News Archive

week ending 23 November 2007

 

 

 

Green homes

It can cost up to £9,000 to make a house more carbon neutral, but homeowners can quickly recoup some of the cash in lower fuel bills, research has shown.

Sky News 23rd Nov 2007
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Forget the installation of a grass roof or an expensive wind turbine: homeowners determined to consume less and cut carbon emissions are being urged to install smart meters and sensors to help them to monitor their energy use. A report out this week from Green Alliance, an environmental think-tank, details the role that smart features can play in cutting UK carbon emissions

Times 23rd Nov 2007
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Pure Yorkshire

ONE of the first buildings in Britain to be fuelled solely by wind and hydrogen power is to be developed in South Yorkshire. The project on a business park in Rotherham signals a major breakthrough in the search for renewable and green energy sources and will set new standards across the country in environmentally-friendly developments. The company, in partnership with the Pure Energy Centre in Shetland, will install a wind turbine on the site to generate hydrogen which will then be stored at high pressure in a mini-grid and used in fuel cells to provide electricity to light and power the offices.

Yorkshire Post 22nd Nov 2007
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Brighton

Rooftop allotments and on-site wind turbines are just two of the eco-friendly features that developers are using to attract buyers to a new development in Brighton.

Edie 22nd Nov 2007
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Green Grimsby

Grimsby could be the proud owner of the eco title "renewables capital of the UK" if ambitious plans to provide green energy solutions for homes and business are realised. Bosses behind fledgling firm Energy Creation want to build a manufacturing facility here as it looks to provide renewable options in the UK. Focusing on small-scale wind turbines, solar power and ground source heating, the company has just started to import units, having secured distribution and installation rights with the Chinese manufacturers.

Grimsby Telegraph 22nd Nov 2007
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Littlehampton

A SECOND bid to build an Eco-Town on Ford Airfield has been submitted to the Government, it emerged this week.

Littlehampton Gazette 22nd Nov 2007
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Eco-Gadgets

A GROUP of eco-friendly youngsters have designed window blinds which colect solar power - and they could win £20,000 worth of equipment for their school. The year seven pupils from Blakewater College, Blackburn, has beaten more than 100 entries from UK schools to be shortlisted for electrical retailer Comet's Green Gadget for the Future competition.

Lancashire Telegraph 22nd Nov 2007
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Top of the zeros

10 of the most innovative and sustainable buildings around the country.

Guardian 22nd Nov 2007
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Micro-CHP boilers unveiled

Baxi has unveiled a new dometic-scale micro-CHP boiler.

Boiler & Plumbing News 21st Nov 2007
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Disenco Energy plc the Sheffield-based company is poised to transform energy consumers into energy producers with its micro Combined Heat and Power appliance.

Earth Times 21st Nov 2007
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Nottingham Eco-town

A proposal to build 6,000 eco-friendly homes on green belt land in Nottingham has been submitted to the Government. If successful, the new 'eco-town' would be housed on 600 hectares of land at Kingston Estate near Gotham. The land is currently used for farming and part of it is on the green belt.

Nottingham Evening Post 21st Nov 2007
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More than just chocolate

Solar panels, under-floor heating powered by a ground source heat pump, low energy lightbulbs and even a "green roof" have helped make a 1920s terrace house become one of the oldest houses in the UK to gain a top "eco-homes" rating. While the Government has pledged to make all new build houses zero carbon by 2016, the Bournville Village Trust have refurbished one of their properties in Bournville, south Birmingham to demonstrate how the carbon footprint of current, inefficient, housing stock can be reduced.

