Consultancy

TECHNOLOGIES

Examples of low and zero carbon technologies:

Absorption cooling - Based on the same principles as refrigeration systems but with no compressor. Instead a chemical absorber, generator and pump are used. Like all cooling systems, absorption cooling effectively takes heat from one place and rejects it elsewhere (to the atmosphere).
Air source heat pumps - An air source heat pump extracts heat from the outside air in the same way that a fridge extracts heat from its inside. It can extract heat from the air even when the outside temperature is as low as minus 15 degrees Celcius.
Biomass - An alternative solid fuel to conventional fossil fuels. Various types of biomass fuel are in use, the most common being woody biomass, which includes forest residues such as tree thinnings, and energy crops such as willow short rotation coppice. The fuel usually takes the form of wood chips, logs and pellets and as a result, applications can range from large heating and hot water boilers to individual house room heaters to CHP generation. Over their lifecycle, biomass fuels sourced and processed from sustainable sources within 25 miles of the biomass plant can be regarded as carbon neutral.
Combined heat and power (CHP) - In its simplest form, a CHP system is able to simultaneously generate usable heat and power in a single process. There are differing types of CHP systems on the market but the most common are: fuel cell CHP and gas turbine CHP. In the latter, an engine or a steam turbine is driving an alternator, and the resulting electricity can be used either wholly or partially on-site or exported to the grid. In fuel cells, an electrochemical conversion takes place which generates electricity. This usually comes from the reaction of hydrogen and oxygen.                                                                                                                          Concentrating solar power (CSP) -  Uses lenses or mirrors and tracking systems to focus a large area of sunlight into a small beam. The concentrated heat is then used as a heat source for a conventional power plant.
Ground cooling - Uses relatively constant ground temperature to provide summertime cooling through ground heat exchangers.
*Ground source heat pumps (GSHP) - Already widely used in North America and several European countries for space heating, water heating, heat recovery, space cooling or dehumidification. The technology makes use of the energy stored in the earth's crust, which comes mainly from solar radiation. Essentially, heat pumps take up heat at a certain temperature and release it at a higher temperature. The cycle is driven by the temperature difference between the ground and the circulating fluid.                                                                                                                                                       Hydro Hydro electricity - Another term for power generated by harnessing the power of moving water. Not necessarily falling water, just moving water. An electrical generator is attached to a turbine which spins at speed as a result of the water rushing it.
Photovoltaic's (PV) - Quite simply they convert sunlight directly into electricity with no moving parts. Costs have fallen significantly since the first systems were installed in the 1980's and are predicted to fall further still. The most efficient PV systems are made from either single crystal silicon or multicrystalline silicon.
Solar hot water - Solar thermal and active Solar Domestic Hot Water (SDHW) heating is a well established renewable energy system in many countries outside the UK. It can be one of the most cost effective renewable energy systems available. Liquid is fed through tubes or plates, known as collectors, at an incline with a southerly orientation and fed through to the hot water system to provide a significant contribution to the hot water demand.
Tidal power technology - Although not yet widely used, tidal power has potential for future electricity generation. Because the Earth's tides are caused by forces of gravitational interaction with the Moon and Sun, and the Earth's rotation, tidal power is practically inexhaustible and classified as a renewable energy source. Tides are more predictable than wind energy and solar power.
Wind energy technology - The most successful and fastest spreading renewable energy technology in the UK. It is being increasingly recognised that smaller devices installed at the point of use, can play an important role in reducing carbon emissions if they become mainstream. Planning permission is required, looking at visual impact and health and safety issues like noise and vibration. Suitability, especially in urban settings, heavily relies on the amount and type of wind normally available at the proposed site.

*Be aware! - GSHP efficiencies can vary dramatically depending on the setup and installation. Believe it or not it is sometimes a more efficient and environmentally friendly solution to install a modern condensing boiler!

Innovation

Turbine on the sea floor:

Vertical axis wind turbine:

Wind-it turbines on transmission towers:

Highway Energy Systems kinetic energy ramp: