The Outdoor Guide is delighted to welcome on board 100Green to the TOG family – the only supplier of 100% green and renewable in the UK. There are many different ways of generating green energy – some you may be familiar with, others may come as a surprise. And that’s where we come in with our handy guide! We’re here to give you some food for thought when you are next out walking. Maybe you’ll simply learn something new and interesting to share with a friend or maybe you’ll be inspired to strike up a conversation with someone who is able to make a difference – maybe you can make a difference. But you’ll never know until you spend a few minutes reading a little further.
What has the generation of energy got to do with walking?
So much! If you put on your boots and take a walk through the countryside, there are so many energy related things to spot on the way, wherever you are walking… if you know what to look out for. After reading this guide – you’ll perhaps be looking at things slightly differently the next time you’re walking through farmland.
But why is it important?
We’re using more power than our ancestors did – our faster paced lives are taking their toll on the natural world. But that doesn’t have to be the case. The energy that we need to power our lives can be generated in weird, wonderful and very sustainable ways without depleting the limited resources that are held within our precious planet.
Sustainable sources of energy
When you think of sustainable, green energy you’d be forgiven for thinking of wind turbines and solar panels. Whilst these are great – there is SO much more to green energy than that!
There are some things that are commonplace on many countryside walks that can be a great source of green, sustainable energy.
A cow field
Did you know that some of the UK is being powered by poo? Take a walk through any cow field and you’ll be sure to dodge a few cow pats. These cow pats naturally release methane. Methane is one of the biggest greenhouse gasses. But when it is properly captured it can be used to make biogas. And biogas can be used to create electricity and purified to make the same gas that gets put into our national grid to heat your home.
Barn or home roofs
Here’s a green thought. We all know solar power is an environmentally friendly source of energy. But even solar farms have an impact because they take up valuable green spaces – where we all love to walk. So here’s a thought to share. See all those barn roofs? They aren’t doing much right now… but they could be generating a lot of renewable energy if the owner was that way inclined. Just like Susan Roaf who lives in beautiful Oxfordshire and is one the generators for 100 Green. Susan is an architect and built the first solar roof in Britain in 1995. She generates so much electricity that she has more than she needs and sells it back into the system. She is an inspiration and true pioneer of green energy.
Naturally flowing water
Did you know water generates electricity? This may sound odd – and a little dangerous?! – but it’s actually a clean and renewable energy source that generates around a sixth of the world’s electricity. Hydroelectric energy is generated when the kinetic energy of moving water is converted into electrical energy. Water flows over a turbine that has blades which are moved by the kinetic energy of the flowing water. The kinetic energy from the water becomes rotational (or mechanical) energy on the turbine, which itself is connected to an electricity generator. The generator converts the rotational energy into electricity.
The smell of a farm
It’s a bit like marmite – some people love it, other people don’t. But either way what you are smelling is often naturally decomposing waste. Whether that’s poo or … in the case of one dairy farmer in Norfolk, the waste from his cheese making, farming and milking business! But all that organic waste is actually powering and heating his farm… so he can make more cheese, milk and food. What Stephen has created is a mini circular-economy.
Pylons
It’s not just where your energy comes from but when you use it. These giant metal structures dominate many countryside landscapes – but we don’t really notice them because we’re so used to seeing them. However next time you do see one, think about how much electricity is travelling along those lines and powering all the nearby towns and villages.
Sustainable energy is also about how and when we use energy. The UK’s national grid experiences stress points during the day when demand for electricity outstrips supply – like dinnertime. At these times gas or diesel–powered plants are fired up to meet the demand, adding to the UK’s carbon dioxide emissions. However, if we are more considerate about the times we use electricity and perhaps shift some demand to nighttime, we can all help renewable generation meet more of the UK’s demand. It’s one of the easiest and most impactful behaviour changes we could make.
To find out more about 100Green and to make the switch to 100% green and sustainable energy – please visit greenenergyuk.com