Renewable energy

Renewable energy advice

Have you ever stopped to think about the impact on the environment of switching on a light or a TV? Most of the electricity we use today comes from fossil fuels (e.g. Coal, oil and gas). Burning fossil fuels releases harmful gases into the atmosphere, such as Carbon Dioxide (CO2), the most significant ‘greenhouse gas’ responsible for global warming, or climate change. In addition, sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxide is also released, which, when combined with water in the atmosphere, forms acid rain. As well as these major threats there are other negative environmental effects associated with the use of fossil fuels, most notably oil spills.

Fossil fuels also depend on limited resources and will therefore eventually run out. At present energy consumption rates oil has been predicted to run out in around 100 years, gas in around 65 years, and coal in around 200 years. Furthermore, as current world population is predicted to rise from 6 billion to 8 billion by 2025, statistics anticipate a rise of 50% in overall global energy use. Consequently, it has become increasingly important to consider the alternatives to fossil fuels.

Nuclear power is seen by some as a major energy resource of the future. It does not emit the gases that contribute to climate change or acid rain. However, there are serious doubts surrounding the safety of nuclear technology, and how to dispose of the radioactive waste products.

We can use less energy, buy energy efficient appliances, insulate or consider using renewable technologies which produce energy that do not use limited fossil fuels and do not release CO2.

Because our world depends so much on energy, we need to find sources of energy that will last a long time. What if there was a type of energy that never ran out? There is. It is called renewable energy.

Renewable energy systems use resources that are constantly replaced and are usually less polluting. They do not contribute to climate change, produce acid rain, or have the safety and waste issues of nuclear energy and they will not run out, offering a more sustainable way of supplying future energy.

Examples of renewable energy systems include solar, wind, water or hydro and geothermal energy (getting energy from the heat in the earth). We also get renewable energy from trees and plants, more commonly known as biomass energy, and even rubbish.

In addition, we should also use energy sources that produce as little pollution as possible. While all energy sources cause some pollution in their creation or their consumption, renewable energy systems generally are less polluting than fossil fuel systems.

In recognition of the contribution Lewes District Council can make to reduce the effects of Climate Change, LDC has signed the Nottingham Declaration which commits us to producing a Climate Change Strategy detailing the actions we intend to take.

LDC has just launched ‘Lewes Renewables’ which offers grants for a range of renewable energies. Together with national grants available, big savings can be made on the installation of renewable energy. For example a combined grant of £800 for solar thermal is available.

Further information may be gathered from:

Centre for Sustainable Energy on 0117 9299950

National Energy Foundation on 0800 1380889

Lewes District Council on 01273 474968