week ending 26 March 2010
Innovate to De-carbonate
Porritt: You can’t beat people into submission on climate change. All the evidence shows that promoting the benefits that flow from concerted action – in terms of jobs, skills, innovation, eliminating fuel poverty, energy security, resource efficiency, increased competitiveness and so on – works so much better than threatening people (and their children) with the four riders of the Apocalypse.
Guardian 26th Mar 2010 more >>
Energy Efficiency
A programme to “retrofit” homes with measures to make them more energy and water efficient and resilient to flooding is needed to help households cope with climate change, MPs said today. The environmental audit committee also warned that new housing developments should only get planning approval if they are designed to suit future changes in the climate, as part of efforts to make sure the UK adapts to rising temperatures. And there needs to be greater focus on “green infrastructure” including water storage, more trees and more open spaces which can tackle flash flooding and hot city summers, the committee said. A report by the committee of MPs warned efforts to adapt to a changing climate needed to be as much of a priority as cutting the greenhouse gas emissions which cause global warming.
Guardian 26th Mar 2010 more >>
The UK has committed to cut greenhouse gas emissions in the UK by 80pc by 2050 and yesterday the Treasury and the Department for Energy & Climate Change unveiled a report entitled Energy Market Assessment, outlining how the market will need to change to help “de-carbonise” the economy and enhance energy security. Published within the assessment is a “road map analysis” of how the country can achieve the target of an 80pc reduction in emissions. This analysis suggests that “ambitious energy demand reduction” is required. “Based on the analysis to date, total UK energy demand in 2050 will need to fall significantly (potentially by as much as 25pc lower relative to 2007 levels),” according to the report.
Telegraph 26th Mar 2010 more >>
Leggett vs Monbiot
While Jeremy Leggett should have been devoting 24 hours a day preparing for the busiest period of his commercial life, he has been forced to spend time fighting off an unexpected assault by environmentalists in the Guardian blogosphere. The debate over whether the feed-in tariff costs too much for the expected carbon reductions rumbles on but even this “social entrepreneur”, who has always enjoyed a good tussle with more traditional foes, admits he has had enough of swapping increasingly fraught online words with George Monbiot, Chris Goodall and other notable greens.
Guardian 26th Mar 2010 more >>
Mainstreaming Microgen
Renewable energy technologies have been a common component of building projects for a number of years. Typically, they have only been used when regulatory requirements (planning policy or funding compliance) have required it. Project teams would collectively groan when it became evident that a project would need to incorporate renewables. As renewables have become more mainstream, production rates have increased and efficiencies have been created. In many instances, capital and installation costs have been reduced. In addition, the tax breaks and new fiscal incentives (notably the feed-in tariff (FIT) and renewable heat incentive) also improve the pay back period of each of the technologies.
Building 26th Mar 2010 more >>
Dorset FiT for Renewables
With the new Feed-In Tariff coming into effect from 1st April, the price of renewable electricity fed back into the grid is guaranteed for years, plenty of time to pay back your investment, and more. This means a better price for energy generated from the home. The Digby Hall will be filled with a variety of exhibitions on renewable energy (solar panels, wind turbines, and more), plus energy-saving ideas
This is Dorset 26th Mar 2010 more >>
AD Plan
The government has today (March 25) published a plan to encourage the UK to become “world leaders” in the use of anaerobic digestion technology.
New Energy Focus 25th Mar 2010 more >>
Micro CHP
British homeowners who want to become more eco-friendly could do so by installing a new heating and electricity product from Baxi. According to the firm – founded in 1866 – its Ecogen micro-combined heat and power (CHP) unit is the first that can be wall hung, cut carbon emissions and comply with criteria for Level 3 of the Code for Sustainable Homes.
Yell.com 25th March 2010 more >>
Stroud Eco-town
CONTROVERSIAL new plans for a proposed ‘eco-town’ of 2,000 homes have been submitted to Stroud District Council.
This is Gloucestershire 25th Mar 2010 more >>
Dial Green
Dial Green, the environmental telecom specialists with North Devon offices in Umberleigh, is completely self-sufficient for all energy requirements with PV (photovoltaic) panels supplying electric and solar panels for all hot water, a water turbine, a 5kw wind turbine, biomass boiler and air-to-air heating
North Devon Journal 25th Mar 2010 more >>
Biomass Grandfathering
The REA alerted the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) to problems with the financing of renewable plants using biomass and wastes at the turn of the year. This was due to inadequate grandfathering arrangements. Around £13 billion’s worth of project proposals were stalled. Grandfathering is the term given to protecting capital investments such as power projects, by underpinning their income streams so that they are not retrospectively impacted by subsequent rules changes.
REA 24th Mar 2010 more >>
North Devon Farmers
A SEMINAR aimed at farmers interested in renewable energy will take place on April 22 at Taverner’s Farm, Lower Brenton, Kennford. Discussions will focus on wind energy, anaerobic digestion and photovoltaic systems.
North Devon Journal 23rd Mar 2010 more >>
Greening Welsh Homes
The Welsh Assembly Government plans to use up to £34 million of European funding to improve energy efficiency in existing homes according to Deputy First Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones. Following changes introduced by the European Commission, for the first time European funding will be used to support investments in energy efficiency and renewable energy generation measures.
