May 9, 2012

Third Wind Farm for Yorkshire

Filed under: Energy News — Tags: , — Newsroom @ 1:37 pm

A funding agreement with the Co-operative Bank for a total of £21.9 million has ensured that a Durham-based renewable energy business can proceed with the Penny Hill Wind Farm.  Banks Renewables, have considerable experience relating to wind farms as this is their third project in Yorkshire.  Their previous Yorkshire schemes at Marr and Hazlehead were also funded in conjunction with the Co-operative Bank.  The construction work has just started at their latest site at Armistead in Cumbria.

Banks Renewables latest venture at Penny Hill was applauded by Prime Minister David Cameron at the Third Clean Energy Ministerial Conference which was held in London last week.  Mr Cameron, when speaking about examples of renewables schemes and future needs said “…will help meet our growing energy demands in a way that protects our planet for our children and grandchildren.”

The Penny Lane site is located to the west of the junctions M1 and M18, which is south east of Rotherham.  Many local firms will be contracted to supply materials and also some sub-contract works.  The project will create around thirty jobs directly on the site during the construction.

The six turbines will be supplied by REpower and each turbine will have a capacity factor of 3.4MW.  These are the highest capacity of all onshore wind farms in the UK.  Mabey Bridge, a British engineering company, will build the tower sections of the turbines at their purpose-built factory in Chepstow.  The turbines should be delivered to the site early in 2013 and connection to the local grid is should be completed later in 2013.

When the Penny Hill site is complete, the installed capacity of 20.4MW will provide sufficient electricity for approximately 10,000 households and businesses.  This is around ten per cent of all houses in the Rotherham area.

Banks Renewables is involved in many schemes to support local communities and to assist with environmental improvements.  They have a benefits fund which is worth about £20,000 each year, or £500,000 over the 25 year lifetime of the wind farm.  Together with local residents they want to ensure that everyone benefits from their business activities.  Additionally Banks has already given another £50,000 investment which is designed to assist in establishing a Warm Zone scheme throughout Rotherham.  This will provide grants for energy efficiency improvements for householders, leading to lower energy bills.  It will also provide much-needed local jobs.  The Warm Zone scheme will give access to further benefits of approximately £3 million for local families.

Banks are obviously delighted that the Penny Hill wind farm has the go-ahead, and Neil Brown, group commercial director at the Banks Group said “Starting work on our latest onshore wind farm reinforces Banks’ position as one of the leading owner/operators in the UK industry, and we have a number of other sites across our portfolio of developing wind schemes in the north of England and Scotland that will be moving forward in the near future.”  He concluded “we’re very pleased that The Co-operative Bank is continuing to support our investment in state-of-the-art renewables technology.”

April 24, 2012

UK Could be World Leaders if Renewable Energy Target is Achieved

Filed under: Energy News — Tags: , — Newsroom @ 12:54 pm

A world-leading industry which supports 400,000 jobs and saves us £60bn in gas and oil imports can be achieved if the UK is able to meet its renewable energy targets.  This bold statement is in a report from the Renewable Energy Association (REA).  The UK need to attain the mandatory target of fifteen per cent of its energy which is produced from renewable sources. The report suggests that if the target is met then the annual income from this sector will increase from the current figure of £12.5bn to £50bn by 2020.

There will be the necessity for a huge rise in employment from the 11,000 of people currently employed in the industry to approximately 400,000 by the end of the decade.

Greenpeace have, through Bloomberg New Energy Finance, released details of a separate study which states that the Big Six energy providers will need to substantially increase their green investment otherwise the UK is likely to fall five per cent below the government’s target of thirty per cent of electricity being generated from renewable sources by 2020.

The report from REA warns that poor economic growth, aging infrastructure and shortage of skills may cause the UK some difficulty in reaching the EU targets.  However, it does point out that integrating renewable energy, economic policy and skills within a new structure can improve the situation sufficiently so that the target becomes viable.

