News Archive

week ending 17 July 2009

 

Ten eco-towns shrink to four

One of the government’s flagship environmental policies on Thursday appeared to have shrunk to a small-scale experiment, as ministers unveiled plans for just four new eco-towns , instead of the 10 originally envisaged. The four towns in total will provide homes for up to 30,000 people using the latest in environmentally sound technologies, from building materials to renewable sources for electricity and heating.

FT 17th July 2009 more >>

Low Carbon Economy 17th July 2009 more >>

24 Dash 16th July 2009 more >>

Local Government Chronicle 16th July 2009 more >>

Just how did the clever idea of a showcase for building green communities turn into a policy exercise of such embarrassment?

Building 16th July 2009 more >>

Fuel Poverty

The charity National Energy Action (NEA) criticised the government for watering down its promise to introduce “social” energy tariffs in its low carbon white paper, saying only a fraction of poor people would benefit. The NEA, which campaigns on fuel poverty issues, said it was also concerned that funding for the existing Warm Front scheme to help poorer households would be halved next year. On feed-in tariffs: Jeremy Leggett said: “The government has accepted solar PV can make a significant contribution to our future energy needs. It’s unfortunate that the consultation numbers, if confirmed later this year, will do little to boost demand for non-domestic solar PV.”

Guardian 17th July 2009 more >>

Local Energy

Cooperatively run Peckham Power promotes local energy efficiency and microgeneration, looking to take advantage of feed-in tariffs. We have a growing Transition Town movement. And local councillors have just awarded 20,000 to pilot smart meters and energy-saving advice for households in fuel poverty. What happens at community level is crucial to the success of energy policy: you can’t meet national targets unless you change local consciousness and habits.

Guardian 17th July 2009 more >>

Micro CHP

Micro-CHP holds great potential. Of the various technologies, fuel cells, and in particular solid oxide fuel cells, show great promise due to their high electrical efficiency and resulting low heat-to-power ratio that is better suited to residential applications. However, fuel cells are still under development and the capital cost of units available today remains high. This paper looks at the technological aspects and operating modes of fuel cells relevant to micro-CHP as well as examining the state of commercial development, life cycle issues and the techno-economics of fuel cells for micro-CHP at the residential scale.

Royal Society of Chemistry 17th July 2009 more >>

Agriculture Plan

The government’s new carbon budgets require about five per cent of the emission cuts that are expected to be delivered by 2020 to come from farming, land and waste management efforts. The Department of Energy and Climate Change said that to achieve these cuts, it would for the first time set a target for emission reductions from agriculture and agree an action plan with the sector detailing how best to deliver carbon cuts.

Business Green 16th July 2009 more >>

Heat Pumps

Former Viessmann managing director Stewart Purchase has taken on the role of managing director at new renewables specialist Cirrus Energi. The company is subsidiary of leading UK ground source heat pump supplier and installer, Geothermal International - which won an H&V News Award this year. It will concentrate on providing air to water heat pump solutions from 6kW up to 400kW, alongside other renewable heating products such as solar thermal.

H&V News 16th July 2009 more >>

Zero-carbon delay

The government has delayed making a decision on the energy efficiency levels of the fabric of zero-carbon homes until the end of the year. John Healey, minister for housing, outlined some further details on the definition of zero carbon, which housebuilders will have to meet by 2016. The new details include setting a hierarchy for carbon reductions beginning with high levels of energy efficiency for the fabric of the home, followed by a 70% level of carbon mitigation achieved on-site and finally a recognition that developers will need recourse to so-called “allowable solutions” such as investing in off-site renewables. However, he said a special task group would now be set up to determine what the minimum, practicable levels of homes’ basic energy efficiency should be.

Building 16th July 2009 more >>

FITs: good for small wind, bad for PV

After months of deliberation, the UK government has announced a range of illustrative figures for feed-in tariffs (FITs), which it’s calling a Clean Energy Cashback scheme. The proposed levels of FIT vary by the type of technology. The most appealing are likely to be wind and PV. If my estimates are correct, the government’s proposal for payments to rooftop PV are too low to generate much new investment. On the other hand, the payments for rural wind are good enough to make decent returns. If the figures survive unchanged through (yet another) consultation process, we should see thousands of small wind turbines in windy British fields.

