Thursday 30 September 2010

Wood Energy, UK, wood fuel heating

Wood Energy is one of the UK's leading wood-fuel heating businesses, providing over a third of the country's total wood heat capacity and saving almost 12,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions a year through its boiler installations. Based in Devon, the company helped to set up the UK's only accredited wood-fuel training course for the industry to help raise standards. It has also worked hard to ensure a reliable supply of fuel for the heating systems it installs, by supporting local wood-fuel supply businesses and pellet mills. Benefiting from the growing demand for wood-fuel -- which is now cheaper than fossil fuels -- the business is helping the UK meet its carbon reduction targets.

Earth Report Payback Time Feed-In Tariff for Renewables

Householders installing wind turbines and solar panels must wait many years for a pay-back on their investment. In Germany they've found a way to cut down that pay-back time. It's called a feed-in tariff and it is giving a big boost to the renewables industry. Under German law, householders with operating solar or wind power can sell their spare capacity back to power companies at a premium. Demand for renewable energy systems is up, and as the numbers increase the installation costs are steadily falling. Forty countries now follow the German lead, including the UK.

The UK Feed In Tariff Explained

Home electricity providers can be paid back by their utility company by exporting electricity to the grid. Save money on utility bills using this method known as the Feed In Tariff.

This video explains the principles behind feed-in-tariffs in the UK introduced in 2010. Solar panel (PV) photovoltaics can be used to generate electricity and power for your home or business. Find out more about feed in tariffs here.

UK Solar Feed-in Tariff Explained

The UK Feed-in Tariff, or Clean Energy Cashback, for solar energy, explained.

The UK 'Feed-in Tariff' is a government backed policy to encourage the uptake of renewable energy in the UK.

Instead of providing a grant to help you buy a solar system, the 'Feed-in Tariff' rewards you for the amount of energy you generate, regardless of whether you consume the electricity or not. The scheme also provides an additional payment for any electricity you export.

Under the Feed-in Tariff, an average home in the UK, with a 2.5kWp (21M2) system installed can earn around £900 a year generating and exporting its own solar electricity. You can also save around £130 a year on your electricity bill.

DECC Feed-in Tariff Case Study: David Clough

David Clough introduces us to the various different energy saving technologies he has installed in his home, as well as providing excellent tips for all budgets on reducing energy consumption within the home.

Bristol Port - Wind Turbine Construction Video

Watch our stunning new time-lapse video of the construction of 3 wind turbines at Bristol Port. The turbines will produce over 15 million units of new green electricity annually, enough to save around 13,000 tonnes of carbon emissions every year for the next 30 years!

Windmill/Wind Turbine Explosion

The braking mechanism that limits the speed of the wind turbine broke during a storm in Denmark. This was the outcome. 02/22-2008.

New Wind Turbine Design Good for Rural, Urban Environment

Wind power is one of the fastest growing forms of alternative energy in the world. More and more, wind power mills are seen in the countryside, in large wind farms and for the most part, away from city life. But a new form of wind power is now designed to work in an urban environment. VOA producer Zulima Palacio has the story. Mill Arcega narrates.

Do Wind Turbines Make Noise?

Are Wind Turbines Noisy?

Here is some footage of Wind Turbines at Fenner Wind Farm and the sounds we are surround by everyday. You be the judge.

Tuesday 28 September 2010

Feed-in tariff case study

Jim Dignan tells us what energy saving technologies he has installed in his home and the benefits that he has enjoyed as a result.

Greg Barker launches Capital Markets Climate Initiative

Greg Barker along with Boris Johnson, Mayor of London, launched the CMCI at the London Stock Exchange, where he highlighted the City of London's potential to become a global hub for green finance.

Thanet Offshore Wind Farm

Chris Huhne speaking at the opening of the Thanet Offshore Wind Farm, the world's largest wind farm.

Commercial & Domestic Air tightness tests

BSRIA are the leading authority on Air tightness testing in the UK & Ireland. This video shows BSRIA / Anderson Mechanical Services carrying out commercial and domestic Air tightness tests.

EarthWool Insulation made from recycled glass bottles

High performance energy saving insulation made with recycled glass bottles available in compression packed for easy handling. Install it yourself in less than 2 hours. Upgrade your home's energy performance certificate.

Good Energy, UK, Renewable electricity

Good Energy has set up the 'Home Generation' scheme, which gives payments to small-scale renewable energy generators for all the electricity which they generate, thus encouraging more renewable generation at a local level.

Large-scale renewable energy generators in the UK set up commercial contracts to sell their electricity, and can also claim Renewable Obligation Certificates (ROCs), which currently sell for about £39 per MWh (3.9 p per kWh). However, for small renewable generators, the time and effort to do this may not be justified by the financial return. In addition, ROCs can be claimed only on an annual generation of 500 kWh or more, which excludes very small generators.

Good Energy has therefore set up the Home Generation scheme, which provides a payment of 4.5p per kWh to small renewable generators for all the electricity which they generate. To join the scheme, generators must buy the rest of their electricity from Good Energy, and must install a simple meter to measure the total kWh generated. Home Generation customers greatly appreciate the simplicity of this scheme, and typically earn about £100 per year through it. There are currently 200 generators in the Home Generation scheme, representing a total installed capacity of 440 kW.