The largest sector within the renewables industry is that of wind power, closely followed by bioenergy.  These two divisions together provide approximately 62,000 jobs and have combined incomes of about £8bn and jointly export around £930million.

The solar industry had a reported growth of about 280 per cent during 2010 and 2011.  Income was approximately £5.4bn, but there are still some problems regarding the 25,000 jobs in this sector because the government has reduced the amount of FiTs to be paid to customers who choose to sell excess energy to the national grid.

The report from REA also comments that there isn’t much support from the government for “biomass with combined heat and power (CHP), onshore wind, solar thermal, liquid bio-fuels, on-farm anaerobic digestion, and deep geothermal.”  It continued that “only the offshore wind and marine energy technologies had seen satisfactory progress in terms of policy development in the past year.”

The report also suggests that there needs to be improved co-ordination of renewable energy policies with a minister in the department of Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS).  A spokesperson from REA said “Harnessing our renewables creates employment and means that rather than spending money on energy imports we can keep it circulating in the UK economy.  Government needs to take steps to build the skills base and keep the UK on track to meet its renewables targets. When it comes to the employment, economic and energy challenges we face, the answer is clear – make it renewable and make it in Britain.”

April 4, 2012

Wales’ First Energy-from-Waste Power Station

Filed under: Energy News — Tags: , , , — Newsroom @ 12:26 pm

It is always good when there is some news whereby the positives outweigh any possible negatives.  It was announced yesterday that Viridor has signed a contract regarding the construction of Wales’ first Energy from Waste (EfW) power station.  Viridor is huge company working with over ninety local authorities and many more private customers throughout the UK.  As a premier recycling, renewable energy and waste management company Viridor provide their clients with the highest standards of safety and efficiency.

Construction on the new power station is due to commence within the next few weeks. Viridor have chosen two other companies to be involved in this joint venture partnership, CNIM and Lagan.  CNIM are specialists in energy-from-waste engineering and have an excellent track record.  Lagan will undertake the major building works and is one of the leading construction and civil engineering companies in the UK and Ireland.

The new power station will be built in Cardiff Bay and will cost the company £185m.  The plant is expected to be operational by 2014.  The new facility is expected to create approximately 300 construction jobs whilst it is being built and it has been agreed that, where possible, local skills will be used.  Local employment services will be involved and there will be a local jobs workshop.  The ground work preparation is anticipated to start in the next few weeks and the main construction is expected to begin during the summer.

Viridor’s business development director Howard Elland said “We are pleased to be taking this important project to the construction phase.  By 2014 Trident Park EfW will help local authorities and businesses to transform their residual waste into much-needed renewable energy.  The appointment of the CNIM and Lagan joint venture company is part of a long term working relationship with both organisations that we expect to strengthen over the next few years.”

When complete the Trident Park plant is expected to treat 350,000 tonnes residual waste (after recycling).  It will provide heat and electricity to the city by the generation of thirty megawatts of electrical power.   This is sufficient for approximately 50,000 households in Cardiff.  Additionally it can supply a potential heat source to an extensive number of organisations and local businesses.

Viridor will work closely with local developers and Trident Park landowners PMG on the delivery of the heat network, with will offer low carbon alternatives for local users.  The completed facility is expected to aid local businesses in addition to the local authorities in South East Wales.  It will be an essential element in resolving the waste management needs of the whole region.

The new Trident Park EfW power station will utilise the latest version of current technology being used in twenty other facilities in the UK and in more than four hundred throughout Europe.  It should make a huge contribution towards reaching the difficult targets which are necessary to reduce waste heading into landfill sites.

April 3, 2012

Loans For Businesses Wanting To Install Renewable Energy Systems

Filed under: Energy News — Tags: , , , — Newsroom @ 12:40 pm

Although there are many small and medium businesses that would be interested in the installation of solar panels or biomass boilers, the difficulty in obtaining finance is causing these companies to delay in making anything more than tentative enquiries.  The word that the UK may be heading back towards a further recession isn’t doing anything to steady the nerves of small businesses.  The extremely high gas and electricity charges that have been major concerns to large number of business owners is attracting them towards green technology but unfortunately in a considerable number of cases their local banks haven’t been able to assist in providing the finance required.

