News Archive

week ending 24 July 2009

 

Asda Turbine

A PROPOSAL by ASDA for a huge wind turbine at its store in Kirkcaldy has been given the green light by Fife Council. But the company has been told that should residents suffer interference to their television signal because of the development, it must bear the full cost of investigating the problem and rectifying it.

Dundee Courier 23rd July 2009 more >>

West Oxford Plan

A PLAN to power a West Oxford neighbourhood using wind, sun and river power was last night given the thumbs-up by the Government. Dozens of homes could use electricity from generators at Osney Weir, solar panels on buildings and wind turbines perched on Cumnor and Harcourt Hills. Local people have set up West Oxford Community Renewables (WOCR) which is aiming to raise £1.4m to fund the power project.

This is Oxfordshire 23rd July 2009 more >>

Hydrogen Fuel Cell micro-CHP

The future significance of Micro CHP in meeting our energy demands may be set to increase, as Ceres Power promises to provide new CHP products on the market by 2012 which may have the potential to halve CO2 output from the average home. Such CO2 savings are possible, due to use of ‘Hydrogen Fuel Cell technology’. The technology, which uses a Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) is 80% efficient, and generates heat and electricity with the only by-product being H2O, thus there is a huge potential to reduce CO2 and achieve the elusive Carbon Zero home.

Energy Measures 23rd July 2009 more >>

Hydrogen Power

In its warehouse, ITM Power has created what it believes is a home of the future. That “home” is powered by a solar panel the size of a couple of table-tennis tables which could alternatively quite easily be a wind turbine. But it is raining, as it does in Sheffield apparently, and there is little useful power being produced. Yet the lights are on, Philip Schofield is chattering on the telly and the kettle’s boiling. What has happened is the electricity produced by the panel in the previous day’s 23 deg C of sunshine has been put through an electrolysis machine. The electricity met water and the H was split from the O in the H2O. That hydrogen was passed into a not abnormally large gas canister, and from that canister the hydrogen is being used as the fuel to fire up a generator, a good old-fashioned combustion engine that is producing the electric current to the home.

London Evening Standard 23rd July 2009 more >>

Darlington Eco-village

A LANDMARK development of the region’s first eco-village has moved a step closer to fruition. Planners have recommended that the £100m development on the outskirts of Darlington is given approval. The 80 acre development will use green fuels and wind and water power in an attempt to be 100 per cent carbon and water neutral.

Northern Echo 22nd July 2009 more >>

British Gas Fund

NOTTS communities are being urged to bid for a share of a £2m fund to encourage innovative energy projects. It has been established by British Gas, as part of its nationwide Green Streets campaign, to support people who want to bring a new lease of life to their community with ambitious energy projects but who need help to get their plans off the ground.

Nottingham Evening Post 22nd July 2009 more >>

ASHP

Mitsubishi Electric has announced that it is starting production of its award-winning, low carbon Ecodan residential heating system at its manufacturing facility in Livingston, Scotland. Ecodan is a modern air source heat pump that can provide all the heating and hot water a home needs. It uses advanced inverter-driven technology taken from the air conditioning industry, to deliver efficiency levels that are 200% greater than a gas condensing boiler.

ADF 22nd July 2009 more >>

Feed-in disappointment

One of the UK’s leading renewable energy firms has revealed that it will continue to focus its expansion plans on the continent, despite the release of the government’s long-awaited plans for a new feed-in tariff incentive scheme for small-scale generation technologies. The government confirmed last week that it is to introduce a Clean Energy Cash Back scheme that will pay households and business an above-market rate for energy they produce using onsite generation technologies such as solar panels and micro wind turbines. Jeremy Leggett, founder and executive chairman of the UK’s largest solar panel provider Solarcentury, told BusinessGreen.com that the proposed tariffs are insufficient to deliver the kind of rapid growth experienced by the solar energy sector under similar feed-in tariff schemes across Europe.

