week ending 9 April 2010
Ayrshire – best local scheme
A GREEN project in South Ayrshire has been judged best local scheme in Europe. The Hadyard Hill Community Energy Project has brought healthy savings to household energy bills The award recognised the investment of a Scottish and Southern Energy wind farm fund to install free insulation in a rural, off mains gas area which had higher than average fuel bills, poorly-insulated properties and many households on benefits. Sixty-three per cent of homes surveyed received insulation, resulting in average annual fuel savings of £300 per household.
Ayrshire Post 9th Apr 2010 more >>
Retrofit Revolution
Energy Action Devon, a not-for-profit sustainability organisation, along with the owner, stock transfer association North Devon Homes, have received financial backing from the government to put Barbrook on the low carbon map by transforming it into an exemplar retrofit project in which the properties’ carbon emissions will be slashed by 94 per cent. They are hoping to create a blueprint that could be used by other social landlords across the country to meet the government’s ambitious goal of achieving an 80 per cent cut in carbon emissions from existing homes by 2050.
Inside Housing 9th Apr 2010 more >>
Scottish Building Regulations
Letter from Chas Booth (ACE) The assertion by Homes for Scotland that energy-saving regulations will add 8,000 to the cost of new homes is myopic nonsense. In the current era of sky-rocketing energy bills, homeowners will welcome any measures that will help them cut their costs. Better insulation and airtightness and other energy-saving measures can be achieved for a tiny fraction of the overall building cost, and this investment is paid back through lower fuel bills. The dividend is usually seen in a matter of months.
Herald 8th Apr 2010 http://www.heraldscotland.com:80/comment/herald-letters/letters-thursday-8-april-2010-1.1019124
NFU welcomes FiT
Farmers have a key role to play in making sure the new Clean Energy Cashback scheme works and should make use of the opportunity it presents, according to the National Farmers Union (NFU). However, the NFU’s chief renewable energy advisor has also highlighted that the UK government must “clear up” some potential obstacles, such as how an eligible site will be defined, in order to encourage members to install anaerobic digestion (AD) plants.
New Energy Focus 8th Apr 2010 more >>
Ulster Biogas
A LOCAL biogas campaigner has criticised the Energy Minister for calling for a third set of submissions from the industry within six months. Energy campaigner Victor Christie wants the state to develop a proper biogas industry in Northern Ireland in order to reduce the dependence of farming on high cost electricity and allow many farmers an alternative source of income.
Londonderry Sentinel 8th Apr 2010 more >>
Carbon Neutral in Loanhead
EAE Limited, the leaflet marketing specialist based in Edgefield Industrial Estate, has added a state-of-the-art electric van to its fleet of delivery vehicles. Power for the van is provided by ‘Windy Boy’, EAE’s 15-metre high Proven wind turbine, which has been providing much of the company’s electricity requirements since it was installed in 2007.
Midlothian Today 8th Apr 2010 more >>
Welsh Hydro
A pioneering community-based hydroelectric energy project in the Brecon Beacons is a blueprint for how green energy can provide more than just low-carbon power. a Community Interest Company (a legal structure for social enterprises developed by the government in 2005) called the Green Valleys with the twin aims of reducing carbon emissions and improving the environment. The Green Valleys is helping communities to develop community-owned micro hydro schemes by bringing together landowners and local residents and providing access to expertise, grants and loans. Sixty-three schemes are in the pipeline.
Ecologist 8th Apr 2010 more >>
Community Wind
SUPPORTERS of the region’s first community wind farm on Selkirk’s North Common received a welcome boost with the news that the Selkirk Regeneration Company has been awarded £56,150 to employ a carbon reduction officer (CRO).
Southern Reporter 8th Apr 2010 more >>
Solar Schemes
Power giant E.ON has become the latest company to expand its solar offering in order to benefit from the Clean Energy Cashback scheme. The company yesterday (April 6) launched a SolarSaver scheme, which will provide homeowners with an initial consultation, survey and installation of solar photovoltaic (PV) panels. Tesco launched a similar service last week.
New Energy Focus 7th Apr 2010 more >>
Cashback costs
Business information provider Datamonitor has warned that the “controversial” new Clean Energy Cashback scheme will translate into higher bills for all rate payers in exchange for small fuel savings and emission reductions.
New Energy Focus 7th Apr 2010 more >>
Scottish Building Regs
Scotland will have some of the most environmentally friendly houses in Europe, if building standards to be issued in October are adhered to, infrastructure minister Stewart Stevenson has claimed.
