News Archive

week ending 27 November 2009

 

Energy Efficiency

The Conservative Party will offer homeowners up to £6,500 per home to fund energy efficiency refurbishments if it wins the general election next year. Grant Shapps, Shadow Housing Minister, yesterday launched the ambitious “green deal”, designed to cut carbon emissions from the UK’s existing housing stock of 25 million homes, which contribute 27 per cent of all emissions.

Times 27th Nov 2009 more >>

Scottish Biomass

The third round of a multi-million pound funding scheme which aims to increase the use of renewable heat by small-medium sized enterprises has been launched by the Scottish Government. Jim Mather, Scottish minister for Enterprise, Energy and Tourism announced the third round of the Scottish Biomass Heat Scheme (SBHS), which provides grants for the installation of biomass heating systems and district heating demonstrators in Scottish business premises, in the Scottish Parliament this week

New Energy Focus 27th Nov 2009 more >>

Stewarton Solar

PUPILS at Nether Robertland Primary are doing their bit for the environment by switching to solar power. The Stewarton school’s £20,000 panels were officially switched on this week thanks to funding from The Co-operative.

Kilmarnock Standard 27th Nov 2009 more >>

Construction Cuts

The UK Green Building Council has set out new guidelines for the nation’s construction industry. According to the council, the sector must boost its energy efficiency so that it can reduce carbon emissions by 50 per cent by 2020. Paul King, the organisation’s chief executive, is calling on the construction industry to take into consideration the impact it can have on helping the UK to achieve its CO2 reduction targets.

Low Carbon Economy 26th Nov 2009 more >>

Denmark

The inhabitants of this Danish isle seized upon wind’s potential as a source of energy and money more than a decade ago. Since then the Baltic island has become one of the first industrialised places on the planet to qualify as being totally energy self-sufficient. It is a major propaganda victory for a country that will shortly be hosting the world summit on climate change – in fact, Copenhagen delegates will be flown or ferried out here next month to see Samso for themselves.

Independent 26th Nov 2009 more >>

Local Authorities

Strong leadership, clear vision and ambition from councils could deliver reductions in carbon emissions of millions of tonnes annually and potentially unlock £1 billion in income for councils, Communities Secretary John Denham said today. Local authorities are already at the forefront in taking the decisions and actions that will help the nation meet our climate change targets - from waste plans through to transport policies

24 Dash 26th Nov 2009 more >>

New Energy Focus 26th Nov 2009 more >>

Renewable Heat Blindfolds

The UK is “still wearing blindfolds” when it comes to maximising renewable heat, it was claimed yesterday. Speaking at the Combined Heat and Power Association (CHPA) conference in London yesterday (November 26), Anthony Grimshaw, technical director of ENERGOS, said financial incentives and the “bankability” of heat had to improve if the country was to take advantage of heat lost during electricity production. The Institute of Civil Engineers (ICE) estimates that if only half of the heat lost in electricity production were captured, it would meet 25% of the UK’s current heat demand.

New Energy Focus 26th Nov 2009 more >>

North East Scotland Biomass

PROJECTS in Aberdeenshire have received almost £400,000 in funding through a national renewable heat initiative. A third of the £1million being disbursed in the second round of awards from the Scottish Biomass Heat Scheme is going to four north-east projects. The largest scheme to benefit is at Banchory, where Hill of Banchory ESCo will get £221,410 to provide heat to a new development of 200 homes and community and commercial buildings using local supplies of woodchips.

Press and Journal 26th Nov 2009 more >>

Derbyshire Eco-Centre

Building work has begun on a £1.4 million Derbyshire centre to maintain traditional rural construction skills and promote education for sustainable development. Derbyshire County Council is building its new Eco Centre alongside the National Stone Centre in Wirksworth. There will be courses to promote rural crafts, the arts and environment, energy saving and renewable energy technologies. The Eco Centre and its surrounding landscape will be built to become the county council’s first excellent rated building under the benchmark Building Research Establishment Environment Assessment Measure (BREEAM).

Build 26th Nov 2009 more >>

Zero Carbon Delay Call

Conservative council leaders have lobbied their front-bench colleagues to relax the timetable for zero-carbon housing unless more money can be found to meet the higher environmental standard.

Local Government Chronicle 26th Nov 2009 more >>

Solar Costs

By the end of 2009, there will have been a 50% drop in the levelized cost i.e. the lifetime cost per kWh before subsidies of solar power, and a 10% reduction in the levelized cost of other sources of renewable energy sectors compared to the end of 2008. This prediction is a result of detailed quarterly research by New Energy Finance.

Climate Progress 25th Nov 2009 more >>

Heat Pump Goes Large

A ground source heat pump which has been hailed as “the largest renewable energy installation of its kind” has been installed in the lake of the Castle Howard estate in North Yorkshire and is providing the 142,400 sq ft house with heating and hot water.

New Energy Focus 25th Nov 2009 more >>

Dee Hydro

THE River Dee could provide 10% of Llangollen’s power within ten years. That’s the aim of a major feasibility study into hydro power in the Dee Valley that was launched this month.

