News archive

East Kilbride Wind Battle

PLANS to build two turbines in the grounds of a primary school have put the wind up local objectors. And one of the leading campaigners against the eco-friendly windmills has accused South Lanarkshire Council of allowing pupils to dictate planning policy. Lee Gallacher, of Glen Arroch, St Leonards, was astonished when planning permission was granted to build two 17.8-metre high wind turbines in the grounds of Blacklaw Primary School.

East Kilbride News 24th June 2009 more >>

Chicago Tower

Wind turbines, roof gardens and solar panels will join the pair of antennas atop the Sears Tower’s staggered rooftops in Chicago, said building officials who announced on Wednesday that the skyscraper would undergo a $350m green renovation. The five-year project would reduce the tower’s electricity use by 80% and save 24 million gallons of water a year, building owners and architects said.

Guardian 25th June 2009 more >>

Get Serious

At least 70,000 jobs could be created across England and Wales if councils slashed climate-changing emissions by insulating homes and businesses and fitting green energy to buildings, according to independent research released by Friends of the Earth today (Thursday 25 June 2009). The research - by leading advisors to councils on climate change Carbon Descent - was published to launch a new nationwide campaign calling for local councils take urgent action to cut CO2 emissions.

FoE Press Release 25th June 2009 more >>

MORE than 5,700 jobs could be created if councils in Wales insulated buildings and installed green energy equipment, says Friends of the Earth. The charity called on local authorities to produce plans for cutting carbon dioxide emissions by 40% by 2020. It commissioned research into the manpower needed to make homes and businesses more energy efficient. Partly based on estimates of the number of homes without insulation, it said the demand for skilled tradespeople, administration, transport and warehouse staff could create 5,707 jobs. It came on the day the Assembly Government set out its plans for adapting to and helping to combat climate change. Friends of the Earth Cymru director Gordon James said: “The target of a 40% reduction in emissions by local authorities should be a key part of the Assembly Government’s climate change action plan.

Daily Post 25th June 2009 more >>

Micro-CHP

Micro CHP is a device which generates electrical energy and heating simultaneously at domestic or small commercial building level. Micro Combined heat and power generation system (aka CHP or cogeneration ) if operated on natural gas provides very high energy efficiencies. The generated low voltage electrical power can be used to supplement the home electrical energy supply which is generally about 27% to 35% of the total home energy usage.

Article Blast 25th June 2009 more >>

Scottish Climate Bill

The Association for the Conservation of Energy today expressed its delight at the major strides forward on energy efficiency taken in yesterday’s Climate Change (Scotland) Bill but warned that action must now be stepped up to cut greenhouse gas emissions from Scotland’s buildings. The Bill, which was passed unanimously by the Scottish Parliament yesterday (24 June) includes measures to offer council tax discounts and business rates rebates to building owners installing energy saving measures such as cavity wall insulation or heat pumps. The Bill also set a European precedent in giving Ministers powers to compel building owners to undertake building-specific energy efficiency improvements.

ACE Press Release 25th June 2009 more >>

New Energy Focus 24th June 2009 more >>

Tesco Turbines

TESCO is applying to build two wind turbines at its Broughton superstore in Flintshire. Two micro-wind turbines, each 6kw and about 50ft high, will be built on the store’s existing car park – taking up about seven car parking spaces.

Daily Post 24th June 2009 more >>

Microgen Boom

Demand for microgeneration equipment is set to soar in response to massive increases in domestic energy bills, says a new report. But there is a danger that consumers will be tricked into buying the wrong gear by internet scammers such as Earth4Energy.

Off Grid 23rd June 2009 more >>

Council Guides

The Council has also produced several other free guides on renewable energy technologies that can be installed in the home including solar panels, photovoltaic cells, wind turbines and biomass options like wood pellets, wood chips or logs, which can be burnt to provide heating or hot water.

Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council 23rd June 2009 more >>

Solar Pioneers

THE FAMILY owners of a Newton Abbot holiday park are helping to pioneer a new green energy system. Dornafield park at Two Mile Oak has teamed up with Renewable Energy 4 Devon (RE4D) to showcase a newly-developed and super-efficient solar heating technology. Powered entirely by the sun’s rays, it will provide constant hot water for up to 60 families on the award-winning park even in cold and cloudy conditions.

Devon Herald Express 23rd June 2009 more >>

Nottingham Clubhouse

A new Nottingham Football Clubhouse is eco-friendly, reuses rainwater in toilets, has a ground-source heat pump and will soon have a wind turbine.