24Dash 21st Nov 2007
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2016 too late for zero carbon

A new report from the Renewables Advisory Board (RAB), which advises Government on renewable energy issues, provides the first in depth analysis of the role of on site energy generation in the delivery of the Government's policy of ensuring that all new homes are zero carbon from 2016. Amongst it findings is the conclusion that the policy could drive a market for onsite renewable worth £2.3 billion a year from 2016. Matthew Spencer, Chair of the RAB microgeneration working group said: "…the Government's current timescale postpones much of the hard work until 2016, with little opportunity to learn or build capacity in the UK onsite renewables sector in the next eight years. If left unaddressed this could slow house building but we think there are options to overcome this supply gap. This includes using the planning system to require earlier uptake of renewable energy in larger housing developments"

GNN 21st Nov 2007
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Copy of the report available at: more >>

Renewable Energy Association 21st Nov 2007
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Guardian 22nd Nov 2007
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24 Dash 21st Nov 2007
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Northern Housing 21st Nov 2007
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Property People Portal 21st Nov 2007
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Matthew Spencer’s Op-Ed
Guardian 21st November 2007
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Code Cost

The average costs for onsite renewable technologies needed to meet the most challenging standard of the Code for Sustainable Homes was revealed today. A report by the Government advisory body The Renewables Advisory Board said to meet the Code Level 6 standard for an average dweling would cost £6,000. This would rise to £13,000 for a dwelling for an urban development of less than 10 houses and would be £1,000 for a development of rural flats that can use wond power. These costs only relate to the energy/CO2 aspects of the Code and do not include the building fabric costs, the report said.

Building 21st Nov 2007
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Code of Practice

The Renewable Energy Association (REA) has successfully completed the first stage of the OFT's Consumer Codes Approval Scheme (CCAS) for its REAL Assurance Scheme. The REA is the trade association for the domestic renewable and energy efficient generators industry. The code will cover activities in the sale, installation and servicing of micro-renewable energy products such as solar panelling, micro-wind turbines, ground source heat pumps and wood stove burners usually sold for the home.

OFT 21st Nov 2007
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Renewable Energy Association 21st Nov 2007
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Plymouth

Plymouth City Council has calculated its carbon footprint as part of a major bid to reduce its own impact on the environment and to encourage others to do the same.

Plymouth City Council 20th Nov 2007
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Sustainable Schools

A sustainable conference looking at the practical issues involved in building sustainable schools took place yesterday with a whole host of industry experts giving their thoughts on the challenges that face local authorities. The event, called Are we Building Sustainable Schools and organised by networking group Policy Connect, brought together government officials, local authorities representatives and staff from schools involved in the first wave of the Building Schools for the Future (BSF) campaign to discuss the difficulties experienced during schemes.

Building 20th Nov 2007
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Off-site renewables

Barratt chief executive Mark Clare is to head an industry task group which will lobby for a change in the definition of zero carbon homes. Clare will chair a committee of 12 industry experts for the UK Green Building Council which will be recommending a way to include off-site renewabes within the definition.

Building 20th Nov 2007
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Feed-in tariffs

Environmental Secretary Hilary Benn considers incentives for microgeneration such as feed-in tariffs to encourage homeowners to use renewable energy.

Building 20th Nov 2007
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Avonmouth

One of DTZ's success stories is Gazeley's ongoing 320,000 sq ft GPark scheme in Avonmouth. The buildings include 13 ground-breaking eco-initiatives, which will put them among the greenest in the South West. They feature solar panels, wind turbines and rainwater harvesting.

Western Daily Press 20th Nov 2007
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Norwich

People living in Coltishall could know as soon as February whether its RAF site is to be turned into an eco-town. The design is one of 57 proposed schemes currently lodged with the government. It is believed 10 eco-towns will be chosen early next year, with up to five built by 2016 and another by 2020.

Norwich Evening News 20th Nov 2007
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Lancashire

Lancashire is considering a change in planning policy to favour developments with solar panels and wind turbines.

Chorley Citizen 20th Nov 2007
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Local Authority Action

Action by local authorities is crucial to the UK's efforts to cut carbon dioxide emissions, Climate Change Minister Phil Woolas said today, as statistics on local and regional emissions for 2005 were published. The statistics underline the vital role local authorities can play in fighting climate change by reducing carbon dioxide emissions, both through their own actions and by setting an example to the wider community.

