week ending 29 January 2010
Eaga
A focus on markets relatively insulated from the recession has helped Eaga grow revenues in the six months to November 30. While maintaining involvement in fuel poverty schemes, the company now is pursuing wider markets, including heating and renewable energy installations, such as photovoltaic cells, for private householders.
FT 29th Jan 2010 more >>
Green Homes Challenge
Various Codes/Regulations are driving the level of sustainable products needed for house building upwards and onwards. Given the long term numbers of homes forecast, this should be a goldmine. The costs of implementing these Codes however are high..and there is confusion about which products best suit which Codes. In addition, the supply chain, and even building practices are not fully engaged to support the mass marketing of sustainable building products.
Gerson Lehrman Group 29th Jan 2010 more >>
SEPA
Sepa bosses believe an imminent move to a new headquarters in Torry, Aberdeen, built to top eco-standards, will help bring down emissions. The building will make use of the latest renewables technology, such as a wind turbine, solar panels and rainwater harvesting. It is due to be complete by March this year.
Scotsman 29th Jan 2010 more >>
Heat Pumps
WIRRAL-based global renewable energy ‘heat pump’ manufacturer Stiebel Eltron has completed four high profile installations worth more than £300,000. Clients included the Financial Services Authority’s Canary Wharf offices in London and a social housing scheme in West Sussex.
Liverpool Echo 28th Jan 2010 more >>
Biomass Grants
Renewable energy company Biomass Solutions is urging farmers and businesses to submit their applications for the third round of the Scottish Biomass Heat Scheme – as the deadline for applications is fast approaching. The closing date for the grant-giving scheme - set up to support businesses wishing to install biomass systems - is February 12. Biomass Solutions is offering free help and assistance to farmers, commercial companies and public sector organisations interested in accessing this funding.
Perpetual Energy 28th Jan 2010 more >>
Think Local
Radical action by councils on driving down carbon emissions will help cut fuel bills and reduce global warming Communities Secretary John Denham said today, as he announced the nine pioneering local authorities that will work with Government to develop an ambitious programme of action to tackle climate change. Manchester, Leeds City region, Bristol, Oxford, Northumberland, Haringey, Nottingham, Plymouth and Bournemouth Poole and Dorset MAA will work with Government over the coming twelve months to pioneer and test new local carbon frameworks.
Dept for Communities and Local Government 28th Jan 2010 more >>
Greening Business
Businesses would be more inclined to implement microgeneration technology on their premises if they were offered incentives, a green expert has claimed. These comments come in the wake of a government announcement that the UK Innovation Investment Fund is launching the £125 million Environmental Innovation Fund. The fund is being managed by Hermes Private Equity, which is investing in low carbon and clean technology funds. James Murray, editor of BusinessGreen.com, insisted that there is a huge list of what can be done to improve the take-up of microgeneration among businesses.
Rapid 28th Jan 2010 more >>
Green Glasgow
A strategy to transform Glasgow into one of Europe’s greenest cities within a decade will be published later. The Sustainable Glasgow report will set out methods to drive down carbon emissions and meet future energy needs. It will cover areas such as renewable energy, district heating, sustainable transport, smart grids, biogas, biomass and energy management and efficiency. The report has been drawn up by Sustainable Glasgow, a consortium led by the University of Strathclyde. Other partners include, Glasgow City Council, Scottish and Southern Energy, Veolia (Source One), Scottish Enterprise and Blitzer, Clancy and Company. The project aims to transform the city into a hub of the sustainable energy sector, delivering jobs and training.
BBC 27th Jan 2010 more >>
Times 28th Jan 2010 more >>
Scotsman 28th Jan 2010 more >>
Scottish Passive House Centre
The Scottish Passive House Centre (SPHC) is Scotland’s independant Passive House certifier. It provides professional advice on Passive House technology, presents case studies and links to organisations and companies involved in Passive House in Scotland including architects, consultants, product suppliers, installers, developers, housing associations and individual house builder. Representatives of SPHC spoke at a meeting in the Scottish Parliament on 27th January.
Scottish Passive House Centre 27th Jan 2010 more >>
Cambridgeshire Heat Pump
Laburnum House near Ely in Cambridgeshire is designed to take full advantage of spectacular views of Ely Cathedral, fenland and River Great Ouse and respond to its environment, promoting sustainability and biodiversity. Econic were responsible for the design and installation of the ground source heat pump and under floor heating systems on the project.
