Innovation in Practice
Renewable Devices discover another use for their wind turbines as employees enter the Union Canal Raft Race in Edinburgh, July 2008.
The Company has vowed to give its entire profit for the next year to charity if someone takes up its challenge to help alleviate fuel poverty before the winter. Edinburgh-based Renewable Devices said it was seeking an organisation to buy 250 of its Swift Rooftop Wind Energy System – turbines installed in urban areas – to be installed before the winter at the homes of people in danger of falling into fuel poverty.
week ending 8 August 2008
Wood Pellets
Arbuthnott Wood Pellets Ltd (AWP), located at Arbuthnott Estate in Kincardineshire, only went live producing wood-based fuels in December but already the firm is wowing the industry with its eco- credentials, being short-listed in the Renewable Energy category of the Northern Star Business Awards.
Dundee Courier 8th Aug 2008 more >>
Turbine Refusal
A FARMER who wanted to install a wind turbine to generate his own power and prevent carbon emissions has had his planning application refused by members of the North York Moors National Park planning committee.
Whitby Gazette 8th Aug 2008 more >>
Cumbrian Solar
A MARYPORT company has become the only installer in Cumbria of a new solar-powered hot water system and created four jobs in the process.
Cumbrian Times and Star 7th Aug 2008 more >>
North Energy
Alternative energy business North Energy has helped the Glyndebourne company win approval for a wind turbine on Glyndebourne Opera House in Sussex. The personal approval by Secretary of State Hazel Blears maintains North Energy’s 100 per cent success rate with planning applications for wind projects.
Hexham Courant 7th Aug 2008 more >>
Fife Eco-Town
A MEETING to update Cardenden residents and councillors on the proposed first Scottish eco-town will be held next week. The proposed scheme includes a wide range of eco housing using the latest technology and renewable energy sources throughout, as well as regeneration of the town, the provision of improved facilities and employment prospects.
Fife Today 7th Aug 2008 more >>
Urban Wind
DOMESTIC wind turbines are pointless in urban areas and benefit the environment only in rural locations, a report shows. The study by the Carbon Trust shows that four times as much electricity and carbon is saved in rural areas than in urban locations, due to higher wind speeds. In urban areas, roof-mounted turbines may not pay back the carbon emitted during their production, installation and use.
Scotsman 7th Aug 2008 more >>
Herald 7th Aug 2008 more >>
Times 7th Aug 2008 more >>
Grants for homeowners who want to install small-scale wind turbines should be assessed to make sure the technology is actually going to save carbon emissions, a report has recommended.
Braintree and Witham Times 7th Aug 2008 more >>
H&V News 7th Aug 2008 more >>
John Callaghan, senior technology acceleration manager at the Carbon Trust said: “there are lots of sites in urban areas where the wind speeds are perfectly good.” Jonathan Nowill, engineering director at East Kilbride-based Proven Energy, said: “Almost thirty years of small wind industry experience aligns our thinking with the conclusions of the Carbon Trust. Good wind resource would tend to be available in open areas with clear access. However good resource can be found in some exposed urban areas, such as tower roof tops and we are testing in such areas. In all cases we would advise an end customer to seek a site survey prior to purchasing a wind turbine to ensure their home or business is suitable for the production of wind energy.”
New Energy Focus 7th Aug 2008 more >>
Small on-site turbines have a long history. Now the arrival of small, domestic-scale wind turbines on the shelves of hardware stores has been welcomed by many but criticized by others as ‘vanity’ development, rather than a serious commitment to low-carbon generation. Sander Mertens and Eize de Vries explore the issues and focus on urban wind turbines operating in the highly complex flow of the built environment.
Renewable Energy World 7th Aug 2008 more >>
Richmond School
The initial plans were heavily influenced by green principles, and environmentally-friendly elements have had to be remodelled to curb costs. A system to use heat from the ground to warm the school has been ditched, and initial proposals for 11 wind turbines are due to be reduced. But a bigger biomass boiler is planned to ensure that the development’s green credentials are not undermined. A series of buildings are now due to be replaced with a single new block, although a grass roof is expected to remain.
Yorkshire Post 6th Aug 2008 more >>
Renewable Crisps?
Mackie – the Aberdeenshire renewable ice cream manufacturer with three turbine and plans for an anaerobic digester – is thinking of moving into crisp manufacture.
Press and Journal 6th Aug 2008 more >>
Micro-CHP Advances
Sheffield company Disenco Energy is in advanced discussions with a major utility in the UK, with the possibility of its micro-CHP system being made available for household customers.