Guardian 16th July 2009 more >>

Government plans for onsite renewable energy will release less than one-third of the industry’s potential capacity. The feed-in tariff mechanism will pay consumers a premium for their surplus renewable energy. Ed Miliband said he expected power from this source to make up 2% of the energy mix by 2020. The government will pay consumers between 31p and 36p per kWh to produce electricity with solar PV or wind turbines and feed it into the grid. But Stuart Pocock of the Renewable Energy Association (REA) said that he thought small-scale renewable energy could supply up to 7% of energy needs if consumers were paid 72p, the level recommended by the association in submissions to the Department for Energy and Climate Change.

Building 16th July 2009 more >>

A draft ‘Consultation on Renewable Electricity Financial Incentives 2009’ set out proposals focussed on extending and strengthening the Renewables Obligation (RO) and laying out the proposed feed-in tariffs for small scale renewable electricity generation which are set to be introduced by April 2010.

New Energy Focus 16th July 2009 more >>

Low Carbon Economy 16th July 2009 more >>

Local Authorities Climate Chest

The government should create a “single pot of money” for green housing schemes across the UK to help fast-track improvements to existing housing stock and slash red-tape around low carbon developments, according to the Local Government Association (LGA).

Business Green 16th July 2009 more >>

Anaerobic Plan

Waste management firm Biffa has submitted a planning application to build a facility which would convert food and vegetable waste into electricity. The firm has put in an application to Staffordshire County Council for an 80,000 tonne per annum anaerobic digestion plant to be built at the company’s waste management facility at Poplars, Cannock. The plant will create 4 Megawatts of electricity from food and waste from West Midland households and businesses that would otherwise destined be for landfill. This would include discarded food from supermarkets, restaurants and food manufacturers.

Birmingham Post 16th July 2009 more >>

Falmouth School Turbine

Students and staff at Falmouth School were left blown away when their very own 20ft turbine was raised in front of their eyes yesterday. The school can now generate its own electricity for new design and technology block, which was designed by a team of students, who were in year nine when the project began.

Falmouth Packet 16th July 2009 more >>

Welsh Schools

Wales is to spend an extra £165 million to build new schools, improve school facilities and develop special educational needs centres. It will also provide funding for modernisation of further education and fund initiatives to improve the energy efficiency of buildings with renewable energy technologies.

News Wales 16th July 2009 more >>

Red tape threatens jobs

LABOUR’S former environment minister Sarah Boyack has warned the Scottish Government a delay in cutting planning “red tape” for mini-wind turbines and air-source heat pumps will result in green job losses. Ms Boyack, spoke out as she visited the Mitsubishi electric heat pump factory in Livingston, which makes air-source heat pumps. Household renewable energy devices such as solar panels and biomass boilers no longer need council planning permission, but the Scottish Government have said they will conduct a study on whether the rules should be extended to wind turbines and air-source heat pumps.

Edinburgh Evening News 15th July 2009 more >>

Red tape threatens energy efficiency

Millions of households could slash their fuel bills by £220 a year if the government cut the red tape around its green energy schemes, according to a new report published today by the Local Government Association. It says by streamlining Britain’s efforts to cut the energy we use would save £2billion and allow councils to embark on a national home insulation plan to lag every loft in the country. It would also allow councils to install other energy saving measures in the homes that need it most. Councils want to build on the example of Kirklees Council which has offered to insulate every house in its area for free. If a similar council led scheme was expanded across the country, it would save £2 billion on current plans to put basic insulation into every home.

LGA Press Release 15th July 2009 more >>

Low Carbon Homes at the centre of strategy

The Government will today outline plans for a major expansion in renewable energy as part of the strategy to slash the UK’s carbon emissions in the coming decade. Ministers will also set out measures on low-carbon homes and for ensuring the UK benefits from thousands of potential “green jobs” as they publish the UK Low Carbon Transition Plan White Paper.

24 Dash 15th July 2009 more >>

Renewable Revolution Overdue

The National Trust is already taking positive and practical action to save energy and is replacing polluting fossil fuels with renewable sources of heat and power across many properties. We have 123 installations in place to help reduce carbon emissions, supported by our energy partner, to include ‘green’ technologies such as solar panels, biomass boilers and air source heat pumps with more initiatives planned.