Business Green 22nd July 2009 more >>

Rosyth Turbine Plan

ADMIRALTY ROAD Business Park in Rosyth could benefit from three new wind turbines after a planning application was submitted to Fife Council. The trio of 15m structures will be at plot 7C, generating 15kw each, and will have special noise-reducing blade tips which turn at 160rpm.

Dundee Courier 22nd July 2009 more >>

Solar Heat Disappointment

Solar energy industry body the Solar Trade Association (STA) has hit out at the Renewable Energy Strategy’s claims that solar heat may deliver less of a contribution to the UK’s renewable heat deployment than was envisaged in last year’s consultation on the strategy. In particular, the STA has claimed that the basis for the modelling of the UK’s future supply of renewable heat, and the part that solar thermal can play in this, is a report that has been “totally discredited” by the solar thermal industry. In the modelling, solar thermal is not included at all in scenarios the study believes would achieve both a 12% and 8.5% share for renewable heat at the lowest-cost, due to its cost per unit being deemed “considerably higher” than for technologies such as biomass and heat pumps. Not only do we have to wait until 2011 until we have a renewable heat incentive in place to drive the uptake of this technology, but also the huge potential of solar technology is being undermined by questionable research and poor advice.”

New Energy Focus 21st July 2009 more >>

Leeds School

Work has started on what will be Leeds’ most environmentally friendly primary school. It will include renewable energy sources such as a ground source heat pump - which draws heat from the ground to contribute to the school’s heating system - and solar thermal hot water heating and photovoltaic cells which capture energy from the sun to be converted into electricity.

Seacroft Today 21st July 2009 more >>

Norfolk School

A school has put forward a planning application to install a 15m wind turbine to help provide some of their energy. Hethersett High School in Queens Road, has submitted the planning application to South Norfolk Council, after more than two-and-a-half years of working to receive funding for the project.

Norwich Evening News 21st July 2009 more >>

Waiting for the low carbon revolution

In the early 1980s, consultants McKinsey completed a study for a US telecoms company predicting there would be fewer than one million wireless subscribers in the US by the turn of the century. Today, nearly 2.5bn subscribers across the globe are using digital wireless technologies for voice, email, internet access, music and video services. Clearly we should be wary of predictions based on the status quo.

BBC 21st July 2009 more >>

Low Carbon Infrastructure

The Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) has announced the first round of funding for successful schemes involved in its Low Carbon Infrastructure Initiative. The initiative, a partnership with the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) and Communities and Local Government (CLG), will provide funding for schemes across the country to benefit from new and existing low carbon energy plants by creating the infrastructure needed to link them up.

24 Dash 21st July 2009 more >>

Country Land and Business Association

The Country Land and Business Association (CLA) will launch their manifesto “Making the Most of the Countryside” calling for Government support to set up renewable energy schemes like anaerobic digesters - large scale composters - that produce energy from animal dung.

Telegraph 21st July 2009 more >>

Eigg

A west coast island with a population of just 85 is attracting worldwide interest as it slashes its carbon footprint by more than 50%. Islanders on Eigg recently hosted a delegation from Ecuador, Galapagos, Canada and the Caribbean, all anxious to see how they have extended “green living” to other activities. The island, which has its own electricity supply powered by wind, hydro and solar energy, has sparked a trend which is being followed by other UK communities.

Press and Journal 21st July 2009 more >>

EoN

What then can our customers do, not just those who happen to live in prewar housing stock? And how can we as energy companies give them more control over their domestic bills? The basics are to install double-glazing and loft and cavity wall insulation. But we need to go further by fitting energy-management technologies that will be available to the mass market in the coming years. We will be looking to fit “smart meters” and domestic heat-management systems; we will supply solar thermal panels where they are appropriate and are looking at the options for air or ground source heat pumps, which take heat from the air and the earth respectively to provide hot water. Soon such equipment will become commonplace, not just the preserve of the enlightened green consumer, and that will not only help to reduce carbon emissions but also help to keep bills affordable.