Plumbing Park 27th Jan 2010 more >>
Islington Schools
Highbury Grove has a new school building which is environmentally friendly with 20 per cent of its energy coming from on-site renewable sources and at least 50 per cent of rainfall being used to flush the toilets and irrigate the school grounds. A wind turbine linked to an in-school digital display will also allow students to monitor how much energy is being produced.
Islington Gazette 27th Jan 2010 more >>
Cash Incentives
Most homeowners would consider installing green energy systems such as solar panels or small wind turbines if they were paid enough cash, according to a new study today. A survey, commissioned by Friends of the Earth, the Renewable Energy Association (REA) and the Co-operative Group, of over 2,100 adults showed that seven out of 10 would consider fitting micro-generation schemes if so-called feed in tariffs were generous enough.
Yorkshire Evening Post 27th Jan 2010 more >>
Rapid 27th Jan 2010 more >>
Telegraph 27th Jan 2010 more >>
Guardian 28th Jan 2010 more >>
Renewable Energy Focus 28th Jan 2010 more >>
Better Generation 28th Jan 2010 more >>
Low Carbon Economy 28th Jan 2010 more >>
New Energy Focus 27th Jan 2010 more >>
Vertical Wind
Vertical Wind Energy yesterday (January 25) launched its first 6kW demonstration vertical wind turbine at a farm in North Devon, claiming the product is quieter and more effective than horizontal turbines.
New Energy Focus 26th Jan 2010 more >>
Heat Pumps and Scrappage Scheme
“We were initially concerned that the scheme would only look at replacing old gas boilers for new gas boilers, which would have penalised green technologies such as air source heat pumps, so we are delighted that they have been included in the scheme,” said John Kellett, General Manager of Mitsubishi Electric’s Heating Systems Division.
Plumbing Park 26th Jan 2010 more >>
More on Bling
Reports are now claiming that households that are using microgeneration technology may be doing very little to reduce their carbon emissions output. The author of the report, Doug King, said that items such as miniature wind turbines and things of this nature are not as helpful as some would think.
Electric 26th Jan 2010 more >>
Evening Gazette 26th Jan 2010 more >>
Gary Neville’s House
As well as a wind turbine which will power his neighbouring property as well as feeding into the national grid the moorland covering, placement of windows and solar panels and the use of a ground-source heat pump means the house will be completely carbon neutral in a short space of time.
Bolton News 26th Jan 2010 more >>
Bolton News 26th Jan 2010 more >>
Better Generation 26th Jan 2010 more >>
Manchester Evening News 26th Jan 2010 more >>
Hospital Turbine
Electricity bills for NHS Lincolnshire are predicted to drop by £3,500 a year if a wind turbine is installed within the grounds of its base in Cross O’ Cliff Court, Bracebridge Heath. Plans for the 19.8-metre structure have been submitted to North Kesteven District Council with a public consultation on the project under way. NHS Lincolnshire officials say the turbine is part of the organisation’s commitment to reducing its carbon footprint.
Lincolnshire Echo 26th Jan 2010 more >>
Ceramic Fuel Cells
Australian-based Ceramic Fuel Cells Ltd has sold its first BlueGen micro combined heat and power (mCHP) heating unit in Europe, to German utility EWE. CFCL is developing solid oxide fuel cell based cogeneration units for residential applications and other buildings.
Renewable Energy Focus 25th Jan 2010 more >>
Smart Glasgow
ScottishPower is set to embark on a pioneering project with the ambition of completely revolutionising the electricity network in Glasgow by developing the UK’s largest ‘Smart Grid’. The company plans to devise and install technology that will significantly improve the reliability and quality of electricity supplies as well as increasing energy efficiency and reducing bills. A smart grid will also allow households who generate their own electricity the ability to easily sell excess power back to the grid and help facilitate a network capable of supporting widespread use of electric vehicles. Ultimately, the new technology will have a major impact in the reduction of carbon emissions.
Scottish Power 25th Jan 2010 more >>
’ackney Marshes Turbine
Residents have overwhelmingly said ‘yes’ to the idea of having a wind turbine on Hackney Marshes to generate green energy. In response to Hackney Council’s recent public consultation, 87 per cent said they were in favour of the proposal. The Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) is already going ahead with one wind turbine on Eton Manor in Waltham Forest, and as part of this there is an opportunity for Hackney Council to install a second wind turbine at East Marsh to generate local renewable energy as part of the legacy of the 2012 Games.