ReEnergise Finance is a new Cheshire based company which has been formed in order to assist businesses which are having difficulty in obtaining bank finance for renewable energy and energy efficiency projects.  It currently has links with ten non-mainstream banks to help companies which are struggling to obtain the finance required for improvements and installations which are a part of the government’s Green Deal.

Businesses which want to borrow between £75,000 and £5million will be directed towards the banks to enable them to benefit from the renewable energy and microgeneration sector as the major problem faced by many small and medium businesses is the lack of availability of bank loans.

One of the directors of ReEnergise Finance, Adam Hewson, who was previously a GE banker, has said that the new company is already dealing with a number of schemes including biomass installations, and anaerobic digestion and large-scale photovoltaic projects.  Mr Hewson also commented that a partnership had just been formed with Panasonic Europe’s solar division in order to assist their clients to find funding.  Mr Hewson continued by stating that ReEnergise Finance had the expertise to obtain the best financial deals for green energy projects.  He said “In an environment where banks are restricted and reluctant to lend against what is perceived as new technology, there is a need for a specialist intermediary, in particular for commercial projects under the £10m mark.”

Mr Hewson continued “In reality, finance is available in the UK for renewable energy; the trick is finding it and working with a partner that will get you the right deal.  Government schemes are available but you have to have already invested in energy efficient equipment to qualify.  We’re offering businesses the chance to do that, what we see as the final piece in the energy puzzle.”

Domestic Finance

ReEnergise Finance are also preparing the launch of domestic finance in June 2012, before the government’s Green Deal commences.  They anticipate becoming a Green Deal provider.  Some details still need to be finalised including the length of time homeowners will have to repay their loans.  There are some months before the Green Deal commences in October 2012 and during the intervening months there will be much more information which will become available.

March 26, 2012

The Answer is Blowin’ in the Wind…

Filed under: Energy News — Tags: , — Newsroom @ 12:08 pm

It has just been announced that the huge Spanish renewables company Gamesa has made the decision that Leith in Scotland will be the new home for the manufacture of blades for wind turbines.  The Port of Leith is within a couple of miles of Edinburgh.  The news that there will be approximately £125million investment in the area to build a new Plant and the creation of up to one thousand jobs is a huge feather in Scotland’s cap.  It also proves the attractiveness of the UK as a manufacturing base.

The new factory will manufacture a new model of blades which can be fifty metres in length and will be utilised for offshore wind turbines due to be built around the UK coast.  It will bring hundreds of engineering jobs to the area, as well as the many other essential staff required to provide a high quality manufacturing facility.  It is a major boost towards renewable energy and energy efficiency.

Scottish Secretary, Michael Moore said that the announcement was a “vote of confidence” in the UK as a whole, and continued “it reinforces the fact we have the skills to attract investment from around the world and that the UK Government’s commitment to the offshore renewables sector acts as an attractive prospect for business”.

It is just under a year since the offshore wind technology centre opened in Glasgow and in the intervening months there have been many consultations between the Scottish Government, Scottish Development Industries (SDI), Scottish Enterprise and Gamesa.  It was essential to choose the optimum location for the factory and Leith proved to be the best possible environment.

Two other UK locations had been considered by Gamesa – these were in Dundee and Hartlepool which also proves the appeal that the UK has for foreign investors.  There are a number of other companies choosing Scotland for their renewable energy projects.  The opinion is that renewable energy is now having a major benefit to the Scottish economy, and will assist in providing employment opportunities.

WWF Scotland director Dr. Richard Dixon commented that “he believes the country is now a key player in the renewables industry” and continued “Renewable energy will be bigger than oil for Scotland and the Government needs to put it even more firmly at the centre of its economic and jobs strategies”.  He concluded by adding “Together, renewable energy and energy efficiency can get us off our oil addiction and create one of the world’s first modern zero-carbon economies”.