RSPB Press Release 15th July 2009 more >>

Seven Million Makeover

The Government today revealed seven million homes will be given pay-as-you-save energy makeovers as part of “comprehensive changes” to slash UK carbon emissions.

Construction News 15th July 2009 more >>

Low Carbon Plan

Among the schemes to reduce climate emissions to be launched will be a “pay as you save” programme for homeowners to receive loans to insulate their homes, with the money repaid from savings on energy bills. And people who install small-scale renewables such as solar panels or wind turbines will be paid, through a “feed-in tariffs” programme, for the electricity they generate.

Herald 15th July 2009 more >>

In Brief

By 2020: More than 1.2 million people will be in green jobs; Seven million homes will have benefited from whole house makeovers, and more than 1.5 million households will be supported to produce their own clean energy; 40 per cent of electricity will be from low carbon sources, from renewables, nuclear and clean coal; We will be importing half the amount of gas that we otherwise would; The average new car will emit 40 per cent less carbon than now.

Business Green 15th July 2009 more >>

Feed-in Tariffs

Homeowners are to be offered financial incentives to encourage the use of low carbon energy supplies. The incentives are part of a white paper being unveiled by Energy Secretary Ed Miliband which promises to transform Britain into a low carbon country. The UK is following the lead of Germany and introducing so-called “feed-in tariffs” which should ensure UK homeowners who install renewables at home will be guaranteed a good price for feeding energy back to the grid.

Sky 15th July 2009 more >>

Business Green 15th July 2009 more >>

Which 13th July 2009 more >>

Business Green 13th July 2009 more >>

A huge expansion of wind power, home insulation and “smart” electricity meters are among measures being planned to build the UK’s low-carbon future. Ministers hope their Carbon Transition Plan will help them meet 2020 targets for cutting greenhouse gas emissions and expanding renewable energy.

BBC 15th July 2009 more >>

Small Turbines

Most small-scale turbines in towns and cities would actually lose money, the study discovered, with some generating as little as £26 of energy a year. The results show that the performance of domestic wind turbines is highly dependent upon location and proper installation of the technology.

Yahoo 15th July 2009 more >>

24 Dash 15th July 2009 more >>

Anaerobic Plan (2)

A Task Group set up by Defra to increase the uptake of anaerobic digestion (AD) and encourage energy generation using the technology has today (July 15) published a set of recommendations which it believes Government and industry need to act on if AD is to grow in the UK.

New Energy Focus 15th July 2009 more >>

Smart City Plan

A pioneering project introduces a new urban energy management model in Malaga, in southern Spain. Some 31 million has been earmarked for the project which involves 11 companies under the leadership of utility group Endesa. The project will benefit 300 industrial customers, 900 services providers and 11,000 households, over a period of four years. Renewable-energy sources will be linked up to the grid to more closely match generation to consumption by installing photovoltaic panels on public buildings, using micro power generation in some hotels and installing micro wind power systems in the area.

Renewable Energy World 14th July 2009 more >>

Green Refurb

Grand Designs host Kevin McCloud will today build a compelling case for the Government to kick-start a nationwide green refurbishment programme for our homes.

24 Dash 14th July 2009 more >>

Grants available

If you think making a home energy-efficient is a luxury, speak to John Anderson – he has secured grants to improve his bungalow’s green credentials, makes money from selling electricity he generates, and reckons he has added value to the property too. He has comprehensively ‘‘greened’’ his Eighties three-bedroom home at Baildon in Shipley, West Yorkshire by insulating its walls, putting 11 inch-thick insulation in the loft, installing double glazing and energy-efficient low wattage light bulbs, and fitting five solar panels and scores of PV tiles to the roof.

Telegraph 14th July 2009 more >>

Valley of death?

The Conservatives are urging the government to avoid a “valley of death” between the end of the current grants scheme for small-scale renewable energy projects and the launch of the so-called “feed-in tariff” over the next two years. The shadow energy and climate change secretary, Greg Clark, today called on the government to guarantee that any qualifying technologies that are installed without public funding before the tariffs commence will still be eligible for the feed-in tariff once the tariffs begin.

