Energy Saving Trust
North East Renewable Energy Directory
Grass - technologies
Technologies
The following pages contain information on the installation and cost effectiveness of the main domestic and small scale renewable energy technologies. This information has been collected from a number of sources and represents a generalised view only. Before proceeding with any renewable energy installation you are advised to carefully consider the economic and technical benefits and the appropriateness of each technology to your situation.
 

The Government  is encouraging the use of renewable energy technologies for 2 reasons:

1.        Climate change.   The burning of fossil fuels in the 200 years since the industrial revolution has made a significant contribution to the startling rise in CO2 levels in the atmosphere. The UK, along with many others, have now set climate change targets. In the UK we must reduce CO2 emissions by 34% by 2020 and 80% by 2050 and a significant factor in this will be a huge increase in the use of (low or no carbon) renewable technologies.

2.        Energy security. UK is now a net importer of fuel, a position that will only worsen over time. This puts the country in a vulnerable position. The huge increase in the use of renewable technologies will re-address this balance. The large scale wind and marine projects will play a major part in this but small-scale deployment (microgeneration) will lead to greater energy security and sustainability at community and individual levels.

  The 2 main drivers of the small scale (domestic and commercial) renewables revolution are:

a.        The Feed in Tariff (FiTs).

      This initiative provides an incentive, via tariff payments, for the  installation of electricity-generating technologies. These are solar PV, wind and hydro (plus a pilot on mCHP) and has been in operation since April 2010. Full details can be found on the Energy Saving Trust web-site  www.energysavingtrust.org.uk.

      A review of the tariffs for installation greater than 50KW has now been concluded and revised (reduced) tariffs will be paid from 1 August 2011. These rates and those for  the smaller installations will be further reviewed for revision from April 2012.

 

b.         Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI).
 
      This incentive for heating technologies will be introduced for non-domestic installations from November 2011 and for domestic from October 2012.
There will, however, be a Renewable Heat Premium Payment (RHPP) available for the installation of domestic installations of heating technologies. This is a first-come-first served initiative offering grants on a voucher-based programme for:
solar thermal - £350 grant, valid for 3 months
air source heat pump - £850 grant valid for 5 months
biomass - £950 grant, valid for 6 months
ground source heat pump - £1250 grant, valid for 6 months
 
This £12m initiative will last until 31 March 2012 or until the money is exhausted.
 
        The scheme is administered by the Energy Saving Trust and more   details can be found on: www.energysavingtrust.org.uk
 
If you would like to be included in this directory please contact us here:
North East Renewables, 18B Manor Way, Belasis Hall Technology Park, Billingham, TS23 4HN Tel: 01642 373028 Email: advice@n-e-renewables.co.uk"