Renewable Energy Debate

Energy Storage Test for SSE green Development

Jan09
2013 Leave a Comment Written by greenman

We have been observing SSE’s (in conjunction with Ofgem) Greenwatt Way project in Slough for a few years now – incase you’re unaware, it’s an interesting development of ten ‘zero carbon’ energy-efficient homes featuring the latest green building technologies, including; solar pv panels, greywater recycling systems, enhanced insulation, smart metering, natural ventilation and more exciting technologies.

zero carbon home

Greenwatt Way energy technologies

 

Energy storage test

The latest from Greenwatt Way is to test three 25kWh lithium-ion batteries (developed by the S&C Electric Company) which have the capability to store energy from low carbon sources such as solar power. This test is set to determine what the benefits are to low voltage networks of storing energy in this manner. These smaller networks could be utilised to store energy as individuals and businesses begin to transition to energy supply from low carbon sources. Its hoped that if successful, utilising this technology could mean that expensive and disruptive cable replacement could be a thing of the past.

 

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EU Renewable Targets: Who are set to reach them?

Dec03
2012 Leave a Comment Written by greenman

The Guardian newspaper recently covered a news story regarding EU renewables targets and how each country is performing.  We have decided to visualise this data to show which countries are performing the best as well as where the EU stands against the rest of the world on renewable energy investment.  We hope you like our infographic and please free to share!

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Energy Bill is Published

Nov29
2012 Leave a Comment Written by greenman

Well, after months of huff and puff the UK Energy Bill is finally here. Energy secretary Ed Davey unveiled it today in the House of Commons:

There have already been responses from various quarters – The Guardian is covering the announcement live:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/global/blog/2012/nov/29/energy-bill-published-electricity-emissions

Details on the bill can be found in the snappily titled: “An Energy Bill to Power Low-carbon Economic Growth, Protect Consumers and Keep the Lights On“.

We’ll have more information as it becomes available!

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New “Green Bank” Opened

Nov28
2012 Leave a Comment Written by greenman

Business Secretary Vince Cable has announced that a UK Green Investment Bank has been launched in Edinburgh.  The bank will have a purse of £3bn which will be used to invest in ‘green areas’ such as renewable energies, carbon capture and energy storage as well as energy efficiency measures.  The bank’s main headquarters will be situated in the Scottish capital but will have a large presence in London.

Having only just opened its doors, so to speak, the bank has already made its first investments and detail of those have just been released.  The first recipients of subsidies from the fund is a project in the North East of England which will see the construction of an anaerobic digestion plant, which will the first in a planned series of six within the next six years.  This will be matched by private investors also.

Mr Cable has stated that green economies would be placed “at the heart” of assisting the UK back out of a particularly dire period in the economy.  He shared that he hoped this would also position the UK at head of global ambition to develop clean energy for the future.

The £3 billion of government money would see money being leveraged through the private sector and they would almost certainly fund green projects from offshore wind to non-domestic energy efficiency, helping to stimulate growth by creating jobs in a relatively new industry sector.

The Scottish government have been making the most noises to have the bank set up this side of the border as they feel that Scotland is currently is a world leader in the renewable energy market.  Scotland already has (very ambitious) plans to become a completely renewable country by 2020.  The opening of the bank obviously provides several opportunities for further Scottish-born projects, bringing further jobs as well as funding.

Environmental groups such as the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) also welcomed the introduction of the bank as it sees the move as stepping in the right direction to a low carbon economy.  The group also added the investment in the renewable energy infrastructure would be critical into meeting climate targets and securing further employment opportunities.

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UK Renewable Energies Could Lose Billions

Nov14
2012 Leave a Comment Written by greenman

Investment in renewable energy sources has been cast into doubt as the coalition government have rejected the development of new wind farms across the UK.  The investment in renewable energies would ensure billions of pounds would be poured into the British economy by creating new jobs but the Conservative energy minister has since put a halt to the forthcoming plans as they do not comply with Tory policy.

The Prime Minister David Cameron had to intervene stating that the energy policy was intact despite the remarks from the newly appointed energy minister suggesting there would be a sudden end to the new onshore wind turbine construction project; opposing the governments believed support for renewable energy supplies.

The minister, John Hayes, was appointed as the energy minister in September when the cabinet was reshuffled stated the countryside was already littered with the large scale turbines and that the governmental targets of planned and constructed turbines were being met.

This could be seen as quite an embarrassment on the government’s part as there is as many as 10 multinational companies willing to invest in the renewable and low-carbon energy market here in the UK, which could mean billions of pounds coming into UK shores.  These companies, which include Siemens and General Electric, have since become frustrated with the governments lack of commitment to green energy.

Clean energy fuels such as wind farms are one of the cheapest forms of electricity production.  This method only costs the bill payer an extra £5 compared to the £120 that fossil fuels will cost.

Industry leaders who had been attending the Renewable UK conference claimed that it was unthinkable for the government to almost self sabotage its own energy policies when the UK was showcasing the renewables industry to potential investors.

Why do you think the government has back tracked and is now seemingly opposing the introduction of more renewable sources of energy as well as billions of pounds that would assist in a somewhat underwhelming economy?  Why not leave a comment in the box below?

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Energy Prices and Tariffs Under the Microscope

Nov07
2012 Leave a Comment Written by greenman

A new campaign group has been set up to highlight the issue of unfair energy pricing.  The Turn up the Heat campaign is being backed by almost 90 per cent of the nation and its primary focus is to introduce legal sanctions which would ensure that energy companies switch customers to the cheapest possible energy tariff available to them.

On the back of this there has also been a survey carried out which highlights what the public think about their energy prices, the types of tariffs and what type of company would be preferable to gain their supply from.

The poll found some interesting things such as 86 per cent of the UK public should make the energy suppliers automatically out their customers on the lowest energy tariff.  Also an astounding 3 per cent felt that their energy tariffs were honest, which in reality is quite a shocking figure.  Another point is that almost 70 per cent believe that their energy plans are confusing – an indication that suppliers need to stand up and take notice when delivering bills to their customers.

Currently people feel there are no simpler and direct means to compare prices across different tariffs or between each supplier.  By introducing legislation which would ensure that customers are put on the lowest tariff possible would mean energy suppliers are unable to rely on customer’s apathy when charging for energy usage.

The latest figures from Ofgem show that the average annual fuel bill for homes in the UK is £1,335 and figures from the Ofgem research show that there can be a much as a £300 difference between the cheapest and most expensive plans – costing the UK billions in mischarging.

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