News archive
week ending 13 November 2009
Smart Grids
Smart grids are “critically important” to bringing more renewables into the UK fuel mix and meeting the 2020 targets, a group of experts said this week.
New Energy Focus 13th Nov 2009 more >>
Kilmarnock Solar
PUPILS at Nether Robertland Primary School in Stewarton will prove they are bright sparks when they officially switch on their £20,000 solar panels installed with funding from The Co-operative. The children will be joined by The Co-operative’s colourful climate change character, Sunny Solar, for the launch of the rooftop panels next week. The panels are half-funded by The Co-operative’s £2million Green Energy for Schools scheme with match-funding from the government’s Low Carbon Building Programme (LCBP).
Kilmarnock Standard 13th Nov 2009 more >>
Climate War
Unemployed people should be trained in making homes more energy efficient, factories should make solar panels and schools would encourage pupils to asopt more sustainable lifestyles. Money would be pumped into wind turbines, nuclear power stations and solar panels as a matter of urgency.
Telegraph 13th Nov 2009 more >>
Guardian 13th Nov 2009 more >>
Renewable Heat
Industry representatives yesterday (November 11 2009) called for the government to ensure the proposed Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) is strong enough to support the “aggressive growth rate” needed in the heat sector. The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) will launch a consultation on the RHI in December 2009 with the scheme due to be implemented from 2011. According to the Renewable Energy Strategy, its aim is to drive “a massive increase in renewable heat from current levels below 1% up to around 12% by 2020” - equating to around 72TWh.
New Energy Focus 13th Nov 2009 more >>
Scottish ASHP
Mitsubishi Electric has announced that it will be supplying up to 1,200 Ecodan residential heating systems to Scottish Gas as part of the Scottish Government’s Energy Assistance Package. Ecodan is a modern air source heat pump which can help lower a home’s CO2 emissions by up to 50% and reduce running costs by at least 30% over modern gas boilers. Savings are even greater over older gas boilers, oil, LPG and direct electric heating systems.
Plumbing Park 12th Nov 2009 more >>
Permitted Development
John Healey has promised to amend planning rules to make it easier to make homes more environmentally friendly. Speaking at the Institute for Public Policy Research yesterday, the housing minister said proposals would be published in the next few weeks that would allow wind turbines, solar panels and air source heat pumps to be installed without planning permission. Mr Healey said a ‘national crusade’ is needed to make homes greener.
Inside Housing 11th Nov 2009 more >>
Self-Builders
Builders who construct their own properties have been urged by one eco-expert to consider future fuel bills when drawing up plans. Speaking at the weekend’s Homebuilding and Renovating Show in Harrogate, Tim Pullen advised builders to prioritise the sustainability of projects when they begin designing. Mr Pullen told the 200 visitors that conserving energy was a “key issue” when designing a new projects.
Low Carbon Economy 11th Nov 2009 more >>
Merton
Merton Council - home of the pioneering Merton Rule - announced today its commitment to the 10:10 CO2 saving initiative - a high profile national campaign to reduce carbon emissions by 10% during 2010. One major CO2 busting project the council is currently investigating is the installation of a Combined Heat and Power (CHP) system in the civic centre. This highly efficient system, fuelled by used vegetable oil rather than oil or gas, would supply the building with electricity and heat, saving over 600 tonnes of CO2 every year. The system would pay for itself within five years.
Merton Council 10th Nov 2009 more >>
Microgeneration Bill
The microgeneration sector has taken a major step forward as The Green Energy Bill cleared all its Parliamentary stages last week. The Bill will require the government to conduct a root and branch overhaul of microgeneration policy in the UK, as well as allowing air source heat pumps and micro-wind turbines (below a certain size and provided they are quiet enough) to be installed on the majority of domestic dwellings without planning permission.
Heating and Plumbing Monthly 10th Nov 2009 more >>
A bill which aims to promote microgeneration technology among businesses and homeowners has passed a third reading in the House of Lords. It will now undergo a final examination by the House of Commons before it is approved into an Act of parliament, requiring the government to create a strategy for the implementation of microgeneration across the UK.
Rapid 10th Nov 2009 more >>
ASHP
The market for air source heat pumps is growing fast in both the social and private housing sector, so could provide a welcome source of new custom for businesses struggling during the market downturn.
