Renewables First Ltd

Wind Power: The Election Issue With a general election approaching, there is an opportunity for onshore wind in England to change. Development of onshore wind in England has been at a standstill since 2015 when a de facto ban was imposed by the current government. However, Labour have pledged that, if elected, they would lift this ban and make onshore wind turbines once again viable in England. This was announced by the Shadow Secretary of State for Climate and Net Zero Ed Miliband [Renewable UK]. If this change in policy were to come about, which seems likely, then the planning system would once again be open to onshore wind. Projects that have already carried out the early development phases will therefore benefit from being at the head of the queue and have a better chance of being granted faster planning permission. It is also likely that these favourable planning conditions may benefit from a ‘honeymoon period’ which might only last a few years before opposition gets more vocal again. This means pushing ahead with your onshore wind project now could give you an advantage over late comers, let us know about your project today and we will guide you through the process. To better understand the stance that the three main parties take towards onshore wind, an overview of key policies and targets are given below: Conservatives Have recently made minor changes to the National Planning Policy Framework in favour of onshore wind, but these did not go far enough in removing the barriers to developing onshore wind turbines [Renewable UK].Propose to invest in onshore wind, but set no target for developing onshore wind [The Conservative Party Manifest 2024].Have set a target to decarbonise the grid by 2035. Labour Have pledged to remove the ban on onshore wind turbines in England and reform planning policy statements. Will create publicly owned GB Energy, to co-invest in large private sector renewable energy projects [Labour].Have set targets to decarbonise the grid by 2035 and double onshore wind capacity [The Labour Party Manifesto 2024]. Liberal Democrats Are in favour of onshore wind and recognise that the recent planning changes did not go far enough in lifting the ban [Liberal Democrats].Have set targets to achieve 90% renewable electricity by 2030 and net zero by 2045 [Liberal Democrats Manifesto 2024]. To read this article in full visit https://buff.ly/45TbRX9 Are you considering a low carbon renewable energy project? If you are interested more generally in renewable energy generation, Renewables First also provides whole-project capability in hydropower https://buff.ly/45QIAMF , windpower https://buff.ly/43nfL9o  and heat pumps https://buff.ly/4bYS8b2 . You can also visit our Net-zero page https://buff.ly/3T4QVYu  to learn more about how we work with companies to identify the energy generation potential of their site to reduce their carbon emissions. #renewableenergy #hydropower #globalwarming #net-zero

Water-source heat pumps (WSHP) are energy efficient systems that will significantly reduce the carbon emissions associated with the heating and cooling of a building. Heat pumps are devices that transfer heat energy from one place to another, effectively providing both heating and cooling for a space. This technology is commonly used in domestic fridges, transferring the thermal energy to cool the inside of the fridge and dump it externally, heating the outside space. This same principle has been scaled up to heat and cool much larger spaces including houses and offices. Heat pumps can transfer between 2 and 7 kilowatt-hours of thermal energy for every kilowatt-hour of electrical energy consumed. Of course, you could use the electrical supply to directly heat the space, but this would only produce 1 kilowatt-hour of thermal energy for each kilowatt-hour of electricity consumed. The key factor influencing the efficiency of a heat pump system is the temperature difference between the source temperature entering the heat pump and the distribution temperature exiting. The smaller this difference the more efficient the system. This is determined by the insulation levels of the building and the type of distribution system installed. The typical space heating distribution temperature range of heat pumps is 35 to 55 °C.For the external thermal source supplying the heat pump there are two main sources common to most buildings, the air and the ground. The ground offers more stable temperatures year-round with the extreme highs and lows of air temperature removed, proving to be a good sink for heating during the winter and cooling during the summer. This results in a more efficient system, with lower running costs and larger carbon-emission savings. Ground-source systems also have the aesthetic advantage of not being visible from the outside of the building whilst air-source requires large external units. However, the big advantage of an air-source system is their ease of installation and therefore lower upfront costs. Properties with access to a body of surface water such as a large pond, river or even the sea have a third option to source their thermal energy from. Water-source heat pumps (WSHP) have the advantage of stable temperatures, but given the improved thermal properties of water, require a smaller installation footprint. Their visual impact on the outside of the building is usually minimal and with no requirement for specialist installation equipment they can offer financial savings over ground source systems. If you or your business are looking to reduce its carbon emissions and you think you could benefit from a water-source heat pump then let us know here https://buff.ly/3SX06ZS and tell us about your project. Renewables First have been involved with the design and installations of many systems from residential to large office spaces. Find out more on our dedicated heat pump web pages here https://buff.ly/4bYS8b2 .

