Energy Facts

Backbench Revolt over Renewables Policy

The Government has survived a large-scale revolt by MPs over its renewable energy policy. Plans to implement beneficial "feed-in tariffs" for small renewable energy generators have been rejected, despite considerable cross-party support. The industry regards the tariffs as a key tool in increasing the take-up of PV, wind turbine and hydro technologies, but energy minister Malcom Wickes prefers to wait until a "full review" is completed this summer before making a decision. Feed-in tariffs have been successful in helping our EU neighbours leave the UK far behind in terms of renewable energy generation capacity, which currently stands at around 2.5% in the UK.

To read more, go to BBC news.

posted by GreenEnergy360 at 18:16

Planning Requirements Eased for Renewables

April 6th 2008 is the date that government red tape is greatly reduced for homeowners considering on-site renewable energy. From this date, the installation of solar thermal or PV panels, ground source heat pumps and other microgeneration technologies won't need planning permission, as long as there is no impact on neighbours. Some of the rules are quite specific - for example, solar panels must not protude more than 200mm from a roof pitch. However, other issues remain unresolved - wind turbines aren't mentioned, and restrictions still apply in conservation areas or on listed buildings.

Planning minister Caroline Flint said; "We want to make it easier to help people reduce their carbon footprint. Technology like solar panels can make a real difference, but homeowners can be put off by the time and expense of getting planning permission. We think it is right that people have more freedom to make these changes providing it has no impact on others."

For more information, see the official Town and Country Planning document.

posted by GreenEnergy360 at 19:08

GreenEnergy360 wins Innovation Award

GreenEneergy360 is one of 10 Anubis innovation award winners for 2008. The prize, awarded for our unique renewable energy calculator toolkit, comes from the European Regional Development Fund and is designed to support new technology companies at the leading edge of innovation.

At the Anubis award event, Simon Calvert of GreenEnergy360.org said "We are delighted that all our efforts in the development of the GreenEnergy360 service has been rewarded in this way. It's great to have our hard work recognised and gives us extra motivation to further develop the service for the benefit of consumers".

Dr. Paul Rowley of Loughborough University's Centre for Renewable Energy (CREST) said "We take pride in our level of cooperation with technology companies, and the Anubis award is an indication that our partnership with GreenEnergy360.org is a good move all round".

For more information, see the Anubis web site

posted by GreenEnergy360 at 22:09

Renewable Energy Grants to be Revamped

Look out for the government's Low Carbon Buildings Programme to be revamped. John Moriarty, an official from the Department for Business (BERR) said that changes may include a "feed-in tariff" to boost the take-up of solar PV systems, along with wind and hydro turbines. This means that electricty fed into the grid from small renewable energy systems will be eligible for much higher rates per unit than normal.

In Germany, feed-in-tariffs have been made into a major success. People generating electricity from renewable energy systems are paid generously for the extra power they feed in to the grid. Electricity companies are obliged to buy this energy, and the revenue has helped to kick-start significant investment in greener energy. Since Germany adopted feed-in-tariffs PV installations are more than 200 times that of Britain with 10 times more wind energy.

The UK would be well-advised to follow the German model rather than our Renewables Obligation scheme which has been much less effective in increasing renewable energy capacity.

posted by GreenEnergy360 at 19:26

New Zero-carbon Homes Unveiled

Scottish builders the Stewart Milne Group have unveiled their designs for one of the UK's first zero-carbon homes. Renewable energy features include a wind turbine and solar panels on the roof. The design is aimed at meeting the Government's new Code for Sustainable Homes. The house will be launched at the Building Research Establishment (BRE) in Watford in June. For more information see http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/consumer/caring/article.html?in_article_id=417916&in_page_id=511

posted by GreenEnergy360 at 12:08

Cheaper Solar PV in Sight

Within five years, solar power could compete with fossil fuel-generated electricity, even in Britain. And within a decade, the cost may have fallen so dramatically that solar cells could undercut oil, gas, coal and nuclear power by up to 50%, says Anil Sethi, chief executive of Swiss start-up Flisom. To read more, go to http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2007/02/19/ccview19.xml

posted by GreenEnergy360 at 21:42

Energy price hikes 'unjustified'

A leading energy watchdog has said the latest round of price rises by gas and electricity firms are unjustified and the Competition Commission should investigate. The latest rises are 15% on average, and affect 27 million consumers. Energywatch says the market is not competitive enough and consumers are paying over the odds. To read more, go to news.bbc.co.uk

posted by GreenEnergy360 at 21:26