Renewable Technologies

Our aim at RENEW is to cut through the jargon by providing a quick reference guide to what is available, how it works and most importantly, to provide the personal advice and experiences directly from local Lochaber people.

Please feel free to contact our case studies via the on-line mechanism.  They will be more than happy to answer your questions.

Solar Thermal

Solar PV

Biomass

Wind

Hydro

Heat Pumps

The initial focus of anyone wanting to invest in renewables should be Conservation & Efficiency

Conservation involves changing your energy use behaviors from wasteful habits (such as leaving on the lights when you leave a room) to energy-saving ones (turning off lights when you leave a room).  This is a conscious choice- although you are using the same fixtures, you´re making an effort to minimize your energy consumption.

Efficiency on the other hand, is reducing energy consumption- by using efficient appliances.  Using the previous examples, the efficiency solution would be to swap out incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescents (Cf's), which only use about a quarter of the energy.

Want help with your fuel bills and home insulation? CLICK HERE

Conservation and energy efficiency are 'low-hanging fruit' - by reducing your energy demand, you will greatly reduce the cost of your systems when you´re ready to have them installed.  Every pound you spend on efficiency measures will save you roughly £1.50 to £2.50 on your renewable energy system costs.

Renewables, Climate Change and Energy Security

Our fossil fuel reserves (such as oil & coal) are finite and their use in generating electricity contributes to climate change.  There is now a clear scientific consensus of the need to find secure and reliable low carbon electricity sources to replace fossil fuels in order to meet the twin challenges of climate change and energy security.

Renewable forms of energy will not run out or pollute the environment (as they produce no waste or CO2).  Renewable power also increases our energy security as it helps reduce our dependence on fuel imports from the rest of the world. 

With the limited fossil fuel reserves utlising the new Combined Heat & Power (CHP) technology would double our efficiency (our current centralised 'dinosaur' power stations are only 30-35% EFFICIENT!) and provide us with more time to develop renewable energy power systems. CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ON CHP FROM GREENPEACE