GNN 20th Nov 2007
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24 Dash 20th Nov 2007
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eGov Monitor 20th Nov 2007
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Derbyshire

An eco-town of 5,700 houses could be built on land in South Derbyshire if plans are given the go-ahead. Banks Developments is behind the plans for the 865-acre site at Grovewood, near Drakelow. All the homes would be built using low and zero-carbon technologies and energy for the community would be created through renewable sources such as wind turbines and the use of waste heat from the Combined Cycle Gas Turbine power station at Drakelow.

Derby Evening Telegraph 20th Nov 2007
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Solar

Currently, solar is two to three times too expensive to be competitive, compared with a few percentage points for rival technologies like wind. But developments in areas such as thin-film technology are rapidly bringing costs down. Solar's time may really have come.

Telegraph 20th Nov 2007
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Hydrogen Economy

Sooner or later the world is going to have to make the switch away from fossil fuels, says Keith Guy. He explains what needs to be done to make the vision of a global hydrogen economy a reality.
BBC 19th Nov 2007
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Gordon’s Speech

The Government could take bold action to unleash a renewables revolution in the forthcoming Energy Bill. In particular the industry wants to see support for onsite renewable technologies, which can deliver renewable energy to homes, businesses and industry but lack very basic support. The REA believes a feed-in tariff could work very successfully for onsite technologies alongside the Renewables Obligation for bulk generation.

Renewable Energy Association Press Release 19th Nov 2007
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Windy school

A HEADTEACHER is hoping residents will get behind plans for an 11-metre wind turbine at her school in Portland. It has submitted an application to Dorset County Council's planning department which, if approved, would see the turbine built on council-owned land north-east of the school next to its car park.

Dorset Echo 19th Nov 2007
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Green Homes

A new Green Homes service will give people advice, initially over the phone or online, but followed up with home visits. Advisors will dispense wisdom on saving energy and water, microgeneration, and green travel. If Green Homes is able to stimulate take-up of microgeneration technologies such as domestic wind turbines, ground source heat pumps and biomass co-generation units, it could put take Britain somewhere towards the third EU target, on renewable energy.

BBC 19th Nov 2007
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Up to 150,000 homes could be generating their own renewable energy by 2011.
Guardian 19th Nov 2007
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The Green Homes Service will provide a single point people can contact for a home energy audit plus advice on how they can save water, reduce waste, green their travel, and connect to grants and offers from energy companies.

Defra News Release 18th Nov 2007
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24 Dash 19th Nov 2007
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Swaffham

Swaffham's troubled Ecotech Centre which hit a financial crunch earlier this year has been given a new lease of life as green electricity company Ecotricity stepped in to underwrite the debt and turn its odds around.

East Anglian Daily Press 19th Nov 2007
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Solar boost

Damien Hirst is breathing fresh life into the renewable energy industry by ordering the country's second largest solar power system. Hirst is to spend up to £1.5m on a 310kw solar power system for his studio buildings in Stroud, Gloucestershire. Only the Cooperative Insurance Society Tower in Manchester has a bigger system. Hirst's solar panels will generate enough electricity to power up to 150 homes, and it is not clear whether it will feed into the national grid.

Guardian 19th Nov 2007
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Energy Advice

The Green Homes Service will provide a single point people can contact for a home energy audit plus advice on how they can save water, reduce waste, green their travel, and connect to grants and offers from energy companies. The service will be launched by the Energy Saving Trust on 1st April.

GNN 19th Nov 2007
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Eco-towns

THEY are the eco-towns of the future. In one, tree-lined boulevards are replaced by an avenue of wind turbines in a lake. In another, all the floor levels are raised as a safety measure against the risk of flooding. They are the first designs for green developments that Gordon Brown has proposed should lead the way to a carbon-neutral future and ensure that the building of 3m new homes does not wreck the environment.

Sunday Times 18th Nov 2007
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Eco-shop

Colin Firth’s eco shop will become not only Britain’s first self-sustainable shop, lit by the sun, clad in plants and solar-heated, but a place where people can come and touch, feel and learn. On the roof, there will be solar panels to examine, wind turbines to watch, green-roof insulation systems and garden solar lighting to see.

