July 2010Power Generation - UK Coalition Government sets out 40-year energy action plan
Yesterday, UK Energy and Climate Change Secretary Chris Huhne presented the first ever Annual Energy Statement to Parliament and outlined a 32-point action plan for the next 40 years.
The 32 key actions fall in four areas: energy saving through the Green Deal; secure energy supply on the way to a low-carbon energy future; driving action on climate change at home and abroad; and managing energy legacy responsibly and cost effectively.
The Annual Energy Statement outlines various consultations on aspects of Government policy including:
* A consultation followed by a White Paper next spring on electricity market reform, including discussion of a carbon price, emissions performance standard, revised renewables obligation, Feed-in Tariffs and capacity mechanisms;
* A review of Ofgem’s role as energy regulator, followed by a report in the spring and another possible reorganisation;
* An overhaul of planning for major infrastructure later this summer, followed by a consultation in the autumn;
* A new transitional regime for offshore wind farms already operating or being built with the promise of an enduring offshore transmission regime in the future;
* Proposed new standards covering sustainable biomass for electricity generation and new support in the form of a Renewables Obligation fixed for 20 years.
An analysis of the effects of these policies on energy bills is also published today and will be repeated annually.
Last but not least, the Government has brought out, jointly with Ofgem, a prospectus for its smart meter rollout plan for every home and business, which will see a significant acceleration on current targets.
“The challenge is ambitious but achievable,” Huhne told Parliament in his statement. “We’re already on track to cut the UK’s emissions by 34% by 2020, and will do more if we can win the case for greater ambition across the whole EU,” said Huhne.
But he warns that the “era of cheap, abundant energy is over” and it must no longer be taken for granted. Huhne also cautioned that demand for electricity could double – even amid reduced energy demand – as transport, industry and heating shift onto the grid.
Conspicuous in its absence from the statement, was any mention of nuclear power. But in a press conference afterwards Huhne reiterated the Government’s commitment to nuclear power, maintaining that the country is still on target for new capacity despite the a of public subsidies.
“The statement also indicates a positive outlook for a very wide range of low carbon technologies, importantly on both the supply and demand side of the energy equation,” says assistant director Jim Fitzgerald. “Policy support for energy efficiency and embedded generation, in particular, are expected to increase investor interest.”
July 2010Japan's Sharp Corp is investing almost 4 billion yen ($46 million) at a plant in Britain to double production of solar cell modules to meet growing demand across Europe.
Sharp Solar UK, which began making cells at the plant in Wrexham, Wales in 2004, said it was also seeing increased demand from the British market following the introduction of subsidies for renewable energy installations in April.
"This time last year 99 percent of the modules that we manufactured at Wrexham were exported to Europe and that has alresdy dropped to 90 percent," Andrew Lee, General Manager of Sharp Solar told Reuters.
"The feed-in tariff has given confidence to manufacturers like ourselves to invest."
The plant currently employs 750 people and Sharp will add an extra four production lines to take capacity up to 500 Megawatts by Feb. 2011.
Lee could not yet say how many new jobs would be created at the plant, which currently has five production lines.
July 2010Mitsubishi Electric has been helping to put the case for renewable technology to the country’s leaders as part of its support for the Micropower Council which held a special renewable event at the Houses of Parliament on 14 July.
In addition to 30 Peers and MP, including Greg Barker MP, the Minister of State for Climate Change, the briefing meeting was attended by senior Civil Servants and interested parties, with over 170 guests able to talk directly to Micropower Council members.
Mitsubishi Electric used the event to demonstrate how it’s Ecodan® range of air source heat pumps has quickly established itself as one of the most efficient and effective low carbon alternatives to gas and oil heating.
This has now been reflected in an approved Ofgem carbon score which can be used for both CERT (carbon emissions reductions target) and CESP (community energy saving programme) funding schemes.
July 2010An experimental airplane landed safely after flying through the night propelled entirely by 12,000 solar cells and sunlight-powered lithium batteries. The single-seat plane averaged 23 knots (26 miles per hour) making loops over lakes and Switzerland’s Jura Mountains.
The next challenge will be for Solar Impulse to cross the Atlantic, then a five-stop, around-the-world flight set for 2013 using a second prototype about to begin construction this summer.
July 2010 Places of worship could make as much as £29million a year by generating “green” energy through solar panels on their roofs. Churches, mosques, temples and synagogues could save a further £5m annually under the scheme, as they would no longer have to buy their own electricity.
Faith groups would be able to make significant contributions to their coffers by claiming Feed-In Tariffs, a Government scheme that pays households and organisations for the energy they generate for the national grid from renewable sources.
"Religious buildings are particularly well suited to solar power as they tend to have large south-facing roofs which receive direct sunlight for the main part of the day.
May 2010Experts insist there are cost-effective ways of generating energy in the home. Photovoltaic panels are probably the most attractive. These are powered by daylight — not just direct sunlight — and work even in Britain’s overcast climate.
The tariff paid on these is relatively high — up to 41.3p for each kWh generated. A system that delivers 2kWp (the peak output in kilowatts) should cost about £10,000 to install in a typical home and earn about £900 a year.