The UK Government is anticipating that 18gw of energy should be produced offshore, as long at the costs are reduced.  Energy Secretary Ed Davey has indicated his delight at the good news and added “this was clearly a closely run race between two excellent locations – a powerful message to the offshore wind industry that the UK is the place to be”.

This is obviously wonderful news for the Scottish economy and there are sure to be other companies waiting to follow the lead set by Gamesa.

March 22, 2012

Winners in the 2012 Budget – Well, Maybe

Filed under: Energy News — Tags: , , , — Newsroom @ 11:47 am

Chancellor George Osborne delivered his 2012 budget yesterday and provided a clear message regarding the need for additional investment in the UK’s renewable energy market.  He also stated that new projects must be financially justifiable.  This was a welcome relief to all those involved in the renewable energy business who had been seeking confirmation regarding the government’s position.

Mr Osborne said that he would be working to ensure that renewable energy is available at the lowest possible cost to the bill payer.  He continued by stating that UK businesses and families must have the best value for money and commented that “environmentally sustainable has to be fiscally sustainable too”.

Green Investment Bank

The chancellor confirmed that this bank, which will give additional support to renewable energy projects, will open next month.  It is unfortunate that the latest update regarding the deficit reduction plan has indicated that there are unlikely to be any borrowings permitted until 2016/2017 unless there are changes in the banking rules.

Other Government Plans

Mr Osborne confirmed the government’s plans to include a carbon floor price which is intended to promote investment in low-carbon energy.  There will also be a new tax break for heat/power systems thus ensuring that heating fuels won’t be subject to the carbon floor price tax.

There will be a new gas strategy, details of which will be available later this year, with Mr Osborne commenting that “gas is cheap, has much less carbon than coal, and will be the largest single source of our electricity in the coming years”.

There will also be an acceleration of North Sea gas and oil projects which will ensure that there will be a new generation of gas power plants available for the UK.

Responses to these Budget Announcements

Whilst organisations and associations involved with renewable energy are enthusiastic about the level of commitment made by the chancellor, they are hoping for developments and further details to be made available as soon as possible.  There is concern that the UK is falling behind other countries as being a safe risk for investments in renewable projects.

Another group of experts are less happy with the budget, and warned that the alterations to the Enhanced Capital Allowance tax break scheme may well be likely to reduce the attractiveness of solar panel installations.

There was an angry response from green supporters who maintain that there will be the necessity for “more roads, airports and gas power that will keep the UK hooked on costly fossil fuels for decades to come”.

A Final Comment

It is probably necessary to wait until after the post-budget debates in order to acquire all the information and to assimilate the different portions which will then provide a balanced report on the budget for 2012.  Only then will the ramifications for the energy industry in all of its various guises be transparent, which is of course, one of the promises of the coalition government.

March 21, 2012

Spring has Sprung – Will the Budget Make us Jump for Joy?

Filed under: Energy News — Tags: , , — Newsroom @ 12:28 pm

An open letter to the government from fifty of the UK‘s largest companies is demanding the government to adhere to its assurance that it will be the “greenest ever”.  Businesses including National Grid, Marks and Spencer, Microsoft, BT, and Siemens want to ensure that George Osborne includes a reliable proposal for “credible growth strategy” relating to energy efficiency and renewable energy in his Budget speech later today.

Renewable Energy Efficiency

These high-profile businesses, with the Aldersgate Group taking the lead, have sent this letter which is the latest one of several similar attempts to make sure that the government stays true to its promise for a low-carbon economy.

The letter continues by stating that as businesses are struggling with rising costs this is causing additional stress which will only be balanced out by increasing renewable energy policies.  Clearly defined consistent policy will allow the change to an economy which is sustainable and will encourage further growth in efficient and renewable energy.