Nottingham Evening Post 23rd June 2009 more >>

Accrington Station

MORE details have been revealed of the new ‘eco’ station building set to be constructed at Accrington railway station. The building will feature a wind turbine, solar panels and water harnessing technologies.

Lancashire Telegraph 23rd June 2009 more >>

Sustainable Schools

Redcar, Bydales school, with its wind turbine on the roof, solar panels and carbon footprint calculator, won the sustainable schools award.

Guardian 23rd June 2009 more >>

All new houses should have solar

Solar panels should be a fundamental part of all future housing stock built in the UK, the National Energy Foundation (NEF) believes. The organisation, which helps homes and businesses to reduce their carbon emissions by pursuing energy efficiency measures, also called for new residences to be better insulated to reduce energy consumption. A spokesperson for the NEF said that biomass could also be a “significant” technology for helping to lower emissions tied to the nation’s energy consumption, but suggested that it is limited by how much feedstock can be grown.

Low Carbon Economy 22nd June 2009 more >>

Chew Valley

Chew Valley Comprehensive school in Bath chose a Proven 6kW wind turbine as it wanted maximum visual impact of becoming more eco friendly. The other objective was to educate its students and the local community on the benefits of renewable energy.

Proven Energy 22nd June 2009 more >>

Proven Success

The American Wind Energy Association has named Scottish firm Proven Energy as the second most successful small wind turbine manufacturer in the world last year.

Proven Energy 22nd June 2009 more >>

Wapping

MAJOR plans to expand Rupert Murdoch’s newspaper headquarters near the Tower of London are ‘not green enough,’ according to Boris Johnson. The mayor wants the redevelopment to be ‘more eco-friendly’ and use more solar panels to help towards reaching a target of generating 20 per cent renewable energy at the site.

East London Advertiser 22nd June 2009 more >>

Wharf.co.uk 24th June 2009 more >>

Exmouth Funding

EXMOUTH businesses and community groups could get up to £30,000 of funding to help people have a closer connection with the environment in which they live and work. The projects eligible include renewable power for small communities.

Exmouth Journal 22nd June 2009 more >>

South West Biomass

A DORSET school has shown its green credentials by becoming the first school in the South West to install a wood-fuelled biomass boiler. St Osmund’s School in Dorchester will have its heating powered by the renewable energy resource as part of the South West Bioheat Programme. The school’s gas boiler failed in 2008, prompting the headmaster to consider more energy efficient resources.

Plymouth Herald 22nd June 2009 more >>

Dorset Echo 24th June 2009 more >>

Huntingdonshire

Huntingdonshire District Council could save more than £2.2 m per year by 2012 – equivalent to 30% of it Council Tax take – by cutting carbon emissions by 30%.

Hunting Post 22nd June 2009 more >>

Bristol Biogas

Bristol sewage treatment works in Avonmouth has been generating biogas produced during the treatment process for a number of years to create renewable energy. But now state-of-the-art facilities are increasing the amount of renewable energy produced. Such is the success of the initiative, by Wessex Water, it was named the best large renewable energy scheme at the South West green energy awards.

Bristol Evening Post 20th June 2009 more >>

Solar Appeal

SCHOOL children are appealing for the last £5,500 they need to save five tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions a year. Blackthorns Community Primary School is close to turning to the power of the sun for its electricity and hot water after being awarded £30,000 by EDF Energy.

Worthing Herald 19th June 2009 more >>

Bank Solution

Ulster Bank is offering discounted personal ‘green’ loans for energy efficient schemes relating to works in the home. Through these schemes, homeowners can apply for an SEI grant to improve the energy efficiency of their home or to instal renewable energy heating systems.

Enviro Solutions 17th June 2009 more >>

London Plan

The London Climate Change Action Plan shows how local integrated action can also make a difference in Europe and globally. London produces 8% of the CO2 emissions of the United Kingdom - which, in turn, is the world’s eighth largest emitter. London’s target is to stabilise CO2 emissions in 2025 at 60% below 1990 levels. The plan comprises many concrete measures and targets in its different actions and programmes, addressing themes such as green homes, businesses, energy efficiency and transport. A single city alone cannot tackle the challenge of climate change. However, by working together, cities are developing joint actions. With its ambitious approach, London has inspired others and has taken a political lead on climate change among large cities - for example, in the C40 Large Cities climate leadership group.

Enviro Solutions 15th June 2009 more >>