Times 21st July 2009 more >>

Kirklees air source heat pumps

Community Energy Solutions (CES), working in partnership with Kirklees Neighbourhood Housing (KNH), recently installed 60 state-of-the-art air source heat pumps (ASHPs) into homes in Caldercliffe and the Rt Hon Hilary Benn MP, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs accompanied local MP Barry Sheerman on a visit to meet residents who are now benefitting from the new heating systems. All of the homes, which are off the gas network, previously had to rely on outdated electric storage heaters

Kirklees Council 20th July 2009 more >>

Derby Plans

At Tutbury, there are plans for a mini hydro-electric power plant in the River Dove that would generate £20,000-worth of electricity a year. Derby City Council wants to build a £1.5m hydro-electric power station on the banks of the River Derwent to generate power for the Council House. The city council is also considering a green energy plant beneath Derby streets.

Derby Telegraph 20th June 2009 more >>

Coventry Solar

CHRIST The King Roman Catholic Infant School, in Coundon, is going green, having been selected to receive £20,000 solar panels to be installed later this year. The solar panels will be installed by solar energy company Solarcentury.

Coventry Telegraph 20th June 2009 more >>

Hereford Solar

RADNOR Valley Primary School is to go green next term thanks to a £20,000 boost from a major supermarket. It will install solar panels as one of 80 schools nationwide to benefit from the Coop’s Green Energy for Schools scheme.

Hereford Times 20th June 2009 more >>

Heat Transition Plan?

The heating industry is reviewing the fall out after the Low Carbon Transition Plan and Renewable Energy Strategy were unveiled. Many have welcomed the announcement which Mr Miliband described as a “route map to 2020” detailing the carbon savings targeted across each sector. However, there are still concerns the Government is not moving fast enough on some issues such as renewable biogas and the Renewable Heat Incentive. Baxi Group chief executive said the commitment to introducing Feed-in Tariffs for electricity by April next year would help technologies such as the Ecogen micro-CHP unit, but finding a way forward on biogas was vital. We need to keep pushing for biogas to be injected into the national gas network to make appliances even more carbon efficient. His views on biogas were backed up by the Renewable Energy Association. A report by National Grid showed the huge potential for green gas injection into the gas grid which could supply nearly half of domestic users. There is no technical reason to delay introduction for a tariff for green gas.

H&V News 20th July 2009 more >>

Heating and Plumbing Monthly 20th July 2009 more >>

A government commissioned report has forecast a massive expansion in the biomass and heat pump market by 2020. The UK Supply Curve for Renewable Heat report is set to play a key role in developing future policy. The opportunities and prospects for renewable heat in the UK are reviewed by the report which also assesses its potential contribution to the 15 per cent renewable energy target. The key conclusions of the report include - Biomass boilers and heat pumps are expected to be the most significant contributors to renewable heat while solar thermal could provide additional output although at a substantially higher cost.

H&V News 20th July 2009 more >>

Microgeneration Finance

Renewable Energy Finance is the name of a new scheme from Dimplex, designed to overcome budget restrictions and spread the costs of the full installation of renewable energy systems, covering ground and air source heat pumps, as well as solar thermal systems.

Heating and Plumbing Monthly 20th July 2009 more >>

East of Exeter

Following the release this week of the UK’s Renewable Energy Strategy, the government yesterday announced a boost of £2.5 million towards making the new community at Cranbrook, to the East of Exeter, a ‘zero carbon’ development.

Regen SW 20th July 2009 more >>

Newark School

A NEW £4m primary school building in Newark officially opens today. Bishop Alexander Primary School’s new building, has wood pellet boilers, three wind turbines and rainwater harvesting.

Nottingham Evening Post 20th July 2009 more >>

Nottinghamshire County Council 20th July 2009 more >>

Lancashire Fund

Green campaigners have hit out at a plan to scrap Lancashire’s climate change fund.

The new county council leader Coun Geoff Driver wants to axe the £250,000-a-year grants to community groups aimed at reducing carbon and greenhouse gas emissions.

