Planning for Renewable Energy in Worcestershire Research Paper

Executive SummaryGenerating energy through renewablesources is an alternative to the burning offossil fuels. Using renewable energy hasenvironmental, social and economicbenefits.Worcestershire's potential for thegeneration of renewable energy has notbeen systematically evaluated, but it isevident that current levels of renewablegeneration in the County are significantlybelow what could theoretically beachieved. Worcestershire's land-lockedlocation precludes off-shore generation,but there is nevertheless a large potentialfor renewable energy:● The rivers, streams and watercoursesthat traverse the County could beexploited to provide hydro-electricpower;● Large areas of the County haveaverage wind speeds sufficient for thegeneration of energy from windturbines, with the greatest potential inBromsgrove and Wychavon districts;● Biomass energy has significantpotential in Worcestershire, withsubstantial existing woodland and highpotential yields from energy crops;● Solar irradiation (the amount ofsunlight falling on the ground) acrossthe County as a whole is relativelyhigh, and could deliver both electricityand hot water through the increaseduse of solar panels;● Worcestershire falls within an area thatis capable of utilising the heat of theground, air and water to contributetowards heating energy needs.● Energy from Waste' is not generallyconsidered renewable, and is notconsidered in this paper. However,organic wastes, such as farm slurry,food waste, and landfill gas isconsidered renewable and cancontribute a valuable renewable fuelsource for biomass heat and/or powergeneration, and anaerobic digestion.National and international targets are inplace to ensure that renewable energycontributes to a reduction in theemissions of carbon dioxide into theatmosphere, therefore mitigating thedamaging effects of climate change. Thetargets require a major expansion ofcurrent capacity, and Worcestershire willhave its part to play in contributing tothese goals.As a County with extensive rural areas,Worcestershire has the potential to exploitrenewable energy where conventionalgas and electricity supplies may not beavailable. In this context, renewablescould provide a viable alternative tooil-fired heating or petrol generators.A concerted effort is required from allsectors in order to achieve the greatestcarbon savings. This paper considers therole of the planning system andrenewable energy in the built environmentand seeks to establish the key facts abouteach of the technologies as they relate toWorcestershire.It is recognised that renewable energygeneration should be seen as asubstantial component of what must be acombination of measures; the paperrecommends an energy hierarchywhereby energy conservation andefficiency are the principal actions, withenergy generation being considered onlyafter these primary concerns have beenaddressed.In order to develop further policies andguidance on renewables, the paper seeksto collate relevant baseline information, toallow an informed view to be taken on theneed and support for an expansion inrenewable energy capacity.Technical Research PaperEXECUTIVE SUMMARY ● Planning for Renewable Energy in Worcestershirei