week ending 9 September 2011
Durham County
Following a decision by cabinet in March to invest £6m installing solar panels on a large number of council buildings to generate income and reduce electricity bills, the council is looking to develop renewable energy schemes for social housing tenants, and is initially looking to install panels on up to 3,000 south-facing properties.
Gazette Live 9th Sept 2011 more >>
Warmer Wadebridge
Not for profit co-operative Wadebridge Renewable Energy Network is launching “Warmer Wadebridge” in an effort to help residents and local farmers fight back against rising energy and heating costs.
This is Cornwall 9th Sept 2011 more >>
Evo Energy
One of Britain’s biggest solar power companies has launched a recruitment drive in Bournemouth and across Dorset after choosing the area for the next stage of its expansion. EvoEnergy, which installs solar panels on homes and commercial buildings, is looking to take on up to forty new staff in the next few months, many of them in trades which have been badly hit by the recession.
Business Dorset 9th Sept 2011 more >>
Royal Hydro
The two 40-tonne Archimedes screws were installed at Romney Weir on the River Thames, near Windsor Castle, and are expected to be switched on in November. Admittedly, the Queen didn’t drive in the cranes herself, but the royal household has backed the green energy project.
Business Green 9th Sept 2011 more >>
Norfolk Solar
A pioneering south Norfolk house has begun harvesting renewable energy for itself and local residents following the installation of an innovative solar scheme. A 60sqm sun-tracking photovoltaic panel has been unveiled at Boyland Hall near Long Stratton, which is claimed to be the first of its kind in the UK.
Eastern Daily Press 9th Sept 2011 more >>
Welsh Small Wind
Wales’s small wind sector took a step forward yesterday after Albion Ventures made its first investment in wind power in the principality. The venture capital trust (VCT) yesterday confirmed it has invested £1.5m in a single 500kWp Powerwind wind turbine that is being installed by Infinite Energy on a brownfield site near Ebbw Vale in Wales.
Business Green 9th Sept 2011 more >>
Northern Ireland Renewables
During visits to Dimplex Renewables Seagoe Technologies Ltd and Kingspan Renewables at their Portadown factories Minister McCausland saw a number of products designed to use renewable energy in commercial and domestic settings. These products included heat pumps and solar panels to heat water or generate electricity.
Northern Ireland Executive 9th Sept 2011 more >>
Unilever AD
Unilever is to start using the waste from the production of Marmite to power the factory that makes the divisive yeast extract. Marmite, itself a byproduct of the brewing industry, is made at the Anglo-Dutch group’s site in Burton where inevitably some sticks to the sides of manufacturing equipment. This residue, of which there is 18,000 tonnes a year, needs to be cleaned out of pipes to prevent them clogging and to maintain hygiene. The waste is put into an anaerobic digester, where it is eaten by bugs who give off methane that is burnt-off to create energy.
Times 9th Sept 2011 more >>
PV Grid Competitive by 2013
Solar photovoltaic (PV) power generation will be grid competitive in parts of Europe as early as 2013, and across key European markets by the end of the decade, according to an industry association report – making the technology more attractive to investors. The European Photovoltaic Industry Association (EPIA) report predicts that Italy will be the first country in which the renewable energy technology will become competitive with fossil fuels. It assessed France, the UK, Germany, Italy and Spain.
Oil Price 8th Sept 2011 more >>
Business Green 5th Sept 2011 more >>
Solar Tools
Trade Skills 4U.co.uk, independent electrical and renewable energy training provider, has launched a new sister company called Solar PV Tools.co.uk. The website, www.solarpvtools.co.uk, is designed to equip renewable energy installers with all the tools they would need to install, test and maintain solar PV systems.
Electrical Times 8th Sept 2011 more >>
Community Turbine
Work has begun on installing a wind turbine at the village hall in Palgrave. Ground works have now been completed on the 11KW turbine and the community council aims to have the work completed by the winter after securing all the money for the scheme.
Eastern Daily Press 8th Sept 2011 more >>
Holyhead Revolution
UP to 20 wind turbines may be built at an Anglesey port. Renewable energy company Quietrevolution is considering putting between 15 and 20 land based turbines in Holyhead port. They said discussions were already underway with local bodies for the 20-metre high structures, intended to increase green energy production.
Wales Online 8th Sept 2011 more >>
Sludge Power
All the effluent in the Noth East could be harnessed to produce renewable energy and fertilizer within the next few years, under ambitious plans currently being pursued by Northumbrian Water that are designed to establish the region as a hub for anaerobic digestion (AD) technologies.
Business Green 8th Sept 2011 more >>
The experience of Northumbrian Water’s anaerobic digestion (AD) investment programme is informative. The company maintains rising energy costs meant that the installation of AD facilities capable of processing all the effluent in a region and convert it into fertilizer and energy that can be used to power its water treatment plants made economic sense regardless of any environmental advantages. Every utility in the country should now be deploying this technology as quickly as possible, making the UK the first nation to run a key part of its infrastructure using poo power. By better highlighting successful low carbon infrastructure we can serve to normalise these technologies, making it easier for green businesses to attract investors, gain planning permission, recruit staff, and secure wider public support.
