A guide to renewable energy
Video transcript for 'A guide to renewable energy'
Caption: A GUIDE TO RENEWABLE ENERGY
Sc 1 EXT. GARDEN - DAY
Andy is contemplating his roof.
VOICE-OVER
Hey Andy,
CAMERA IS POSITIONED SO THAT THE BACK OF ANDY’S HEAD FILLS THE SCREEN. AS VOICE-OVER BEGINS HE TURNS AND REVEALS HE IS HOLDING A SOLAR PANEL (PV).
VOICE-OVER
(on seeing the solar panel)
Wooh, what have we here? Are you thinking about renewable energy Andy? Well, that’s great because it will reduce your carbon dioxide emissions and help fight climate change.
Andy nods vigorously – obviously completely sold on renewable energy.
VOICE-OVER
But before you think about renewable energy, you should do everything you can to improve the energy efficiency of your home for example: install wall and loft insulation, an efficient heating system, energy saving light bulbs.
In between each measure she mentions Andy nods to confirm that he has done it already.
VOICE-OVER
Oh, so you’ve done all that? Well, you’re already using less energy. You really are becoming quite green aren’t you Andy?
Looking pleased with himself, Andy makes to leave with his solar panel...
VOICE-OVER
You have checked that your roof is South-facing have you Andy?
Andy looks nonplussed.
VOICE-OVER
No? Well, those solar panels may not be suitable for your home. Take a look at this...
CUT TO TWO SIMPLE ANIMATED SEQUENCES: 1) SHOW SUN STRIKING ROOF FITTED WITH SOLAR PV PANELS. CUT TO INSIDE HOUSE TO SEE LIGHT COMING ON AND WASHING MACHINE OPERATING. 2) SHOW SUN STRIKING ROOF FITTED WITH WATER HEATING SOLAR PANELS. CUT TO INSIDE TO TAPS RUNNING STEAMING HOT WATER. CUT OUTSIDE TO ESTABLISH SOUTH-FACING ASPECT.
VOICE-OVER
There are two types of solar panels; Solar electricity panels which use energy from the sun to run lighting and appliances in the home and the Solar water heating system which uses heat from the sun to work alongside your conventional water heater. With both, the roof should ideally be South-facing and pitched at 30-40 degrees. You also need to check whether you need planning permission.
Cut back to Andy listening intently.
VOICE-OVER
Wind power is another option isn’t it Andy?
Andy produces a child’s windmill that is spinning in the breeze.
VOICE-OVER
Yes that’s the one. Wind turbines rely on the wind’s lift forces to rotate the aerodynamic blades and they turn a rotor which creates electricity. Great if you are in a windy location...
CUT TO GRAPHIC DEMONSTRATING WIND TURBINE
VOICE-OVER
...no use if you’re not -so you’ll have to check local wind speeds to see if it’ll be worth your while - and you must check to see if you need planning permission for this too.
Andy sticks out a licked finger to check the wind speed.
Sc 2 EXT. WOODED AREA – DAY
Andy is gathering wooden logs
VOICE-OVER
Ahh yes, biomass is another form of renewable energy but not only logs are used,
Andy drops the logs. From his pained look we learn they have dropped on his foot. He continues to pay attention.
pellets or chips are used as well. In a wood-burning stove or a boiler connected to the heating system, it will provide heat for rooms and for hot water.
SIMPLE GRAPHIC OF TREE GROWING AND ABSORBING CARBON DIOXIDE. A SCALE APPEARS BESIDE IT. THE TREE DISSOLVES TO A PILE OF LOGS BURNING AND CARBON DIOXIDE NOW EMITTING. THE SCALE REMAINS THE SAME.
VOICE-OVER
Unlike other renewable energy technologies burning wood does release carbon dioxide but the carbon dioxide produced will only be the same amount that was absorbed by the plant when
it was growing.
Andy grapples with the concept – his eyes momentarily glazing over - as it is explained.
VOICE-OVER
It’s called carbon neutral.
Cut to Andy with a few scraps of logs. He looks forlornly to camera.
VOICE-OVER
However…only consider biomass if you have a local supplier.
Andy nods.
Sc 3 INT. KITCHEN – DAY
SPECIALIST CUT-AWAY FRIDGE:
The camera is positioned inside the fridge. Andy is now back in the house opening the fridge and is surprised and even miffed to find she is even watching him inside the fridge!
VOICE-OVER
Heat pumps can be used to extract heat from natural sources such as the ground to heat your home.
SIMPLE GRAPHIC SHOWING HEAT PUMP APPARATUS EXTRACTING HEAT AND HEAT TRAVELING TO THE HOME.
VOICE-OVER
This type of pump is familiar to us all because the same process is used to run our fridge or air conditioning unit...
As she talks he listens and takes some cooked food from the fridge.
VOICE-OVER
...extracting available heat energy from one source and releasing it in another location. However, you will need to have space for a trench or borehole and its more suitable for homes which have under floor heating.
Fridge door closes plunging us into black. Cut to Andy pour water into a brightly coloured fruit drink. The water pours big in foreground.
VOICE-OVER
Finally, if you live near a water source you might want to think about a hydro system. Hydro power systems use running water turning a turbine to produce electricity. Improvements in technology mean that useful power may be produced from even a small stream.
Andy exits.
Sc 4 EXT. OUTSIDE OF HOUSE – DAY
Andy is back outside. We see the solar panels now on the roof behind him (computer generated image). He sits in a deck-chair with his sunglasses on. He looks up at the sun and then pulls his glasses back down and sips his drink.
VOICE-OVER
So your roof is South facing! That’s good. Well you are all set now. With all that energy saved (beat) you can just relax.
Over a wide shot of Andy relaxing
Caption:
0800 512 012
energysavingtrust.org.uk
Energy Saving Trust logo
VOICE-OVER
(addressing the audience)
If you want to know more about how Andy became energy efficient call 0800 512012 or see the website.
