Renewable Energy

Renewable Energy

Renewable energy resources rely on energy sources which will not run out (unlike fossil fuels such as coal oil and gas). Most renewable energy sources produce no carbon dioxide during operation and generally have a low environmental impact. Appropriate use of renewable energy could provide a large proportion of the energy demand of the Forest of Dean in an environmentally sustainable way.

Biomass

There is good potential for using wood as a biomass fuel, both from short rotation coppice and forest residues.
Nature conservation, forestry practices and the mixed use nature of the forest are constraints on the forestry residue resource.
Small scale biomass projects are particularly suitable and wood fired heating could be a particularly appropriate use.

Wind

Although wind speeds are generally modest in the district sufficient wind speed sites are present for development of wind power.
The main constraints on wind power are likely to be landscape considerations and local acceptability.
Further research on wind speeds is needed. Small developments providing for local needs are likely to be most appropriate.
Any development should maximise community involvement.

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Solar

Building-integrated solar energy has great potential especially for new developments.
Solar water heating has great potential in the short term and can be cost effective in some applications

Hydro

There is potential for some micro Hydro power in the area, although the total resource is fairly low.
A large scale Tidal power scheme was proposed on the Severn Estuary, but environmental impacts and costs are currently prohibitive.
Potential schemes are likely to be very small and particularly suited to providing on-site power to the local surroundings.

Energy from Waste

Most household and industrial waste goes to 2 County landfill sites both of which produce electricity from landfill gas.

Gloucestershire County has a waste management strategy which supports the development of energy from waste schemes

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