaks out of a home. These savings can be seen within the first few years.
The environmental benefit is another reason why these audits are so vital. If everybody saves energy then there’s less emissions being pumped into the atmosphere. Climate change then slows down, and the environment is better for it.

How to Perform an Audit
Performing an audit is simple and can be done with just a few household tools. Professionals can be employed to perform one, but this is a waste of money when the fact of the matter is that the whole process can take less than an hour when you do it yourself.

Search for air leaks and seal with Caulking. This can include gaps in window frames and walls, but also remember that drafts can come through gaps in wiring and the pipes. Find out more about how to check for drafts.
Take into account your insulation. If the loft and the walls have no insulation then energy is going to be lost, no matter how many of the gaps happen to be covered up. Energy will always be lost through these locations, but insulation can help the home retain the heat for longer. This means the heating doesn’t have to be on for as long if the home is to be warmed up.
If the boiler unit is more than fifteen years old then upgrade to one of the newer units. These are much more energy-efficient and can help repay the initial investment of the new boiler, and then some.
Look at the bulbs. If a 100 watt bulb is being used then consider switching to a 60 or a 75 watt bulb. They provide the same results, cost less, and are better for the environment.

Wood Burner Installations

admin — Wed, 18 Jul 2012 09:36:25 +0000

Modern wood burners not only look cool, they are also an efficient way of heating your home and cutting down on heating bills. Bonding with family members in front of a cosy wood burner is an experience that simply can’t be matched by other heating methods. Here are a few of the other advantages of installing a wood burner.

One of the great things about wood burners is that they are able to use certain types of waste wood products such as wood pellets, in addition to logs. This means that if you have any spare wood lying around the house you not only get to heat your home for free but you also save yourself storage space at the same time. Even wood pellets that are purchased for use in the wood burner are made from recycled materials, which makes this type of fuel much better for the environment.

Wood burners are a type of renewable heat incentive, which means that households that install wood burners actually get paid a fee from the government for their troubles. This renewable heat incentive (which is known as a RNI for short) has been established by the government to help reduce the burden of conventional heating methods on the environment. Studies have shown that wood burning stoves are able to save approximately 7.5 tonnes of carbon each and every year if they are installed in order to replace an existing coal fire or electric storage heater.

Most types of wood burners are extremely easy to install and are clean and quiet. First, you will want to make sure that you have chosen the perfect location for your wood burner. It should be positioned so that the entire room can benefit from the heat that it provides and not to close to drafty areas of the room such as doors and windows.

Bear in mind that modern wood burners rely on the pressure variation that is provided by the flue or chimney to create a draft. It is essential to make sure that everything is connected tightly and correctly, otherwise you will experience downdraft. Of course, it is also possible to employ the services of a professional to install your wood burner for you if you prefer.

The other main benefit of installing a wood burner is that it is extremely relaxing and adds a touch of class to any room. In the winter time the whole family will probably want to gather around the wood burner and tell stories, share jokes and unwind.

Ground Source Heat Pumps

admin — Wed, 11 Jul 2012 08:14:10 +0000

The term ‘ground source heat pumps’ refers to a system in which pipes buried underground (say, under a lawn) tap energy from below the surface of the earth. This energy can be used to heat or cool homes, and even to heat water in homes and other buildings.

How do they Work?

There are primarily two types of ground source heat pumps: those that have open loops, and those that have closed loops. Generally, anti-freeze fluid is circulated in the pipes buried underground. When the temperature is warm, the fluid pulls heat from the building and sends it back to the ground; and when the temperature is cold, the fluid collects heat from the earth and conveys it into the building. Whatever might be the outside temperature, the temperature of the earth under the surface remains more or less the same, and this helps homes and other buildings use ground source heat pumps to heat or cool the buildings as required.

Benefits of Ground Source Heat Pumps

Ground source heat pumps can offer many benefits if they are installed in a residential area. For starters, they save on heating costs in winter and cooling costs in the summer. In addition, the energy carried by these pumps can also be used to heat or cool water. They work evenly throughout the building; this is in contrast with other traditional systems of heating and cooling, which leave some cold spots and some warm spots in a sporadic manner. Depending on the size of the house and the size of the pump systems being installed, the energy bills can be reduced considerably.

A conservative estimate of energy savings is pegged at 20% of total usage, but with bigger units, the savings can be even greater. The system is more efficient than using a gas heater or an air-conditioner. This also saves the home-owner a considerable amount of money on electricity bills. It is safer than most other forms of heaters or coolers, as it cannot leak, nor does it have an open flame; the system is buried underground and does not require any extra space if there is a garden on the premises. There are also no open pipes, valves or other such paraphernalia that might cause accidents, especially among the elderly, children and pets. It does not use any exhaustible sources or energy, and has no emissions, thus reducing the pollution levels as well.

Can You Install One?

Ground source heat pumps can be installed in almost any house that meets the following requirements:

if it has a garden with soil suitable for digging and laying of pipes
the home is draught-proofed and insulated;
and when the home has an under-floor heating system (as this is when this system is most efficient).

A small or medium-sized house can be equipped with a pump system for a price anywhere between £9,000 – £15,000. In terms of long-term savings and an environment-friendly system, this is definitely a worthwhile investment.

Reducing business carbon emissions

admin — Wed, 20 Jun 2012 11:19:10 +0000

In a low-carbon future, reducing carbon emissions won’t just be good public relations – businesses will need to be green to survive and to grow.

The first step in reducing emissions is to measure your carbon footprint, to identify where the most effective changes can be made. The process need not be exhaustive; a sensible estimate is what you need.

