TGV Station uses Renewables
These vertical axis wind turbines, at Avignon
TGV Station in the south of France, are manufactured by the French company Windela.
The turbines are integrated into the street lighting pole. The lights use
LED bulbs which makes them highly efficient.
week ending 28 August 2009
Port Biomass
FORTH Energy has unveiled plans to invest 1 billion building biomass power stations at four Scottish ports. The group, a joint venture between Forth Ports and Scottish & Southern Energy (SSE), is conducting engineering studies and consulting locals about the plan, which would see 100 megawatt stations built at Dundee, Rosyth, Grangemouth and Leith. Planning applications are expected to be submitted early next year. Biomass stations generate electricity by burning organic materials and are classed as renewable energy. Much of the fuel used comes from byproducts of the forestry industry, and having the stations near shipping facilities is more efficient than transporting it by road.
Scotsman 28th Aug 2009 more >>
Telegraph 28th Aug 2009 more >>
BBC 27th Aug 2009 more >>
YMCA
AFTER months of planning, consultation and delay, a turf cutting ceremony has finally marked the start of work on the £4.3 million Bridgwater YMCA. The new development will have a a 49ft wind turbine.
This is Somerset 27th Aug 2009 more >>
Kirkcaldy Lighting
A PROPOSAL to spend £2m town centre regeneration funding on installing wind and solar-powered street lighting in Kirkcaldy has been made by a local MSP. Chris Harvie, SNP list member for Mid Scotland and Fife, told The Press he believes the lights could become a tourist attraction in the Lang Toun.
Fife Today 27th Aug 2009 more >>
Birmingham Schools
To reduce carbon emissions and operating costs the new schools will be equipped with wood chip burning biomass boilers and solar panels. Wind turbines will be installed and rainwater from the roofs of the schools will be collected in storage tanks to supplement mains supplies used to flush lavatories. These sustainable solutions will also feature in the school’s educational curriculum.
Birmingham City Council 26th Aug 2009 more >>
eGov Monitor 27th Aug 2009 more >>
Good Energy
Renewable energy supplier, Good Energy, has reported positive growth for the first six months of the years despite difficuly conditions.
The Engineer 26th Aug 2009 more >>
Low Carbon Construction
The UK government has announced the creation of a new chief construction officer role, who will focus upon sustainable buildings and other issues within the sector. One of the main reasons for the new position is to ensure the main barriers to the growth of low carbon construction in the UK are removed. An enhanced sustainable construction strategy delivery board has also been set up to assist the officer in this respect.
Low Carbon Economy 26th Aug 2009 more >>
Herts & Essex Efficiency
RESIDENTS of Uttlesford and East Herts can look forward to a cosier future – thanks to a £6.6m grant from the Government. The two district councils are among 15 local authorities, who together make up the Herts Essex Energy Partnership (HEEP) sharing in the funding for home energy efficiency measures. The money, which comes from the East of England Regional Assembly, will help both council tenants and private home-owners over a two-year period.
Herts & Essex Observer 26th Aug 2009 more >>
Zero Carbon Bute
TOWARDS Zero Carbon Bute has appointed AEA, an Ayrshire-based energy and climate change consultancy, to measure Bute’s carbon footprint over the coming months.
Buteman 26th Aug 2009 more >>
Heat Pumps
BEAMA (British Electrotechnical and Allied Manufacturers Association) has welcomed the Government’s commitment to support heat pumps. Kelly Butler, BEAMA’s marketing director, comments: “The BEAMA Domestic Heat Pump Association has only recently been set up, so the Government’s announcement so soon is great news for the industry.
Plumbing Park 26th Aug 2009 more >>
Co-op Town
Plans for a groundbreaking eco-town powered entirely by renewable energy and managed by residents have been unveiled in South Lanarkshire - with the ambitious project hailed by its backers as an opportunity to “revolutionise” housing developments in Scotland. The 20,000-strong new community of Owenstown, inspired by the pioneering New Lanark industrialist Robert Owen, would live in one of the most ambitious town planning schemes ever undertaken north of the border.
Herald 26th Aug 2009 more >>
Scotsman 26th Aug 2009 more >>
Times 26th Aug 2009 more >>
Zero Carbon Aarhus?
The second biggest city in Denmark is set to decide whether to push on with plans to become entirely carbon neutral. Aarhus has previously outlined its ambition to achieve the status by 2030 and a vote in September will determine whether the project is financed. City council representatives will make the decision on the £8.1 million investment plan to begin next year.
Low Carbon Economy 25th Aug 2009 more >>
Low Carbon Innovation
Low carbon innovators across the length and breadth of Britain have the chance to win a competition searching for clean technology pioneers. The Carbon Trust has launched its Innovation Awards, which is looking for businesses, individuals and other organisations to come up with exciting new ways to cut carbon usage. As well as the chance of international recognition and commercial awareness, the winners will be able to see how their developments compare to other innovators in the field.
Low Carbon Economy 25th Aug 2009 more >>
Community Energy
Energy and Climate Change minister Joan Ruddock has demonstrated her support for community-based renewables projects on a visit to Northumberland-based Community Renewable Energy (CoRE). CoRE is a co-operative that helps voluntary and community groups set up and manage community-owned renewable energy plants that generate a sustainable income. CoRE takes a stake in the newly formed companies to recoup development costs and support the establishment of more community-owned renewable systems.
