Renewable Chips
Last year McCains invested £15m in renewable energy initiatives at its Whittlesey site in Cambridgeshire, Britain’s largest chip factory. By constructing three of the UK’s most powerful wind turbines and an anaerobic lagoon, 70% of the annual electrical power required to operate the plant now comes from renewable sources.
Caterer Search 3rd Aug 2009 more >>
week ending 14 August 2009
Feed-in Tariffs
The feed-in tariff consultation is looking at how to structure a mechanism that will allow householders and businesses to generate small-scale renewable energy and sell it to the grid at a fixed price. The Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI), which is due to be up and running by 2011, could make the UK a world leader in small scale heat mechanisms. But, the Strategy warned that, as there is no international expertise to draw on, the RHI could take some time to develop. Both the feed-in tariff and the RHI will be open for new projects until at least 2020, which the Strategy said will provide the necessary “long term, stable framework for the renewables industry.”
New Energy Focus 14th Aug 2009 more >>
EoN Solar Plan
German energy giant E.ON has announced its intention to develop solar energy as a “second pillar” in its renewables portfolio, alongside wind power.
New Energy Focus 13th Aug 2009 more >>
London Anaerobic
Waste and recycling company LondonWaste has begun a consultation with local residents and businesses over proposals to build an anaerobic digestion (AD) facility at its existing integrated waste treatment and energy site - the EcoPark - in north London.
New Energy Focus 13th Aug 2009 more >>
Renewable Financing
Dimplex has launched Renewable Energy Finance, a scheme designed to overcome budget restrictions and spread the costs of the full installation of renewable energy systems, covering ground and air source heat pumps and solar thermal systems.
Plumbing Park 13th Aug 2009 more >>
Community Energy
THE growing interest in communities developing renewable energy projects will be outlined at a conference this month. More than 150 delegates are expected to attend the event in Stirling University on 26 and 27 August, including those that have already set up green schemes and others with development plans.
Scotsman 13th Aug 2009 more >>
Get Serious
Friends of the Earth launched an innovative flash website for its Get Serious About CO2 campaign today, demanding councils play their part in tackling climate change by reducing local emissions by at least 40 per cent by 2020.
FoE 13th Aug 2009 more >>
Northumberland Efficiency
A pilot housing project to reduce carbon emissions and drive down energy costs for social housing tenants has seen two attractive new energy efficient homes completed in Blyth. The modern and stylish homes were constructed using a building system called Beco WALLFORM, which uses interlocking polystyrene ‘crates’ that are simply stacked up and filled with concrete. They also feature a rainwater harvesting system and solar panels on the roof which can heat both the domestic hot water system and contribute to under-floor heating.
Northumberland County Council 12th Aug 2009 more >>
Leicester District Heating
Leicester City Council is seeking expressions of interest for a 25 year contract to extend and operate the district heating scheme from June 2010. It wants a single contractor to design, build, finance, maintain and operate the scheme at no financial risk to the council. The contract will also contain the option for specific supply contracts for the University of Leicester and HMP Leicester and for future supply contracts, including but not limited to a variety of private and public sector users.
H&V News 12th Aug 2009 more >>
Home Check
Thousands of homes across Blackburn with Darwen are being offered the chance to save hundreds of pounds on their fuel bills and reduce harmful carbon emissions. As part of a campaign launched by the Energy Saving Trust, 60,000 homes in Cumbria and Lancashire, including 7,500 in the Blackburn area, are being given the chance to claim a free Home Energy Report.
Blackburn & Darwen Borough Council 12th Aug 2009 more >>
Solar Chester
FUEL costs are being slashed in housing trust properties as solar panels are installed in 30 more homes. Renewable energy efficiency initiatives have been introduced in the rural Chester & District Housing Trust properties. In Broxton, solar water heating panels have been fitted as a more environmentally acceptable solution to gas, which will improve efficiency and reduce fuel costs for residents.
Chester Chronicle 12th Aug 2009 more >>
Trent Hydro
A FIRM hoping to build two hydro-electric power plants on the River Trent has applied for planning permission. The turbines, which would be built at Sawley and Gunthorpe weirs, would generate enough electricity to power 2,000 homes, via the National Grid. The Small Hydro Company has put forward the plans to Newark & Sherwood and North-West Leicestershire District Councils as part of a wider scheme that will see 25 hydro-generator stations built on rivers including the Trent and the Severn.
