Curriculum Cymreig--Environment/Sustainable development--Renewable energy
Due to the natural resources that are available here, and the need to cut out CO2 emissions in order to prevent climate change, Wales is at the forefront of renewable energy developments.
The Centre for Alternative Technology in Machynlleth provides an online guide to renewable energy in Wales, with an overview of reneweable energy resources in Wales including Water Power, Wind Power, Solar Power and Biomass. Additional information about other renewable energy sites that have facilities for schools are available from the CAT website.
Dulas is a sustainable energy company, also based in Machynlleth, that provides power based solutions, and a wide range of renewable energy options. Their website contains information about wind, solar, biomass, hydro energy and the Dyfi Eco Valley Partnership, as well as details of Dulas' current projects and links to other websites relating to renewable energy, such as Renewable Rod's Information Centre, which provides users with the opportunity to learn more about renewable energy issues.
Many renewable energy sites have special facilities for schools, while most are open for school and educational visits. Information about those sites, and links to various renewable energy schemes are listed below:
- Melin Llynon (near Llanddeusant in Anglesey- the only working mill in Wales)
- Carno Windfarm (near Caersws)
- Rheidiol Hydropower Centre (near Aberystwyth)
- Elan Valley Visitor Centre (small scale hydro power schemes near Rhayader)
- West Wales Eco Centre (near Newport, Pembrokeshire)
- Museum of Welsh Woollen Industry (near Llandysul)
- Scolton Visitor Centre (purpose built energy efficient centre near Haverfordwest)
- Carew Tidal Mill (near Tenby)
- Aberdulais Falls (hydro-electricity scheme near Neath)
- Gower Heritage Centre (12th century water mill in Gower)
- Gower Charcoal Company
- Swansea Environment Centre
- Flat Holm Island (solar powered lighthouse off the coast of Barry)
Windfarms
Many resources exist with information on windfarms in Wales. The building of windfarms in Wales is very controversial issue with there being arguments for and against their construction. As a result, many of the resources listed here are pressure groups.
- Ail Wynt proposed wind farm near Llanrwst
- Awel Aman Tawe near Swansea
- Betws Mountain Preservation Guide near Ammanford
- Cefn Croes Wind Farm Campaign in Ceredigion
National Wind Power are responsible for the construction of many windfarms in Wales.
More information can be found on Yes to Wind, a Greenpeace initative that supports the development of windfarms in the UK; or, for a map of windfarms in the UK and diagrams of how offshore windfarms work, visit the British Wind Energy Association's website.
Hydropower
Hydropower is energy or power produced by moving water.
The British Hydropower Association respresents the interests of the hydropower industry in the UK. Their website provides an overview of the industry and a database of Hydro Installations around the UK, including the following sites: Bryncir, Croesor, Cwm Dyli, Cwm Mynach, Cwmorthin, Dinorwig, Ffestiniog, Llyn Velyn, Maentwrog, Tŷ Cerrig (all in Gwynedd), Rheidiol (Ceredigion), Cwmgych mill, Cwmorgan mill, Dreifa mill, Godremanog mill, Maes y Felin (Carmarthenshire), Cynwyd (Denbighshire), Caban Coch Dam, Clywedog Dam, Elan Valley, Llyn Brianne (Powys), and Aberdulais Falls (Neath Port Talbot).
For facts, figures and information on how hydropwer works, visit the Wisconsin Valley Improvement Company website.
First Hydro Company are one of the UK's largest electricity generators and are responsible for the Dinorwig and Ffestiniog plants in Snowdonia, North Wales. They are a subsidiary of the Edison Mission Energy group that runs numerous ventures in the Dinorwig / Ffestiniog area. One of these ventures is Electric Mountain - the First Hydro's Visitor Centre in Llanberis, which uses an interactive and educational environment to display the power of hydro-electricity. Their website contains information about the Power Station Tour, Snowdon Weather Station, and also inlcudes an environmental section.
Biomass
Biomass is a relatively new form of renewable energy in Wales that derives from organic matter such as wood and agricultural waste. For educational material on Biomass, visit the Educational Website on Biomass and Bioenergy.
For information relating to biomass in Wales, visit Wood Fuel Wales website, which was established to promote and aid the use of wood as a source of renewable energy. It provides information about using wood as a fuel, an online directory of woodfuel suppliers in Wales, links to suppliers and installers of woodfuel equipment, and information about the different types of grants and assistance available for woodfuel projects.