FXSTD – Alternative Energy Center

By: Adam Singleton
Renewable energy is anything that can be used to generate heat or electricity but without using unsustainable fuels and without releasing carbon dioxide into the earth’s atmosphere.

The reason renewable energy is becoming more prevalent is because other non-renewable resources such as fossil fuels are finite and the supply will eventually run out. Non-renewable fuels are also more harmful to the environment due to the levels of carbon dioxide emitted through extraction and use.

Carbon dioxide levels play a central role in global warming. As carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere the temperature of the earth increases and this causes climate change and alters the long-term weather patterns that plants and animals are currently accustomed to.

Changes to the climate come with potentially damaging consequences. Ice caps are starting to melt at the Poles, which could cause sea levels to rise, leaving long lasting damage to various aspects of marine and coastal life. Higher temperatures and less rainfall are being recorded in already arid areas, making it more difficult for crops to grow.

Carbon dioxide is the biggest contributor to global warming and one of the main sources is the burning of fossil fuels for energy, typically used to heat homes and run vehicles. This has led to research and development into renewable energy sources, many of which are becoming available for widespread use.

Great Britain is committed to producing 15% of its energy from renewable sources by 2020 which is equivalent to around 35% of overall electricity.

Renewable energy sources include wind, solar and wave power amongst a few others. The United Kingdom has huge resources in wind and wave power due to the weather conditions and positioning of the country itself.

As well as the guarantee of a secure and never ending supply, renewable energy has several other advantages. Low carbon emissions hold great benefits for the earth overall and the less emissions the better. Job opportunities and spin-off economic benefits for local companies and communities are a common result of renewable energy projects around the country.

Wind power is a large-scale, reliable source of power that is already having a major positive impact on the British Isles. Wind power already provides enough electricity to supply 1.2 million UK homes every year and there is plenty of room for growth.

Wave and tidal ocean power is a clean and abundant energy source and is achievable throughout Great Britain due to the vast amount of ocean surrounding the country.

The waves crashing onto the western shores carry the power of the Atlantic behind them and the many inlets, firths and channels around the United Kingdom have some of the highest tidal ranges and strongest currents in the world.

Solar power makes use of the sun’s energy and can be used in a similar way to electricity and gas to heat your home and water.