Green Building 23rd Mar 2010 more >>
Bedford AD
WHITCHURCH-based Landia has supplied pumps and mixers for BiogenGreenfinch’s anaerobic digestion process at Milton Ernest near Bedford. Supplied with stainless steel impellers and stainless steel brackets, and all protected by a two-component epoxy coating to cope with food waste and pig manure, the Landia equipment has replaced the existing mixers.
Farmers Guardian 23rd Mar 2010 more >>
Micro-CHP
Energetix Group has developed a boiler appliance for the UK domestic market which will generate 1kWe of power for the home, and any excess not used can be exported back to the national electricity grid.
IB Times 23rd March 2010 more >>
Liverpool Daily Post 24th March 2010 more >>
Trouble ahead for solar thermal
The renewable heat industry faces job losses and bankruptcies if the funds in the Low Carbon Buildings Programme expire 10 months prior to the introduction of the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI), according to the Renewable Energy Association (REA) and the Solar Trade Association (STA).
New Energy Focus 23rd Mar 2010 more >>
Cumbersome Certification?
A GREEN energy installer on Teesside says a scheme to protect householders against the industry’s cowboys is essential, despite claims it is a barrier to uptake. Home heating installers are expecting a flood of new orders when the Government’s feed-in tariff comes into force next month, giving thousands of householders on Teesside the chance to be paid for generating their own electricity. The Government-run Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) aims to be as widely recognised as the Gas Safety Trust register, formerly CORGI. Grants are available only via MCS certified installers. But head of sustainable development at home energy market leader Worcester Bosch, Neil Schofield, says the scheme’s red tape is stopping small firms becoming accredited and there won’t be enough installers to cope with demand.
Newcastle Evening Gazette 23rd Mar 2010 more >>
HETAS now offers installer accreditation on the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS). The scheme will operate alongside the existing HETAS competent persons scheme for solid fuel and biomass. HETAS can also carry out biomass appliance certification.
Ecofriend news 23rd March 2010 more >>
Save and Generate
A new independent company has launched to help small businesses and homeowners source microgeneration and energy efficiency technologies and services. Save & Generate is a web-based service that also offers environmental consultancy services and workshops. The company’s stated mission is to “clear the haze surrounding information on microgeneration and energy efficiency technologies”.
Greenwise 23rd March 2010 more >>
ADF Online 23rd Mar 2010 more >>
Microgeneration Benefits
Those thinking about implementing microgeneration technology in their business or home may be interested to hear the view of a sustainable technology expert, who has praised the benefits of one of the government s new microgeneration schemes. Dr Matthew Goodwin, director at Eco Energi, said that the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) has made adopting microgeneration turn from a good investment into an excellent investment.
Rapid 23rd Mar 2010 more >>
IoM Biomass
THE Isle of Man’s new flagship eco-friendly building is nearing completion in St John’s. Perhaps the most impressive feature of DAFF’s new headquarters is the wood-chip boiler and the St John’s Sawmill and workshops across the road. The chippings come from native timber from sustainable plantations, meaning the process is cheaper than burning fossil fuels and carbon neutral.
Isle of Man Today 22nd Mar 2010 more >>
Heat Pump Cylinder
Kingspan Hot Water Systems has launched a dedicated copper hot water cylinder for heat pump and solar input. The Albion Aerocyl hot water cylinder is a purpose-designed, low maintenance cylinder that can be specified for use in conjunction with any heat pump as the sole source of energy or a solar thermal system with additional input from a heat pump. It provides fast and efficient mains pressure hot water around the home.
Heating and Plumbing Monthly 22nd Mar 2010 more >>
Baxi Ecogen
Baxi has launched Ecogen - a boiler that generates electricity whilst providing heat and hot water for your home. The Ecogen micro-CHP (combined heat and power) unit costs £5,500 (subject to a site survey) and will be available exclusively from British Gas from April 2010. Households with an Ecogen boiler could expect to save at least £600 a year on energy bills by selling electricity back to the national grid through a feed-in tariff. The average payback time for the unit installed in an three-bedroomed semi-detached house would be around eight years.
Which 22nd Mar 2010 more >>
Choosing Microgeneration
Helpful resources when considering microgen technologies.
Oxford Climate Exchange 22nd Mar 2010 more >>
Retrofitting
As the government’s feed-in-tariff scheme nears its start date, a housing expert has claimed that retrofitting buildings with microgeneration technology, such as wind turbines and solar panels, is a good idea. Andrew Leech, director of the National Home Improvement Council (NHIC) said that taking simple measures such as insulating cavity walls and taking a greener approach to roofing can make major energy savings. He added: “There are certain things a householder should be aiming to do, and one of these is to fully insulate the house. If you have cavity walls, these need to be insulated, if they have lofts these also need to be insulated.
Rapid 22nd Mar 21010 more >>
Mersey Climate Challenge
BUSINESSES and other organisations in the Liverpool city region can apply for grants worth up to £500,000 for renewable energy projects. The £4m Rural Carbon Challenge Fund and project is being delivered by advisory bodies Envirolink Northwest and the Energy Saving Trust. Launched in February 2010 at the Northwest Climate Change Conference, the fund aims to improve the diversification of the rural economy and develop new partnerships at a community level.
Liverpool Daily Post 22nd Mar 2010 more >>
Norfolk Eco Revamp
How would a small Norfolk market town go about winning and then spending nearly £1million on a wholescale eco-revamp of everything from its schools and churches to a historic railway line?
Dereham Times 20th Mar 2010 more >>