Heating and Plumbing Monthly 10th Nov 2009 more >>
Solar operating with hand tied behind back
Solar power the world’s fastest growing source of energy is poised to make a vital contribution to reducing carbon emissions on a global scale. However, compared to their peers in countries such as Germany and the US, UK-based solar companies aiming to export their technology are operating with one hand tied behind their backs due to a lack of focused support from the government despite the fact that there is an opportunity to expand the UK’s export market and reduce global carbon emissions.
Engineer 10th Nov 2009 more >>
Scottish Insulation
Edinburgh’s housing leader welcomed the news that 13,000 homes in the Capital are to be offered help making their homes more energy efficient. Councillor Paul Edie was speaking as the Scottish Government and the Energy Savings Trust launched the Home Insulation Scheme across Scotland. He said: “It’s great that Edinburgh is one of the biggest benefactors of the initiative with 13,000 homes in the Craigentinny and Duddingston area now able to take advantage of this expert energy advice.
Edinburgh Council 10th Nov 2009 more >>
British Gas Funding
A small Moray community project was one of two in Scotland to secure a grant towards a fuel efficiency scheme. Keith energy efficiency charity Reap (Rural Environmental Action Project) applied for funding after an idea put forward by Newmill Hall Committee. They sought funding for a biomass boiler system to heat the village hall and nearby Newmill Primary School from Scottish Gas as part of the company’s £2million Green Streets programme. A wind turbine project on Easdale Island near Oban was the only other in Scotland to secure funding.
Aberdeen Press and Journal 10th Nov 2009 more >>
Eco Business Park
A MULTI-million pound enterprise park with `green’ credentials is all set to be built using the latest sustainable building technology. A massive £5.5 million is being spent on the first green enterprise park in Hinckley with construction work due to start soon. The design scheme for the Greenfield’s development features timber-clad buildings, wind turbines and a five year ecological management plan.
Nuneaton News 10th Nov 2009 more >>
Biggest Ground Source Heat Pump
A HUDDERSFIELD cul-de-sac will become the site of the largest green energy heating system in the country. Work began yesterday on ground source heat pumps at Fernside Close in Almondbury. The pioneering green technology will provide cheap energy to 150 council homes on the cul-de-sac. Kirklees Neighbourhood Housing (KNH) is spending £1.6m on the plan, which involves drilling holes 80 metres down and installing pipes.
Huddersfield Examiner 10th Nov 2009 more >>
Huddersfield Primary School
The new Newsome school opened to pupils yesterday. The £7.4m building is the most environmentally friendly within Kirklees. Solar panels, a wind turbine, a biomass boiler using compressed wood pellets and a special system to recycle water will all ensure this is an energy efficient school with the greenest of credentials.
Huddersfield Examiner 10th Nov 2009 more >>
London Plan
A new scheme, which aims to reduce the carbon emissions in more than one million homes, was launched by the mayor of London on November 10th. The aims is to introduce a number of simple changes and larger scale measures to increase energy efficiency in at least 200,000 homes by 2012. If necessary funding is made available, it is hoped the scheme will reach 1.2 million homes in the capital by 2015.
Low Carbon Economy 10th Nov 2009 more >>
Orkney Community Energy
Orkney Islands Council has commissioned Energy4All to investigate starting up a community-based energy company in Orkney. The company would offer Orkney residents and businesses the chance to make investments in local renewable energy developments while maximising opportunity for profits generated by renewable energy to remain in the Orkney community.
Orkney Islands Council 9th Nov 2009 more >>
UK Micro-CHP
In the UK and other European countries where natural gas is currently the dominant heating fuel, it is anticipated that, micro CHP may soon provide 20% or so of the UK’s electricity generating capacity. This is more than is currently obtained from nuclear power.
Ezine article 9th Nov 2009 more >>
The government today announced the shortlist of finalists for its first-ever awards to recognise the best of British science, technology and innovation. Nominations for the next big thing include Baxi Group: Baxi Ecogen micro-CHP.
