There have been major advancements in renewable energy over the past decade, and the evolution has already surpassed expectations.
Over recent years there have been significant developments in renewable energy, from residential homes powered by domestic heat pumps to Google's remarkable pledge to run its global operations entirely on renewable energy, renewable energy is quickly becoming a commonplace energy source.
Renewable energy is now more real than it has ever been, and a clean energy revolution is well underway as we have reported previously on The Hub, with news that more of the country’s energy has been supplied from renewable sources.
Even with the quick advancements, there is still a lot of confusion and misunderstanding about the benefits and capability of renewable energy.
In order to illustrate how much renewable energy can benefit our world in this article we're aiming to debunk common myths.
Myth 1: Climate change is a hoax
The claim that climate change is a hoax is thoroughly debunked by an overwhelming body of scientific evidence.
The idea that climate change is a hoax couldn’t be further from the truth.
Scientists across the globe, including those at NASA and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), have been studying this issue for decades, and the evidence is overwhelming. Human activities, especially burning fossil fuels, are driving rapid changes in our planet’s climate.
In fact, over 97% of climate scientists agree on this. You don’t need to look far to see the effects – rising temperatures, melting glaciers, more frequent extreme weather, uncontrollable fires, and rising sea levels are all happening right before our eyes.
Climate change isn’t a conspiracy; it’s a real, measurable problem that we need to tackle together to protect our planet and our future.
Myth 2: Heat pumps don’t work in the cold
Critics claim heat pumps do not work as well during freezing periods because there is less heat energy in the air to absorb. Despite this the Nordic region- particularly Sweden, Finland and Norway – suggests otherwise.
These three countries have the highest heat pump sales per 1,000 households on the continent whilst also having the coldest climates in Europe.
If fact our colleagues in Sweden recently produced this video showing how the heat pump (or luft-vattenvärmepump) works in snowy conditions.
Various research has been done to show that heat pumps remain more than twice or three times as efficient as gas boilers, even at temperatures below zero. Tests have shown that some models can provide reliable heating at temperatures as low as -15°F (-26°C) or lower.
For most climates heat pumps will work in cold weather, but correct installation is vital. Ran Boydell, an associate professor at Heriot-Watt University, said: “If a heat pump doesn’t perform effectively in cold weather, chances are the unit was incorrectly specified for the location.”
Myth 3: Heat pumps are noisy
Another argument frequently thrown towards heat pumps is the idea that they are too loud to be installed in many homes.
Air source heat pumps do produce some noise, primarily from the fan that circulates air around the outdoor unit. However, they are designed to operate quietly, and a study commissioned by the UK government found that most respondents did not find the sound from heat pumps noticeable.
In the UK, strict regulations ensure that heat pump noise remains minimal. Air source heat pumps create between 40 and 60 decibels on average, that is a similar noise level to a dishwasher or microwave.
Current building standards mean that the ASHP must only generate 45dB if it is one metre from one of your neighbour’s windows. Therefore if you are concerned about your heat pump being noisy, the ideal location for an ASHP is away from windows and at a reasonable distance from your neighbour's property.
Find a heat pump for your home.
Myth 4: Renewable energy is bad for the environment
To say that renewable energy is bad for the environment is perhaps a little extreme. As with anything, there will be some negative side effects, however, these impacts are, of course, considered and avoided or minimised through environmental impact assessments, in a similar way to any other development project.
A common concern with wind power is its damaging impact on birds and bats caused by collisions with turbines and changes in air pressure. Environmental assessments examine local bird population and migratory patterns to avoid this problem.
Other problems include the noise and visual pollution from wind farms and the need for large areas of land and volumes of water required for some solar power plants. These are all problems shared with other non-renewable energy sources, such as nuclear and coal plants.
So, although renewable energy sources may present some negative environmental impacts, these are all considered in the design and development of renewable energy schemes.
Looking at the bigger picture, the impacts on the environment and the future of our planet far outweigh the negatives; renewable solutions are a much cleaner and more sustainable option than conventional fossil fuels.
Myth 5: Renewable technology is too expensive
Many believe that "green" energy is more costly, particularly in light of the current crisis in the cost of living. In 82% of the world, however, solar and wind energy are currently the most economical sources of new electricity, according to a recent study.
Research even predicts that renewable energy will emerge with lower costs than current energy sources by the end of the decade, and forecasts a $3 trillion investment in wind and solar power over the next 20 years.
On a smaller scale, domestic renewable energy sources are becoming increasingly affordable; heat pump technology and solar panels amongst others are all becoming popular choices in UK homes over traditional sources such as fossil fuels.
Besides, fossil fuels are finite resources and, in line with the rules of economics, we can expect to see prices rise as supply dwindles, resulting in many opting for alternatives, such as the equipment benefiting most from renewable energy like heat pumps.
Myth 6: Renewable energy can’t supply electricity 24/7
It’s a logical assumption that solar power only works when there’s sunlight or that wind energy only works when it’s windy. Whilst renewable energy sources are intermittent, the fact that this is such a clear hurdle has led to great innovation and developments to overcome the problem and provide adaptable and consistent energy.
A combination of intelligent technologies provides solutions allowing renewable power sources to be more flexible and provide energy whenever it is needed. Energy consumption can be tracked and managed, power supply can be flexible depending on demand, and energy can be reliably stored and used when required.
Understanding and believing
If we want to stand a chance of tackling climate change before it’s too late, we need everyone to understand and believe the severity of the problem we are facing and the potential detrimental impacts to our planet.
Although renewable energy is increasingly becoming a popular choice, it can be a complex topic to understand, particularly as it is constantly developing and evolving.
We’ve recently released a report exploring the challenges the heat pump industry faces when tackling the climate crisis. This report is following on from a survey of homeowners and installers about what they really think about heat pumps- and crucially how much homeowners would pay to install one.
Sian Bird is a marketing graduate
