week ending 9 May 2008
Scottish Biomass
Environment Minister Michael Russell is announcing measures to boost Scotland’s renewable energy production as he visits a new biomass boiler. He will reveal the results of a year-long project looking at ways to increase the supply of wood for producing renewable energy.
IC Scotland 9th May 2008 more >>
Zero Carbon
Building understands that the Zero Carbon Task Group, headed by Barratt chief executive Mark Clare, will recommend that small or difficult sites be exempted from the highest levels of the Code for Sustainable Homes by paying a charge. This charge would be used to pay for equivalent carbon savings in other areas, such as improving the existing housing stock. The government has said that all homes must meet level six of the code – zero carbon – by 2016.
Building 9th May 2008 more >>
Solar Water
Solar Hot Water Systems Explained is the title of the latest talk organised by Transition Penwith Energy Group - a group set up to tackle climate change and fossil fuel depletion. The fifth in a series of meetings exploring domestic renewable energy systems, this one aims to investigate solar thermal technology and how it can help us reduce our carbon footprint.
This is Cornwall 8th May 2008 more >>
Cornish School
The environmentally minded youngsters at St Columb Minor School have applied to Restormel Borough Council to place solar and thermal panels on the roof and place a wind turbine in the school field. If they successfully become sustainable they will receive a green flag award - the highest accolade that an eco-school can receive.
This is Cornwall 7th May 2008 more >>
Liverpool Turbines
PRIORITY Sites has installed the first wind turbine at its £14m Vesty Business Park, in Merseyside. The company claims the turbines, being installed on 21 individual business units, will generate up to 10% of the entire 155,000 sq ft development’s energy supply.
Liverpool Daily Post 7th May 2008 more >>
Bootle Times 8th May 2008 more >>
Scottish Co-ops
The growth of co-ops could help Scotland compete with the world’s top economies, according to Finance Secretary John Swinney. New start-ups include Scottish Woodfuels, Scotland’s first co-operative timber company, and Western Isles Energy Co-op, set up by six community landowners to develop renewable energy.
BBC 7th May 2008 more >>
Herald 8th May 2008 more >>
Leicestershire School
Leicestershire County Council has won a Government grant of £368,500 to help reduce the carbon emissions of the new school by more than 60 per cent. Specific green features of the new school will include a heating system that burns wood pellets to provide energy; energy efficient light fittings; a wind turbine and using rainwater to flush toilets.
Leicester Mercury 6th May 2008 more >>
Barnet School
Whitings Hill will be a “green” school using several forms of renewable technology. This will aid energy conservation but also means that 20 per cent of the building’s energy needs are met from renewable sources. Among these will be a ground source heat pump that will both heat the building in winter and provide some cooling in summer. The school will also have solar panels, hot water solar tubes, and a small wind turbine, and rainwater from the building will be collected and re-used.
London Borough of Barnet 6th May 2008 more >>
Grand Designs
This weeks Grand Designs final on TV and live ‘ideal home’ show will give the nation an opportunity to see some green buildings in action. Londoners will have another chance to learn how to make their homes greener as the London Development Agency’s eco-house will be one of the main attractions at Grand Designs Live at Excel.
Green Builder 6th May 2008 more >>
Tower Hamlets
The council wants to find out if residents think renewable energy equipment – such as solar panels and wind turbines – should be allowed in conservation areas.
London Borough of Tower Hamlets 6th May 2007 more >>
Green Hotel
This could be the world’s first ever 100 per cent ecologically-friendly hotel - and its ‘green’ credentials will set the benchmark for hoteliers around the world. The solar powered ‘Innovation Hotel’ - which is the brainchild of the InterContinental Hotels Group - outlines the latest technology in energy and water conservation and recycling.
Enviro Solutions 7th May 2007 more >>
Micro-CHP
Ceramic Fuel Cells is looking to raise £7million through a share issue to generate money for its development work on micro-CHP. The development work will include integrating its fuel cell technology with conventional condensing boilers.
H&V News 6th May 2008 more >>
Community Renewables
Social enterprises are set to tap into a renewable energy bonanza in Scotland. Highlands and Islands Community Energy Company (HICEC) says it is experiencing massive demand from the region’s community groups. The latest is a plan from community-owned Islay Energy Trust (IET) to develop the country’s first commercially-viable tidal energy project in partnership with Robert Gordon University Aberdeen.
Social Enterprise 6th May 2008 more >>
Rural renewables
A survey by the Clydesdale Bank showed that a small number (5%) of Scottish farmers have diversified into renewable energy such as installing a wind turbine, but 37% plan to do so in the next five years.
Sunday Times 4th May 2008 more >>
Living Off-Grid
There’s perhaps no better way of living sustainably than buying your own woodland, building a lodge and living off grid. That’s what Nigel and Karen Lowthrop decided to do three years ago.
Channel 4 4th May 2008 more >>
Turbine Pleasure
Blackpool Pleasure Beach is now generating its own power thanks to the recent addition of six wind turbines installed on the roof of the new Education Academy, located in Ocean Boulevard, near The Star. The turbines, designed and manufactured in California, were installed in two days by Cellspace Energy Systems.
Blackpool Citizen 3rd May 2008 more >>
Powering RSPB
RENEWABLE energy company Natural Power Wales has completed work on its first major contract since its launch in November. It has installed solar panels and a rain harvesting system for the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds at its Environmental Education and Visitor Centre at Newport Wetlands nature reserve.
Western Mail 3rd May 2008 more >>
Exmouth RNLI Boathouse
The boathouse will incorporate renewable energy systems such as solar panels.
Exmouth Journal 2nd May 2008 more >>
Dairy Targets
Carbon targets for dairy farmers include increased participation in agri-environment schemes, greater use of renewable energy, including anaerobic digestion.
Farmers’ Guardian 2nd May 2008 more >>
Zero Carbon Perceptions
NHBC Foundation chairman Nick Raynsford summed up the difficulty: “It is vital for homebuyers to actually want to live in zero carbon homes if they are to be a successful reality. If this does not happen, there is the distinct possibility that purchasers will decide against buying newly built, low carbon properties”.
Newcastle Journal 2nd May 2008 more >>
Boys in Blue go Green
An eco-friendly police station fitted with a wind turbine and a solar ventilator has opened in Norfolk. (with photo of the Proven turbine).
BBC 2nd May 2008 more >>
North Norfolk News 7th May 2008 more >>
Luton Solar
A school is taking its environmentally friendliness to the next level, by putting up a wind turbine and solar panels that should provide much of the power it needs.
Dunstable Today 2nd May 2008 more >>
Hospital Turbine
GREEN energy firm Ecotricity has branded planning chiefs’ refusal of permission for a wind turbine at Lynn’s Queen Elizabeth Hospital a “shameful” waste. The two main objections from Defence Estates (part of the Ministry of Defence) and the air ambulance could have been resolved in a few weeks.
Lynn News 1st May 2008 more >>
Kielder Observatory
Environmental concerns also influenced the design. The observatory will be powered by a 2.5kW wind turbine and solar panels. The warm room will be heated by a wood burning stove and there is a composting toilet.
BBC 25th April 2008 more >>