News Archive

week ending 24 August 2007

 

Save the Merton Rule

A coalition of renewable energy and green groups yesterday urged the government not to scrap a key plank of local authority policy that has been credited with boosting the use of renewable energy. The call came after the leak earlier this week of a draft planning policy statement which local authorities said would undermine their ability to insist that developers use green technologies. The Home Builders Federation and British Property Federation oppose the so-called "Merton rule", which requires builders to obtain at least 10% of a building's energy from sustainable sources such as solar or wind power.

Guardian 24th August 2007
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Relax Merton Rule

The British Property Federation(BPF) has backed Government plans to relax the Merton Rule because investing in inefficient onsite renewable energy sources is simply not the best way to reduce carbon emissions.

Midlands Housing 23rd August 2007
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Leicester

Developers have put forward plans to build a 10-storey block of flats in a regeneration area of the city. There would also be a 4.1 metre high wind turbine on the roof.

Leicester Mercury 23rd August 2007
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Sunderland

Work has now officially begun on the regeneration of Southwick in Sunderland, which will see Gentoo and its partners invest £44 million in building over 300 brand new properties, including a retirement village. The new homes will be built in line with the prestigious Eco Homes 'Excellent' Standard, the highest rating possible and use renewable energy sources, with phase one due for completion in April 2008.

Northern Housing 23rd August 2007
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Plymouth

A new building in Plymouth harbour meets the latest environmental standards and incorporates energy-saving devices such as using the harbour water with heat exchangers to provide renewable energy for heating and cooling parts of the building.

Plymouth Herald 23rd August 2007
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Tesco Turbine

BRITAIN'S biggest supermarket chain faced the wrath of councillors when they considered plans for a wind turbine - already installed at one of its stores. Tesco came under fire over a 10m turbine outside its store in Newton Aycliffe. By the time the retrospective application was debated by Sedgefield Borough Council's development control committee, the machine had been in place for two months without consent.

Advertiser Series 23rd August 2007
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Solar Wales

A LEADING solar energy company has announced a partnership with Sony UK that will see its latest product manufactured in Wales. The deal, struck between Solarcentury and Sony, will see solar panels made at Pencoed near Bridgend. It is hoped Solarcentury’s C21e solar electric roof tile will meet a growing demand for green technology and Sony UK has built a special production line for the product.

Western Mail 23rd August 2007
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News Wales 23rd August 2007
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Solar research

Scientists are researching new ways of harnessing the sun's rays which could make it cheaper for people to use solar energy to power their homes. The experts at Durham University are developing light-absorbing materials for use in the production of solar photovoltaic (PV) cells which can convert light energy into electricity. The four-year project involves experiments on a range of different materials that would be less expensive and more sustainable to use in the manufacturing of solar panels.

24 Dash 23rd August 2007
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Green Football Stadium

A Highland League football club is planning to become the first in Britain to power its stadium floodlights with wind energy. Deveronvale, based in Banff, hope to build wind turbines on top of two of its floodlights. more >>

BBC 23rd August 2007
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Reuters 23rd August 2007
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Scotsman 24th August 2007
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Herald 24th August 2007
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Hydrogen Economy

SMALL business in Europe could have a significant part to play in weaning the world off its dependency on fossil fuels and the global energy giants. There’s a growing conviction that developing hydrogen power could be the key to this. The European Parliament has been sold the idea, and it could lead to new opportunities opening up for SMEs.

Western Mail 22nd August 2007
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Saltash

Under the banner of the Saltash Gateway Community Strategic Action Plan (CSAP), the regeneration scheme would see a community campus built at the 400-acre Broadmoor Farm, bringing both Cornwall College and Saltash.net College under one roof, together with state-of-the-art sports facilities - powered by solar and wind energy.

Cornish Guardian 22nd August 2007
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Carbon-neutral housebuilder

Persimmon, Britain's second largest housebuilder, yesterday pledged to support the government's ambitious house-building programme and plans to create a new generation of carbon-neutral homes.

Guardian 22nd August 2007
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Biogas

FARMING millions of bugs as well as hundreds of pigs could be hugely profitable, says a new joint venture company promoting biogas digesters and power plants in the UK.

Farmers Guardian 22nd August 2007
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Eco-police

PLANS to build a police station in Cambridgeshire's newest village have taken a step forward. Drawings have been finalised for a station in Cambourne and an application for planning permission has been submitted. The design includes a wind turbine.

Cambridge Evening News 22nd August 2007
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Back to Basics

Bolting renewable technologies onto poorly performing buildings is not a good recipe for improving lifecycle costing. Renewable building services systems are creating huge excitement and bringing a certain glamour to the industry. They also have an important role to play in improving the carbon footprint and lifecycle costing of buildings, but the industry has to address some basic, more down-to-earth issues first.

