The United Kingdom has been at the forefront of a number of innovations concerning advancing technologies relating to renewable energy. Being an island, there are a great number of tidal technologies being used, as well as off shore wind farms. The latter of which has caused some amount of annoyance to Donald Trump with regards to his Scottish golf course interests.
One particular part of the country has made considerable efforts with regards to employing renewable energy and ensuring that we move away from fossil fuels in the near future. This place is the North of England. The balance being struck here is a difficult one as the Lake District and Cumbria are renowned for being areas of considerable natural beauty.
Over recent years the local council, in line with many UK local authorities, has been stepping up efforts to harness renewables in a move that should see less CO2 being pumped into the atmosphere.
Across the area, residents are being encouraged through various government subsidies and planning grants to try and incorporate renewable energy sources into their homes. According to the Lake District government website, there are a number of different technologies that are being encouraged.
Solar Thermal Systems
These create hot water using sunlight for individual homes. The short days throughout winter see these systems at their most effective between March and October. Energy generated from this system is stored in a hot water cylinder, free from fossil fuels.
Small Scale Hydro
As mentioned in the case of Scotland, the North of the UK holds an ideal landscape for generating hydroelectric power, and Lake District residents are encouraged to do the same on a small scale. Where this technology can be employed, residents will be given tariffs to reimburse their investment from the Energy Savings Trust.
Small Scale Wind Turbines
One of the most synonymous forms of renewable energy is wind. This is probably because it’s one of the oldest, with humans harnessing the power of the wind through windmills and sails for centuries. In modern England, residents are encouraged to install wind turbines to provide electricity to their homes, though impacts to the landscape are considered prior to installation.
Renewable Biomass Boilers
Due to the remote country landscape of the majority of the Lake District, a lot of homes stand alone, making it necessary for a lot of infrastructure to be used to get fossil fuels into newly built homes. The council is looking to counteract this cost, both financial and environmental, by encouraging the use of biomass boilers. These are heating systems that use wood as fuel to provide heating. Though not 100 per cent clean, they’re better than the alternative.
The Lake District is world renowned as being an area of outstanding beauty. Lake Windermere delights tourists and is home to high quality facilities and hotels, meaning this area holds importance for both those who live there and visit. By employing technologies focused on renewable energy, we can ensure people will be able to enjoy this landscape for many years to come.