How Can You Choose the Right Renewable Energy for Your Small Business in the UK?

Choosing The Right Renewable Energy for Your Small Business in the UK

Any utility bidder will tell you that the cost of setting up renewable energy sources and the return on investment varies substantially. So, as a result, you must select the best solution for your company. Setting up your renewable initiative as a different department inside your company, or even as a different business with its stakeholders, budget, and goals, might be beneficial. If you decide to develop a renewable energy firm as part of your company, keep the following in mind:

• Start by looking at the goals of the various stakeholders. The first step is to create a list of involved parties before soliciting feedback and thoughts from all parties involved. This can help you identify how and why you’re producing your energy and give you a solid understanding of which renewable technologies are suitable for your company.
• It’s important to consider the size and location of your company. The size of your company will determine the amount you may spend on the project. Meanwhile, your location will aid you in determining which renewable energy source is optimal.
• Solar panels may be ideal if your firm is generally open and has a big surface area roof. Wind turbines may be a more efficient solution if you live near the shore. Your business’s location may also influence whether or not you can obtain planning clearance, which will influence your selection.
• Consider why you want to generate your energy. There are several advantages to producing your electricity. As a result, you’ll need to find out which are the most vital to your organization when getting your plans together.

Available Renewable Business Energy Options in the UK

In business settings, there are a variety of renewable energy sources. Finding the perfect one for your company, on the other hand, is determined by its location and the amount of money you’re ready to invest.

• Wind energy: This energy generates power for businesses using wind turbines. It’s appropriate if you have acres of undeveloped land.
• PV solar panels: It generates power from sunlight. These are simple to install and may be mounted on the side of your structure.
• Thermal energy from the sun: Sunlight heats the water in your hot water system. These are simple to install and may be mounted on the side of your structure.
• Biomass energy systems: A heating and power plant produces electricity and heat by heating or decomposing organic material such as hay or forest residues.
• Anaerobic digestion: The methane produced by the breakdown of organic materials, such as plant or animal manure, is burned to generate heat and energy. If you have a lot of room to store the fuels, this option is ideal.
• Ground-source heat pumps and geothermal heat pumps: Low-level heat naturally trapped in the Earth is used to offer both heating and cooling with this energy. These are attached to the side of your structure.
• Combined Heat and Power (CHP): In this unique form of renewable energy, a combined heat and power (CHP) system heats your water by capturing the heat generated by your energy.
• Hydroelectricity: Water flowing through an integrated turbine or water cycle provides power. These are site-specific, yet they can be a sustainable source of energy.

The Future for Renewable Energy for Businesses

The technology that is utilized to generate green energy for companies is constantly changing. As a result, the cost of setting up business renewable energy technology is continually decreasing. Evermore possibilities are becoming accessible due to the growth and the development of reusable energy. As a result, you should keep an eye out for the following sources to become more widespread in the next years:

Wave Generation

The United Kingdom is ideal for harnessing the energy generated by the waves that smash on and around its coasts nearly every day. That energy will be harnessed and converted into electricity using this technology. According to the Carbon Trust, this may create 5 Terawatt-hours (TWh) per year or around 14% of current national consumption.

Enhanced Geothermal

Instead of depending entirely on geothermal hotspots, this geothermal synthesis creates heat by employing hydraulic activation to drive water into porous rock. This method is now being utilized to great advantage in Australia’s Cooper Basin, where a 25-megawatt plant may generate anywhere between 5,000 and 10,000 megawatts.

Space-Based Solar Power

Solar power generation from the ground is a skill that companies have mastered. On the other hand, new technology aims to collect solar electricity from space for use on Earth.

Artificial Photosynthesis

This method of producing methanol seems pretty futuristic. Water is split to form hydrogen before utilizing atmospheric CO2 to create methanol using nanotechnology, which involves manipulating matter on a molecular or atomic scale to absorb solar electrical radiation in chemical bonds.

Things to Keep in Mind

Switching your business’s energy provider is a quick and straightforward solution to lower your energy costs. Switching to renewable energy sources can assist you in saving even more money while also improving your company’s image. Many business sectors have started to become more eco-conscious. Take the property market, for example; companies like RWinvest are working with developers to make future properties more sustainable by installing the latest eco-friendly features to reduce their carbon footprint and lower energy costs for investors and tenants. However, before you install any form of renewable energy technology, keep the following in mind:

• Take a look at the criteria for planning approval and connection. Therefore, ensure that you select the best renewable choice for your company, the building in which you operate, and the surrounding environment. Installation may necessitate building modifications. So, before making the transition, consider any prerequisites.
• A renewable energy site survey is also required. This will assist you in determining the most suitable renewable option for your company.
• You should also consider the regulatory and legal requirements. To safeguard your investment and ensure that all renewable business energy items are installed to high quality, ensure your installer is government-approved under the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS).

If you want to install any form of renewable technology, keep in mind that it will take several years to provide any measurable return. To make your investment worthwhile, it’s better if you own your commercial property or at least have a long-term lease in place.