kimerajamm
Joined: 28 Nov 2010
Posts: 785
|
 Posted: Thu Feb 24, 2011 2:42 pm Post subject: Although the pump |
 |
|
Despite Scotland's relatively low level of sunshine hours, solar thermal panels can work effectively as they are capable of producing hot water even in cloudy weather.[89][90] The technology was developed in the 1970s and is well-established with various installers in place such as Solar Power Scotland of Montrose, although AES Solar based in Forres (who provided the panels for the Scottish Parliament building)[91] are Scotland's only manufacturer.
There are few examples of photovoltaic panels, which generate electricity, in Scotland as the price is not currently competitive. The introduction of Feed-In Tariffs in April 2010 will shorten the payback period on the cost of a PV installation, making solar PV a competitive form of renewable generation. The largest installation in Scotland is a 21 kWp system at the Sir E. Scott secondary school in Tarbert, Harris.[92] The UK's practicable resource is estimated at 7.2 TWh per annum,[14] which in the Scottish context is the approximate equivalent of 70 MW or less of installed capacity.
The "road energy system" uses water pipes buried beneath a layer of tarmac. In the summer, the dark asphalt is heated by the sun which in turn heats the water in the pipes. This water can be stored in an underground aquifer and the heat extracted in winter using a heat pump. The system can be used to warm or cool down roads, keeping them ice-free and/or preventing softening due to overheating. Alternatively, the stored energy can be used for cooling buildings.[93][94] The system was developed in the Netherlands and has been licensed by Ullapool-based Invisible Energy Systems, who have installed the technology in their car park.[95]
[edit] Geothermal energy
Further information: Geothermal power
Geothermal energy is obtained by tapping the heat of the earth itself. Most systems in Scotland provide heating through a ground source heat pump which brings energy to the surface via shallow pipe works. An example is the Glenalmond Street project in Shettleston, which uses a combination of solar and geothermal energy to heat 16 houses. Water in a coal mine 100 metres (328 ft) below ground level is heated by geothermal energy and maintained at a temperature of about 12 °C (54 °F) throughout the year. The warmed water is raised and passed through a heat pump, boosting the temperature to 55 °C (131 °F), and is then distributed to the houses providing heating to radiators.[96]
Although the pumps may not be powered from renewable sources, up to four times the energy used can be recovered. Installation costs can vary from £7,000 to £10,000, and grants may be available from the Scottish Community and Householders Renewables Initiative operated by Community Energy Scotland for domestic properties up to a maximum of £4,000.[97] Perhaps up to 7.6 TWh of energy is available on an annual basis from this source.[98]Psychic
doors-1-wrought iron doors-1, the door |
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