A Sustainable Future

Peter Young, the chair of the Aldersgate Group, is concerned that the Chancellor’s current stance may suggest that jobs and businesses could suffer as a result of chasing for a greener future.  This would imply that environmental issues were only considered in monetary terms, which was the thinking back in the 1980s.

Mr Young continues with his concerns that the UK is lagging behind other countries when it relates to green issues, as currently only 0.15% of GDP is invested in renewable energy whereas by comparison 1.4% is invested in Germany.

The open letter to the government has fifty plus signatories.  Other highly regarded companies including Friends of the Earth, WWF, Aviva and the Green Building Council all support the view that the way forward must be through good environmental practices which is essential for economic growth and competition around the world.

Finally

The government must live up to its promise to deliver the Green Deal in its entirety, and not let other issues cloud their thinking.  It is essential for the economy as a whole and now isn’t the time for the Chancellor to sit on the fence or back-peddle.  When huge companies with the stature of those, plus many others, are prepared to stand together in order to chivvy the government – not to change its mind – but to merely complete on decisions already taken, it is time for the government to confirm their unswerving support.

November 3, 2011

Help Yourself – To Reduce Costs

Filed under: Renewable Energy — Tags: , , , — Newsroom @ 11:55 am

There is a considerable amount of information which gives details of renewable energy sources as well as the government’s green deal.   Leaflets and emails are being sent about loft and cavity wall insulation.   Even with all the publicity, it is surprising how many people still aren’t aware of the need to save energy.  Interestingly, the younger the person, the more knowledge they appear to have, although whether it is purely superficial and acquired from news headlines hasn’t been clarified.

We are fortunate that we are into November with the weather still relatively mild, which is a bonus.  Every week we can manage without needing the central heating being switch on for too long is a distinct advantage.  The average gas and electric bills for each household is now approximately £1300 per annum according to the latest figures available after the last increases by the energy suppliers.  Many people pay for their energy by direct debit and have a dual-fuel tariff as this is the most cost effective.  Changing energy suppliers in the future will be made easier, under new guidelines from the government and Ofgem, so that switching providers should take less than three weeks.

There are still a majority of homes where low energy bulbs still aren’t being utilised at all, as people consider that they are too expensive to buy.  However, the saving in the amount of electricity they use, plus the length of time that each bulb will last, certainly outweighs the objections.  Even if just one low energy bulb can be bought every month it will make a substantial difference to the electricity bill.  The same applies to turning down the central heating boiler by one degree and individual thermostats when rooms aren’t being used.  These are only small changes in themselves, but even small reductions will result in lower energy bills.

A really good way to save energy is by cooking as many items as possible all at the same time.  Most ovens take quite a long time to heat up to the required temperature and of course to cool down at the end of the cooking.  Try to organise timings so everything is started when the oven is at its hottest, and then the temperature can be reduced when required.  Add extra items to the oven when it reaches the right temperature for them.  Batch cook large casseroles, which can be frozen down in smaller portions and brought out, defrosted thoroughly and reheated when required.  It may take a little time to get used to cooking more than one meal at a time but it will reduce your energy bills and may even give a little extra time.

Make a few simple changes in the way you use energy, and in the end substantial savings can made on your energy bills.  If additional loft and cavity wall insulation can also be installed these will provide a great opportunity to further reduce energy bills.

September 8, 2011

UK – Our Green and Pleasant Land?

Filed under: Energy Efficiency — Tags: , , , , , — Newsroom @ 10:55 am

Just when you think that people are beginning to understand about green technology, what it entails and the necessity for embracing it, new information shows that we are deluding ourselves!    A new survey confirms that over 50% of those questioned didn’t know that the government’s Green Deal relates to energy efficiency.  Those asked thought that it probably relates to the protection of national trees or the increase of hybrid cars.

Whilst many people are happy to consider the possibilities of solar panels etc there is a huge gap in any knowledge about the installation, cost implications and the benefits.  One major problem is the perceived high installation cost of solar panels, together with lack of easily understood information about the savings, or even about the earnings from the green energy sources.  Two thirds of people were totally oblivious about the feed-in tariff scheme from the government.