Lancashire Evening Post 20th July 2009 more >>

Anaerobic Boost

The UK’s largest anaerobic digestion plant capable of treating 165,000 tonnes of food waste a year and powering 10,800 homes has been given planning permission. The building, which will generate enough power to run the town of Selby where it’s being built, will have a state of the art pre treatment hall to treat all packaged food waste.

Edie 20th July 2009 more >>

New Energy Focus 20th July 2009 more >>

Low Carbon Economy 20th July 2009 more >>

Yorkshire Post 21st July 2009 more >>

Business Green 21st July 2009 more >>

Proven Success

This month sees the first ever Proven Energy wind turbines installed in Australia. This is a further achievement as Proven Energy has over 2,000 units installed across 60 countries that now cover every continent. The Australian wind turbines were involved in a flurry of activity to bring about a little piece of renewables history in Australia. From Western Australia to South Australia, through Victoria and New South Wales - each of these states can now boast one of these great small wind turbines!

Process and Control Today 20th July 2009 more >>

Proven Increase

Scottish small wind turbine manufacturer Proven Energy has unveiled its latest product, a 3.2kW wind turbine, at the Hampton Court Palace Flower Show. Proven claims the 3.2kW machine produces 20% more yield than its predecessor, the 2.5kW wind turbine.

New Energy Focus 20th July 2009 more >>

Cumbria

Cumbria Action for Sustainability (CAfS) says there is already so much going on with small scale renewable energy in Cumbria, which is not appreciated. The charity is currently planning the Green Build Festival, in October, and there are likely to be about 100 free events around the county.

Westmorland Gazette 19th July 2009 more >>

Geological Turbine

Plans to build a new computer site, plant building and erect a 15m wind turbine at the British Geological Survey have been approved by Rushcliffe Borough Council. The wind turbine will replace the 12m turbine at the site.

Nottingham Evening Post 19th July 2009 more >>

Good Energy

Green energy provider Good Energy currently offers the best ‘buyback’ scheme with its Home Gen tariff, which pays 15p for each unit generated. To qualify, you will need a microgeneration tool such as a wind turbine or solar panels and an export generator or total generation meter.

Sunday Times 19th July 2009 more >>

Heat Pump Awards

The work of Dimplex’s Approved Heat Pump Installers has been recognised by the company with its third annual Heat Pump Awards ceremony.

Pham News 17th July 2009 more >>

Eco-homes

Statement by John Healey: Today I am reconfirming the government’s policy that all new homes will be zero carbon from 2016 and announcing further details on the definition and standards we will legislate for. New buildings are only part of the answer for a low carbon and sustainable future. A differently planned and more sustainable built environment can encourage more sustainable ways of living. Today I am publishing the Planning Policy Statement which sets out the highest ever standards for green living, announcing the first 4 pioneering locations for eco-towns in England and offering government support to work with a further six second wave areas.

eGov Monitor 17th July 2009 more >>

London Solar

London’s biggest expanse of solar panelling is to be fitted to three tower blocks, providing enough energy to power their lifts up 22 storeys. The south-facing facade of each Sixties block, on the Edward Woods Estate in Shepherd’s Bush, will be covered with 415 square metres of panelling. This will also provide power for CCTV, entryphones and communal lighting.

London Evening Standard 17th July 2009 more >>

Small Wind

Most small-scale wind turbines installed in towns and cities would lose money, a Southampton study to identify the best places for the technology has found.

Southern Daily Echo 17th July 2009 more >>

A report from the Energy Saving Trust is based on its trial of 57 small-scale and micro wind turbines installed at different locations around the UK. It concludes that while turbines located in urban locations perform poorly there are significantly more suitable locations available for domestic turbines than has been previously thought. The study identifies 450,000 suitable domestic locations and calculates that well-positioned small-scale turbines with outputs of between 500W to 6kW could provide over three per cent of the UK’s energy requirements, resulting in around two million tonnes in carbon emission savings.

Business Green 9th July 2009 more >>

 

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