Wales Aiming For 100% Renewable Energy

 

The government of Wales has launched a new sustainable development scheme entitled “One Wales: One Planet”.

The focus of the Scheme is living within Wales' environmental limits - by setting out a pathway for using only its fair share of the Earth’s resources and becoming a One Planet nation within the lifetime of a generation. 

A One Planet nation is a country where the resources within it are enough to sustain its population, with no external inputs required. If Wales should achieve this goal within proposed timeframes, it will be the first country to do so.

Under the radical plan, Wales also intends to reduce by 80-90% its use of carbon-based energy, resulting in a similar reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. 

This goal reflects the latest estimates for action needed to address climate change and would require annual 3% reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. Wales' ultimate goal is the production of as much electricity from renewable energy sources by 2025 as the country consumes. 

In order to achieve this target, Wales will need generate more than 30TWh of electricity from renewable sources annually by 2025 and 3 TWh of heat each year, mainly through biomass .

Wales is also developing a community renewables scheme with European funding to increase support for small-scale renewable energy in the home. Support will be provided for off grid and grid connect solar power systems; ground, water and air source powered heat pumps, wind turbines and biomass electricity or heat generating units.

To further encourage uptake of residential renewable energy, a feed in tariff system will also be introduced.

The One Wales: One Planet report can be downloaded here.

Solar Powered Rubbish Bins Reduce Emissions

 

The sight of overflowing council-provided rubbish bins in public areas could be a thing of the past, thanks to solar power.
  
USA company BigBelly offers a patented compacting rubbish bin that is completely solar powered. The units are around the same size as a normal bin but can handle 5 times the rubbish, thanks to a unique compacting system.  The company claims increased capacity reduces collection trips and can cut fuel use and greenhouse gas emissions by 80%.
  
In US terms and depending on collection frequency, BigBelly states a standard bin costs between $7,300 and $30,000 over its lifetime, whereas BigBelly lifetime operational costs are significantly lower; somewhere between USD$6,000 and $12,000.
  
The fully portable bin incorporates a 30 watt polycrystalline solar panel protected by a polycarbonate bubble. The compactor is driven by a 1/6-HP DC gear-motor exerting a force of 1250 lbs. (570 kg). The DC motor is powered by a 12 volt deep cycle battery maintained by a solar regulator that controls the charging level. 
  
The bins have an additional wireless communications feature whereby the unit can "call home" via SMS text when it is approaching capacity. This can save on additional emissions and expenses involved with picking up bins that aren't full. LED indicators on the bin provide a visual checking mechanism. The units can also incorporate modules for separation of recyclable materials.
  
Materials used in the construction of the bin include galvanized sheet metal steel interior and exterior (recycled content), heavy duty plastic side panels for dent and scratch resistance (also recycled content) and the hopper is made from leak proof low-density polyethylene plastic.
 

News for Monday 25 May, 2009

 

• Sanyo Breaks Solar Cell Efficiency Record
  


• Solar Botanic - Solar Power From Trees
  

View all news for Monday 25 May, 2009 on one page

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