New Civil Engineer 7th Apr 2010 more >>
Home buyers face having to pay up to £8,000 more per new property under green targets imposed by the Scottish Government, the construction industry has warned. Regulations unveiled will massively increase building costs as housing developers struggle to reduce carbon emissions, according to the UK industry body, the Home Builders Federation. Homes for Scotland, the umbrella organisation representing Scottish builders, warned that the new rules threaten further slow-down in delivery of much needed homes. The regulations will be phased in from October 1 on all new properties, which will have to be 30% more efficient in terms of carbon emissions than they were in 2007, and 70% greener than 1990 levels. This will require greater insulation and a higher standard of roofing, doors and windows, bumping up the cost to buyers.
Herald 6th Apr 2010 more >>
Welsh Accreditation
Environment Minister, Jane Davidson has announced plans for practical and financial support that will help small and medium enterprises in Wales to reap the benefits of renewable energy. The package of support is aimed at helping Welsh businesses to achieve the necessary accreditation to install microgeneration technology such as solar panels and heat pumps.
Sopo 7th Apr 2010 more >>
Kingston mCHP
UK-based developer of micro-CHP technology, Energetix Genlec has unveiled an integrated micro-CHP boiler appliance for the UK domestic market, under the trade name ‘Kingston’. The unit is designed to generate 1 kW of power which can be utilized in the home, and any excess exported to the national electricity grid. The company anticipates that the Kingston appliance, based on the Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC), will have a significantly shorter payback period than other micro-CHP technologies.
Penn Energy 7th Apr 2010 more >>
Solar Plane
A new solar-powered plane took to the skies in Switzerland this week as its manufacturers examined its flight behaviour. The Solar Impulse has the wingspan of a Boeing 747 yet weighs the same as a small car and features four propellers which help to lift it off the ground. These are powered using solar cells attached to the plane’s wings.
Low Carbon Economy 7th Apr 2010 more >>
Leeds Art Centre
A DISUSED primary school will be given a new lease of life after a funding boost from a green energy trust. The former Bennett Road School, in Headingley, will be transformed into Headingley Enterprise and Arts Centre (HEART). It has been awarded almost £16,000 from the ScottishPower Green Energy Trust to ensure the building is eco-friendly. The money will be used for solar PV and solar thermal panels.
Yorkshire Evening Post 6th Apr 2010 more >>
Solar Devon
Solar PV designer and installer, Becosolar Ltd, has installed 180MW of solar photovoltaic (PV) modules at Rattery Village Hall, in Devon, in a bid to help reduce the building’s running costs.
New Energy Focus 6th Apr 2010 more >>
Future Friendly
A couple, who have spent more than £40,000 making their home more environmentally friendly, are one of two Lothian families down to the final five in a UK-wide competition to find Britain’s greenest family. The prize is a £10,000 green home makeover, but if they do win the award, the Bairds will probably be scratching their heads as to what else they can do to their house – they already seem to have everything covered. The most dramatic and “exciting” change to the couple’s home came in February this year when they installed photovoltaic panels on the roof, which convert sunlight into electricity to run household appliances and lighting, at a cost of almost £12,000.
Edinburgh Evening News 6th Apr 2010 more >>
Tesco Launch
UK supermarket Tesco has launched a solar electricity and hot water service to allow customers to generate their own electricity, following the launch of the Feed-in Tariff scheme last week.
New Energy Focus 6th Apr 2010 more >>
Election Manifesto
Nine of the UK’s leading renewable energy trade associations, including RenewableUK and the Renewable Energy Association (REA), have jointly launched a General Election manifesto outlining steps the next government should take to deliver the UK’s target of producing 15% of energy from renewable sources by 2020. The manifesto calls for the introduction of government backed low interest loans for initial capital costs of heat and micro-generation technologies; Create a coordinated mechanism to deliver energy efficiency. The manifesto has been signed by the chief executives of RenewableUK; the REA; the UK Business Council for Sustainable Energy; the British Hydropower Association; the Ground Source Heat Pump Association; the Solar Trade Association; Scottish Renewables and the Micropower Council. Director of the Combined Heat and Power Association, Graham Meeks, is the ninth signatory.