Daily Post 25th Nov 2009 more >>

Government Buildings

Microgeneration systems will be installed on the premises of government buildings if the Conservatives gain power at the next general election. George Osborne, shadow chancellor for the Tories, addressed an audience at Imperial College London explaining that his party will improve the energy efficiency of government buildings.

Rapid 25th Nov 2009 more >>

New Energy Focus 24th Nov 2009 more >>

Baxi

Baxi Ecogen micro-CHP (combined heat and power) unit is one of only 24 products nationwide, to be chosen for this year’s Construction Products Association’s 2009 edition of Construction Products Innovation and Achievement (CPIA), in the Energy and Carbon Saving category.

Plumbing Park 25th Nov 2009 more >>

Zero Carbon

Housing Minister John Healey today confirmed that this country will be the first in the world to require zero carbon homes as a matter of law from 2016. One in three homes in 2050 will be built between now and then, so he made clear that the new standards are necessary in order for the country to meet low carbon targets. The Government also launched proposals for all new public sector buildings to be zero carbon from 2018 and all new commercial buildings from 2019.

CLG 24th Nov 2009 more >>

Keep FiT Simple

Good Energy, supplier of 100% renewable electricity, has called on the government to simplify the proposed feed-in tariff (FiT) arrangements for micro-generators and reward generators for their total generation.

Connecting Industry 24th Nov 2009 more >>

Whitehall

Several buildings in Whitehall perform poorly in terms of their energy efficiency and the government has been under pressure to address the issue. New legislation could be introduced under the Tories to enable public buildings to install microgeneration devices without planning permission.

Energy Helpline 24th Nov 2009 more >>

RAB Submission

The Renewables Advisory Board has responded to the consultation on Feed-in Tariffs by warning that that the proposed tariff levels will not lead to the amount of investment needed to increase the uptake of smaller scale renewables.

New Energy Focus 24th Nov 2009 more >>

Eco-Bling

JONATHAN Fair (Opinion, 21 November) is correct to challenge the Scottish Government’s insistence on covering buildings with “eco-bling”. This has come about because of a requirement for on-site equipment to contribute at least an extra 15 per cent reduction in emissions beyond standards in the 2007 building regulations, promoted through the planning system via a document known as SPP6.

Scotsman 24th Nov 2009 more >>

Winchester Heatseekers

Homeowners in Winchester looking to become more energy efficient will receive a helping hand this month. The award-winning HeatSeekers vehicle is set to take to the district’s roads, using thermal imaging technology to track down properties that could benefit from improved insulation.

Low Carbon Economy 24th Nov 2009 more >>

Scottish AD

Proactive Energy, a new Scottish renewable energy company, has been given the go-ahead by South Lanarkshire Council for a £22.5 million biogas plant. The five megawatt (MW) anaerobic digestion (AD) plant is part of the M74 Eco-Park, between Glasgow and Carlisle, and should generate sufficient electricity to power 2,500 homes and create 10 permanent jobs.

Green Wise 23rd Nov 2009 more >>

Bio-infrastructure money

Farmers, foresters and local authorities can from today apply for £1.5 million grants to help develop the supply of biomass, such as wood chips or energy crops like miscanthus, in England through round three of the Bio-energy Infrastructure Scheme.

DECC Press Release 23rd Nov 2009 more >>

New Energy Focus 23rd Nov 2009 more >>

Derby University Turbines

PLANNERS are recommending that the University of Derby is given permission to build nine wind turbines on one of its roof. The university has applied to Derby City Council for planning consent to build the 2.5-metre structures on the south tower of the Kedleston Road campus. Notification has been sent to 66 neighbours and four have raised objections.

Derby Telegraph 23rd Nov 2009 more >>

Carlisle School

The proposals for an 18m-high turbine at the new £25m Richard Rose Morton Academy in Carlisle were scrapped last month following complaints from residents and research which proved that the energy it would produce would be ‘negligible’. Those behind the bid are now hoping solar panel cells on the roof of the proposed academy building will win the backing of planners .

Carlisle News and Star 23rd Nov 2009 more >>

Burnham Solar

A Highbridge School is now partially powered by sunlight following the installation of 20 solar panels.

Burnham-on-sea.com 23rd Nov 2009 more >>

Red Tape

The microgeneration industry has applauded new government proposals to slash planning red tape and make it easier for homeowners, developers and businesses to install their own microgeneration equipment - including on-site wind turbines and air source heat pumps.

Heating and Plumbing Monthly 23rd Nov 2009 more >>

Micro Progress

November has been a highly significant month for microgeneration. Royal Assent for The Green Energy Bill, which requires the government to conduct a root and branch overhaul of Microgeneration policy in the UK, as well as allowing air source heat pumps and micro-wind turbines to be installed on the majority of domestic dwellings without planning permission. This historic Bill was followed by announcements from a number of different sources: Government proposals to introduce permitted development rights for small scale renewable and low carbon technologies in domestic and non-domestic settings. Households in rural parts of Scotland will be offered cheap to run, ‘plug in’ energy to help cut household fuel bills. Grants of up to £6500 are being made available through the Scottish Government’s £60 million Energy Assistance Package, to install low-carbon air source heat pumps for people who normally have to rely on oil or solid fuels.