Greenbang 9th Nov 2009 more >>
24 Dash 12th Nov 2009 more >>
Energy Revolution
Britain is about to welcome a revolution that will help to meet the two current challenges of climate change and the credit crunch. Businesses and householders are rapidly realising that they can take control of the power they generate to light and heat their homes; and government-set Feed-In-Tariffs (FiTs) set to come in force next spring will help them benefit financially. Finding out more about actions to take and benefits that will accrue can be challenging. A new event being held at Wembley Stadium on 1 and 2 December this year is set to solve this and de-mystify the whole procedure.
Smart Energy 9th Nov 2009 more >>
Financiers, economists and leaders of industry have all tipped green technology as the next big thing for the world economy. They see it as being on the scale of information technology, the internet and mobile communications the kind of economic breakthrough that builds industries, generates jobs and creates fortunes. The internet was largely built by Silicon Valley start-ups, not by telecom giants. The green tech industry could be a similar story, making it an ideal sector for innovative companies.
Sunday Times 8th Nov 2009 more >>
Irish Micro-CHP
Bord G is has signed a 1.8 million deal with Ceres Power Holdings relating to residential combined heat and power products for the Irish market, it was announced today. The deal with UK-based Ceres Power is to provide small scale combined heat and power (Micro-CHP) products to the residential market. These Micro-CHP products are based on fuel cell technology and operate on natural gas.
Irish Times 6th Nov 2009 more >>
Irish Examiner 7th Nov 2009 more >>
Environment Agency
Chris Smith: “The Government hasn’t done enough on developing a national energy efficiency programme on energy efficiency in people’s homes. It is the low-hanging fruit. You get amazing benefits and cheaper bills, and create a lot of jobs. It’s win-win, but there is nothing co-ordinated.”
Times 7th Nov 2009 more >>
Liverpool Advice
RESIDENTS will be given help and advice on setting up community-based energy projects in Liverpool this month. It is aimed at people trying to bring renewable energy to their area, or groups looking at ways of cutting their energy bills or promoting loft insulation in the community.
Liverpool Echo 7th Nov 2009 more >>
Ainsworth Bill
A Bill seeking to define ‘green’ energy and promote the development of micro-generation edged closer to becoming legislation when it cleared its third reading in the House of Lords on November 5. However, while industry body the Micropower Council welcomed the Bill, it criticised the Government for failing to take “action it promised it would take four years ago,” and blamed the delay in simplifying the planning process for the loss of “several hundred jobs” at Scottish micro wind company Windsave.
New Energy Focus 6th Nov 2009 more >>
Microgeneration Certification Scheme
Bill Wiggin MP wants to help Green Energy Supplies by scrapping parts of the Microgeneration Certification Scheme. The MP said the scheme, which checks EU-certified products for the UK market, was an unnecessary cost for businesses.
Hereford Times 6th Nov 2009 more >>
Middlesbrough Turbines
New wind turbines have been provided at Beechwood Youth and Community Centre. The two Ampair wind turbines have been fitted to the community centre’s sports hall.
Middlesbrough Evening Gazette 6th Nov 2009 more >>
Ingram
A tiny village nestling in Northumberland’s Breamish Valley has much to crow about as it’s about to become one of Britain’s greenest. Ingram was awarded up to £140,000 for green energy projects having come out on top in a regional competition. It is to receive the money from the British Gas Green Streets energy fund, having beat off competition from two other projects in the North East in a Dragons’ Den-style competition.
Newcastle Journal 6th Nov 2009 more >>
West Midlands Money
Advantage West Midlands have announced that an extra £4 million will be made available for small and medium-sized rural-based businesses as part of the RE:think Energy project which encourages local businesses to install renewable energy technologies.
eGov Monitor 6th Nov 2009 more >>
Scottish Renewable Heat Plan
A plan that sees biomass as integral to helping Scotland meet its target of 11% of heat coming from renewable sources by 2020 was published by the Scottish Government on 5th Nov. The Scottish Government hopes that the Renewable Heat Action Plan will drive growth in renewable heating by using district heating schemes in urban areas and biomass or heat pumps in more remote rural locations. Currently, renewable heat accounts for just 1.4% of country’s total, 70% of which is used in industry, and the Scottish Government said that consented projects or those in planning could see the share of renewable hear grow to nearly 3%.
New Energy Focus 6th Nov 2009 more >>
Low Carbon Economy 9th Nov 2009 more >>