New Energy Focus 25th Aug 2009 more >>
Anaerobic Wales
COW dung could provide a new source of income for farmers in Flintshire. Rural development agency Cadwyn Clwyd has launched a new scheme to encourage the county’s farmers to cash in on renewable energy. The Flintshire Agricultural Diversification Project has £100,000 in RDP funding for pilot projects. According to Silas Jones, Cadwyn Clwyd’s Energy Officer, anaerobic digesters are an effective way of generating renewable energy.
Daily Post 25th Aug 2009 more >>
Northamptonshire Heat Pumps
A Northamptonshire business has received funding from the Sustainable Construction innovation Network (iNet) to help develop a new and clean way to heat buildings. Cool Planet, based in Higham Ferrers, provides renewable energy solutions and systems to domestic and commercial clients across the UK. Steve Gray who runs Cool Planet, believes that ground sourced energy is the best way to heat buildings. He said: “Ground Source energy is a proven, reliable renewable energy solution suitable for many applications.
ADF Online 25th Aug 2009 more >>
Community Heating
Details of the successful schemes for the second round of funding from the Homes and Communities Agency’s (HCA) low carbon infrastructure initiative, totalling £8.80m, were announced today. 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 25th Aug 2009 more >>
Vertical Wind
Northern Ireland-based micro wind power firm Vertical Wind Energy (VWE) has been handed £1.2 million worth of funding to set up an office in England. VWE, which develops wind turbines for homes and businesses, plans to establish an initial team of six staff at a site near Newcastle Airport. The firm was attracted to the area by what it saw as the region’s considerable renewables expertise.
New Energy Focus 24th Aug 2009 more >>
Deep Pile Energy
The UK’s deepest ever energy piles are being installed at NEO Bankside, a luxury residential development next to the Tate Modern in London. The scheme’s 130 energy piles will contribute 760kW of heating and 650kW of cooling energy to the development, helping the building meet its 10% renewable energy requirement.
Building 24th Aug 2009 http://www.building.co.uk/story.asp?sectioncode=284&storycode=3147313&c=0#ixzz0PIpGzpb0
Community Funding
GROUPS in need of cash and expertise for community energy projects are being invited to bid for a share of a £2million fund. The Scottish Gas Green Streets campaign, backed by TV personality Ben Fogle, aims to encourage innovative and green energy projects.
Glasgow Evening Times 24th Aug 2009 more >>
Baxi Ecogen
Baxi Group has been recognised for its innovative Baxi Ecogen micro-CHP (combined heat and power) unit, in the Construction Products Association’s 2009 edition of Construction Products Innovation and Achievement (CPIA). Baxi Ecogen, in the Energy and Carbon Saving category, is one of only 24 products nationwide, to be chosen for this year’s publication, which annually showcases the most innovative products and processes created by the construction products industry during the last twelve months or so. The Multifit GasSaver, also from Baxi Group, was chosen for the online version of the publication.
24 Dash 24th Aug 2009 more >>
Electric Heating with solar
Heatrae Sadia has launched a solar thermal version of its Electromax ‘one box’ electric heating solution to provide full wet central heating and unvented solar thermal domestic hot water from one compact unit.
Plumbing Park 24th Aug 2009 more >>
UK lagging on low carbon
Regional development authorities believe their counterparts in Europe are flouting EU state aid rules to attract low-carbon manufacturers to set up factories. The authorities fear that as a result the UK is lagging behind in its efforts to establish a “green” manufacturing base.
Observer 23rd Aug 2009 more >>
LEDs on road to Wigan
Wigan Borough Council is one of a fast-growing number of local authorities committed to initiatives that save energy; reduce CO2 emissions and also save council tax payers money. The Environmental Services Department recently invited WRTL Exterior Lighting to showcase their new LED street lighting. The pilot scheme involves the replacement of eighteen sodium lanterns with WRTL’s Stela LED luminaires. These revolutionary street lights are capable of reducing CO2 emissions by up to 65%, compared to conventional solutions, and provides high energy savings without the need to dim or switch off during the night.
ADF Online 21st Aug 2009 more >>
Hucknall Solar School
HUCKNALL’S biggest school is going green – thanks to the installation of £20,000 worth of solar panels over the summer holidays.
Hucknall Dispatch 21st Aug 2009 more >>
Scottish CHP Support
THE Scottish Government is being urged to invest £2million allocated by Westminster in additional efficient community energy schemes in the north and north-east. Labour issued the challenge on the eve of Enterprise Minister Jim Mather’s visit to a combined heat and power scheme in the Seaton district of Aberdeen . Party energy spokesman Aberdeen Central Labour MSP Lewis Macdonald said last night that the minister will today see first hand the difference schemes can make in cutting fuel bills and in reducing carbon emissions. “What he should do next is bring forward the funding required to extend Aberdeen’s scheme to serve the city centre, and provide financial support for new schemes such as that proposed for Craigmillar in Edinburgh.
Aberdeen Press & Journal 21st August 2009 more >>
Building Regs
The latest consultation on the proposed changes to Part L of the building regulations was launched in June and has been closely watched by the heating industry.
Heating and Plumbing Monthly 21st Aug 2009 more >>
ASHP
Scott Dorrall, new business development director for Daikin UK, comments on the increasing demand from housing associations and registered social landlords for Daikin Altherma air source heat pumps in both new housing developments and for the replacement of older heating and hot water systems.
Heating and Plumbing Monthly 21st Aug 2009 more >>
Cladding drives wind
The 14-storey Kinetica building currently taking shape in Dalston, east London, has been designed to channel wind to it four wind turbines with the help of some specially developed cladding.
Building 19th Aug 2009 more >>