Business Green 8th Sept 2011 more >>
South East Opportunities
Renewable energy champions Regen SW will be lobbying the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change over a lack of parity with Scottish incentive rates and a review of the Feed in Tariff rate for microgeneration schemes next week. The industry body has organised an event at the House of Commons on September 13 which will include a speech by Secretary of State Chris Huhne. The event will give Regen chief executive Merlin Hyman – and industry representatives – the chance to brief Mr Huhne on the scale of opportunities in the renewable energy sector in the South West.
Plymouth Evening Herald 8th Sept 2011 more >>
Business Investment
Businesses that invest in renewable energy could make average returns of 11-12%, with the potential for returns in excess of 20%, according to new Carbon Trust Advisory analysis. According to the findings, new financial incentives, energy market trends and building regulations are combining to create a compelling case for UK businesses to generate their own renewable energy. With energy prices set to grow by up to 37% by 2020, the opportunity to reduce utility bills is a strong incentive for investigating renewable energy options. Government initiatives such as Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) and Feed in Tariff (FiT), which are also designed to act as incentives for businesses to act quickly and benefit from the capped.
Click Green 8th Sept 2011 more >>
Business Green 8th Sept 2011 more >>
Carbon Trust 8th Sept 2011 more >>
Connecting Industry 9th Sept 2011 more >>
Green Deal
The Government’s Green Deal is nothing short of a revolution in the heating industry. When it’s introduced in Autumn 2012, it will establish a framework for private firms to offer consumers energy efficiency improvements to their homes, community spaces and businesses at no upfront cost, and recoup payments through a charge in installments on their energy bill. If the UK’s estimated 26 million households take up the Green Deal over the next 20 years, then employment in the heating and plumbing sector, currently at 27,000, could rise to something approaching 250,000, according to the Department of Energy and Climate Change.
Green Wise Business 8th Sept 2011 more >>
Crownfold
HOME improvement company Crownfold - which operates the Pennine, Budget and Paramount brands - is to move into the solar panel market. Managing director Graham Auld says that the new initiatives, along with its £500,000 new North Tyneside showroom, will help the Gateshead company grow after 12 months of depressed revenues.
The Journal 8th Sept 2011 more >>
Solar Cornwall
COMMUNITY events hoping to shed light on the benefits of solar power are being held in St Mawes and Tresillian this month. Solar Solutions is hosting a series of events throughout the county to ensure smaller communities are not left in the dark.
West Briton 8th Sept 2011 more >>
PV Training
Wagner Academy, the PV training school set up by the newly-formed UK arm of Wagner Solar, has received the SOLAR Industry Award 2011 in the Industry Development category. The accolade was presented to the UK-based academy at the 26th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition (EU PVSEC).
PV Tech 7th Sept 2011 more >>
Solar Investment Window Closing?
SOLAR energy represents an unrivalled business opportunity but the investment window is closing fast. The Government has announced that from April, next year, they will close the Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) to this type of business.
Oldham Chronicle 7th Sept 2011 more >>
Solar Surrey
Solar panels are to be installed on 25 council-owned buildings across Surrey. The Conservative-controlled local authority claimed the project would save more than £2m in electricity bills over the next 25 years. The move would also reduce the county’s carbon emissions by almost 140 tonnes a year, the authority said. The buildings under consideration for the panels include Chertsey and Oxted libraries and Camberley and Dorking fire stations.
BBC 7th Sept 2011 more >>
Eastleigh Solar
With a total of 288 solar panels harnessing the power of the sun a local authority can even expect to make a financial profit from its green scheme. Eastleigh Borough Council has attached the panels to the top of Fleming Park Leisure Centre at a cost of £185,000 and Eastleigh MP and Energy Sectretary Chris Huhne cut the ribbon on the scheme during a ceremony
Daily Echo 7th Sept 2011 more >>
Micro-CHP
A number of electric and gas utilities, particularly those active in Germany, the U.K., and the Netherlands, are promoting the introduction of micro CHP to the market, working with a range of manufacturers.
Finchannel 7th Sept 2011 more >>
Small Wind
RenewableUK, the trade association for the wind, wave & tidal industry, has welcomed the publication of the new rules governing the installation of small wind turbines. The changes will introduce permitted development rights for small wind systems, which will make it much easier and quicker for domestic users to install them. The new rights will come into effect in December. To earn money under the Government’s Feed-in-Tariff for renewable energy generation, people need to install small-scale wind turbines which have been approved under the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS).
Renewable UK 7th Sept 2011 more >>
Solar Quote
Total Solar Energy, a leading UK solar power information website, has just added a nationwide solar installation service to its list of services. Visitors to their website can now receive no obligation quotes for solar energy from leading installation companies in their local region. Visitors fill in a short form which is automatically sent to 2 or 3 carefully selected local solar installers who will then battle it out for the job ensuring a low price for the customer.
Response Source 7th Sept 2011 more >>
Euro Solar
Investment in solar photovoltaic (PV) technology could double from 35-40 billion in 2010 to over 70bn in 2015, according to the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC).
