week ending 27 March 2009
Feed-in Tariffs
Government officials have insisted they will be making an announcement this summer on which renewable energy projects would qualify for next year’s feed-in tariffs scheme. But, with grants under the Low Carbon Building Programme coming to an end this June, the officials were unable to say yet whether the government will fund the gap until the renewable electricity tariffs come into force next April.
New Energy Focus 27th Mar 2009 more >>
Plans for renewable energy tariffs to support small-scale green electricity generation and all kinds of renewable heat sources are being presented to ministers today. Devised by the renewable energy industry, they take the form of “terraced tariffs”, which would offer higher payments to users in the early stages after installation, stepping down towards a long-term standard tariff for the technology being used.
New Energy Focus 26th Mar 2009 more >>
Shakespear’s Wind
If FuturEnergy’s managing director Peter Osborne is to be believed, the next six months will see the firm scaling up its small wind turbine range, putting a new product on the market, and opening an on-site Renewable Energy Centre. In the face of a global economic slowdown this could seem like a tall order, but for Mr Osborne it is imperative that FuturEnergy keeps growing.
New Energy Focus 25h Mar 2009 more >>
Thumbs Up for PV Roofs
The innovative ‘green technology’ used in Bryant Homes’ new Kings Walk development in Loose, Maidstone, is supported by an overwhelming 91% of the UK population, a new survey reveals. Discrete solar roof tiles (photovoltaics) are included on all new three and four-bedroom houses at the 83-home development and the eco-design feature is one of the most sought-after innovations in homebuilding, according to the Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT). Recent CAT research revealed that 91% of the public have considered buying photovoltaics (PV) to produce electricity at home – but just two percent have actually taken the plunge.
Easier 25th Mar 2009 more >>
Biomass
Although production of Brites wood pellets at the Balcas Invergordon plant has not officially started yet, it is already supplying wood-fired boilers at WWF in Dunkeld, Asda distribution centre in central Scotland, a 32 dwelling district heating system in Edinburgh, SNH offices in Golspie, and others.
Press and Journal 25th Mar 2009 more >>
Zero Carbon Slump
Ministers have laid out a set of ambitious targets for green homes. By 2016, all new homes will have to be zero-carbon rated - meaning they produce no net emissions. Existing housing is also going to be tackled. A new government consultation proposes all homes should have an energy efficiency makeover by 2030. Many fear, however, that developers’ appetite for going green in the run-up to the 2016 target has been severely hit by the housing slump.
Guardian 25th Mar 2009 more >>
Greenfurbs
If we are to hit our climate-change targets we must tackle our older homes, which are very leaky and inefficient. More than 80% of the houses we’ll be living in 40 years from now already exist. We have to bring these up to standard to cut emissions, eliminate fuel poverty and avoid building outside our towns. More than a quarter of the UK’s carbon dioxide emissions come from housing. If the government’s pledge of an 80% cut by 2050 is to be met, emissions must be virtually eliminated from our homes. Ambitious targets exist for new homes, which in England must be zero-carbon by 2016. Yet action on Britain’s 25 million older homes has been slower to materialise.
Guardian 25th Mar 2009 more >>
Meeting targets costs money
The government has just unveiled its new plans to make our existing homes greener. Seven million homes will be targeted for an energy upgrade over the next 10 years. Every single home will have been overhauled by 2030. These targets, proposed in last month’s heat and energy strategy, are ambitious. And the social housing sector will be expected to take a lead, according to ministers. But what resources will they need to meet the challenge? Peabody, one of the largest housing associations in London, has 18,000 homes, many of them dating back to Victorian times. We are committed to doing everything we can to meet the Greater London Authority’s target of cutting carbon emissions by 60% by 2025. The estimated costs to Peabody of meeting the 2025 target could be at least £100m to £150m. This is over and above our existing planned expenditure on home improvements to 2030.
Guardian 25th Mar 2009 more >>
Eco-houses look normal
Think of environmentally friendly houses and what do you imagine? Probably a futuristic-looking house bristling with wind turbines. But these days it can be something more low-key as well. From the outside, Raven Housing Trust’s flats look like new versions of Victorian houses. The only hint that they are something special comes in the photovoltaic panels on the roof and the larger windows to maximise natural light.
Guardian 25th Mar 2009 more >>
Apply for the money
Stephen Hammond, MP for Wimbledon, is urging local charities and non-profit making organisations to take advantage of funds being made available by EDF Energy. The funds are intended to help cover the cost of small scale renewable energy technology, including wind turbines, solar panels and ground source heart pumps.
Stephen Hammond MP 24th Mar 2009 more >>
Islington leads the world
Islington Council’s wind turbines are attracting international interest. A delegation from the Asian sub-continent recently inspected the authority’s flagship turbine, on the roof of the municipal offices in Upper Street, with a view to installing similar technology in Pakistan - where electricity is often in short supply. And a team of experts from the USA viewed the borough’s solar panels to learn more about the council’s role in providing green energy and tackling fuel poverty, as part of their fact-finding mission.
Islington Borough Council 24th Mar 2009 more >>
Cheap Solar Cells
Researchers at Swansea University have created a cheap solar cell. Working with Pure Wafer International made from reclaimed silicon.
Western Mail 24th Mar 2009 more >>
Electrical Times 25th Mar 2009 more >>
Biomass Heating
Energy Minister Jim Mather visited a biomass heating system which heats 100 homes near Aviemore.
Press and Journal 24th Mar 2009 more >>
Kielder Observatory
Kielder Observatory, in Kielder Water and Forest Park, has been awarded a Civic Trust Award, which recognise outstanding architecture and commitment to planning, design and creating buildings to meet peoples’ needs. Built almost entirely of timber, the building is fully self sufficient and features include an onsite wind turbine, composting WC and wood burning stove.
News Post Leader 23rd Mar 2009 more >>
Micro Jobs
A “significant” number of green collar jobs could be created in the UK after fuel cell developer Ceres Power announced plans to build a new manufacturing facility in Horsham, West Sussex. Ceres Power has made the move after hitting targets on developing and integrating fuel cells into micro Combined Heat and Power units and securing major deals with British Gas and Calor.
H&V News23rd Mar 2009 more >>
New Energy Focus 23rd Mar 2009 more >>
Comrie Development
The Comrie Development Trust, a company with charitable status owned by local people, bought the former army camp in 2006 and now plans to use the land for community development. The aim of the project is to transform the 90 acres of land into a multi-functional community enterprise leading the way in sustainable development for rural Scotland. It will consist of mixed-use development including community allotments, renewable energy production, low-cost homes, sports and recreation facilities, a heritage centre and also workspace and commercial development.
Dundee Courier 23rd Mar 2009 more >>
On-site Renewables Subsidy Catch
The rising tide of public and private sector organisations intent on building their own renewable energy generation systems is being held up by a contentious piece of government red tape. A large group of businesses wrote to ministers no Saturday calling for an end to a regulatory catch which means they cannot claim their own electricity as “zero carbon” if they are also claiming renewable energy subsidies on the power. If they do want to claim the Renewables Obligation Certificate (ROC) subsidies, companies will have to use the average carbon footprint of national grid electricity in calculating their performances against emission reduction targets.
New Energy Focus 23rd Mar 2009 more >>
This week’s Tesco Turbine
TESCO, which generated a storm with its new Ryde store, has confirmed it wants to harness the power of the wind. It has lodged a planning application for three wind turbines to help power its Brading Road store. It says the hilltop location on the outskirts of Ryde is ideal.
Isle of Wight County Press 20th Mar 2009 more >>