Guardian 14th July 2009 more >>

Microgeneration Scheme

NAPIT has launched its own Microgeneration Scheme. It will cover solar thermal hot water, solar photovoltaic, wind turbines, heat pumps and biomass combustion. Following NAPIT’s successful introduction of the scheme at the Eco-Build Exhibition in March 2009, installers have pre-registered to become members in anticipation of the scheme launch to enable them to work within these five different renewable energy technologies.

Heating and Plumbing Monthly 13th July 2009 more >>

Small Wind

The UK small wind system manufacturing industry is robust but at risk. As other countries’ governments wake up to the potential benefits of a domestic small wind industry, the UK industry cannot afford to be complacent and government must engage with it to capitalise on a sound base as the global market expands.

The Manufacturer July 2009 more >>

PV Prices

Electricity generated from solar sources could cost householders the same as electricity sourced from the grid “as soon as 2013”, according to a UK solar panel producer.

New Energy Focus 13th July 2009 more >>

Cornwall Plan

Ahead of Green Britain Day tomorrow, Cornwall’s Liberal Democrat MPs are calling on the Government to help Cornwall develop a strategy to become the UK’s centre for renewable energy technologies. The MPs believe that Cornwall is uniquely placed to become the first part of the UK to be truly self sufficient in renewable energy production. Many local businesses already operate at the cutting edge of renewable technology including those developing ground source heat exchange pumps (which harness geothermal energy).

Falmouth Packet 13th July 2009 more >>

Solar Revolution (local)

MOST householders will be using solar energy in five years’ time, according to a renewable energy installer. Craig Andrews, of Solar Express, Luddenden Foot, said advances in solar energy technology are encouraging more people to opt for it and save on fuel bills.

Halifax Evening Courier 13th July 2009 more >>

Solar Revolution (UK)

According to research from the UK Photovoltaic Manufacturers Association solar power could deliver 100,000 much needed jobs in the UK construction industry, helping kick start the UK’s economic recovery. The report, ’2020 A Vision for UK PV’, has been released as over 150 representatives of UK Government, Parliament, business and NGOs meet at the House of Commons today to discuss the potential for solar power to help economic recovery in the UK. Spurring this demand will be a Feed-in Tariff for solar power from April 2010 where solar producers may be paid three to four times than at present for their clean energy. Details of the much needed Feed-in tariff (FIT), as in place in over 18 European countries, are due to be announced by the Government this week.

Solar Century 13th July 2009 more >>

Teeside School

A TEESSIDE school has gone green thanks to a new wind turbine. The 200w turbine was won by pupil David Saddington, 16, for Blakeston School.

Northern Echo 13th July 2009 more >>

Fuel Poverty

Rising unemployment, high energy bills and the cost of “green” measures could push hundreds of thousands more households into fuel poverty, a Government advisor warned today. There are already 4 million households in fuel poverty – where one tenth or more of income goes on gas and electricity bills – compared with 1.2 million in 2004. Almost half of fuel-poor households are pensioners. The Fuel Poverty Advisory Group (FPAG) recommends the Government: mandate a “social tariff”, to ensure the most vulnerable households get the cheapest deal; and increase the budget of Warm Front, the scheme that delivers energy-efficiency measures to people’s homes.

Times 13th July 2009 more >>

The most disadvantaged households must be helped as Britain shifts to a low-carbon strategy, Energy and Climate Change Secretary Ed Miliband has said. There are concerns that the Government’s push towards a renewable energy structure could lead to higher household fuel bills.

Ananova 13th July 2009 more >>

Ouse Power

TWO schemes intended to use the power of the River Ouse to generate electricity for sale to the National Grid have been submitted at Linton Lock, upstream of York, where the navigation forms the boundary between two local authorities.

Yorkshire Post 13th July 2009 more >>

Green Mortgages

Householders should face higher council tax and stamp duty if they refuse to make their homes greener, Government advisers say. Those who do not have double glazing or insulation would be hammered under proposals drawn up by an environmental pressure group which will be considered by ministers. They want the punishments to be brought in alongside ‘green mortgages’, under which homeowners can apply for loans to spend on energy-efficient equipment such as new boilers and even solar panels.