Renewable Energy Focus 7th Sept 2011 more >>
Farm Renewables
A fund for farmers investing in renewable energy, worth £100 million, has been launched this week by Barclays Bank, tracking the massive ground-swell of interest from producers seeking to cut energy bills and generate new income.
Western Morning News 7th Sept 2011 more >>
Basildon Solar
The roof on the NYSE Euronext complex in Basildon is now home for what is believed to be the one of the country’s largest on-roof solar PV systems. Completed earlier this year by South Facing, the 600kWp installation at the international data centre in Essex comprises more than 2,600 PV modules and is expected to generate 420,000kWh of electricity every year.
IB Times 7th Sept 2011 more >>
Solar Farm Extension Rules
DECC said it did not intend for feed in tariffs to be for investors’ gains and VCTs had until August 1 to complete investment on new sites in order to qualify for the original feed in tariffs. Under the “extension rule” companies then had 12 months to extend the sites up to the maximum size of 5 megawatts if they wished. But new plans from DECC this week propose to pull this “extension rule” allowance and allow no further development on existing sites.
Telegraph 7th Sept 2011 more >>
Efficiency Alliance
AN alliance of housing providers, house-builders, anti-poverty groups and green campaigners will call today for Scotland’s housing to be made fit for the 21st century. The Existing Homes Alliance Scotland says urgent action is needed to make homes energy-efficient in order to protect the climate and avoid fuel poverty. The group argues that with new housebuilding in decline, 85% of Scotland’s 2.4 million homes will still be in use by 2050. Alliance members claimed home energy use accounts for around a quarter of all carbon emissions in Scotland. They believe their proposals would help the Scottish Government tackle poverty, climate change and help create jobs in the construction sector. Housing Minister Keith Brown will speak at the Alliance’s launch in Edinburgh this morning. Welcoming the campaign, he said: “This new alliance will bring together experts from across the public and private sectors to formulate new ideas to improve the energy efficiency of Scottish homes and help Scotland meet its ambitious climate change targets.”
Existing Homes Alliance 7th Sept 2011 more >>
Big Six and Efficiency
Energy and climate change secretary Chris Huhne has told the Big Six energy companies to “pull their finger out”, after new figures confirmed they were in danger of falling short of the government’s mandatory domestic energy efficiency targets.
Business Green 7th Sept 2011 more >>
Green Tariffs
There are more households who are switching to a green tariff or green energy provider and are even willing to pay more for their energy if it comes from a green electricity source, RenewableUK claims.
EST 6th Sept 2011 more >>
Stirling Council goes renewable
Stirling Council have agreed to generate renewable energy. A report was presented at a meeting of the Executive Committee last week outlining how the authority could generate renewable power. It said this would reduce CO2 emissions, save money from reduced energy costs and generate an income for the council. Council buildings - including offices and schools - will be part of a pilot project. If this is successful the scheme could be rolled out to other properties - including council houses.
Central FM 6th Sept 2011 more >>
One in three dairy farmers say yes to renewable
Research conducted by Barclays reveals that more than one in three (37 per cent) dairy farmers in England and Wales are planning to invest in renewable energy projects, with the majority doing so in the next year.
Farming UK 6th Sept 2011 more >>
Ellesmere Port Eco Homes
Residents were welcomed to an open day for a new development of 37 homes for rent in Ellesmere Port, which will reduce heating and water costs by using solar energy.
Northern Housing 6th Sept 2011 more >>
Northern Ireland AD
A recent increase in support payments has lead to a flurry of new AD plants in Northern Ireland.
Farmers Weekly 6th Sept 2011 more >>
Small Solar
A new solar module has been revealed with claims it can produce more than 1kw of power from just 6.5 square metres of space. Crucially, according to makers aleo solar AG, if the claims about the new module stand up it could create an entirely new market for companies with small premises to invest in solar power infrastructure.
Edie 5th Sept 2011 more >>
Independent Renewables Body
Stiebel Eltron UK’s technical director has called for a single independent body to provide impartial advice on renewable energy technologies and greater inclusion of renewable heating products in the domestic Green Deal package. The company urged the Government to consider these issues when Charles Hendry, Minister for Energy and Climate Change, went to Merseyside to meet with renewable energy companies to discuss the region’s potential as a green energy hub.
Heating & Ventilating.net 5th Sept 2011 more >>
Newcastle Geothermal
Engineers are increasingly confident that Newcastle and Gateshead could soon heat water by harnessing geothermal energy trapped in rocks beneath Tyneside. An exploratory borehole completed earlier this year provided early indications that the site boasts sufficient energy for the project.
Business Green 5th Sept 2011 more >>
Stockport (solar) Homes
Solar PV specialist The Green Electrician has won a solar PV kit distribution contract with Stockport Homes Ltd worth over £4m. The contract will include the design and supply of 1,300 domestic solar PV kits ready for installation.
Low Carbon Economy 5th Sept 2011 more >>
Truro Solar
People in Ladock and Grampound Road near Truro now have renewable energy for their homes thanks to a green energy trial. A £500,000 government grant has paid for solar panels and other energy devices at homes and other community buildings in the villages near Truro
Falmouth Packet 2nd Sept 2011 more >>
BBC 2nd Sept 2011 more >>