Articles
Newsletters
Home 
Business Home Business Microgeneration: is it really a solution to extreme CO2 Emissions
Business Home Business Microgeneration: is it really a solution to extreme CO2 Emissions
| Microgeneration: is it really a solution to extreme CO2 Emissions |
 |
 |
 |
| Written by Tal Potishman |
| Sunday, 23 November 2008 11:29 |
|
Microgeneration is likely to be an important step towards the Millennium Goal of ensuring environmental sustainability by the year 2015. This is an ambitious, if not idealistic, target which has been well-received by most - less so as an individual burden, and more of a sub-national one. "Let the government do something about it," is the response of many. Although many argue the benefits of this concept, there are only a few that have actually taken a proactive approach as individuals or private businesses. Great Britain, in particular, has come under direct criticism for not doing enough to reduce its carbon footprint on our increasingly delicate atmosphere. And if governments cannot be counted on to set in motion a plan to ensure ecological sustainability, how can we, as individuals, be expected to do so? Over the past two years, the UK has taken various steps to catch up with the rest of Europe in the race to reach the ambitious millennium target by 2015, in particular by setting up a Microgeneration Strategy. This aims to offer Zero- and Low- Carbon solutions for domestic homes, businesses, and communities, with specific targets that demand that by 2016 all new homes in the UK should be zero-carbon, whereas the same applies to non-domestic buildings by 2019. While that's a few years later than the Millennium goals dictate, it is definitely a start as the UK is taking the first step in a new direction. But what exactly does microgeneration do? Microgeneration involves the producing of energy through small-scale energy generators such wind turbines and solar photo voltaic electricity generating panels. It means that in the future, all buildings will be equipped with these small generators, allowing them to produce and supply their own energy, and in the process, reducing the mass impact that big energy generators have on the environment today. What is more, microgenerators are particularly beneficial for particular types of homes, such as those with no access to a central gas network. This newly acquired self-sufficiency of future households, communities, and businesses would make them less dependent on large industrial power plants. The Guardian argues that Microgeneration might even be a rival to nuclear energy. We need to ask ourselves whether these advantages are enough to encourage people to make their own contributions to helping preserve the planet for their great-grandchildren. Microgenerators systems also have disadvantages in the way that they are not necessarily accessible to everyone. Microgeneration is not suitable for a minority of homes, whereas some business establishments such as shops have little access to this technology at all. Moreover, since microgenerators are a quite modern development, there are still only few specialists who know how to install a private energy producing unit. Microgenerators are not exactly cost-friendly either, which reaffirms the old argument that the future of sustainable development will not begin until costs fall significantly. Is microgeneration the best path for a more sustainable planet? Government officials, such as Energy Minister Malcolm Wicks, agree that it is. More government backing in the form of education about microgeneration as well as financial support schemes will increase the idea's viability in the public eye. The fact that this scheme has the potential to decrease CO2 emissions on a massive scale should be convincing enough for many, but for those who are unwilling to loosen their purse strings just yet, recycling is the next best solution. About the Author: Tal Potishman, editor of Heating Central, publishes content on domestic heating, plumbers, Eastbourne boiler, underfloor heating and solar thermal. He specializes in helping save money by advising on efficient heating. Kindly provided by MoneyHunter.org You are welcome to use this article on your own website, if you include the link just before this text. |
Members : 2604
Content : 2687
Web Links : 1
Content View Hits : 253965
Content : 2687
Web Links : 1
Content View Hits : 253965