If you’re in the electrical business you’re no stranger to the concepts of sustainability and renewable energy. Renewables are big news, and big business.
Ireland is committed to achieving an EU target of delivering 16% of its total energy requirements through renewable energy technologies by 2020. To help meet that target the government has a number of incentives to encourage large and small scale renewable energy projects across the country, including incentives to incorporate renewable solutions into new-build and renovation projects for residential and commercial premises.
Opting for renewable and sustainable energy solutions isn’t just about meeting targets though. Renewable energy solutions are maturing rapidly, are increasingly cost effective to install and commission, are relatively low maintenance and deliver significant cost benefits over their serviceable lifetime.
The rising profile of renewable energy, combined with maturing technologies and government based incentives, is driving demand for renewable energy solutions in Ireland. That presents an opportunity for you to help clients make informed decisions about their renewable energy options, and to deliver efficient and effective renewable energy solutions.
Optimising the energy efficiency of any premises before making the transition to renewable energy solutions ensures your clients can make the most effective use of the energy they generate.
Helping clients choose and install modern, energy efficient lighting, heating and home automation solutions is a quick win for you, for them and for the environment… and it paves the way for more efficient and effective use of renewable energy in the future.
Look for these and other energy efficient options at your local Kellihers branch:
Switching to any renewable energy technology requires careful thought and planning. Here are some things to consider when investigating renewable options for your clients.
In order to decide on the most appropriate renewable energy solutions for a given installation, it’s important to consider the current energy demands of the property, including:
When considering renewable technologies for a home or business it’s very important to bear in mind the limitations of each technology as part of the planning process, and to build in contingency where necessary. Solar PV systems, for example, will generate less power when it’s cloudy, and no power at night, while wind turbines will only generate power when there’s enough wind.
For most renewable electricity options a connection to the mains grid or to a suitable battery storage bank needs to be available to deliver backup power when the primary renewable source is unavailable. Battery technology is improving all the time, and is helping “iron out” supply inconsistency issues associated with the micro-generation of renewable electricity, but for the time being it makes sense to factor in a connection to the mains grid when planning any renewable electricity project.
Below we provide an overview of the most widely utilised renewable energy solutions for local implementation in a domestic or commercial environment. For the sake of relevance and brevity we’ve left out technologies like hydroelectric or hydrokinetic systems that are more suited to large-scale renewable energy generation projects.
The bulk of that renewable electricity will be generated by wind.
But while wind turbines work well in large scale installations, their application for smaller scale microgeneration for domestic or business purposes is more limited. Intermittent supply, planning restrictions, tricky logistics and objections from other residents all need to be taken into account when evaluating the viability of wind energy for homes and businesses.
Small wind turbines may be viable in rural applications on exposed sites, but for most residential and commercial premises in Ireland other technologies are usually better suited.
Pros: wind power produces no pollution, has no by products and is a potentially inexhaustible source of free energy.
Cons: power generation is intermittent, so will requires a backup power source / energy storage solution. Planning, logistics and local objections can be complicated; only really viable on windy, very exposed sites.
Solar hot water systems are now considered a mature and stable technology, and can make sense in a domestic or business setting. Bear in mind though that solar hot water tends to be more economical and efficient in larger business installations. They can be particularly effective in applications that demand a lot of hot water, such as canteens, hotels or hospitals for example.
Pros: Can deliver up to 60% of domestic hot water demand in residential applications averaged over a 12 month period (potentially more in larger commercial applications).
Cons: Will only heat water when the sun is shining (will work less effectively on cloudy days and not at all at night), additional energy source required to heat water at other times or to boost temperature to desired level.
Solar PV panels use a variety of semiconductor materials (typically silicon, but use of other semiconductors is growing) that generate electricity when exposed to light. They come in a variety of forms -- including the now familiar solar panels, but with more innovative options like solar roof-tiles, solar glass, and solar cladding also emerging.
Pros: Mature, reliable technology that is increasingly affordable. A well located home Solar PV system in Ireland could deliver around 40% of a household’s annual electricity demand (SEAI figures). Solar panels are practically maintenance free once installed.
Cons: Solar power generation is intermittent, so storage and / or backup power source is necessary to supplement a solar PV system.
For ground source heat pumps heat is collected through either a large network of pipes laid at a depth of around 1.5 metres or a deep borehole system. Water is circulated underground and delivered to the heat-pump which is usually located inside the building.
Air source heat pumps use an air source collector situated outside the building, and the heat generated is then transported into the building.
Pros: Once installed heat pumps offer low running costs, high efficiency and require minimal maintenance. They are a very reliable and long lasting heating solution. Some heat pumps can also be used in reverse to cool a space during warmer summer months.
Cons: Heat pumps require a substantial up front investment, and ground source heat pumps in particular require a significant amount of engineering work around your premises to install the subterranean closed-loop pipework or borehole network. Heat pumps use a a small amount of electricity to run, and cannot therefore be considered 100% carbon neutral unless that electricity comes from a renewable / carbon neutral source (coming from a solar PV array for example)
Rexel Energy Solutions, is Ireland's largest Solar PV and Energy Solutions Distributor
Call in to your local branch to discuss renewable energy options, visit the Rexel Energy Solutions website or call the team on +353 (0) 1429 7237.
