The term ‘green energy’ is mentioned a lot in the news, by businesses and in general conversation by people who want to become ‘more green’. But what is green energy, where did it come from, and what practical steps can you take to implement green energy into your home.
This article will cover all that, plus the crucial reasons why many people and businesses are going green.
Contents
What Is Green Energy?
Green energy, also known as clean energy, is created through renewable resources that are replenished naturally and can’t run out over time.
There are 4 main types of green energy; solar, hydropower, wind and geothermal, all of which have benefits and limitations.
Compared to traditional energy sources that involve burning fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas, these green energy sources benefit rather than hinder the environment.
The History of Green Energy
So, where did this new green energy phenomena come from? Many people assume the process of green energy is a modern concept, but many of today's renewable techniques were taken from ideas around 2000 years ago.
The first known green energy system was the waterwheel in 200 BC today. We would call this hydropower. Fast forward a few hundred years, Scottish electrical engineer James Blyth, revamped this concept and developed the first electricity-generating windmill.
After that came the world’s first wind farm in 1980 in the US. The UK followed behind and opened the very first wind farm in Cornwall. There are now 1,500 operational onshore wind farms across the UK.
The idea of solar energy was first created in 1767 but wasn’t commercialised for household use until the 2000s! The concept of green energy has always been around, but it is only in the last few decades that we’ve recognised its importance globally.
Why is Green Energy Good?
Green energy has revolutionised the future of the planet, public health and our daily lives. 3 reasons why green energy sources are good
1. Renewable resources will never run out
It’s predicted that fossil fuels will run out this century if consumption continues. With renewable resources such as sun, wind and geothermal, we won’t have that problem.
2. Reduction of emissions in the atmosphere
The burning of fossil fuels such as coal and oil creates greenhouse gases that create a blanket in the atmosphere trapping heat, causing the earth to warm. By switching to greener options, we can reduce the number of emissions that are released.
3. Contributes to a healthier life
The gases released by fossil fuels mentioned above have been linked to respiratory and heart issues, among other serious illnesses like cancer. Because green energy solutions don't emit any harmful gases, we have the chance to reduce the number of severe illnesses in the UK.
How To Power Your Home with Green Energy
There are many different ways you can implement renewable energy in your home. The first step is to understand what system will be best for your home. For an overview of renewable heating in your home, check out this article.
Important things to consider when looking into renewable systems in how well your home is already insulated. If you struggle with drafty doors and low energy efficiency then air source or ground source heat pumps won’t be the best solution just yet.
Once you’ve thought about the green energy system, you may be able to get financial support from the government.
To wrap up, green energy is essentially using renewable resources such as sun, wind and geothermal to heat your home. By switching to green energy, we can help reduce emissions and reduce serious health concerns such as respiratory issues and cancer.
Finding green energy experts and installers is the easy bit. The Green Energy 4 All team will take you through the process and installation. To find out more about how green energy could help heat your home contact us today.
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