News Archive

week ending 7 September 2007

 

Merton rule still not safe

The government's proposed U-turn on the rule requiring new property developments to source at least 10% of their energy from renewable sources may be in breach of the law. The Sustainable Energy Partnership wrote to housing minister Yvette Cooper yesterday reminding her of the government's duty under the Energy Act of 2004 to establish a microgeneration industry - by which users of energy generate power on a small scale - through use of the Merton Rule, established by the London borough of Merton in 2003 and copied across the country.

Guardian 7th Sept 2007
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Carbon-neutral village for Bristol

Britain’s first carbon-neutral village will be built on a former state-owned site being auctioned by the Government. English Partnerships, the land quango, has drawn up a shortlist of five housebuilders to bid for the site, on the outskirts of Bristol, where the Government wants a new generation of energy-efficient housing built.

Times 7th Sept 2007
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Householders who generate electricity via solar panels should be paid more by power firms, the Green Party has said. Utility companies pay homeowners for energy generated by their panels but charge more when selling power back.

BBC 6th Sept 2007
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North Norfolk

Smart plugs and eco-friendly power sources are helping a Norfolk council cut its carbon footprint. But, as well as putting its own house in order, North Norfolk District Council is urging local businesses, schools and householders to follow its lead. A new electricity contract, meaning the council's Cromer headquarters will get clean power from a green source, such a wind, solar or hydro power, will wipe 251 tonnes of CO2 from the its emissions and save £13,500. The council hopes to be totally carbon neutral on the electricity front by next year if the remaining 28pc of its power - to its district offices at North Walsham and Fakenham, promenade lighting, chalets, tourist offices, toilets and the pier - can also be switched to the same kind of deal.

Fakenham Times 6th Sept 2007
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Southampton

SOUTHAMPTON will become the greenest city in the UK using sustainable forms of energy to help reduce climate change, according to the city's civic leaders. The promise has been made as Southampton City Council today launches Britain's first Integrated Energy Vision for the future. The vision will see the city make more use of its pioneering combined heat and power generations, make better use of renewable energy resources like biomass, introduce new energy efficiency programmes and increase the amount of green space in the city - including roofs with plants growing on them.

Southern Daily Echo 6th Sept 2007
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Southend

SOUTHEND Pier is going green. A new train station at the pierhead being planned by Southend Council will have solar panels on the roof to help generate electricity for the tourist attraction.

South Essex Echo 6th Sept 2007
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Northumberland

A PIONEERING scheme to create an ‘energy independent’ housing and office centre in Northumberland has been rejected – because it would breach green policies aimed at protecting the countryside.

Newcastle Journal 6th Sept 2007
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Councillor attacks microgeneration

THE planning chief for Ilkley has warned this week that it would be more cost effective for householders to burn five-pound notes than install domestic wind turbines and solar panels. Councillor Chris Greaves (Wharfedale) was responding to a call to change the planning laws to make it easier for people to install green energy generating technology in their own homes. The call comes from an organisation called the New Local Government Network (NLGN) which wants to see the relaxation of rules to encourage domestic eco-friendly energy generation.

Ilkley Gazette 6th Sept 2007
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Zero-carbon Antarctica

Belgium is building the first ever zero-emission polar station in the Antarctic, powered by solar panels and wind turbines and designed to have minimal impact on the climate change its scientists are studying.

Reuters 5th Sept 2007
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Dartmouth

A vision of a multi-million pound marina development at the Noss-on-Dart Marina near Dartmouth in South Devon, that will transform a decaying boatyard into a luxury 5-star location has been unveiled by developers. The plan is for a highly sustainable and eco-friendly regeneration of this brownfield site, and the group is investigating the potential of using renewable energy sources, such as solar and wave power, to run parts of the site.

Western Morning News 5th Sept 2007
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Islington

A PIONEERING scheme for a seven-storey block topped by 10 "micro wind turbines" is set to go ahead - despite fears from residents it will be too high and too noisy. The 10 "green" wind turbines - standing at three metres high - will go alongside solar panels on the roof and help create 20 per cent of the power for the building.

Islington Gazette 5th Sept 2007
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A FUTURISTIC nine-metre high wind turbine on top of a 45-metre tower block will dominate the skyline in City Road.

Islington Gazette 5th Sept 2007
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Planning Fees Waived

HOMEOWNERS can qualify for free planning applications for green developments. Kirklees Council is waiving fees for environmentally-friendly measures like domestic wind turbines and solar panels. This year’s budget included a Lib Dem measure allocating £10,000 to cover planning fees for such applications.

Huddersfield Daily Examiner 5th Sept 2007
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Lincolnshire Study

A LINCOLN-based business is celebrating a deal to carry out a major green project for the city council. Delta-Simons Environmental Consultants is to carry out a study which will look at energy and renewable power for Lincoln City Council. The idea is to identify ways the authority could improve its energy management and to find feasible sources of energy which could be used in the fight against climate change.

