Brennergy offer a large variaety of energy alternatives. For information on each of these please click on the tabs below.
Renewable Heating Systems
Renewable Electricity Systems
Combined Heat
& Power
Renewable Heating Systems
Space heating and water heating represents about 60% and 23% respectively of the energy requirements of a typical household. Thus it makes sense to focus on this in the first instance, if renewable energy is of interest. Whilst undertaking some simple steps to reduce the heating requirements through efficiency measures, more drastic steps may involve the installation of a renewable heat system. Three options, in the renewable heat field, are available:
Heat Pumps
These systems transfer heat from one source, such as ground sourced, water or air to another heat system.
Solar Water
A panel uses sunlight to pre-heat hot water in the hot water cylinder.
Wood Fuel
Wood, in the form of wood pellets, logs or wood chips, is burnt in a boiler which provides both space heating and hot water.
Element
Heat Pumps
Solar Water
Wood Fuel
CO2 Emissions
Electricity Required for Compressors & Pumps
None during Operation
Carbon Neutral in Operation
Energy Availability
Throughout the Year
Should be Combined with Low Temperature Heating System
Mostly in Summer
Boiler Required for Heat Top-Up
Throughout the Year
Maintenance
Minimal Annual
Maintenance Required
Service 3 – 5 Years
Minimal Annual
Maintenance Required
Service 3 – 5 Years
Frequent & Annual Maintenance
Flue Cleaning
Planning Issues
Generally not Required
Generally not Required
Required for Chimney
Running Costs
Electricity Required for Compressors & Pumps
None
Less Expensive than Oil, LPG & Electric
Space Issues
Trenches & Boreholes Require some Space
Heat Pumps are Larger than Boilers
Hot Water Cylinder is Larger than Normal
Larger Boiler Space Required
Fuel is Bulky
Other Issues
Installation can be Messy & Disruptive
Good Insulated Property Required
Roofs should face South
Panels need to be Tilted
Often Refuelling may be Required
High Amount of Automation Possible
The Government is planning to pay producers of some renewable energy systems an annual payment equivalent to the amount of heat produced called the Renewable Heat Incentive. This legislation is expected to become effective in April 2011, although approved systems installed after July 2009 will be eligible.
Element
Heat Pumps
Solar Water
Wood Fuel
Payment
Ground – Up to 7p per kWh produced
Air – Up to 5.5p per kWh Produced
Up to 18p per kWh Produced
Up to 9p per kWh Produced
Timescale
Ground – Up to 23 Years
Air – Up to 20 Years
20 Years
15 Years
Renewable Electricity Systems
Electricity represents about 14% of the total energy requirements of a typical household. Whilst measures can be introduced to reduce electrical consumption individually, electrical consumption is increasing year on year on account of additional appliances in each household, which may prompt the installation of a renewable electricity system. Three options, in the renewable electricity field, are available:
Hydro
Running water is passed through turbine which in turn generates electricity
Photovoltaics
This technology converts sunlight into electricity via a panel.
Wind Turbines
These systems harness the power of the wind to generate electricity.
Element
Hydro
Photovoltaics
Wind Turbines
CO2 Emissions
None During Operation
None during Operation
None during Operation
Energy Availability
Fluctuation throughout the Year
More Generation in Rainy Season
Mostly in Summer
Fluctuation throughout Day & Night
Throughout the Year, but More in Winter
No Generation in High Winds
Maintenance
Annual Maintenance Required
Minimal Annual
Maintenance Required
Planning Required
Consult Neighbours
Planning Issues
Planning Required
Generally not Required
Planning Required
Running Costs
None
None
None
Space Issues
None
Large, Unshaded Space Required with Southerly Aspect
Large Distance Required between Turbine & any Obstruction
Other Issues
Water Flow Speed & Head Height Determines Production
Environment Agency Approval Required
If Roof Mounted, ensure Roof Structure is Strong Enough
Wind Speed at Site Determines Production
The Government is paying producers of some renewable energy systems an annual payment equivalent to the amount of electricity produced. It is called the Feed In Tariff and the payments are as follows:
Element
Hydro
Photovoltaics
Wind Turbines
Payment
Up to 19.9p per kWh produced
New Build – Up to 36.1p per kWh produced
Retrofit – Up to 41.3p per kWh Produced
Up to 34.5p per kWh Produced
Timescale
20 Years
25 Years
20 Years
Combined Heat and Power
In the combustion of fuel to generate electricity, heat is produced as a by-product. In a combined heat and power system, both electricity and heat is utilised and as the latter cannot be stored, the location of this type of plant must be in the vicinity of the heat user(s). As a result, the constraining factor in Combined Heat & Power systems is the utilisation of the heat produced not the electricity output.
Two options are available in the field:
Anaerobic Digestion
By using bacteria in the absence of air, organic material is broken down into fertiliser and biogas. The latter is burnt to produce electricity and heat.
Biomass
Wood or other plant based material is burnt to produce electricity and heat.
Element
Anaerobic Digestion
Biomass
CO2 Emissions
None During Operation
Carbon Neutral in Operation
Energy Availability
Throughout the Year
Throughout the Year
Maintenance
Annual Maintenance Required
Frequent & Annual Maintenance
Flue Cleaning
Planning Issues
Planning Required
Required for Chimney
Running Costs
High
High
Space Issues
Suitable for Farms, Food Processing & Retail Industries
Large Space Required
Larger Space Required
Fuel is Bulky
Other Issues
Possibly Need to Take In other Organic Matter
Possible Sale of Biogas to the Grid
Frequent Refuelling is Required
Combined Heat and Power systems are able to claim both heat and electricity renewable payments.