Smart Energy 23rd Nov 2009 more >>

Ceramic Fuel Cells

Solid oxide fuel cell developer Ceramic Fuel Cells Ltd (CFCL) has announced that Paloma, a leading global home heating manufacturer, will install a BlueGen combined heat and power (CHP) unit in its warehouse and sales office in Sapporo, Japan.

Renewable Energy Focus 23rd Nov 2009 more >>

Permitted Development

The Government has formally proposed further changes to the planning regime to make it easier for homeowners and businesses to install microgeneration systems and electric car charging points.

eGov Monitor 23rd Nov 2009 more >>

Eon Accreditation

Power company E.ON Sustainable Energy has received full accreditation as an approved installer for its range of micro-generation technologies under the Micro-generation Certification Scheme (MCS). The scheme, run by the Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC), is designed to evaluate products and installers against a robust set of criteria for micro-generation technologies. The aim of the scheme is to provide greater protection for consumers as it independently certifies microgeneration products and services in accordance with consistent standards and ensure that the Government’s grant money is spent in an effective manner.

New Energy Focus 23rd Nov 2009 more >>

FiT Wrangling

Hopes of having a key government policy on renewables in place before the Copenhagen summit have been dashed by internal wrangling over the final levels at which so-called “feed-in tariffs” (FITs) will be set. Alan Simpson MP said the aim is to get 2% of electricity from microgeneration. “If they were five times as ambitious, it would only cost the average family another £2 a year. But energy companies and Ofgem don’t want to go down that path – they have created a cosy oligopoly which produces non-renewable energy and ever-spiralling prices.”

Guardian 23rd Nov 2009 more >>

Rapid Online 23rd Nov 2009 more >>

Permitted Development

The key difference between a heat pump and a 50ft turbine is that one is largely invisible, the other isn’t. A 50ft high turbine is not a 200ft turbine, but it can annoy the neighbours. By causing friction in the shires the government distracts attention from its dismal record on energy, so in an election year it is a policy touched with cruel genius.

Times 22nd Nov 2009 more >>

Green Gas

Rotting leftovers, wilted salad and even sewage are to provide a new source of “green gas” to heat our homes. From today, British householders will be able to register for Ecotricity’s new tariff to buy green gas – commonly known as biogas – as a way of reducing their carbon footprint and cutting landfill waste. It will be a first for carbon-conscious consumers who have previously only been able to buy “green electricity” from suppliers. Britain discards about 18 million tonnes of food waste a year, which Ecotricity said could generate enough biogas to heat 700,000 homes. The Conservative Party believes 50% of the UK’s natural gas supply could be replaced by biogas.

Observer 22nd Nov 2009 more >>

Greenwise 23rd Nov 2009 more >>

Low Carbon Economy 25th Nov 2009 more >>

Wood Burning Stoves

They keep our homes warm in style, and are a renewable energy source to boot. What’s not to like about wood-burning stoves.

Guardian 21st Nov 2009 more >>

Aberdeen New Town

News that a suburb of Aberdeen could be transformed into a new town the size of Perth will come as something of a bombshell, particularly to residents who already live there. On paper, the Bridge of Don plan is a dazzling project full of innovative ideas and green thinking. It meets demands for more housing and economic diversity, which the area cries out for. Plans to harness renewable energy and create a new “silicon valley of the north” are a strong part of the futuristic elements, which also include a hydrogen or electric-powered bus system.

Aberdeen Press & Journal 21st Nov 2009 more >>

Peak PV

In Warslow, the Peak District Rural Housing Association was given permission for six affordable homes on the site of two disused industrial buildings. The design of the houses is a traditional style and includes solar photo-voltaic cells to provide renewable energy.

Derby Telegraph 20th Nov 2009 more >>

Solar Advance

Newer materials are helping solar panels become more efficient, according to Professor Tony Day, director of the Centre for Efficient and Renewable Energy in Building, London South Bank University. Laboratory tests are showing we can get to module efficiencies of about 22-23%, with traditional materials, but the next generation of materials it looks in the laboratory to be moving towards 30%, and in some specialist applications even 40%.

BBC 20th Nov 2009 more >>

Potato Power

Local Generation saw a golden opportunity to combine their potato waste with other food waste and use it in a much more sustainable way.

Eco friend news 20th Nov 2009 more >>

Good Energy

Households that install microgeneration systems, such as solar panels, on their properties may be able to reduce the cost of their bills thanks to a new scheme from Good Energy. Microgeneration technology allows homeowners to produce their own energy and those who make more than enough to power their properties will be able to sell the excess back to the provider.

Prudent Minds 20th Nov 2009 more >>

Isle of Wight

A FIRM that aims to reduce the Island’s carbon footprint, has pledged to help businesses and householders cut their energy bills and to get grants to upgrade their heating and energy systems. Actrite Ltd, based at East Yar Road, Sandown, specialises in tailoring domestic and commercial energy solutions for Island homes and businesses from cavity-wall insulation and upgrading heating and hot water systems to installing solar panels.

Isle of Wight County Press 20th Nov 2009 more >>

 

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