Building Services and Environment Engineer 22nd August 2007
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Welsh Skills

A report into microgeneration in Wales by SummitSkills, the Sector Skills Council for the building services engineering sector, has revealed a lack of skilled workers and warns the country may be left behind in the race to gain a share in the renewable energy market, unless steps are taken now.

Building Services and Environment Engineer 22nd August 2007
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Eastgate Renewable Village

Work is progressing well on the preparation of a planning application for Eastgate Renewable Energy Village and its related educational and recreational activities.

Wear Valley District Council Online 22nd August 2007
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Merton under pressure

A measure introduced by local councils aimed at cutting carbon emissions in new housing is coming under pressure from building groups. Under the so-called Merton Rule, named after the council which introduced it, new buildings must find 10% of electricity from renewable sources.

BBC 21st August 2007
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Green energy devices such as wind turbines and solar panels are to be made compulsory on millions of new homes and offices under government plans to boost green energy. Housing minister Yvette Cooper is determined to push ahead with moves to force developers to cut their carbon emissions by using renewable sources of power. New planning policy guidance will make clear that ministers stand by council planners who refuse permission for buildings which fail to generate their own energy. A spokesman for the Department of Communities and Local Government denied the planning guidance would ditch the Merton approach.

Daily Mail 21st August 2007
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This is London 21st August 2007
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Eco-friendly design

Eco-friendly initiatives may seem new, but most architects should have been aware of the principles of green design for years, says Steve Rayner, of Nottingham firm Rayner Davies Architects. Designing more environmentally aware and sustainable buildings is not difficult, but it has always been a case of having to encourage the client to think about the benefits of green design - but, says Steve, the mood is changing.

Nottingham Evening Post 21st August 2007
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Green pleasure park

The Cleethorpes-based family theme park is in talks with two European ride manufacturers to find a design which would be carbon neutral or powered by renewable energy.Vicky Gibb, managing director of Flamingo Land Ltd, which owns Pleasure Island, said: "It's impossible to ignore climate change and as one of the UK's leading tourist attractions we are especially keen to consider every option and act in a socially responsible manner.

Grimsby Telegraph 21st August 2007
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Micro-wind

Windsave ( more >>) says its order book is 12,000 turbines a year, although only 1,250 have been fitted so far. It is addressing snags. "We're pioneering a new industry, it's just a question of ironing out wrinkles," says David Gordon, the managing director. "We're refining the system so the noise level will drop to 45 decibels. Actually, the turbine is no noisier than the wind that drives it. Vibration was a problem, but we have a shock absorbing device that cuts that out.

Telegraph 21st August 2007
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Energy-efficient houses

Letter from Stewart Baseley Chairman, Home Builders Federation: House-builders share a common objective with local and national government - to make new homes greener. A nationally agreed framework is the best way of ensuring all new homes are zero-carbon by 2016. Staged national delivery of improved levels of the code for sustainable homes will ensure pioneering technologies are robust, meet customer expectations and are backed by proper warranties. This phased increase in energy efficiency will also ensure the extra 240,000 homes a year to meet demand are not jeopardised. A multitude of differing targets around the country put these efforts at risk. In their dash to reach short-term targets, local authorities should not put the objective of more and greener homes at risk.

Guardian 21st August 2007
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Letter from Martin Caton MP I was saddened, but not surprised, to learn that the volume housebuilders are trying to block any councils from requiring that at least 10% of
electricity for new developments must be generated via renewable sources. But the
then local government minister Phil Woolas intervened to delay its progress
irreparably.

Guardian 21st August 2007
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Letter from Dr David Clubb Centre for Sustainable Energy. As someone who works daily with local authorities, developers and businesses, I can tell you that Merton-type rules are having a huge impact on the deployment of renewables and are causing a sea-change in awareness. The government should let local authorities continue to push for action on renewables, despite its own reluctance to act.

Guardian 21st August 2007
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Aberdeen Connection

Renewables Connection is a pioneering new pilot project covering Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire, funded by Aberdeen City Council, Scottish Enterprise, Save Cash and Reduce Fuel (SCARF) and Shell UK Ltd, with support from Aberdeenshire Council and the Aberdeen Renewable Energy Group (AREG). All are represented on the steering group. The organisation – the first of its kind North of the Border – has been set up to offer impartial advice to householders, small businesses and public sector organisations to guide them through the increasing range of technologies they could tap into to power homes and other buildings.

