If County Durham is to meet its carbon reduction targets by 2030 and be net zero by 2050, increasing the generation and use of renewable energy is critical.
According to the information published by the Energy Saving Trust, in 2018 around a third of the UK’s electricity was generated by renewable energy sources – that is energy generated from the Earth’s natural resources, for example wind, solar, tidal, hydroelectric or biomass.
So how can you as residents or employees in County Durham do your bit? The most popular way is the installation of solar panels at your home or workplace. Solar panels are the most common domestic renewable energy source in the UK, with many buildings across the country now featuring rooftop panels. The panels – known as photovoltaics (PV) – capture the sun’s energy and convert it into electricity.
Wind energy is also another way, though while wind farms are commonplace around the UK with many located around County Durham, domestic usage is slightly less common as it isn’t suitable if you live in a built-up area.
Biomass heating or air source heat pumps are also increasing in popularity, particularly if you have a large home which lends itself to the setup of a biomass system or an air source heat pump. But of course as very important step to take before replacing any heating systems is looking at draught proofing and insulation making sure that the heat doesn’t escape.
Crucially, there are many financial incentives available if you install a renewable energy system, so it’s certainly something worth looking into.