Nottingham Evening Post 12th Aug 2009 more >>
Solar Agency
A Rye-based solar power project is to start selling energy to the National Grid.
There are 200 photovoltaic (PV) panels on the roof of the Environment Agency depot at Scots Float that collect sunlight and turn it into electrical energy. The scheme is in the top 10 solar power projects in the country.
Banbury Guardian 12th Aug 2009 more >>
Hospital Heat Pump
Econic has commissioned a pair of 50 kW ground source heat pumps as part of a £9.4 million hospital development in East Anglia. The ground collector for the system is the largest installation of its type ever installed in the UK and the building sets a landmark for the National Health Service’s progress towards becoming carbon neutral by 2018.
Plumbing Park 12th Aug 2009 more >>
Northern Ireland
Environment Minister Edwin Poots and Energy Minister Arlene Foster have pledged their continued efforts in helping the renewable energy sector grow. The Ministers were speaking today during a visit to Enniskillen company Balcas Timber Ltd to view at first hand its successful diversification into the renewable energy industry. The Executive has just launched the draft cross Departmental Bioenergy Action Plan for consultation. It offers a co-ordinated approach for the sustainable development of bioenergy to contribute towards achieving more secure energy supplies, reduced carbon emissions and increased business and employment opportunities
Northern Ireland Executive 11th Aug 2009 more >>
New Energy Focus 12th Aug 2009 more >>
Borders Landfill
A project to harness landfill gas in the Borders will provide enough energy to power about 1,000 homes. The scheme at the Easter Langlee site in Galashiels could be worth about £2.6m to Scottish Borders Council over the life of its 15-year contract. The gas collected is used to power a generator, which then feeds the electricity into the National Grid.
BBC 11th Aug 2009 more >>
Northampton Eco Centre
Top Lodge, the £1m eco-centre, used local and natural materials and renewable energy technology to develop the existing 18th century buildings into a state-of-the-art visitor centre. Sheep’s wool has been used as roof insulation material, rain water is used to flush the toilets and there is a wood-fuel heating system supplied from the surrounding forest.
Northants Evening Telegraph 11th Aug 2009 more >>
Small Turbines
Carlo Gavazzi is meeting the increasing demand for small-scale renewable energy sources with a complete package for residential or commercial wind power generation. The Mistral solution comprises of a 3kW micro wind turbine, braking control unit and inverter, enables users to generate electricity for the home or office, and feed surplus energy into the public grid.
ADF Online 11th Aug 2009 more >>
Process and Control Today 11th Aug 2009 more >>
Community Energy on the March
COMMUNITY buildings in South Derbyshire can now apply for a free energy audit. Sustainable energy charity Marches Energy Agency will assess the possibilities of installing renewable energy technologies, including solar panels and ground-source heat pumps.
Derby Telegraph 11th Aug 2009 more >>
EPC cut-off
Homeowners and landlords should not be allowed to sell or rent out homes that are not energy-efficient, it has been claimed. Properties for sale in the UK have been required to carry an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) - rating the home’s energy performance from A to G - since October. Now, the Energy Saving Trust has suggested that the government should prevent the sale of homes with a rating of F or G from 2015 onwards.
Low Carbon Economy 10th Aug 2009 more >>
Durham Solar
A TEESDALE primary school will become one of the greenest schools in County Durham when new solar panels are installed. Staindrop C of E Primary School is one of 80 schools in the country to receive a grant from The Co-operatives Green Energy for Schools scheme.
Northern Echo 10th Aug 2009 more >>
Kirklees Turbine Failure
New figures show that the wind turbines on the Civic Centre in Huddersfield, brought £2,078 into Kirklees Council coffers in 2008 ‘ but cost £6,431 to maintain and repair.
Yorkshire Post 10th Aug 2009 more >>
Micro-CHP
The introduction of micro CHP – the simultaneous production of heat and power in an individual building based on small energy conversion units such as Stirling and reciprocating engines or fuel cells – is of increasing political and public interest. A large-scale introduction of micro CHP would radically change the electricity system and turn consumers into power producers.
eBooks 10th Aug 2009 more >>
Nottingham Solar
THE Holgate School in Hucknall is installing £20,000 solar panels with funding from The Co-operative. The panels will generate renewable electricity and reduce the school’s reliance on fossil fuels.