Hackney Council 25th Jan 2010 more >>
Welsh Scrappage
Welsh environment minister Jane Davidson has announced that the Welsh Assembly Government is considering introducing a boiler scrappage scheme, similar to that launched in England earlier this month.
New Energy Focus 25th Jan 2010 more >>
Scottish Hydro
Trade associations Scottish Renewables and the British Hydropower Association (BHA) have welcomed the Scottish government’s commitment last week to developing hydropower.
New Energy Focus 25th Jan 2010 more >>
FIT
Feed-in Tariffs could well boost small-scale renewables generation, but success is dependent on regular pay-outs and a stable system, the head of Good Energy Group.
New Energy Focus 25th Jan 2010 more >>
Not Bling
Letter: It is wrong for Professor Doug King to state that “wind turbines and solar cells on the roof achieve little or nothing”. I installed two solar heating panels last summer and during a ten-week period reverted to the gas boiler on only three occasions. I consider that a material environmental saving, not “eco-bling”.
Times 23rd Jan 2010 more >>
Feed-in Tariff
First it was November of last year, then December, then we were told it would come in January and now an annoucement on the follow up to the FIT consultation that closed on the 15th October 2009 is due to come out on either the 1st, 2nd or 3rd of February. John Moriarty of DECC (Department of Energy and Climate Change) broke the news to the audience gathered at Ofgem yesterday for the Microgeneration Forum. All parties interested in Renewable Energy (RE) are waiting with baited breath to see what the final confirmations are. Will tariffs change? What will be the outcome for those generators who installed capacity before 15th July 2009? How long will rates be guaranteed for? What will be the digression rates? The answers to these and all other questions will be made public at the beginning of February.
Better Generation 23rd Jan 2010 more >>
Boiler Scrappage
The first application forms for people to claim £400 under the Government’s boiler scrappage scheme were posted out this week. Some 6,000 people had pre-registered for the forms, which were issued by the Energy Saving Trust from Monday. But with just 125,000 possible grants available under the scheme, experts say anyone delaying applying could miss out.
Independent 23rd Jan 2010 more >>
Birmingham Generation
UP TO 25,000 homeowners in Birmingham are getting the chance to go green with solar panels and insulation under a new initiative. The Green New Deal will involve government grants being combined with low-cost loans to allow homeowners to reduce their carbon footprint, while creating 270 jobs for installers and apprentices. Council bosses say the energy savings and electricity sold back to the Grid from solar panels and wind turbines will leave homeowners in profit after paying back any loans. Up to 25,000 private homes and 1,000 business in Aston, Lozells, Newtown and Northfield will be targeted in the project.
Birmingham Mail 22nd Jan 2010 more >>
Shetland & Heat Pumps
Grants of up to £6,500 to help fit an air source heat pump in your house if there is no gas mains system in your area – which means the whole of Shetland. That sort of govern-ment lolly is not dangled in front of us very often, especially when it is to do something that is going to save us money in the long run anyway. The snag is that most of us will not manage to vault all the hurdles in the way of that handsome cheque.
Shetland Times 22nd Jan 2010 more >>
Tax-free Solar
Mitsubishi Electric has issued a cautious welcome to the announcement that household sales of excess power from solar panels to the national grid will be tax-free from next April. Solar Photovoltaic (PV) modules produced by the company are already eligible for grants of up to 50% towards installation costs under the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) and the tax-free incentive is now expected to help increase demand amongst the residential sector.
Plumbing Park 22nd Jan 2010 more >>
Biomass Grants
NORTH Devon businesses are being urged to cut winter fuel costs by turning to locally-sourced wood fuel. Regen SW, the renewable energy agency for the South West of England, is encouraging local firms to apply for a share of the Government’s £1.5 million bioenergy capital grants scheme. The funding is available to businesses, organisations and charities in the commercial, industrial and community sectors that are considering investing in biomass-fuelled heat or combined heat and power projects, including anaerobic digestion.
Devon 24 22nd Jan 2010 more >>
WAG
More than £8 million is to be donated by the Welsh Assembly Government (WAG) to help generate renewable energy in community organisations, it was announced today (January 21st). Jane Davidson, the principality s environment minister, launched the Community Scale Renewable Energy Generation project today in a bid to get small towns using microgeneration for their electricity.
Rapid 21st Jan 2010 more >>
News Wales 25th Jan 2010 more >>
Green Wise 25th Jan 2010 more >>