www.all-energy.co.uk News

Royal Assent for Scotland’s Marine Bill

info@all-energy.co.uk (www.all-energy.co.uk) — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 10:32:54 GMT

The Marine (Scotland) Act provides a framework which will help balance competing demands on Scotland’s seas.It introduces a duty to protect and enhance the marine environment and includes measures to help boost economic investment and growth in areas such as marine renewables.

FIT killing off UK small wind

info@all-energy.co.uk (www.all-energy.co.uk) — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 10:31:36 GMT

UK small wind turbine manufacturers say they will lose out to foreign solar panel manufacturers in the race to cash in on the UK government's new feed-in tariff scheme. They claim their products will be penalised because solar panel owners will receive higher government subsidies than wind turbine buyers. As the arrangement stands, a wind turbine would qualify for 26.7-34.5p per KWh in government subsidies, while solar panels would typically bring in 41p per KWh.

Falmouth docks gears up for RE

info@all-energy.co.uk (www.all-energy.co.uk) — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 10:28:06 GMT

The A&P Group, owners of Falmouth docks, is gearing up for a major stake in the burgeoning marine renewable energy industry. The company – a leader in ship repair and port operations – sees new opportunities for its operations on the Tyne and at Falmouth where its steel fabrication and assembly facility is close to the Wave Hub, the UK’s groundbreaking renewable energy project at Hayle, Cornwall.

Construction begins on Sheringham Shoal

info@all-energy.co.uk (www.all-energy.co.uk) — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 10:27:13 GMT

Construction work on the Sheringham Shoal Offshore Wind Farm site began Tuesday, March 9, with the arrival of the 164m “Nordnes” vessel, which will position rocks at selected foundation locations in preparation for the start of the installation of the giant monopile structures next month.

£125m of investment from a US backer

info@all-energy.co.uk (www.all-energy.co.uk) — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 10:26:17 GMT

The firm set to build giant wind turbine blades on Tyneside has secured more than £125m of investment from a US backer. United Technologies Corporation (UTC) has paid £126m for a 49.5% share in Clipper Windpower, which has a base in Blyth, Northumberland. It comes after the renewables firm revealed it was moving into a new factory on the site of the former Neptune shipyard, where it was manufacture blades for its Britannia offshore turbines.

Boosting farm income by £4bn pa

info@all-energy.co.uk (www.all-energy.co.uk) — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 10:25:36 GMT

Diversification into renewable energy offered the potential to boost UK farm income by at least £4billion a year by 2015-20, it was suggested yesterday (10 March). Leading farm business consultant Francis Mordaunt painted an optimistic future for agriculture when he addressed a seminar on the outlook for agriculture at Thainstone Centre, Inverurie.

Wave Hub update

info@all-energy.co.uk (www.all-energy.co.uk) — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 10:25:00 GMT

Work has begun on the next stage of Hayle's pioneering scheme to harvest electricity from the sea with the construction of an onshore electricity sub-station. The Wave Hub will create the world's largest test site for wave energy devices by installing a seabed socket 10 miles offshore.Drilling underneath Harvey's Towans was completed last month with a 200-metre cable fed through the dunes.

Finance in place for Hill of Towie

info@all-energy.co.uk (www.all-energy.co.uk) — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 10:24:23 GMT

The company behind a controversial windfarm in Moray has secured a financing deal worth millions. Renewable Energy Systems (RES) plan to start building the 21-turbine windfarm at Hill of Towie next summer and aim to have it fully operational by spring 2012.

Students switch off and save £150,000

info@all-energy.co.uk (www.all-energy.co.uk) — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 10:23:45 GMT

Over 80,000 students at 33 universities across England have been gaining top marks for energy-efficiency as part of a national campaign to encourage students to reduce energy consumption. The Student Switch Off campaign, run in partnership with the National Union of Students, has seen halls of residence within universities competing against each other to save energy. During the first term of the campaign, electricity usage in the halls reduced by an average of 8.0%, cumulatively saving over 1,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere and over £150,000 in electricity expenditure.

Green Scotch – Islay’s tipple point

info@all-energy.co.uk (www.all-energy.co.uk) — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 10:23:07 GMT

Islay has a history of green energy initiatives. Now one of its famous distilleries is generating power from waste. Ask someone to name a Scotch whisky and it is a fair bet Bruichladdich will not be the first mentioned. But in sustainability terms this single malt – made on the island of Islay, off Scotland’s west coast – is a leader, in an industry that is grappling to address a hefty carbon footprint.