Nottingham Evening Post 9th Aug 2009 more >>
Morpeth Solar
A MORPETH first school has became a leading light on the issue of renewable energy. Stobhillgate First School has installed solar panels. The £20,000 panels are half-funded through The Co-operative’s Green Energy for Schools scheme with match-funding from the Government’s Low Carbon Building Programme.
Morpeth Herald 9th Aug 2009 more >>
Low Energy Handbook
A handbook on low energy buildings and district energy systems is a one-stop-shop for professionals involved in sustainability in buildings. The author, L.D. Danny Harvey has tied the critical elements of sustainability in buildings together, in an accessible, yet indepth manner - from low energy design to energy reduction, right through to embodied energy and associated greenhouse gas emissions. Its 701 pages provide a well balanced mix of introductory theory, step-by-step worked examples and explanations for all subjects covered.
Enviro Solutions 8th Aug 2009 more >>
Newcastle Funding
A SCHOOL has won £7,000 funding for green plans which include installing a 12-metre high wind turbine and solar roof panels. Amberley Community Primary School in East Bailey, Killingworth, has been given planning permission for the scheme by North Tyneside Council. The cash has come from the Local Environmental Action Fund (LEAF) at the Newcastle-based Community Foundation, which is offering grants of up to £20,000 for projects that address environmental issues through actions at a local level.
Newcastle Journal 8th Aug 2009 more >>
Renewable Railway
ECO-friendly railway stations in East Lancashire will be using natural resources to keep rail passengers safe in future. Solar and wind-powered lighting schemes are being drawn up for Rishton and Brierfield stations as part of a ground-breaking environmental scheme, on behalf of the East Lancashire Community Rail Partnership.
Burnley Citizen 8th Aug 2009 more >>
Forest Hydro
Efforts to maximise the contribution of Scotland’s forests to generating clean, renewable energy have opened the door to the potential of small-scale hydro developments on the national forest estate.
New Energy Focus 7th Aug 2009 more >>
West Lothian Solar Plan
BEECRAIGS country park near Linlithgow could be transformed if plans for a new eco-centre – complete with wind turbine – go ahead. The eco centre would be designed to fit in with the local environment by using locally sourced and recycled materials as well as solar and wind energy.
Queensferry Gazette 7th Aug 2009 more >>
Vehicle-to-grid
Electric cars, with their banks of mobile storage batteries, can also be an integral part of a home power system. When household vehicles are charged from a home’s electrical power outlets, they are also individually connected to a regional electric utility grid. If this regional grid is converted into a smart two-way system where each home can provide power to the utility grid as well as receive it, each household can help the production and distribution of electricity within the overall infrastructure. Think of an electric car as a mobile energy storage system where the electricity stored in the battery banks can be resold back to a utility company during peak periods of demand. Each household could purchase the electricity for its mobile battery storage bank during cheaper non-peak hours when the utility grid would have excessive capacity, such as late evenings or early mornings of each day.
Las Vegas Review Journal 7th Aug 2009 more >>
Poo Power
WHAT do you get if you combine some old bed sheets, a few vats of used chip fat and a pile of cow poo? A working generator providing cheap alternative energy.
That’s what a group of intrepid engineers came up with in a workshop at St Michael’s Close in Alnwick, as part of a project to transform a couple of clapped-out generators into producing virtually free power for the premises.
Northumberland Gazette 7th Aug 2009 more >>
Energy Storage
In order to meet the needs of off-grid photovoltaic (PV) and wind energy systems, Saft has introduced a new range of nickel-metal hydride (Ni-MH) rechargeable battery modules.
Connecting Industry 7th Aug 2009 more >>
Hydro Guideline
The Environment Agency has issued new guidelines aimed at making it simpler for developers to gain approval for small-scale hydroelectric projects
Business Green 7th Aug 2009 more >>
New Energy Focus 10th Aug 2009 more >>
Welsh Permitted Development
New planning rules that will make it easier for people to install micro-generation equipment such as solar panels at their homes will be introduced in Wales from September, the Welsh Assembly government announced today.
Utility Week 5th Aug 2009 more >>
New Energy Focus 7th Aug 2009 more >>
Renewable Chips
Last year McCains invested £15m in renewable energy initiatives at its Whittlesey site in Cambridgeshire, Britain’s largest chip factory. By constructing three of the UK’s most powerful wind turbines and an anaerobic lagoon, 70% of the annual electrical power required to operate the plant now comes from renewable sources.
Caterer Search 3rd Aug 2009 more >>