Micro-CHP set for feed-in tariff boost
Greg Barker has pledged to increase the feed-in tariff payments to micro-combined heat and power (CHP) systems and examine other regulatory options to increase uptake of the technology in UK properties.
Click here for full storyRicardo’s progress in the thriving offshore wind industry continues with the signing of an engineering services contract with David Brown, a leading global provider of industrial gearing solutions and support services. Following David Brown’s announcement of its collaboration with Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) to design and manufacture an innovative 7MW gearbox for a new range of offshore wind turbines, Ricardo is delighted to announce that it has been selected by David Brown to provide a range of engineering support services for this project.
Click here for full storyA generation of "fast" nuclear reactors could consume Britain's radioactive waste stockpile as fuel, providing enough low-carbon electricity to power the country for more than 500 years, according to figures confirmed by the chief scientific adviser to the Department of Energy and Climate Change (Decc).
Click here for full storyDuncan Clark's article in the Guardian today should cause even the most determined anti-nuclear campaigner to think long and hard about the choices that confront us. He reveals that Prof David MacKay, chief scientific adviser to the UK government's energy department and author of Sustainable Energy: Without the Hot Air, has endorsed a remarkable estimate. The UK's stockpile of nuclear waste could be used to generate enough low-carbon energy to run this country for 500 years.
Click here for full storyYorkshire Water has started work on a £30-million project at its Esholt sewage works on the outskirts of Bradford, to install the UK’s first BioThelys sludge treatment plant. The facility will create energy from human waste and effluent. Click here for full story
Atlantis commits to Narec
Atlantis Resources Corporation will continue its AR1000 tidal turbine testing programme at the National Renewable Energy Centre (Narec) in Blyth, Northumberland. The company’s AR1000 nacelle was retrieved from its test berth at the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) in Orkney in late November, following successful open ocean testing. It will be transported to Blyth for preparation ahead of the spring opening of Narec’s 3MW capacity turbine drive train testing facility.
Click here for full storyThe man leading one of the most ambitious ‘green energy’ schemes the UK has ever seen said he is confident the project will beat its rivals to achieve the funding needed to start construction. Jonathan Briggs, the recently appointed managing director of 2Co Power (Yorkshire) which is part of 2Co Energy, said the £3bn Don Valley Power Project was “by far and away” the best timed, and the most technically advanced of all the carbon capture and storage schemes competing for funding.
Click here for full storyCoating supplier Hempel is taking part in a project to performance test an offshore corrosion protection system on the semi-submersible floating offshore wind turbine foundation, WindFloat.
Click here for full storyIndia's transformation into a cleantech powerhouse moved up a gear in 2011 when it racked up investments of $10.3bn in the sector, a growth rate of 52 per cent year on year that dwarfed the rest of the world's significant economies.
Click here for full storyHonda will not appeal against the decision to refuse plans to build wind turbines at its Swindon plant. The car company wanted to erect three wind turbines to power its plant near South Marston. Planning officers had recommended Swindon Borough Council approve the plans but councillors rejected the application in October. Click here for full story
CCS takes center stage in 2012
For two reasons, 2012 will be a milestone for carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) technologies, marking the beginning of its practical utilization. In December, the next step of the ongoing international climate change talks will be hosted by Qatar, which, with Saudi Arabia, has long pushed to have CCS included among approved technologies for carbon reduction under the European Union cap and trade scheme…. And secondly: the very first U.S. power purchase contract was just signed for coal power with CSS from a coal plant. It will also sell the carbon dioxide. Click here for full story
Biofuels could cost motorists extra £2bn pa
Motorists, the environment and poor people will be hit hard by biofuels in petrol, new research shows. Car drivers in the UK will pay up to £2 billion more on the forecourt in 2020 if the government decides to increase the proportion of biofuels in petrol. The policy could also create an extra 13 million tonnes of carbon emissions every year in the UK, and more people in developing countries will go hungry and be pushed off their land as biofuel crops are grown instead of food. Click here for full story
Boris urged to confront Treasury
The Mayor of London has been urged to confront the Treasury over its plans to change the way it subsidises fuel made from used cooking oil, warning the move could severely disrupt the capital's businesses and force many taxi drivers to return to using fossil fuels.
Click here for full storyAll-Energy 2012 (Aberdeen, UK, 23-24 May) will be the largest-ever event in the exhibition and conference’s twelve show history. Information on booking space (some 70% booked/reserved) and on sponsorship is available on-line. All-Energy 2011 attracted close on 8,000 and some 580 exhibiting companies. Introductions this year in the exhibition are zones for ‘Offshore maintenance – where offshore wind meets oil and gas’, ‘Smart Energy’ (energy efficiency and energy management), and low carbon vehicles (encompassing infrastructure as well as vehicles). Sector specific trails will help visitors plan their visit. All-Energy, the UK’s largest renewable show, remains free to attend for all with a business/professional interest in renewables – and this includes exhibition, conference and Giant Networking Evening.
