Tidal Power
What types of tidal power exist? There are three main mechanisms for harnessing tidal energy. All three exploit the difference in water level at high and low tide to generate electricity, but they go about it in very different ways: Tidal…
Solar Tunnels
Also known as sun tunnels light tubes, light pipes or tubular skylights, these are a new way to get natural light into your home. They can transform spaces that sunlight would not normally reach, such as hallways and passages, and…
How to save water in your home
Why is it important to save water where possible? We are using more water than ever before, and in the UK, the average person gets through a huge 150 litres of water per day. If you’re not on a meter,…
Thermodynamic panels
How do thermodynamic panels work? Thermodynamic panels absorb heat from the atmosphere and use it to heat your home, in a similar way to ground source heat pumps. The panels circulate liquid coolant, which extracts heat from the air around it…
Energy storage
What is energy storage? Both solar and wind turbines can be described as intermittent energy sources. Yes they are renewable (which means they are clean sources of power) but if the sun doesn’t shine or the wind doesn’t blow then…
Time of use tariffs
Time of use tariffs are a new concept, designed to incentivise customers to use more energy at off-peak times, in order to balance demand. These tariffs charge cheaper rates at certain times of night or day, when demand is at its…
Introduction to electric car charging
Charging an electric vehicle is pretty easy – just plug it in and wait. You can charge your car at a public charging station or at home via a domestic socket or a specially installed charging point. Where you charge your car…
Introduction to electric cars
The electric car industry is growing fast, thanks to improved choice, lower prices, grants and ever-improving battery technology. What is an electric car? Put simply, an electric car is a one powered by an electric motor rather than a traditional…
Environmental footprint of electric cars
Clearly, as there are no tailpipe emissions, electric cars are better for the environment than other options. However, that does not mean they are completely carbon neutral, as manufacturers might like you to believe. Electric cars indirectly cause emissions from the…
Electric car grants
How much do electric cars cost? Although electric cars are marginally more expensive to buy than equivalent petrol/diesel cars, their price of electric cars varies greatly, from around £12,000 to over £100,000 for luxury models. It really depends whether you…