There are several factors which should be considered when assessing whether a roof will be good for solar PV installation. These factors apply to both commercial and residential PV developments. In summary, there are seven key characteristics necessary for a good solar roof: 1.Good roof orientation Ideally the roof would face directly south, to maximise the exposure to the sun. However, east and west facing roofs still present a good opportunity for solar installations and offer good potential for energy generation. Shallow-pitched north-facing roofs can also be used. 2. Good roof pitch To maximise energy generation, the panel surface should be perpendicular to the sun’s rays. The optimum pitch angle on a south facing roof is around 40° to maximise energy generation and ensure consistency throughout the year. However, shallower or steeper pitches can also be effective, while flat roofs’ generation potential can be improved by using mounting systems which optimise the tilt angle. 3. Structurally sound The roof must be structurally sound to withstand the additional loading from the solar PV system. In addition, the type of roof material will also affect the cost. Commercial roofs with asbestos can add complexities, often requiring replacement due to drilling through the sheets for fixings. Integrated systems are an option for tiled roofs and offer potential savings. 4. Sufficient roof space There needs to be adequate roof space to install the desired array size while leaving the required setbacks from roof edges and ridges. This can be made more complicated if there are large amounts of roof furniture such as chimneys, dormers, or industrial equipment present. 5. Limited shading An ideal site will have no sources of shade over the installed panel area. Any sources of shade will reduce the generation potential. The use of optimisers will reduce the losses of the overall system but individual panel losses will still affect performance. 6. Limited environmental or heritage sensitivities Planning permission may be required for systems near listed buildings or in conservation areas. Larger systems over 50kW will also require approval. 7. Good grid connection You will need permission to export any surplus electricity, and for many sites this is a key constraint. The export capacity needs establishing early in the project because this can have a significant impact on the size of the system and the financial performance. For answers to all of your solar power questions please visit our dedicated Commercial https://buff.ly/44iG7Kc or Residential solar power https://buff.ly/3xYKjD1 pages. If you can’t find what you are looking for then send us your question and we’ll get an answer to you. Do you own a site you think could benefit from a solar PV installation? Let us take a look, we can give you our initial thoughts on whether you would benefit from our solar feasibility service. https://buff.ly/3UAhbe6

There are many factors to be considered when assessing whether a site will be good for wind turbines. These can be related to how much of an impact the development would have on the environment, and how likely it is that planning permission would be granted on the site, to how much energy the turbine would generate once installed. In short though, there are five key characteristics that you need to make a good wind turbine site: 1. A high average wind speed. Typically the site would be on top of a hill or in a wide open space with no obstructions nearby. 2. Sufficient separation from noise-sensitive neighbours. Modern wind turbines are remarkably quiet, but even so there are very stringent maximum noise levels that have to be met to obtain planning consent. The minimum separation varies depending on the turbine size and background noise level, but ideally any neighbouring residential properties would be at least 500 m away. 3. Good grid connection. All of the wind turbines that we supply require a suitable three-phase electrical supply to connect to. Often a wind turbine will be able to connect to an 11 kV three-phase power line passing close to the wind turbine site that can have a new transformer / substation connected to it. The larger multi-MW turbines could grid connect to 33 kV power lines, though generally it is too expensive for sub-1MW wind turbine projects to connect at such a high voltage. 4. Good site access. Wind turbines are large and heavy, so the access roads and tracks to the site need to be capable of taking oversize loads with no weak bridges, excessively tight corners or steep gradients. Obviously as the proposed turbine gets larger, the size of the constituent parts that have to be delivered get larger and the access requirements more stringent. 5. No special environmental or landscape designations. Wind turbines are very visible within the landscape, so sites in National Parks will find it virtually impossible to obtain planning consent. In Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), it would be very difficult and unlikely, but still possible if there was overwhelming local support. Also note that a lot of the older objections to wind turbines due to bird strikes have now been shown to be unfounded, but even so it would be good practice to not install a wind turbine(s) in an area that had special bird designations. Peat bog is also generally a no-go area for wind turbines. For answers to all of your wind power questions please visit our Windpower Learning Centre https://buff.ly/3TntFE6 . Our Windpower Webpages https://buff.ly/43nfL9o provide useful guides explaining the process of getting wind turbines installed along with the services we offer, easing the process. Do you own a site you think could benefit from a wind turbine? Let us take a look, we can give you our initial thoughts on whether you would benefit from our wind feasibility service.https://buff.ly/4ah83QA