Click here for full storyThe Business Secretary Vince Cable has received 32 bids from across the UK wanting to host the Green Investment Bank (GIB). The process for finalising the location of the GIB was announced last month (December) with interested parties invited to self-assess against a common set of criteria, to demonstrate whether they would be an effective base for the GIB. Click here for full story
RE projects shelved due to uncertainty
Uncertainty surrounding energy market reform and the decision to cut subsidies for home solar panels has led to renewable energy projects being shelved, MSPs have been told. Energy Minister Fergus Ewing said today, at Holyrood’s Energy Committee. that pre-approved projects have been put on hold.
Click here for full storyA new report, which has attracted cross-party support, is claiming that the government's decision in favour of nuclear power was "corrupted" by "false" information. Corruption of Governance? was jointly written by Unlock Democracy and the Association for the Conservation of Energy and it argues that "this corruption of governance can only be rectified if Parliament re-opens this debate, and MPs vote on this issue having seen the correct information". One of the report's central arguments is that, according to the government's own figures, "there is absolutely no need for any more nuclear power stations to deliver energy security ('keep the lights on') and achieve 80% reductions in carbon dioxide by 2050".
Click here for full storyA Derbyshire man has invented a new type of wind turbine capable of producing power at low heights. Designer Heath Evdemon has patented the Wind Harvester, which can be installed 1m above the ground. Click here for full story
New project to speed up small scale AD
….. The Small Scale Anaerobic Digestion Technology (SSAD-TECH) platform provides underpinning process technology for the development of a series of commercial products for the local treatment of organic waste to produce energy (either as biogas, heat or electricity) and digestate, which can be considered as a non-fossil fuel derived fertiliser. A five-strong consortium is led by The Centre for Process Innovation (CPI) and comprises CNG Services Ltd, Lyvennet Renewable Energy, Wardell Armstrong LLP and Field Science Limited. With grant funding from the government-backed Technology Strategy Board, the project works with a total budget of £880,000 and will run over two years. Click here for full story
Consolidating wave, wind and tidal
The newly-established Norwegian renewable energy company STRAUM merges three technology environments to become a leading supplier of wave, tidal and ocean wind power technology. STRAUM believes consolidation is the key to success. Click here for full story
EDF snaps up controversial wind farm
EDF Energy has grabbed itself a larger slice of the Scottish renewable energy market after snapping up the operator of a controversial wind farm development in the Borders. The French power company remained tight-lipped last night about how much it had paid for Edinburgh-based North British Windpower, which is owned by 15 shareholders, according to documents filed at Companies House. Click here for full story
Humberside hopes rise for CCS
A crucial step has been taken in the development of what may be the UK's first large scale Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) project, with the appointment of Foster Wheeler Energy Ltd (FWEL) as project management consultants of a £3bn, 650MW (net) project at Hatfield. The Don Valley Power Project, at Stainforth in South Yorkshire, expects to combine a coal gasification plant, with CO2 capture on all of the plant, with an integrated gas-fuelled combined cycle power station that is fired by a hydrogen-rich fuel. Click here for full story
France outlines offshore wind turbine tax
The French government has issued a decree stipulating how a business tax levied on offshore wind turbines will be allocated with a view to helping local communities. Click here for full story
Offshore piling noise reduction research
Tests have been carried out in Aarhus in Denmark to reduce noise from offshore turbine foundation piling which can cause harm to sea mammals such as porpoise, dolphins and seals. The tests using cofferdams were carried out by Hojbjerg, Denmark-based marine consultants Advanced Offshore Solutions at the end of 2011 at the request of the German Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency (BSH). Click here for full story
Energy efficiency in the workplace
Energy efficiency is one of the most effective ways to tackle energy costs in the workplace, but most businesses are still failing to implement even the most basic measures. Elaine Brass reports on the performance of some of the energy efficiency solutions out there and gets the low down from the users that advocate them.
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Thames Water: £3.7MW PV in the nick of time
Thames Water has announced that all 3.7MW of its solar projects have been signed off by Ofgem at the 30.7p/kWh pre-cut feed-in tariff rates. By completing the installations before the 12.9p rate kicked in, the company will generate a potential income difference of millions of pounds over the lifespan of the feed-in tariff scheme. The various solar arrays have been fitted in locations that would be otherwise unused, including a 450kW array on the roof of the Beckton desalination plant in Newham, a 1,500kW system on the top of vast storm tanks built in the 1800s at Crossness sewage works in Bexley; and a 1,790kW installation at Walton water treatment works in Sunbury.
Click here for full storyMore than 500 jobs could be created in Fife through a £100m project to develop a new generation wind turbine. Korean giant Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) is to base its first European offshore wind project in Methil.