Daily Mail 13th July 2009 more >>

Sunday Times 12th July 2009 more >>

Feed-in Tariffs

Homeowners who install solar panels and wind turbines will be paid for any electricity that they feed back into the National Grid, the Government confirmed yesterday. The payments will be based on a fixed price per unit of electricity and will be set high enough to encourage hundreds of thousands of homes to invest in renewable sources of power. Local energy suppliers will adjust the bills that they issue according to the number of units fed back into the grid. Homeowners with low energy consumption and a solar panel could receive net payments from their energy company.

Times 13th July 2009 more >>

BBC 12th July 2009 more >>

Telegraph 11th July 2009 more >>

Civil servants are trying to water down and delay the introduction of so-called feed-in tariffs designed to boost the deployment of renewable energies. Writing last month to the energy minister Mike O’Brien, who has since left DECC, Alan Simpson, Labour MP for Nottingham South, accuses civil servants of “delaying” and “frustrating” their introduction. In his letter, Simpson wrote: “You asked me to play a role in ‘driving this through’. It is difficult to drive if I can’t even get in the car.”Philip Wolfe, head of the Renewable Energy Association, said the document would talk only about the electricity tariff for next year and not the heat tariff for 2011: “There is a lack of ambition. Delaying the heat tariff until a year later shows they are not pushing as hard as they need to.”

Guardian 13th July 2009 more >>

Energy Efficiency

Letter from Andrew Warren: You made a great fuss of the US energy secretary - reporting him as talking not just about gimmicky white roofs, but about the fact that the critical climate-change issue was far greater energy efficiency. In his Royal Society lecture, he referred to not merely low-hanging fruit, but fruit that was actually lying on the ground, waiting to be picked up. He made the point that more carbon had been saved from the adoption of boring old efficient refrigeration technology in the US than via all manner of trendy renewable energy sources. Almost half the worlds fuel is burnt in buildings. Just ensuring that existing buildings are upgraded and new ones are super-efficient will achieve far more than anything else you cite (and create many more jobs too).

Independent 13th July 2009 more >>

Croydon Eco-homes

Boris Johnson met with the owners of a brand new five bedroom eco-house in Sumner Gardens, West Croydon and was given a tour around their new council owned property. More than 60 per cent of the heating will come from the solar panels on the roof and 15 per cent of the electricity will come from the wind turbines.

Croydon Guardian 12th July 2009 more >>

Renewable Energy Strategy

Politicians, like the rest of us, are always being urged to “think big”. But, for me, the most interesting issue over the next week or so is going to be rather different: is Ed Miliband big enough to think small? It’s becoming clear that an excellent way to generate renewable energy is on a small – even household – scale, through rooftop solar panels. Despite the initial cost, the “fuel” is distributed free by nature, without the need for long pipes or power lines, and costs little or nothing to tap once the installation has been paid for. Families gain greater independence, and possibly some income from selling the surplus to the grid.

Telegraph 11th July 2009 more >>

Grimsby School

A LOUTH school will become one of the first senior schools in Lincolnshire to develop wind energy. Louth’s Cordeaux School has been given the green light to build a wind turbine – in line with the G8 conference in Italy, when world leaders agreed to harness more renewable energy.

Grimsby Telegraph 11th July 2009 more >>

Orkney Turbine

Islands councillors have approved an application for a wind turbine at Hatston Industrial Estate, following amended plans being submitted by Orkney Energy Gateway Ltd (OEGL). The original OEGL application, for a turbine of 93.5 metres to the tip of the blade - similar in height to those on Burgar Hill, was withdrawn following OIC planning officials expressing concerns. However on Friday, at a meeting of Orkney Islands Council’s planning committee, councillors backed revised plans for a turbine of 67 metres.

Orcadian 11th July 2009 more >>

Woolwich Tesco

Tesco’s will have a low-carbon design, and feature the use of sustainable timber for construction, a green roof and the use of solar panels and wind turbines to power the shop.

Greenwich Council 10th July 2009 more >>

Micro Wind

In the UK, the Energy Saving Trust’s field trial of domestic wind turbines is the most comprehensive technical monitoring exercise of domestic small-scale wind turbines undertaken to-date in the UK.

Enviro Solutions 9th July 2009 more >>

 

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