Lincolnshire Echo 5th Sept 2007
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Energy Roadshow

PRESTON Park plays host to a roadshow this weekend to raise awareness of renewable energy opportunities within the household. Advisors and manufacturers will demonstrate the very latest energy and heating technology at the Renewable Home Energy Roadshow.

Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council 5th Sept 2007
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Disgruntled local government

CENTRAL government should renew its commitment to renewable energy, says a succession of disgruntled local government commentators. Ministers have performed a damaging U-turn on council powers to compel environment-friendly development, reports the Local Government Chronicle. Whitehall previously supported local authorities in imposing the so-called Merton rule that all new buildings must be partially powered by renewable sources.

Times 4th Sept 2007
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Northern Irish Grants

Energy Minister Nigel Dodds has launched a new advertising campaign to highlight the availability of renewable energy grants to homeowners across Northern Ireland.

4NI.co.uk 3rd Sept 2007
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UTV 3rd Sept 2007
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Coventry Heat Pump

Construction has begun on a new sixth form centre at Stoke Park School and Community Technology College, Coventry.The building will also feature a ground source heat pump, which is a renewable energy system that will provide the majority of the building's heating. This will not only minimise the fossil fuel consumed by the building, but also provide a valuable learning resource for the pupils.

Coventry City Council 3rd Sept 2007
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Solar Miss-selling

The elderly living on the south coast are a major target for solar-power companies using double-glazing-style sales tactics.

Guardian 1st September 2007
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Exmoor mini-hydro

OWNERS of Exmoor sites that have water flowing across them will be sharing their experiences of trying to harness the power to generate electricity at a short and informative seminar.
This is the West Country 1st Sept 2007
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Nottingham

Wind turbines could provide free electricity to a block of flats as part of a pioneering trial. Housing association Places for People hopes to install two turbines on a block they manage in Nottingham. If successful, the turbines could be fitted at other homes around Nottingham, and even across the country. Other housing associations have used renewable sources of energy such as solar panels and ground source heat pumps, but Places for People says it will be the first in the country to use wind turbines.

Nottingham Evening Post 1st September 2007
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Carbon-free drinks

Food manufacturers Princes has unveiled plans for a 400 ft wind turbine at its Bradford factory which it says will prevent five and a half thousand tonnes of carbon dioxide being pumped into the air every year.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus 31st August 2007
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Council Tax Rebates

Homeowners could receive a cut in their council tax if they install solar panels or wind turbines on their roofs. A think tank close to Prime Minister Gordon Brown also suggests that local authorities could offer interest-free loans for homes to go green. A pamphlet published by the New Local Government Network has called for local planning laws to be relaxed to allow more people the option of installing eco-friendly energy sources in their homes.

Western Morning News 31st August 2007
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Renewable Sunday Lunch

The organic resource centre is powered with a wind turbine and solar panels.

Cumberland News 31st August 2007
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Eco-Environment Agency

THE Darlington offices of the Environment Agency are to undergo a complete eco-friendly revamp. The organisation's Yarm Road industrial estate headquarters will become a green dream after plans were drawn up for environmentally friendly power sources. A wind turbine and an underground geo-thermal heating system are part of the plans for the Teesdale House office.

Darlington & Stockton Times 31st August 2007
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Energy from the Edge

A RANGE of speakers has been lined up for the conference entitled 'Energy From The Edge' ( more >>), which is to take place in Shetland in two weeks' time. The conference will consider several themes that are of critical importance to the future of peripheral areas like Shetland, Orkney and the rest of the Highlands and Islands.

Shetland Times 31st August 2007
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Solar Hull

Beverley company Sun Solar Power has introduced a new system to the region to help save fuel bills. It uses a "Power Tank", which is similar to a hot water tank, and solar panels to store hot water. The tanks are filled with wax and retain the heat generated from the sun via the solar panels. The wax then heats up the water and stores it.

Hull Daily Mail 31st August 2007
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Let there be light in Haringay

Hundreds of street lights across Haringey are now being fitted with new energy efficient lanterns as the council steps up its drive to tackle climate change. The new bulbs, which use 30 per cent less electricity but give out 30 per cent more light than the old type used in Haringey, are being installed as the council replaces lighting columns in a range of locations around the borough.

Haringay LBC Press Release 31st August 2007
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Micro-CHP

Ceramic Fuel Cells (CFCL), the specialist in fuel cell development, has selected Gledhill Water Storage as its UK appliance partner, to join a project with E.ON UK to develop and deploy 1kW micro-combined heat and power (m-CHP) units for the UK market. The three companies will work together to develop a fully-integrated m-CHP unit, which incorporates CFCL's fuel cells, for the residential market. These highly efficient units are designed to power homes whilst reducing carbon emissions, in a drive for cleaner energy generation.

Small Cap News 30th August 2007
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