Renewables advice and grants

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Every time we switch on a light, turn up the thermostat, or cook a meal, we use energy. At the moment, nearly all the energy we use in Northern Ireland comes from burning fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas. This releases the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere, and this is one of the main contributors to climate change.

Renewables make sense

Renewable energy is generated from natural resources such as the wind, sun and water. In Northern Ireland we have an enviable abundance of these natural resources, yet currently less than 3% of our electricity is generated in this way. Using renewable energy instead of fossil fuels will help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but this is not the only benefit. Producing energy locally reduces our dependence on foreign imports and could boost our economy by creating new business opportunities. It is an essential part of sustainable development.

Power from the People!

Most of our renewable energy comes from large developments, like wind farms. However, more and more communities and individuals are recognising the benefits of installing a renewable energy system in their homes and buildings. Small-scale renewable energy generation like this is known as ‘microgeneration’. As well as helping the environment, renewable energy allows you to take better control of your future energy costs. There is no doubt that a renewable energy system will cost more than its fossil fuel equivalent in the short term, but in the longer term substantial savings can be made, as for most renewable energy systems the fuel is virtually free!

Government will give you money.

Government grants of up to 50% are now available for householders and not-for profit organisations. Electricity generating systems, such as wind turbines and photovoltaic panels (solar electricity), are eligible to receive an additional payment for every unit of power they produce, (known as Renewable Obligation Certificates, or ROCs). View these factors against the multiple price increases we have recently experienced with oil, gas and electricity, and the message is clear: There has never been a better time to switch to renewable energy.

Community Grants

Installing a renewable energy system in a community building can be a great way of engaging the wider community in sustainable development. Grants of up to 50% are available to not-for-profit groups towards the installation of renewable energy projects through the Low Carbon Building Programme, www.lowcarbonbuildings.org. A variety of renewable energy options are available, providing electricity, space and/or water heating. The table details the most popular systems. The most suitable type of renewable energy system for you will depend on your energy needs and the characteristics of your building and location. If you have a south-facing roof and use plenty of hot water in the summer, then a solar water heating system would be appropriate. If your central heating boiler needs replacing, why not choose a wood pellet boiler instead of an oil boiler and save roughly one third on fuel costs? Help is available through Action Renewables’ free community support service, which includes a site visit, independent advice on renewable energy options and assistance with grant applications. Free Phone 0808 141 2020.

Individual Action

Government’s Environment and Renewable Energy Fund Household Programme offers Northern Ireland homeowners grants of up to 50% to install solar water heating, photovoltaic, heat pump, micro-wind, micro-hydro or wood energy systems. The table details the grant available for each. Householders may apply for up to two grants for two different technologies in their home. Free Phone Icon of a telephone 0800 023 4077 to speak to an advisor and request an application pack.

For free, independent advice on renewable energy and grants call Action Renewables on freephone 0808 141 2020 or visit Community NI is not responsible for external siteswww.actionrenewables.org

Renewable, and how it WorksHousehold Grant

Solar water heating

systems use the sun’s energy to heat domestic hot water. A south-facing panel will provide around half your annual hot water needs and save around three quarters of a tonne of CO2 pa.

£1125 or 50%

of the total cost, whichever is the lower

Photovoltaic (PV)

panels convert solar radiation into electricity. Placed on a south-facing roof, a PV system could provide around one third of a typical household’s electricity needs and save around 1 tonne of CO2 pa.

£3000 per kW or 50%

of the total cost, whichever is the lower. An extra £900 per kW is available from NIE

Micro wind turbines

harness the power in the wind and convert it to electricity for use in the home. The higher the wind speed, the greater the amount of power generated. A 2.5kW turbine could save around 2.5 tonnes of CO2 pa.

£2000 per kW or 50%

of the total cost, whichever is the lower

Heat pumps

work by absorbing latent heat, stored in the ground, water or air and transferring it to a heat distribution system, usually underfloor heating. A typical heat pump will save around 50% of the CO2 emissions of oil.

Ground or water source:£3000 or 40%

Air source:

£2400 or 40%

of the total cost, whichever is the lower

Wood

is renewable because it is carbon neutral and can be replenished quickly. High efficiency stoves and boilers provide domestic heating using pellets, chips or logs. Replacing an oil boiler with a pellet boiler in a 3-bed semi could save around 4 tonnes of CO2 pa.

Wood boiler:

£3250 or 50%

Pellet stove/ room heater:

£1500 or 50%

of the total cost, whichever is the lower

Micro hydro turbines

generate electricity depending on two variables: the height the water falls (head) and the volume of water available (flow). Due to the reliability and long life of hydro systems, they have the greatest energy yields of all renewable technologies.

£2000 per kW or 50%

of the total cost, whichever is the lowest


NICVA | Environmental Policy Forum | 03 Jan 2007
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