A further worrying situation is that a quarter of UK homeowners won’t consider installing double glazing, loft and cavity wall insulation, or energy efficient boilers in their homes even when they are aware of the level of savings which can be made from their energy bills.

It is hardly surprising, when faced with the above information, that small and medium sized business owners also lack knowledge and understanding regarding renewable energy.  Many people don’t even want to use low energy light bulbs and don’t switch televisions or computers off overnight, preferring to leave them on standby.  This whole situation implies that it is actually quite a minority of the UK population as a whole who is close to being proficient about green energy and what it involves.

There have been television programmes of many different types over the past few years giving information regarding green issues so it is difficult to comprehend such a poor level of knowledge.   Perhaps there needs to be a series of documentaries on one of the terrestrial channels refurbishing a property with the inclusion of as many renewable resources as possible.  As an upscale to that, perhaps a small village can be encouraged to make these changes with advice from experts.  These are only suggestions, but if the Government want the UK to reach any targets at all regarding carbon footprints and greenhouse gasses etc there needs to be considerable education provided in the near future.  We all need to accept some responsibility for the current position and for letting it continue.

Business owners and residential customers need to be more aware about green issues from the simplest information regarding loft insulation and low energy light bulbs to biomass boilers, solar panels and wind turbines.   Further education is required to explain the specific details.   If UK residents don’t understand the importance of keeping this green and pleasant land for as long as possible, there isn’t going to be any chance of improving the situation for our children, and our grandchildren.  We are all culpable and there need to be rigorous and sustained effort to ensure that awareness leads to action.

August 30, 2011

Going Green…Gradually

Filed under: Renewable Energy — Tags: , , , — Newsroom @ 9:19 am

Government figures have confirmed that the amount of electricity being produced by wind power has increased by 131 percent during the second quarter of this year in comparison with the same period in 2010.  Electricity generation by gas has fallen by about 20 percent during the same timeframe.  Gas supply is also down approximately 21 percent which is reflected in the higher prices.  These figures show that perhaps, we are gradually heading in the right direction towards renewable energy.

Some companies totally embrace green energy and consciously make great efforts to reduce their carbon footprint.  They are heavily involved in recycling and do everything possible to ensure cheaper bills.  On the other hand are the huge majority of companies who haven’t actually done anything.  In a considerable number of cases this is because of lack of knowledge and just being dilatory rather than anything more sinister.  It is very easy to take the course of least resistance and to do nothing.

Busy and hard-pressed business owners don’t have much spare time available.  There is enough going on in order to keep a business functioning, let alone considering changing the usual gas and electricity providers, and looking at alternative technology.  In some cases they are expecting any change to involve a huge capital expense.  Of course, if they were to consider going into the green alternative with all guns blazing, then the cost may well be prohibitive.

Many small business owners could well be interested in an simpler approach but this may be something which they haven’t considered.  Quite surprisingly, they haven’t realised that by making reductions to the company energy bills by making a few simple changes this will constitute contributing towards a greener future.  Small and medium sized business owners do think that they need to install solar panels, biomass boilers and fuel to be involved in green technology.  They haven’t taken into account that by changing to low energy light bulbs and switching computers off at night they are already starting to make a contribution.  When new equipment is needed, look for multi-function items, such as a printer which doubles as a scanner, photocopier and fax and which only uses one energy source.

If there are staff members, involve them in the greener future of the company.  Organise a meeting, during working hours, to be held, say once a month, and let all staff make suggestions towards energy saving.  Let them know that you’re interested and listen to their ideas.  After each meeting one or two members of staff could be tasked with researching the new ideas, and trying to find an indication of cost.  This is a really good way to involve the whole company in the process of going green.  Encourage them to switch off all non-essential items overnight, and remember, the cheapest energy of all, is the energy which isn’t used.

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