New Energy Focus 6th Apr 2010 more >>
REVE 6th Apr 2010 more >>
Green Grants Machine 8th Apr 2010 more >>
Unfair Feed-in
While households who have installed domestic turbines like theirs since last July will receive 27p for every unit of electricity generated, equipment installed before that date does not qualify for this so-called feed-in tariff. In fact, the payment they get for exporting excess energy to the grid will fall from 9p to 3p a unit. So instead of earning an annual tax-free income of some £5,000 for “doing their bit” for the environment, early adopters will receive around just £1,800.
Herald 6th Apr 2010 more >>
Scotsman 6th Apr 2010 more >>
Solar Return
Until last week, there was very little reason to stick expensive electricity-producing solar panels on your roof unless you passionately believed in joining the crusade against global warming. Now, however, there is a strong financial case to do so.
Daily Mail 6th Apr 2010 more >>
Cornwall FiT
FEED-IN Tariffs for renewable electricity generation are creating substantial interest from farmers and growers, even though much of the detailed guidance is still lacking for applicants to the scheme.
This is Corwall 5th Apr 2010 more >>
MP not standing again
Peter Ainsworth, 1992 (East Surrey Conservative). A genuine Green Tory hiding among one or two sceptics, Peter Ainsworth recently steered his own Green Energy Bill, which makes it easier for people to install wind turbines and solar panels, on to the statute book.
Independent 5th Apr 2010 more >>
Farming FiT
NFU Scotland has welcomed the launch of a scheme aimed at increasing the number of renewable energy projects in the UK. The union is urging Scottish farmers to take a fresh look at whether such projects may have a role in their business. The new Feed in Tariff (FiT) scheme presents an important stimulus if the UK is to meet its target of 30 per cent generated from such sources by 2020.
Scotsman 5th Apr 2010 more >>
Thames Hydro
Hundreds of homes could soon run on renewable electricity after the Environment Agency (EA) announced it was looking for a developer to create a sustainable hydropower scheme at Teddington Weir.
Richmond and Twickenham Times 4th Apr 2010 more >>
Training Appeal
A Welsh eco-centre is appealing for £530,000 to finish a sustainable skills or “green collar” training complex. The Centre for Alternative Technology (Cat), near Machynlleth, Powys, dropped the firm working on its Wales Institute for Sustainable Education (Wise). A legal dispute with the firm has left Cat using cash reserves to complete the job, but it wants to recoup the money. A Cat spokesman said the appeal was aimed at “anyone interested in having a robust, sustainable green economy”.
BBC 3rd Apr 2010 more >>
Farming Wind in the Lake District
FARMERS could build wind turbines in the Lake District after a change of heart by the park authority. At a meeting with farmers this week, Carissa Lough, policy planner at the Lake District National Park Authority, confirmed there had been a change in attitude and applications for small turbines of up to 30 metres high would be viewed favourably. This is a turnaround from the perceived blanket ban on wind turbines in the national park, but large commercial development will still be blocked to protect the landscape.
North West Evening Mail 3rd April 2010 more >>
Norfolk Village Hall
A Norfolk village hall will cut its heating bill by 70% - and speakers will be able to make themselves heard - after the building was upgraded with a green energy scheme. The hall at Cawston, near Aylsham, which is used for community events and is home to a small museum and a bar, was previously kept warm by domestic fan heaters. Now it has installed air source heat pumps, new controls and insulation along with a switch to off-peak tariffs, which has also halved its carbon emissions.
Eastern Daily Press 3rd Apr 2010 more >>
Green Fire Station
A £1.1 million community fire station with a library and police office could be built in a Lincolnshire village. Sustainability measures will be built into the building including photovoltaic cells, wind turbine, grey water harvesting, under floor heating and air-sourced heat pumps, to name a few.
Lincolnshire Echo 3rd Apr 2010 more >>
Hereford School Turbine
PUPILS’ education at a county school is set to be transformed following the installation of a (Proven) wind turbine. It will provide about 75 per cent of the school’s electricity, as well as enhancing pupils’ education,” he added. The school was helped by a £70,000 grant from the Community Sustainable Energy and Low Carbon Buildings programme.
Hereford Times 18th March 2010 more >>
Gas Micro CHP
Gas micro-CHP is a low-carbon technology – compared to the incumbent fossil fuel alternatives of supplying heat and power. This underlies the argument for governments to support its market introduction and widespread deployment. Delta’s report explores when – if at all - gas micro-CHP will cease to be a low carbon technology.
Delta March 2010 more >>
British Gas
Range of Renewable Energy Solutions from British Gas.
British Gas April 2010 more >>
Micro Power Council Briefing
Microgeneration Fact or Fiction Briefing.
Micro Power Council March 2010 more >>