Click here for full storyFirst Minister Alex Salmond today (31 January) welcomed the news that Korean giant Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) is to base its first European offshore wind project in Fife in an inward venture worth up to £100m that is expected to create more than 500 new jobs in Scotland….. In conjunction with its decision to develop its offshore wind technology at the Energy Park in Fife, SHI has signed a multimillion pound deal with East Kilbride-based Clyde Blowers’ owned company, David Brown Gear Systems (David Brown), to supply gearbox systems for its next generation offshore wind turbine.
Click here for full storyMr Insik Roh, CEO of Samsung Heavy Industries, said:"We are pleased to be participating in the development of the Energy Park at Methil at such an exciting time for the Scottish renewable energy industry. The testing of the new 7MW offshore wind turbine at the Fife Energy Park signifies a milestone in the development of Samsung's new wind turbine generator system. We hope to contribute to the Scottish economy through successful testing and certification of our cutting edge offshore wind turbine and ultimately through establishment of our manufacturing facility here in Methil."
Click here for full storyJim McColl, Chairman and CEO of Clyde Blowers Capital, said: “This is a very exciting development for Clyde Blowers and David Brown, our growing collaboration with Samsung has led to the signing of this first major agreement. David Brown’s innovative and technologically advanced gearbox design will enable Samsung to deliver the next generation of off shore wind turbines and provide a lower cost energy solution to its customers. Clyde Blowers has also committed to jointly exploring further supply chain opportunities in support of Samsung’s offshore wind business. This is a huge vote of confidence by a major and well respected global business in the UK supply chain and ultimately a boost for employment and future job creation. I am confident that Samsung has the offshore market know-how and scale of resources to be a leading player in the offshore wind market and I am delighted to be working with them to achieve this.”
Click here for full storyStepping up the UK’s commitment to community-owned renewable energy, a partnership of civil society leaders will today meet with Chris Huhne, Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, to instigate the ‘vision for community energy.' Leading figures from The Co-operative; the National Trust; The National Federation of Women’s Institutes; the Church of England and Campaign to Protect Rural England will ask for Government’s assistance in the launch of a number of community-owned renewable energy projects across the UK.
Click here for full storyCommunity-owned green energy projects present the best chance of converting the UK to a low-carbon economy and should receive more government support, civil society groups representing 12 million people said on Wednesday.
Click here for full storyThe UK's five leading green media companies have joined together to impose a voluntary blackout of renewable energy companies looking to exploit consumer confusion surrounding the Feed-in Tariff. The B2B and B2C network of the biggest online sites is to create and maintain a blacklist of companies that will be refused editorial and marketing space.
Click here for full storyFunding renewable energy projects is becoming more challenging because of increasing financial, regulatory and operational risks. But it is not too late for government, the insurance sector and banks to help, says Siân Crampsi.
Click here for full storyThe Committee on Climate Change (CCC) today (31st January) published its first progress report of 2012, showing that total emissions in Scotland fell by 7% in 2009 due to the recession. However, it indicated that pollution levels appear to have increased in 2010, while emissions were also likely to have risen that year. In 2009 the Scottish Government passed legislation which commits to cut emissions by 42% from 1990 levels by 2020. Highlands and Islands MSP, Jamie McGrigor, sees that target as unrealistic.
Click here for full storySome of Britain’s famous landscapes could be saved from pylons after a new study for the National Grid found underground cables are less expensive than previously thought. The Institution of Engineering and Technology report found that underground cables cost ten times more to bury underground than building overhead lines. Fifty years ago it was estimated it would cost 30 times more to bury cables underground.
Click here for full storyPlans for a £35m solar project on a 150-acre site near Loughborough in Leicestershire have been submitted to Charnwood Borough Council. Lark Energy wants to put the solar panels, which would produce enough power for 6,000 homes, on Wymeswold Airfield, near Loughborough.
Click here for full storyThe wave and tidal energy industry could create up to 10,000 jobs by 2020,according to the latest Renewable UK report on ‘Channelling the Energy’. One of the regions at the forefront of the renewable energy sector is the South West, which will be home to the nation’s first Marine Energy Park. The development will stretch from Bristol to the Isles of Scilly.
Click here for full storyA Suffolk MP has urged the government to help local businesses benefit from the growth of the renewable energy industry along the East coast. Waveney MP Peter Aldous raised in parliament that the East Anglia Array wind farm offered many potential jobs to people in Suffolk and Norfolk. Energy Minister Charles Hendry said British companies would be given "every opportunity" to pitch for their firms.
Click here for full storyA company that wants to build a windfarm in Wiltshire has been granted permission to put up a 52ft (15m) test mast. REG Windpower wants to put three 426ft (130m) wind turbines at Grange Farm near West Aston and Bratton. If the test to measure wind speeds is a success, then an application for the turbines will follow later in the year.
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