Times 17th Nov 2007
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Scottish budget

The Scottish budget statement, included a major boost for micro-renewables, local biomass and the largest renewable energy innovation prize in the world. Support for community and household renewable generation should increase to £13.5m each year by 2010. That's small beer compared to the nuclear industry's subsidy, but still promising.

Guardian 17th Nov 2007
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Micro-CHP

Micro CHP is particularly suitable for commercial buildings with significant heating and power requirements, such as swimming pools, communal residences like care homes and university campuses, and in rural areas.

Newcastle Journal 17th Nov 2007
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Leith II

ONE of Leith's best-known councillors has outlined his hopes for a "city of tomorrow" to be created in the area. In his consultation submission about Forth Ports' plans to completely revamp Leith Docks Councillor, Gordon Munro said the opportunity to mirror an environmentally friendly development in the Swedish city of Malmo "should not be lost".

Edinburgh Evening News 17th Nov 2007
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Zero-carbon homes

Plans to help first-time buyers get on to the housing ladder by building affordable, environmentally friendly homes, were revealed today. The Government plans to alleviate a housing shortage by building three million new homes by 2020.

Daily Mail 16th Nov 2007
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Leith Energy Co-operative

A COMMUNITY energy company has been set-up in Leith with the aim of helping local groups create electricity from sources such as wind turbines and solar panels. The Edinburgh Community Energy Co-operative will work with local groups and individuals to install sources of renewable energy in North Edinburgh. A feasibility study has been launched to establish what types of renewable energy would be suitable for Leith and possible locations. Mark Lazarowicz, Labour MP for Edinburgh North and Leith, said: "The types of renewable energy that can be easily deployed will be determined by the feasibility study but we have a great opportunity here.

Edinburgh Evening News 16th Nov 2007
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Small hydro

PLANS to generate clean electricity using the power of South Yorkshire and Derbyshire water are being launched next week. A new community-owned hydro power project - Torrs Hydro in New Mills in the High Peak - aims to tap into supplies of renewable water power in Sheffield and Derbyshire.

Sheffield Star 16th Nov 2007
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School turbine

LYME'S Woodroffe School is one step closer to achieving green flag eco-status with the arrival of a new wind turbine and energy-saving project kit.

Bridport News 16th Nov 2007
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Eco-house

PLANS for an eco house using the Earth as a natural heating source have been put on hold. Councillors decided they want to have a look at the site near Gatelawbridge at Thornhill before making a final decision. Plans include a 15- metre high domestic wind turbine.
Dumfries and Galloway Standard 16th Nov 2007
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Eco-SEPA

Plans for a multimillion-pound regeneration project which will help breathe new life into one of Aberdeen's most deprived areas will include more than 40 new homes as well as a "landmark" new office and laboratory in the city's Torry district. The joint scheme by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) and Grampian Housing Association (GHA) will also have office space for Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) and the Joint Nature Conservation Council. The proposed new base will incorporates energy-saving technology including solar panels, a groundwater heat pump and wind turbines. Its construction will use only sustainable building materials.

Aberdeen Press and Journal 16th Nov 2007
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Peterborough

Four households are looking to the sun to help save money on their fuel bills. Solar hot water systems have been installed to four of Cross Keys Homes’ tenants’ homes as part of a renewable energy pilot.

24Dash 16th Nov 2007
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Off-site renewables rejected

The government is standing firm over its decision to exclude the use of renewable energy provided through the national grid when it rates houses on sustainability. Officials said this week that there were no plans to revisit the issue, despite the fact that Yvette Cooper, the housing minister, seemed to open the door to off-site renewables in her recent ruling over the so-called “Merton Rule”.

Building 16th Nov 2007
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Isle of Wight

The Isle of Wight may become the world’s first “eco-island”, powered entirely by green energy, if plans being developed by the island’s council are implemented.

Building 16th Nov 2007
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