Alfa Energy is committed to providing renewable energy to its business customers. We realize that renewable energy is going to play a significant part in all climate change initiatives through the world. In the UK, businesses can also play their part. Alfa Energy will look to source green energy for its customers and are currently working with some high profile clients and celebrities that can influence others.
What is ‘renewable' energy?
"Renewable" is a term for describing energy generated from sources occurring naturally in the environment such as from the wind, water (waves and hydropower) or the sun. Other methods of generating power that do not rely on fossil fuel (oil, coal and gas) that are carbon neutral, or at least emit much lower levels of carbon are also considered to be green.
Can it be used anywhere in the UK?
Yes. The power generated from wind turbines, hydro stations etc. is fed into the UK network like electricity from any other source.
What is the difference between the various energies?
There are many ways to harness energy from the natural environment, some better than others. Hydroelectric power has been used for many decades, mostly from huge dams, but more recently smaller scale hydro projects with far less environmental impact have increased. Wind is popular because it is relatively straightforward to build and run a turbine however, there is opposition to the proliferation of wind farms being proposed in the UK because of their visual impact on the landscape.
Biomass still produces carbon emissions when organic matter, such as plants or woodchip is burned, but as they absorb carbon during the growth cycle the process is considered as carbon neutral.
Will this become a ‘must have’ in the future?
Real progress to reduce emissions has to start soon or more drastic measures may be needed to make companies and individuals pay for the environmental cost for their activities, such as carbon limits. Better uptake of green energy products now will reduce the need for strict and expensive controls in the future.
What % use renewable energy at the moment?
Green energy accounts for approximately 6% of that consumed in the UK. Government targets are 34% of the market to be renewable by 2020.
Is nuclear energy renewable?
No, on two counts nuclear energy is not green. First it is not classed as renewable under any of the ‘green energy’ legislation in place, such as the Renewable Obligation (RO) OR Climate Change Levy (CCL) so cannot count in any measure of renewable energy use. Also, while nuclear generation itself does have zero carbon emissions but production of the nuclear fuel is a carbon intensive process and there is the problem of what to do with the waste and the enormous cost of decommissioning.
Is it more expensive and by how much?
Due to increasing demand, renewable energy is not always plentiful in supply. At times, this can reflected in the price. The extra cost of the renewable energy can sometimes be offset in the reduction of the CCL charge. Will I get any special dispensation now, or in the future, for using renewable energy such as tax reductions etc.? Using renewable energy now exempts you from paying the Climate Change Levy (CCL), a tax on fossil fuel based energy for non-domestic usage. It is quite possible that in the future businesses and individuals will be made to pay more for not using green energy though penalties for exceeding carbon allowances etc.
Why should I buy it if I’m not actually going to use it myself?
By signing up to a renewable energy product you place an obligation on the supplier to ensure that the right amount of renewable energy is purchased in order to cover what you use. Buying more renewable energy means less demand for electricity from polluting sources and thus helps to reduce the levels of carbon being emitted. So, while you might not use the ‘actual’ electricity, by using the product you help ensure that more renewable energy is produced.
What are feed-in tariffs?
'Feed-in tariffs,' originally started in Europe and was designed to pay consumers who produce renewable electricity which is fed into the grid, a tariff for doing so. This new government legislation is in the UK and went live on the first of April 2010.
Do I get paid for the energy I produce?
YES!!! This is even taken a step further. It doesn't matter whether the electricity that you produce gets used by you or is fed into the grid, you are paid for what you produce. Bear in mind though, no tariff payments are made if the energy is produced and wasted in order to claim a tariff payment.
Why should I contribute?
The benefits are clear:
- Get paid for electricity that you produce even if you consume it yourself.
- Additional bonus payments if you export your electricity into the grid.
- If you do not produce enough to export into the grid, whatever amount is generated gets reduced from your bill.
Is it for me?
FIT is for everyone irrespective of the industry. Whether you are a household, school, landlord, business, you name it, the list is endless and everyone can benefit. For more information, visit www.fitariffs.co.uk where you will be able to find a host of information. The FIT scheme could see an average household using 4,500Kwh benefit by £950 per annum using 2.5Kw PV solar panels to produce renewable electricity. Alfa Energy can provide you with quotes for Photo voltaic (PV) installs from several highly reputable PV installers as well as organising all the paperwork required to benefit from the FIT.
Renewable Statistics
- UK emits 3% of the world’s greenhouse gasses although we only have 1% of the world’s population
- About 670g CO2 is emitted for every kWh of electricity used
- Power station emissions account for about 30% of total UK emissions
- Headline government targets to reduce carbon emissions for the UK:
10% by 2010
34% by 2020
60% by 2050 - With 10% of UK electricity generated from renewable energy, we would save 2.5million tonnes a year
