Renewable Energy Technologies

Speaker: Ibraimov Arsen

Renewable Energy
Since the industrial revolution we have been dependant on fossil fuels
such as oil, coal and gas to generate energy. Fossil fuels are non-
renewable and therefore one day will run out. In addition, greenhouse
gases are produced when burning these fossil fuels. Therefore relying
solely on fossil fuels is unsustainable.

One way to reduce our dependency on fossil fuels to produce energy and
reduce greenhouse gas emissions is to use renewable energy resources.

Renewable energy resources are sources of power that quickly replenish

themselves and can be used again and again.
Examples of renewable energy technologies

Wind Solar Biomass

• Wind turbine • Solar water heater • Wood Chip Boiler

• Solar photovoltaic • Wood Pellet Boiler
cells • Anaerobic Digester
• Air source heat pump
• Ground source heat
pump
Renewable Energy
technologies
Wind energy describes the process where electricity is generated by wind turbines.
The turbines convert the kinetic energy in the wind into mechanical power.

There are two main types of wind turbine which are distinguished by the axis in
which the rotor of the turbine rotates.

1. Vertical Axis Wind Turbines.

2. Horizontal Axis Wind Turbines.

The wind turbine blades which are connected to the rotor are turned by the wind
and drive the main shaft, which spins the generator to generate electricity.
 Wind Turbine
Activity
Research how the blades, rotor and components
situated within the nacelle (gear box, generator
and motor) work together to convert kinetic
wind energy into electricity

Picture of a
horizontal axis
wind turbine
 Renewable Energy
technologies
Solar energy is the energy radiated from the sun. Solar energy
can be used to generate electricity or heat water.

Two main types of solar collectors:

◦ Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Panels produce electricity from the

◦ Solar Water heaters

 Solar Photovoltaic (PV)
PV panels generate electricity when sunlight hits the PV cell. The light excites
the photons in the cell causing them to move, generating electricity.
The electricity flows to an inverter which converts the current from DC to AC
so that it can be used in our buildings.
The main components which make up a solar PV system are:
◦ PV panels (each panel is made up of a number of cells)
◦ Inverter
◦ Meter (to measure the amount of energy produced by the system)
Solar Photovoltaic (PV)

PV Panel installation
Inverter
 Solar Water Heaters
Solar energy can be captured by solar water heaters to heat water
Two main types of solar water heaters are:
◦ Evacuated tube
◦ Flat plate

The heat energy is transferred from the external panel or tubes by air or fluid
to an insulated hot water storage cylinder where water is heated and stored
for use within the building.
Solar Collector
EVACUATED TUBE FLAT PLATE SOLAR HEATER

IMAGES © THINKSTOCKPHOTOS.CO.UK
Diagram: Solar hot water system
Main
Components:
- Solar collector
panel or tubes
- Pump
- Hot water
cylinder
- Pipework from
collector to
storage tank

Source: www.rexelenergysolutions.co.uk/knowledge-centre/renewable-heating/solar-thermal
Renewable Energy
technologies
Solar energy
The air, ground and water is heated by the sun. This energy can be
captured by ground source and air source heat pumps.
A heat pump takes the heat from the air outside a building or in the
ground (soil or water) and increases the heat to a higher and more
useful temperature for use in our buildings.
The energy that heat pumps produce is classed as renewable because
the air, ground and water is heated by the sun.
 Heat Pumps
A ground source or air source heat pump uses the components listed below
to take heat energy from either the ground or air and increases the heat to a
higher and more useful temperature for use in the home to provide space
heating and/or hot water.
Heat pump components
◦ heat exchanger (evaporator)
◦ compressor
◦ condenser
◦ expansion valve

Air source heat pump

Biomass
Biomass fuels come in many different forms, for example as solids such
as wood chips or wood pellets, as liquids such as biodiesel or bioethanol
and as gases such as biogas.
Biomass, which is material from living things, can be considered a
renewable energy source if plants are replanted.
Wood chips or wood pellets are the most popular biomass fuels used to
provide energy to our buildings
 Biomass
Biomass chips or pellets are burnt in a boiler to create heat energy. The
heat is then used to heat water for use within the building and/or for space
heating. Water is heated by the boiler and then pumped around the
building via radiators or underfloor pipes to heat the space.

• Thermostats within each room or

building zone are used to turn on
and off the radiators or
underfloor heating to ensure that
the building is heated to the
desired temperature.
Benefits of renewable energy

o Potentially infinite energy supply

o Free energy
o Environmental benefits
o Energy generated on site which provides security
of supply
o Reduced greenhouse gas emissions
 Cost
Heat pumps (ground source Higher installation and capital cost
and air source) compared to non-renewable
systems such as oil or gas boiler
Wind Turbines
Solar PV Free energy from sun
Solar water heater
Biomass Capital cost to install boiler and
Wood chip & Wood pellet storage of chip/pellets as required
Fuel cost - Need to purchase
chips/pellets or produce your own
Performance Reliability
Low maintenance
Must be placed in suitable location Only work when wind speed
meets the turbine cut in speed
20 year life span
Requires very little maintenance
Requires daylight
Most efficient in summer months
Boiler requires servicing Works constantly provided there
is a fuel source
Moisture content of fuel source will
impact on boiler efficiency