According to government figures a typical 2.5kW solar pv installation could offer a homeowner a reward of up to £900 and save them £140 a year on their electricity bill. A similar scheme that will incentivise low-carbon heating technologies could be introduced in April next year.
"UK homes are responsible for over a fifth of UK emissions but by slashing energy waste, and fitting renewable electricity systems such as solar panels on our roofs and wind turbines in our gardens, they can be part of the solution to climate change."
March 2010
The Sunday Times put solar PV panels as one of its top five investments for making 10% returns on your savings.
In the article it advised customers to consider PV following the introduction of the feed-in tariff in April, offering them a tax-free, index linked income for the energy they produce. The new coalition Government has agreed to honour the feed-in tariff system for electricity.
Feb 2010
Wednesday 3rd February 2010: The low carbon building programme (Phase 2) grants for new electrical micro-generation grant applications have now closed.
Nov 2009
Homeowners rush to place orders for solar PV systems to claim £2500 grants before grants disappear next year.
L&Q the UK's largest Housing Association chooses BritishEco to deliver a solar PV system for one of its care homes.
Oct 2009
BritishEco becomes a certified MCS approved installer for solar thermal and solar PV systems.
Aug 2009
New Ford dealership in Lincolnshire chooses BritishEco 5kWh rated wind turbine and solar thermal system to meet Merton Rule requirements.
July 2009
South Leicester College buys complete renewable energy solutions from British Eco.
South Leicestershire College are starting a new BPEC renewable energy training course, and installing all the technologies from British Eco for demonstration and training. The College plans to become a leader in renewable energy training in the UK.
The college will be using rainwater harvesting, solar electricity, solar thermal, heat pumps and wind turbines.
- Rainwater Harvesting. The college will have a demonstration kit to collect rainwater and recycle it to flush the toilets.
- Nordic Inverter. A stand-alone air source heat pump will be wall mounted. Air Source heating is particularly popular in Scandinavia but is also suitable for the UK.
- Solar Electricity. A solar home power station will demonstrate how a small solar PV system is connected up to produce electricity, and could be installed in most homes.
- Solar Thermal. There will be a 20-tube solar system installed on site. The evacuated tubes will enable the college to use solar energy to heat their hot water.
- Solar Demonstration Units. A solar demonstration rig will be used for training, which comes on a moveable stand, along with the hot water cylinder. This is suited to fit the BPEC training requirements.
- Heat Pumps. There will be a Live Ground Source Heat Pump demonstration kit on site, using geothermal energy for space heating.
- Wren Wind Turbine. This small wind turbine will be used to show the electrical connections and operation of wind turbines.
- Merlin Wind Turbine. The large 2.5kW wind turbine will be installed outside to produce electricity, subject to planning permission.
March 2009
NEWS ON GRANTS - 50% Grants ending soon!
Schools, hospitals and the non-profit sector are all eligible for a 50% grant on many renewable energy technologies.
The government scheme ends in June 2009, which leaves applicants just a few months to apply!! Click here for further details.
Visit the NEW payback section to see how green energy saves both cash and carbon.
Sept 08: - Countdown to Poznan: the UN Climate Change Conference.
By Helena Wright
On Monday 15th September 2008 I took the 24-hour long bus journey to Malmo, Sweden (we were requested to take the bus rather than fly) to attend the Young Friends of the Earth Europe Camp. There were 50 of us from 26 different countries around Europe, who will be working together over the next few months before attending the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference in Poznan in December 2008 (COP 14) and Copenhagen 2009 (COP 15). At the UN Climate Talks, politicians from around the world will negotiate on the future of the planet, and hopefully come to an agreement to prevent dangerous climate change.
We were all members of different groups or networks around Europe, hoping to combine our efforts together under the umbrella of Friends of the Earth Europe to build up public awareness and momentum before the UN Climate Talks. I took time off work at British Eco last week to attend the training in Sweden. We were reminded that as NGO Youth delegates at Poznan, we would be competing with lobbyists from the Nuclear Industry and even Exxon.
Together we decided on some key proposals and aims. Firstly, that governments must promote research, investment and deployment of Renewable Energy with sustained action. People need effective support from government and subsidies for renewable energy, as the current funding is not enough. Secondly we agreed that a 2 degree rise in temperature should be avoided at all costs, as it risks triggering off accelerated warming. And finally, we all agreed that climate justice was crucial, so that countries should have the right to sustainable development and that CO2 per capita should be used as a key measure.
What struck me most about the visit to Sweden was the number of Wind Turbines dotting the landscape. Everywhere you looked in the rural area around Malmo, you could see 10-20 giant Wind Turbines in the distance, and I thought the view was amazing. Crossing the bridge to Copenhagen in Denmark, yet more offshore turbine farms enhanced the view. I only hope that other countries will follow in the footsteps of Denmark and Sweden and agree to promote Renewable Energy, before it is too late.
Sept 08: We welcome Paul Sellars as the new Chairman of Britisheco Ltd. Paul brings a wealth of senior management experience to Britisheco having spent many years in the construction industry and other related sectors. Paul has a long standing interest in renewable energy technologies and is looking forward to helping the company grow into the leading national supplier of renewable energy solutions.
