solar energy

Solar energy, radiant light and heat from the sun, has been harnessed by humans since ancient times using a range of ever-evolving technologies. Solar radiation, along with secondary solar-powered resources such as wind and wave power, hydroelectricity and biomass, account for most of the available renewable energy on earth.

Only a minuscule fraction of the available solar energy is used.Solar powered electrical generation relies on heat engines and photovoltaics. Solar energy's uses are limited only by human ingenuity. A partial list of solar applications includes space heating and cooling through solar architecture, potable water via distillation and disinfection, daylighting, solar hot water, solar cooking, and high temperature process heat for industrial purposes.

To harvest the solar energy, the most common way is to use solar panels.Solar technologies are broadly characterized as either passive solar or active solar depending on the way they capture, convert and distribute solar energy. Active solar techniques include the use of photovoltaic panels and solar thermal collectors to harness the energy.

Passive solar techniques include orienting a building to the Sun, selecting materials with favorable thermal mass or light dispersing properties, and designing spaces that naturally circulate air.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_energy

www.energyrethinking.org

what is energy rethinking?

Energy is a big part of our lives. It’s hard to imagine what life would be like without it. But energy is also a major cost – at home, at work, and while we’re travelling.

energyrethinking is all about finding ways to use energy better.  It offers tips and simple advice that help save money by using less energy, reducing waste or – sometimes – not using energy at all. This is a space for learning from others, sharing your own views, and making new connections.

energyrethinking is a joint initiative underpinned by Shell, and independently managed by Burson-Marsteller, a leading communications agency, and independently edited by journalist Natalia Gameson. 


Has the option to send in your own tips on saving energy.

http://www.energyrethinking.org/events


 

Smart Grids

http://www.eon-uk.com/distribution/2351.aspx

That link takes you to a small animation by E-on about Smart Grids

What's A Smart Grid?

A smart grid delivers electricity from suppliers to consumers using digital technology with two-way communications to control appliances at consumers' homes to save energy, reduce cost and increase reliability and transparency.

It overlays the electrical grid with an information and net metering system, and includes smart meters. Such a modernized electricity network is being promoted by many governments as a way of addressing energy independence, global warming and emergency resilience issues.T

he smart grid is made possible by applying sensing, measurement and control devices with two-way communications to electricity production, transmission, distribution and consumption.
A smart grid includes an intelligent monitoring system that keeps track of all electricity flowing in the system. It also incorporates the use of superconductive transmission lines for less power loss, as well as the capability of integrating renewable electricity such as solar and wind.

When power is least expensive the user can allow the smart grid to turn on selected home appliances such as washing machines or factory processes that can run at arbitrary hours. At peak times it could turn off selected appliances to reduce demand.

Similar proposals include smart electric grid, smart power grid, intelligent grid (or intelligrid), FutureGrid, and the more modern intergrid and intragrid.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smart_grid

smart grids are being developed everywhere

http://www.smartgrids.eu/

http://www.trendbird.co.kr/1792

E.on Connections

http://www.newscast.co.uk/index.jsp

Through this link is E.on Image Gallery
shows there connections to other campanies
trying to use less energy and join there company.

E-on take the £200 Energy Saving Challenge

Pop the kettle on and make yourself a nice cuppa (but only boil as much water as you need so you can save energy and get a head start on reducing your bills). It will take about 15 minutes, so you could get a biscuit too.

Take the £200 Energy Saving Challenge.

Before you start, you'll need to have the following to hand:

• What type of heating system you have
• The amount of insulation in your home and where it is
• Details of any benefits you receive

Once you’re done, we’ll give you a personalised report of your energy use and a range of energy-saving ideas that can save you money and help protect the environment.

My Thoughts
I do think this is a good idea as it helps people save money and not use as much carbon and help save the plant. The only flow is getting enough people that can be bothered to find out all the information on there own, thats alot of research and people are lazy. I think they should offer to have someone come round and find out all that information for them, then they can see how much money they save by doing little things like getting energy saving bulbs etc. This challeneg is more likey to in test people from the age 30+ more than 18-25 year olds.

E.on Website

http://www.eon-uk.com/

Here you can find out all the projects they are involved in and contact them if your intrested in the company or want to find out any extra information.

The breif mentions

"new ways to use energy in the home"

there is a section on the E.on website about different ways to save energy in the home by doing things such as:-

• Energy saving bulbs
• Energy saving Lamps
• Insulation
• Energy saving shower heads
• Radiator reflectors
• Mechanical Timer
• Powerdown laptop /tv /desktop

https://www.eonshop.co.uk/ShowProducts.aspx?Category=LatestProduct

What is E.on???

One of the UK’s leading integrated power and gas companies – generating and distributing electricity, and retailing power and gas – and are part of the E.ON group, the world's largest investor-owned power and gas company.

They are looking into different kinds of energy and checking their carbon footprint. They are involved in various scemes.

Facts

• 5,009,918 customers
• Distributed 57,000 GWh of electricity in 2008  
• 94,000 substations
• 132,911km cables (46,606km over head and 86,305km underground)

Or, to put it another way: 82,587 miles of cable, enough to go around the world 3 times.

Figures

The volume of electricity distributed can vary depending on factors such as the economic output, price of electricity, improvements in energy efficiency and the weather.

Please click on the link to view a short paper to show how the volume of electricity distributed has changed over the last few years.