In the second of our monthly Insights we look at Solar PV Grants for Farmers and Horticulturists. Don't miss out - sign up to our automatic emailing service here: https://buff.ly/49n2Er0 In the dynamic landscape of agriculture, embracing innovation and technology is paramount to meet the growing demand for food while ensuring sustainability and efficiency. Recognising this need, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) in England offers grants to farmers and horticulturalists to enhance productivity through various means, including the adoption of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. Solar PV grants present a valuable opportunity for agricultural businesses to transition towards renewable energy sources and optimise their operations for long-term sustainability. Solar PV systems constitute a significant aspect of these grants, enabling farmers to harness clean and renewable energy from the sun to power their operations. Eligible applicants can access funding for: • Solar panels, • batteries, • inverters, • utility meters, • electrical grid connections, • power diverters. Read the full article here https://buff.ly/3wGT43G Renewables First can help with sizing a solar PV system for your needs and provide performance data to strengthen your grant application with technical facts. Once you’ve raised the capital, we will be ready to design and install the system. Contact us today to kick start the feasibility process. https://buff.ly/3SX06ZS #renewableenergy #greenenergy #cleanenergy #sustainability #renewables #sustainableenergy #hydropower #globalwarming #netzero

Here is the first of our Monthly Insights feeds. With over 15 years in the industry we bring snippets of our extensive knowledge directly to you. Sign up to our automatic emailing service to receive your monthly Insight directly: https://buff.ly/49n2Er0 A good hydropower site is a valuable asset. You could write a book on what makes a good hydro site, but in summary you need: • Good head • Good flow • Simple site layout with main parts close together • Good grid connection • Good site access • Single ownership of the site, or cooperative neighbours • Not too many environmental sensitivities To read the full article here https://buff.ly/3OZ3tOO For answers to all of your hydropower questions please visit our Hydro Learning Centre https://buff.ly/3wryZyA If you are interested more generally in renewable energy generation, we provide whole-project capability in hydropower, wind, solar PV and heat pumps. Please visit our Net-zero landing page for more information. https://buff.ly/3T4QVYu

Renewables First has over 15 years of experience within the renewable energy sector and over that time has built a wealth of understanding about the different forms of renewable technologies and their best use. Working actively within the sector we also have our fingers firmly on the pulse and therefore get to hear about developments that may not make mainstream channels. Our monthly Insights feeds will bring snippets of this knowledge directly to you. Sign up to our automatic emailing service to ensure you receive all the latest information and useful guides.   https://buff.ly/49n2Er0 #renewableenergy #greenenergy #cleanenergy #sustainability #renewables #solarenergy #sustainableenergy #hydropower #windpower #windturbine #globalwarming #energystorage #hydropower #heatpumps #net-zero 

Renewables First is a leading name in the field of renewable energy with a key focus on renewable energy sources such as hydropower, wind power, water source heat pumps, PV, and energy storage. We offer an extensive range of consultancy services, with the likes of Net Zero energy consultancy and evaluations of various renewable energy technologies. Our team of experienced consultants is adept at managing the entire project lifecycle, starting from preliminary feasibility analysis, up to the final stages of construction and commissioning. Renewables First prioritizes quality and efficiency, ensuring that your project delivers reliable and superior performance in the long run. Find out more about how we can help your renewable projects https://buff.ly/49nAFri #renewableenergy #solarenergy #greenenergy #windturbines #energystorage #hydropower #heatpumps #net-zero