Our energy source videos
Solar/PV energy
Wind energy
Energy from tomatoes
Types of green energy
Solar
A solar cell or more precisely a photovoltaic cell takes the light from the sun
and converts it into power. Solar thermal systems take the heat from the sun and
use that to heat water for homes. In the UK due to our unpredictable weather photovoltaic
power is more commonly used.
Biomass
Biomass is produced from organic material, either directly from plants or indirectly
from industrial, commercial, domestic or agricultural products.
Biomass falls into two categories:
- Wood biomass includes forest products, waste wood and energy crops like elephant
grass and quick-growing trees like willow. We also buy energy created from burning
waste wood.
- Non-wood biomass includes animal waste and biodegradable food products like vegetable
oil.
Hydro
We buy electricity generated from small-scale hydro-electric schemes currently based
in Cumbria, Cambridgeshire and the Peak District. Hydro-electric power plants take
the energy from free falling water and turn this energy into electricity.
Cleaner CHP
Combined heat and power (CHP) is the simultaneous generation of heat and power (usually
electricity) in a single process. CHP is a highly efficient way to use both fossil
and renewable fuels. The process is green and Climate Change Levy exempt.
Most of the CHP we buy comes from two very different sources
- Industrial- Electricity is generated by growers of tomatoes and peppers. They burn
gas to heat their green houses or to actually produce Carbon Dioxide to enrich the
growing atmosphere of the plants. This green electricity produced is a useful by
product that the nurseries can’t use so sell back to us at green
energy uk where it is fed into
the grid for others to use.
- Residential- A CHP plant supplies heating to a grid of insulated hot water pipes
that carry heat around a building often public or private sector flats. Meanwhile,
the electricity generated is used within the communal areas or is exported to the
electricity grid.
Anaerobic digestion
Anaerobic digestion is a renewable energy source because the process produces a
methane and carbon dioxide rich biogas suitable for energy production helping replace
fossil fuels. Also, the nutrient-rich solids left after digestion can be used as
fertiliser.
Wind
Small scale wind takes the energy in the wind and uses it to turn a turbine that
creates electricity.