Biogas plant planned for Warminster farm

info@all-energy.co.uk (www.all-energy.co.uk) — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 10:22:20 GMT

Victorian technology could be used to create a renewable energy source, new businesses and more jobs in a west Wiltshire town. Property developer Malaby Martin Ltd wants to use the technology as part of a bid to redevelop redundant buildings at Bore Hill Farm in Deverill Road, Warminster.

Wales welcomes wave appraisal

info@all-energy.co.uk (www.all-energy.co.uk) — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 10:21:54 GMT

Assembly ministers in Wales have welcomed news that the UK Government will be carrying out a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) for the development of wave and tidal devices in the country.

Green light for Bradwell wind farm

info@all-energy.co.uk (www.all-energy.co.uk) — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 10:21:09 GMT

A 10-turbine wind farm development in Essex has been given the go-ahead after a second public inquiry. The development will be on land close to the villages of Bradwell and Tillingham where local residents have formed a campaign group.

FIT set to revolutionise RE

info@all-energy.co.uk (www.all-energy.co.uk) — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 10:20:10 GMT

Feed-in tariffs are coming to the UK in two weeks and look set to kick-start a massive surge in the installation of small-scale renewables, says Rory Tait. The introduction of the feed-in tariffs scheme has generally received a positive response, with many people predicting that it will revolutionise the smaller end of the renewable generation sector. But is the scheme the right way of delivering this green spur? And will the financial benefits outweigh the effort of having renewable energy systems installed?

Mersey barrage could destroy wildlife

info@all-energy.co.uk (www.all-energy.co.uk) — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 10:19:30 GMT

A tidal barrage across the Mersey could destroy wildlife and cause flooding at Halton, according to the RSPB. Yet there is a chance that one could be built on the estuary within the next 10 years, despite warnings from conservationists.

Call for strong National RE Action Plans

info@all-energy.co.uk (www.all-energy.co.uk) — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 10:18:51 GMT

EUFORES Board of Presidents, Claude Turmes (EUFORES President, Member of the European Parliament - MEP), Fiona Hall (EUFORES Vice-President, MEP) and Anni Podimata (EUFORES Vice-President, MEP) call upon Member States to submit ambitious National Renewable Energy Action Plans (NREAPs) to the European Commission in June this year.

Is there a future for nuclear new build?

info@all-energy.co.uk (www.all-energy.co.uk) — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 10:18:09 GMT

Government is being urged to stop procrastinating and publicly declare its backing for a long-term nuclear future now or push Britain into another dash-for-gas situation by 2015. A new report by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) reveals a lack of commitment and confidence in the Government is the real key behind the stagnation and rejection of projects that are desperately needed to give the UK a fighting chance of bridging the looming energy gap that cannot be met by renewables.

China and India endorse Copenhagen

info@all-energy.co.uk (www.all-energy.co.uk) — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 10:13:40 GMT

China and India joined almost all other major greenhouse gas emitters Tuesday in signing up to the climate accord struck in Copenhagen, boosting a deal strongly favored by the United States. More than 100 nations have now endorsed the Copenhagen Accord, a non-binding agreement reached after two weeks of tortuous wrangling at a 194-nation summit in December.

Energy investment at risk

info@all-energy.co.uk (www.all-energy.co.uk) — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 13:34:34 GMT

Up to £50bn of investment in energy infrastructure needed to secure power supplies is at risk from uncertainty over regulation after the election, a report backed by a leading energy supplier has warned. The European Commission has granted the Irish government £99m to build an electricity Interconnector linking Ireland and Wales. A project to build an electricity Interconnector linking Ireland and Wales has been awarded a •110 million (£99 million) grant from the European Commission, following a successful application by the Irish Government.

Fintry extension plan approved

info@all-energy.co.uk (www.all-energy.co.uk) — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 13:33:51 GMT

Councillors have approved an extension to a Stirlingshire wind farm despite the recommendation of planning experts to scrap the project. Officials opposed the building of nine turbines at the wind farm near Fintry because it would have an adverse impact on the landscape.

Wind turbine on housing estates?

info@all-energy.co.uk (www.all-energy.co.uk) — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 13:26:58 GMT

How many people are actually going to be able to install renewable energy-generating technology in their homes? That is the burning question which goes unanswered in the government's strategy document called "Warm Homes, Greener Homes", which outlines how it plans to cut carbon emissions from homes by 29% by 2020.