New Energy Focus 6th Aug 2008 more >>
Low Carbon East England
Small businesses in the East of England will be helped to go green by a new multi-million pound project to boost the region’s low carbon economy. The £2.1m scheme, one of the first projects to receive support from the east of England’s £88m European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), will help businesses to cut their energy bills and carbon emissions in the next three years - giving firms a competitive edge.
East Anglian Daily Press 6th Aug 2008 more >>
Small-hydro
Green Highland Renewables announced yesterday that Scottish & Southern Energy (SSE) is investing £750,000 in the Edinburgh-based company that specialises in developing small-to-medium scale hydro-electric schemes.
Herald 6th Aug 2008 more >>
The Engineer 5th Aug 2008 more >>
Scottish Business
ENVIRONMENTALLY conscious consumers are not yet ready to pay more for “green” products and services, Scottish business leaders warned yesterday. Glen Bennett, the managing director of EAE Distribution, which has a Proven turbine at its warehouse in Loanhead, sounded the warning. But a significant niche market exists, said FoE Scotland Chief Executive, Duncan McLaren.
Scotsman 6th Aug 2008 more >>
Northern Ireland
Economy Minister Arlene Foster has announced funding worth £4.9million for the Carbon Trust to help local businesses cut their energy costs.
eGov Monitor 5th Aug 2008 more >>
Corporate Short-termism
Corporate policies demanding return on investment periods of no longer than three years are counting against many new energy-efficient systems.
Business Green 5th Aug 2008 more >>
Luxury ZED
First there was BedZED, then RuralZED, and now Bill Dunster’s ZedFactory is preparing to build a luxury eco-home in an area of outstanding natural beauty near Bath. Planning permission has been granted for the 700sq m Bath Springs building, intended as a family home for local businessman Andrew Mercer. The huge four storey structure will be built into a steep south-facing slope. It makes use of insulation, orientation, thermal mass and earth sheltering to minimise energy consumption.
Green Building 5th Aug 2008 more >>
Urban PV
The last 15 years have seen the implementation of large-scale PV projects in urban developments across Europe. What elements have made these projects a success.
Renewable Energy World 5th Aug 2008 more >>
Scottish Parliament
Mike Rumbles MSP – standing for the leadership of the Scottish LibDems says: We also need to embrace micropower generation with enthusiasm. If each home in Scotland installed a micropower device we would generate 17% of all our electricity consumption from clean renewable sources. At the moment these machines are very expensive but if mass production was used and they became as common as TV aerials there would be a reduction in cost and as a nation we would soon see a step-change in our renewable output.
Mike Rumbles 5th Aug 2008 more >>
Cambridgeshire Strategy
Cambridgeshire County Council’s new climate strategy looks at new development – working with partners to ensure new building is sustainable with good public transport links, energy efficient homes, more renewable energy and designs that take into account the impacts of changes to the climate.
Cambridgeshire County Council 4th August 2008 more >>
Fife goes solar
FIFE COUNCIL is determined to become the foremost green local authority in Scotland and that commitment is now being extended to the region’s roads, where solar and wind power are now being used to illuminate some road signs.
Dundee Courier 4th Aug 2008 more >>
Renewable Devices Fuel Poverty Plan
A SCOTTISH micro-generation firm has vowed to give its entire profit for the next year to charity if a company or individual takes up its challenge to help alleviate fuel poverty before the winter. Edinburgh-based Renewable Devices said it was seeking an organisation to buy 250 of its Swift Rooftop Wind Energy System – turbines installed in urban areas – to be installed before the winter at the homes of people in danger of falling into fuel poverty.
Scotsman 4th August 2008 more >>
House Power
With the average household energy bill climbing to £1,200 a year, your house should be working harder to save you money. Install enough solar panels, wind turbines and the like, and you can not only supply your own needs, but sell power back to the grid. Large systems can cost well in excess of £10,000, though, and it will take several years to recoup your investment.
Times 3rd Aug 2008 more >>
Cow Power
Homes in a new Pembrokeshire eco-village could fuelled by cow dung. The plans to pipe methane gas from a dairy are part of the winning design for the Lawrenny EcoVillage Project near Pembroke Dock.
BBC 1st Aug 2008 more >>
Islington Tower Block
A wind turbine has been installed to help power a London tower block. The 18-storey Finsbury tower block will now have its lifts, lights, water pumps, CCTV and concierge area of Kestrel House powered by the renewable resource.
Low Carbon Economy 31st July 2008 more >>