Electricity for 5000 homes could come from new wind farm
A new wind farm, with the potential to generate electricity for 5000 homes, should be operational by 2010.
The wind turbines will be built in Rainworth in Nottinghamshire and will supply clean, emission-free energy.
Wind turbines utilise the power of the air to produce electricity. Wind moves the lightweight blades of the turbine, which in turn move a generator.
While this produces environmentally friendly electricity, wind farms are not without their opponents, who claim they can spoil landscapes.
Of course, there are many other forms of renewable energy available, all with their own advantages and disadvantages.
Alternative sources of renewable energy
Aside from wind power, the best-known form of environmentally friendly energy is almost without doubt hydroelectricity.
In fact, this form of power accounts for almost 90 per cent of the renewable energy produced across the globe.
Hydroelectric dams harness the force of falling or flowing water to move turbines, thereby producing electricity.
Wave and tidal power also rely on the power of water to generate electricity, but these are distinct from hydroelectricity.
Tidal power utilises the ebb and flow of the tides to produce electricity. Although this is not used at a commercial level at present, it has the potential to be practically useful in the near future, because the tides are easier to predict than waves, wind or sunlight.
As for wave power, in this case a device floats on the water and as it bobs up and down, internal generators produce electricity.
Solar power, although not widely used on a commercial level, is very well known and growing in popularity. It uses the power of the sun, which is converted to electricity via solar panels.
Geothermal electricity is also growing in popularity year-on-year, as more people look for environmentally sources of energy.
For this method of power generation, heat stored in the earth is converted into electricity. While geothermal plants previously had to be located near fault lines, new technology means this is no longer the case.
Saving energy
If you want to reduce your carbon footprint, you can start by using energy more efficiently.
One way of doing this is to turn appliances off at the mains when they are not in use, rather than just switching them on to standby.
You should also turn lights off when you leave a room, and use energy saving bulbs where possible - although, be warned, these bulbs do not work effectively if you have a dimmer switch.
In conjunction with these steps, you could also switch to a supplier of environmentally friendly electricity. Many suppliers provide green electricity plans, where up to 100 per cent of your power comes from renewable sources.
Some may also make donations to charities such as the National Trust, or provide other incentives, when you sign up.
Finding a green energy supplier
Previously, if you wanted to switch energy supplier for a more environmentally friendly option, you would have had to contact each provider in turn and discuss the details of their payment plans.
Fortunately, nowadays you can let a price comparison site take care of the legwork for you.
All you have to do is answer a few quick questions about your location, current supplier and average electricity bills.
You can then choose from a list of green electricity suppliers, see how much you could save and compare them to other providers.
With some suppliers, you can even switch direct through the price comparison site. All the necessary paperwork will be taken care of on your behalf, and your current supplier will be contacted to ensure the switch goes smoothly.
Finding a green energy supplier is quick and easy - better still, it can help save the planet and save you money.