Lack manpower to scupper ‘revolution’

info@all-energy.co.uk (www.all-energy.co.uk) — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 13:25:53 GMT

Sunday Times says 60,000 heating engineers are interested in fitting renewable energy devices but are put off by the three-year certification process. The revolution to green the UK’s homes is being held back by a lack of qualified engineers who can fit renewable energy devices.

Biofuels studies: Activists sue

info@all-energy.co.uk (www.all-energy.co.uk) — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 13:25:09 GMT

Environmental lawyers and activists on Monday sued the European Commission for failing to release studies investigating the impact of biofuels on the environment. European policy was “inventing an artificial market worth billions” and there was a “responsibility to ensure its environmental objectives are achieved,” the activists wrote in an application to the second highest tribunal in the European Union, the General Court, at the European Court of Justice.

Wind farm truck vibrations

info@all-energy.co.uk (www.all-energy.co.uk) — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 13:23:31 GMT

Villagers in North Yorkshire claim trucks travelling past their homes to get to a construction site are causing structural damage to their properties. A wind farm is being built at Newland, Selby and vehicles have been accessing the site via a narrow lane.

UK import emissions Europe’s highest

info@all-energy.co.uk (www.all-energy.co.uk) — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 13:21:54 GMT

Britain's demand for imported goods is responsible for more greenhouse gas emissions abroad than any other European country, according to a new study published today. The report shows that 253m tonnes of carbon dioxide are released overseas each year in the manufacture of products bound for UK shores, the equivalent of 4.3 tonnes per person. The average Briton's carbon footprint is 9.7 tonnes, not including emissions from goods.

Coolpower launches EMMA

info@all-energy.co.uk (www.all-energy.co.uk) — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 13:20:48 GMT

Coolpower Products Ltd. has launched a technology solution for the UK market that will provide a smart energy management device for both domestic and commercial buildings, that more effectively manages the energy output of grid-connected micro-generators (e.g. solar panels, micro wind and hydro turbines).

Solar Revolution

info@all-energy.co.uk (www.all-energy.co.uk) — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 13:19:50 GMT

The case for solar and the impact of the solar revolution – Jeremy Leggett’s full case against George Monbiot’s anit-solar articles appears on Jeremy Leggett’s website.

Audrey in action

info@all-energy.co.uk (www.all-energy.co.uk) — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 13:18:27 GMT

Isle of Wight based GRP Laminates and South Boats Special Projects delivered RRV Audrey to Holyhead Towing in October 2009, and already the vessel has proved invaluable in deployments ranging from fast wind farm transfers to dredging support.

Offshore wind: twice nuclear costs

info@all-energy.co.uk (www.all-energy.co.uk) — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 08:44:53 GMT

Generating Britain's electricity from offshore wind farms is likely to be at least twice as expensive as nuclear power, according to a new report by engineering consultants Parsons Brinckerhoff. Britain plans to build up over 30 gigawatts (GW) of offshore wind power capacity by 2020 and wants to build new nuclear power plants to replace old reactors.

Report calls for science boost

info@all-energy.co.uk (www.all-energy.co.uk) — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 08:43:58 GMT

The profile of science in the UK must be raised to help diversify the economy and boost growth, a report endorsed by the Conservatives has urged. The report's author, entrepreneur Sir James Dyson, called for more support for science teachers and tax breaks for high-tech firms to conduct research.

Friends of the Supergrid launched

info@all-energy.co.uk (www.all-energy.co.uk) — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 08:43:01 GMT

Leaders from ten global companies gathered in London today to announce publicly the formation of the "Friends of the Supergrid" (FOSG) which has been set up to progress policy towards the construction of a pan-European Offshore Supergrid. Through the combination of their respective areas of expertise, the FOSG members have unique insight into the policies needed to create the Supergrid and have the capability to deliver it in practice. The FOSG is the only representative body that combines companies in sectors that will deliver the High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) infrastructure and related technology, together with companies that will develop, install, own and operate that infrastructure. It brings together the organisations that will design the physical equipment, with those who will build the structures at sea. The founding members include 3E, AREVA T&D, DEME Blue Energy, Elia, Hochtief Construction AG, Mainstream Renewable Power, Parsons Brinckerhoff, Prysmian Cables & Systems, Siemens and Visser & Smit Marine Contracting.