Aberdeen City Council Press Release 21st August 2007
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Scottish Enerprise 22nd August 2007
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Micro-CHP

Disenco Energy plc, aims to transform energy consumers into local energy producers. The company is now seeking financing to complete the development and begin production of its patented micro Combined Heat and Power (m-CHP) appliance. Called HomePowerPlant, the appliance is a direct replacement for national grid- reliant boilers and could help home owners and SMEs to cut hundreds of pounds off their annual heating and electicity bills and reduce their individual carbon footprints by at least 20% in the process.

PR Newswire 20th August 2007
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Forbes 20th August 2007
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Energetix Group PLC said its Energetix Genlec Ltd unit has won a grant of 197,000 stg from the North West Development Agency (NWDA) to accelerate the development of the next generation of Genlec micro combined heat and power (CHP) appliances. The alternative energy company said the grant will help develop a high efficiency combination microCHP boiler for the domestic market.

Hemscott 20th August 2007
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Green Fire Brigade

London Fire Brigade has invested £4million in energy efficiency and renewable energy projects across 70 fire stations. Solar panels and wind turbines have been installed at fire stations throughout the capital. The news comes at the end of the brigade's green month, an internal campaign urging firefighters and non-uniformed staff to reduce their energy usage.

Croydon Guardian 20th August 2007
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Lewisham

A 1970s Lewisham street has been retrofitted with renewable energy technology. Seven biomass boilers, fuelled by wood pellets, have been installed at the Sanford Housing Co-operative properties in Sanford Walk, New Cross, to provide clean, green energy heating for 14 homes, serving more than 120 people. In combination with energy efficiencies and other renewables, the boilers will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 136 tonnes annually. The project shows how a small group of existing buildings can be refurbished to tackle climate change and has provided a unique inner city showcase on sustainable energy living. In addition to the new biomass boilers, the properties at Sanford Walk are being renovated to incorporate a package of renewable energy and insulation measures including solar water heating.

EDF Energy Press Release 20th August 2007
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Scotland

Scandanavian energy standards to be adopted.

Scottish Executive release 20th August 2007
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Urban wind

Wind turbines will increasingly be built in urban and industrial areas as power firms seek to avoid the planning problems that have blighted some rural generating schemes, according to one of Britain's biggest independent renewable energy developers.

Guardian 20th August 2007
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Western Daily Press 21st August 2007
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End of the Merton Rule?

The government is preparing to torpedo a local authority policy which has been one of the few genuine drivers of renewable energy technologies in Britain, the Guardian has learned. The Department for Communities and Local Government is to in effect abolish the so-called "Merton rule", under pressure from housebuilders who do not want to bear the cost of adding things like solar panels to the buildings they construct or the effort of marketing them as "green".

Guardian 20th August 2007
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Biogas

BLAIRGOWRIE-BASED construction specialist A. Proctor Group has set up a new joint venture with a German firm to take advantage of the growing biogas market in the UK.EnviTec Biogas UK will market and construct biogas digesters and power plants. The business is jointly owned by Proctor subsidiary ARM Buildings and Germany's EnviTec Biogas. Proctor director Mike McLaughlin said: "Since pig slurry and cattle slurry are one of the most suitable agricultural waste products to provide the microbes required for biogas, this will present many pig and dairy farmers with a great opportunity to start a new business in renewable energy.

Aberdeen Press and Journal 18th August 2007
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Solar Power

Smart Energy is the largest operator in the market for domestic solar heating systems. Colchester-based Smart Energy, started from the annex of a house in 2000, now has 20 per cent of the UK market and employs130 people in five sites across England.

FT 18th August 2007
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Southend

AN ALTERNATIVE, eco-friendly vision for the future of Southend has been created by South East Essex Friends of the Earth. Key elements of the plan include pushing for energy efficiency and renewable technologies to ensure that developments are carbon neutral, while homeowners would also get a council tax reduction for installing renewable energy devices such as solar panels.

ICEssex 17th August 2007
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Southend's Leisure centres have gone green - and are close to being carbon neutral.

Southend-on-sea Borough Council 17th August 2007
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Merton Rule II

The Merton Rule is the way forward for the future of renewal energy, according to Merton Council, who have voiced their concerns about the future of the Rule following the Housebuilders Federation lobbying the Government that it should be scrapped. The Merton Rule was introduced in 2003 and requires any new (commercial use) buildings to reduce carbon emissions by 10% through the use of renewable energy sources. On the back of pioneering the Rule, Merton Council has won several national awards as well as wide spread plaudits, including the support of the Housing Minister, Yvette Cooper who called for all local authorities to adopt Merton's approach.

Merton LBC Press Release 14th August 2007
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