Renewable Energy Technology –The way of the future?

As far as Renewable energy ( RE ) systems of homes are concerned Micro Generation of electrical power is what would be applicable. The Sustainable Energy Ireland ( SEI ) has two defined activities. i.e;

• Energy Efficiency - Most of you neglect this vital aspect of efficiency in energy usage. The SEI by educating and guiding end users to be more efficient in their energy usage hopes to achieve their targeted national goals in time.
• Renewable Energy- The other target of SEI is the promotion of wider usage of Energy produced through use of renewable energy sources such as Wind and Solar Power. The clean RE fuels will benefit the environment through the reduced threat to climate change.

The micro generation of power through renewable energy will assist SEI to achieve its target of producing 40 % of the total national power needs by 2020. Presently this percentage is just over 10%.

Renewable Energy Powered Electricity

Electrical power can be generated by three main technologies i.e;

• Wind Turbines
• Solar PV panels and Thermal Panels
• Micro Hydro Generation
• Micro Combine Heat and Power generation using Biomass or Biogas.

Though not covered under micro generation the use of geothermal energy with heat pumps also use an inexhaustible and infinite power source.

The types of Renewable Energy installations

There are three basic types of Installations viz.

• Grid inter tied
• Grid inter tied with Battery back up
• Off grid ( aka stand alone)

Each has its own distinct application, advantages and component needs.

What is Micro Generation?

By current definition as laid down by ESB distribution network Micro generation is:

• Generation of single phase power of less than 5.75 kw equipment rating (or 25A connection) to the house by renewable energy fuels.
• Generation of 3 phase power of less than 11 kw equipment rating (or 16A per phase connection ) to the house by renewable energy fuels.

Incentives for RE usage

The biggest incentives for using Micro generation power would be;

• Soon to be implemented by back of surplus power
• Lower electricity bills
• Hedging against future increases of energy prices
• Less green house gas emissions
• Reduced reliance on fossil fuels
• Reduced energy losses on the ESB network.(This is about 7% for the Irish grid)
• Improved BER

Grid tied (aka On-grid) Renewable Energy Power generation

Taking Solar PV panel micro generation as an example On Grid and Off Grid Micro power generation would include some of the following components;

• Solar Electric (PV) Panels
• Array Mounting rack
• Array DC disconnect
• Charge controller
• Battery Bank
• System meter
• Main DC disconnect
• Inverter
• AC breaker panel
• Kilowatt Hour meter (smart meter for two way power flow monitoring)
• Back up generator (burning bio fuel, Natural gas etc.)

Note the systems do vary and not all equipment components are necessary for every system type. The last mentioned generator back up could be fossil fuel burning .When wind, sunlight or water flow is not adequate the back up generator will come in handy in a stand alone system. The duration of annual operation however will not be more than 50 to 200 hrs in general.