Feasibility of Irish Sea electricity grid

info@all-energy.co.uk (www.all-energy.co.uk) — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 08:42:23 GMT

A new study on the feasibility of an undersea electricity grid in the Irish Sea, which would link off-shore renewable energy farms in Ireland and the UK, has been approved by Minister for Energy Eamon Ryan. The project, which will examine the potential to connect wind, wave and tidal-energy sites by a new grid, is being supported by governments in the Republic, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Dubbed the Isles project – for Irish Scottish Links on Energy Study – it is EU Commission-funded.

New solar and wind developer

info@all-energy.co.uk (www.all-energy.co.uk) — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 08:39:53 GMT

A new company has formed to partner with landowners, commercial property owners and managers, to build, own and operate wind and solar power generating assets on sites across the UK. Vigor Renewables has launched to take advantage of the new feed-in tariffs (FiT), which come into effect at the beginning of next month. Also known as the Clean Energy Cashback scheme, FiT guarantees an inflation-linked income for on-site renewable energy projects under five megawatts in size for a period of up to 25 years.

Feed-in time

info@all-energy.co.uk (www.all-energy.co.uk) — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 08:38:46 GMT

Steven Harris from the Energy Saving Trust describes what he believes is the first step towards the nationwide take-up of domestic energy generation. Gordon Brown is doing it, the Tories are tweeting about it and, if the hype is to be believed, over the next few years we will all be investing massive amounts of money to lavish our homes with it.

Anaerobic digestion goes mobile

info@all-energy.co.uk (www.all-energy.co.uk) — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 15:16:59 GMT

A mobile anaerobic digestion rig will be tested on a range of industrial effluents at a variety of food and drink manufacturing premises in Britain over the next few months. The mobile Clearfleau rig will first be moved to the site of an unnamed Somerset cheese maker for trials on whey during January and February before moving on to another site.Clearfleau director Richard Gueterbock said: “During 2010 Clearfleau is planning to undertake further on-site trials with a range of industrial effluents. These will include dairy products, effluent from food and drink processing plus brewery and distillery waste.”

Strategy for European 'super-grid'

info@all-energy.co.uk (www.all-energy.co.uk) — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 05:47:15 GMT

An ambitious plan for an electricity "super-grid" in the North Sea will be launched in London today (8 March) by a group of 10 leading European companies. Such a super-grid connecting the UK, Germany and Norway is expected to cost €34bn (£30.5bn).

Blow for home power-generation

info@all-energy.co.uk (www.all-energy.co.uk) — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 05:46:39 GMT

Red tape is strangling a scheme designed to encourage millions of families to generate their own green electricity with home-mounted solar panels, wind turbines and heat pumps, according to the UK’s biggest manufacturer of central heating equipment. Starting next month, Britain’s 26 million households will be able to collect a fixed fee of up to 41p a kilowatt hour for electricity they generate from roof-mounted solar panels and sell on to the grid. Up to 34½p a kilowatt hour is available for home-mounted windmills.

The power of hydro

info@all-energy.co.uk (www.all-energy.co.uk) — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 05:45:56 GMT

The Environment Agency will later today release a new map designed to show areas in England and Wales where viable hydropower resources are going untapped. The hydropower opportunities and environmental sensitivities map forms part of a major new report from the agency, which found close to 26,000 locations where a hydropower turbine could generate renewable electricity.

Green buzz fails to warm home buyers

info@all-energy.co.uk (www.all-energy.co.uk) — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 05:45:10 GMT

The British building industry wants to ease green home standards as the public balk at the 20 percent or higher costs of low-carbon homes, exhibitors told a major London conference. Low carbon homes are more airtight than their conventional counterparts, with better insulation, and rely on renewable sources of power generation such as roof-top solar panels or community-scale plants converting food and other waste into energy.

Low-energy lightbulbs: millions wasted

info@all-energy.co.uk (www.all-energy.co.uk) — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 05:44:44 GMT

Forty-two million energy-saving lightbulbs were sent out by utilities companies in the three months before Christmas under the government's £3bn energy-efficiency scheme, even though many are unlikely to be used. Since the scheme began less than two years ago, 224m bulbs have been distributed – almost 10 for each household. According to a survey by the Energy Saving Trust last year, the average home had six unused bulbs lying in drawers.