For most small businesses the majority of their emissions come from directly-purchased gas and electricity and from transport – including company vehicles, employee business travel and product delivery. Most of the information you’ll need to estimate your carbon footprint will therefore appear on your energy bills and in your records of business mileage and fuel purchases.

Around 70% of SME carbon emissions come from buildings, so improving the energy efficiency of your premises and how you use them is often the most effective way to reduce emissions. If you are leasing or renting, you can still seek advice on grants for insulation and other energy-saving measures. Build a business case for the work to be done on the basis that it will not only reduce emissions but improve the fabric of the building and save money year-on-year; a green win-win for you and your landlord.

Next, focus on those elements of your carbon footprint over which you have direct control. Low-cost measures such as installing energy-saving light bulbs and switching equipment off at the mains rather than leaving it on standby make savings that add up over time. Look for grants to install smart meters. These provide more detailed monitoring of energy use which should assist you in reducing consumption, prevent overcharging and enable you to negotiate better tariffs from energy suppliers.

Be sure to engage your staff. To raise awareness, invite their suggestions and get them to identify what signs might be useful, such as reminders to shut doors and switch off lights. The more involved they are in the process, the more likely people are to change their behaviour.

And be prepared. The CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme, introduced by the Department of Energy and Climate Change in April 2010 is now mandatory for organisations that consume over 6,000 MWh of energy. Though current legislation does not directly affect SMEs, emissions league tables and reporting requirements are likely to make efficient and sustainable businesses more attractive as suppliers to these larger organisations.

Changes introduced by DECC in 2009 mean that energy providers must install smart meters for all their larger commercial customers by April 2014 – by moving to smart metering now, you will be able to provide the sort of emission reporting currently required of subsidiaries that is expected to extend down the supply-chain in future.

Finding the Best Installers of Home Insulation Cladding

admin — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 15:22:29 +0000

If you find that your heating bills are high and your house is constantly cold, you will no doubt be aware of the benefits that home insulation could offer you. Excessive heat loss from poor insulation can result in running heating appliances inefficiently and increase your reliance on heating or cooling equipment that can be costly. Whether you require insulation cladding for pipes, tanks, roofs or walls; it helps to find a specialist thermal insulation company that can provide high quality products with effective and suitable installation. With an abundance of insulation companies on the market, it helps to bear a few things in mind when searching for the best suppliers and installers of insulation cladding.

Access to Products

Because everyone’s home is different, you may require different types of insulation for different applications. Some homeowners prefer to choose internal solid wall insulation and others external. For others, loft insulation is all they need. As a result, it helps to choose a specialist that has access to a variety of products and manufacturers, to enable them to cater to your unique needs and specific requirements.

Experienced Engineers

When you are looking for a quality thermal insulation service, it is essential to seek the assistance of qualified and reliable specialists. Look for a company that only use experienced engineers and highly skilled installation teams for a smooth, hassle-free transition to more efficient home design and greener energy saving solutions.

Tailored Services

When you think of insulation cladding, you may assume that you will be stuck with unattractive regulation cladding. However, if you choose a home insulation and energy saving specialist, you can usually choose the finish of your cladding. From plain to colour coated aluminium or steel; there are a range of options to make your insulation more attractive.

Specialist Advice

With a variety of products and packages on the market, you may not always be aware of your exact requirements. Look for a reliable team of expert engineers who can advise and assist you in every aspect of design and installation.

If you are looking for high quality insulation and energy saving solutions for the home, you can find a range of services and bespoke solutions at Mark Group. Their years of experience ensure they offer a professional approach to making homes more energy efficient. To find out more read the www.markgroup.co.uk case studies.

What is Tidal Energy?

admin — Wed, 30 May 2012 11:23:18 +0000

Tidal energy is a form of renewable energy that makes use of tides to produce energy. Tidal energy has not been so widely publicized as the likes of solar and wind, but it has huge possibilities regarding future electricity needs, particularly in the UK.

Because of Britain’s strong tidal currents, tidal energy can be readily utilized – if the cost of doing so is not prohibitive. The Committee on Climate Change has suggested recently that the cost of implementing tidal energy off the British coast would not be financially viable. This, however, is only true if reliable tidal turbines can’t be built. Once working successfully, then tidal energy becomes very cost effective.

Proportionally, tidal energy has the capability of producing more energy than wind farms for instance, but the engineering involved in setting up tidal energy will be more difficult. Not only would the structures built to harness tidal energy need to be big, but they would also need to be capable of surviving all that nature throws at them.

The advantage of using tidal energy will be seen once the structures are seen to be sound and work efficiently. The British weather is unpredictable, which will impact on both wind and solar energy. Tides though, are predictable, which would be great for forecasting energy delivery.

Tidal power can be produced via two main methods. Firstly, through a tidal stream generator, which powers the tidal turbines and secondly through the tidal barrage method, which works with dams and turbines. There are new ideas for ways that tidal energy can work, but have yet to be fully implemented. The world’s first tidal power station was the Rance tidal power plant, which was built in France in the 1960s. North America and Asia are areas where tidal energy has particularly found favour, and in Scotland a major tidal energy plant is due to open near Islay in 2013.

There are environmental concerns with tidal energy, notably to marine life, but there are environmental concerns with other forms of renewable energy, too. With wind energy there have been concerns about the effects wind turbines have on wild birds, as well as being considered, by some, an eyesore on the British countryside.

The real financial gamble concerning implementing tidal energy is whether putting it into place can be done successfully. The initial cost alone should not be a major worry as due to the predictability of the tide energy should be a guarantee. Cost does however, become prohibitive if the tidal turbines break on a regular basis. This is the main hurdle to overcome.