Good Energy set up the scheme as part of their commitment to increasing the use of renewable electricity in the UK. They have used their extensive knowledge of the practicalities of local generation to lobby the electricity regulator and other suppliers, to make the rules for exporting electricity clearer and to negociate a better deal for small generators.

Seaton Primary School, UK, a sustainable school

Seaton Primary School in Devon lives out its school motto of 'Caring now for the Future', and is one of a few UK schools to install a range of renewable technologies. A 2.5 kW wind turbine and a 4.7 kW PV array on the roof of the school hall supply electricity directly to the school and have helped reduce CO2 emissions by about 2 tonnes a year. In addition, 48 m2 of solar water heating panels heat the school's outdoor swimming pool. Other green initiatives include class 'Energy Agents' to help reduce energy waste; the after-school 'Eco Club' to monitor energy use; a 2006 Energy Audit resulting in a host of energy efficiency measures; an orchard to provide fruit for pupils and save food miles; and a grey water collection system to supply the school wildlife pond and demonstrate small-scale water power.

My CO2 Carbon Footprint

This TV advert explains that everyone has carbon footprint and it contributes to climate change. You can calculate your carbon footprint at direct.gov.uk/actonco2

Reduce your CO2 emissions.

Solar Tower Energy

This is the future project in Australia. It will be ready in 2012.

Helios Solar Powered Aircraft

Compilation of test flights.

Pathfinder Solar Plane preceeded Centurion. Pathfinder turned into Pathfinder+ by removing the original center panel and replacing it with a panel that was about 48 feet in length. Centurion turned into Helios Prototype, which turned into Helios and Helios with a fuel cell. The difference between Centurion and Helios prototype was removing the center panel and adding 2 new center panels. Helios flew with 5 pods and had a full solar array. The fuel cell version was made by removing the center pod and replacing it with the fuel cell pod. That is the one at the end of the video.

Wood (Log) Gasification Boilers explained

Explains how wood gasification (log burning) boilers work, featuring boilers from Swedish company Varmebaronen

Wood fuel boiler at RJ Mitchell Primary School

Tom Vosper, the Biomass Project Manager at Creative Environmental Networks, describes how the carbon neutral wood pellet boiler at RJ Mitchell Primary School works, in the Borough of Havering in London. It's a Gilles boiler supplied by Broag, and installed by AC Preou of Romford. It's a great example of a retrofit solution to seriously mitigate climate change causing emissions.

Carbon Neutral our footprint our journey

Ashton Hayes is a village in Cheshire, UK with a population of around 1000. Since Jan 2006 it has been aiming to become the first English carbon neutral village.

Kirklees MBC, UK, Domestic solar pv electricity

Kirklees Metropolitan Borough Council (MBC) has undertaken the largest photovoltaic (PV) programme in the UK, with 351 kWp of PV installed on social housing, community buildings and luxury flats.

Photovoltaics are the easiest renewable energy technology to integrate in towns and cities, because they can be installed on roofs and building facades with minimal intrusion, and they have the highest acceptance by the general public. They are now widely used in Germany and the Netherlands. Starting in 2000, Kirklees MBC, based in Huddersfield, took part in a major European project to supply electricity from PV in city buildings. The EU-funded SunCities Project contributed to the installation of 351 kWp of PV (also solar thermal systems) on a range of private and public-sector housing and residential homes in Huddersfield. This is the largest domestic PV programme in the UK, and represents about 5% of installed PV capacity. All buildings were either refurbished or newly built to high environmental standards, so households gained the benefits of energy efficiency as well as the more visible PV.

A typical household system rated at 1 kWp generates about 750 kWh of electricity per year in the UK, which would give a saving of £50 per year if it all replaced imported electricity. Kirkless MBC has lobbied to get better payment for export of electricity, and also easier access to Renewable Obligation Certificates (ROCs) for small generators.

Introduction to Solar Photovoltaics

A short introduction to Solar Photovoltaic energy generation

Bioenergy research at Aston University

Professor Andreas Hornung introduces Aston University's groundbreaking European Bioenergy Research Institute, which is conducting research into producing biofuels from a variety of materials, including algae.

The big biofuels debate

Biofuels are a hot topic of debate. Once celebrated as the 'green' alternative to fossil fuels, we can now see that mass producing biofuels contributes to climate change and hunger.

Waste Oil into Biodiesel for Cars, Tractors, Trucks and Home

Waste Oil into Biodiesel for Cars, Tractors, Trucks and Home Heating. Make your own biodiesel.

Monday 27 September 2010

Kingspan Lighthouse

A short video that delves into the technology and thought process that went into the development of the UKs first Code level six (net-zero-carbon) house and the Code for Sustainable Homes (CSH).

Camden Eco-Home

Environmental retro-fit of Victorian house in Camden, London.

BIRCHWAY ECO-COMMUNITY, HAYES

24 one and two bedroom apartments built on disused allotment site within the London Borough of Hillingdon. Built to meet Level 5, Code for Sustainable Homes.

Nottingham Eco-Home

Environmental retro-fit of Victorian house in Nottingham.

Code for Sustainable Homes Energy and CO2 Emissions

Discusses the targets related to CO2 emissions and how close we are to actually meeting said targets in the UK.

The Code for Sustainable Homes sets standards for the environmental performance of dwellings, and comprises nine categories. The first category, 'Energy and CO2 Emissions', seeks to minimise the operational energy used within the home, and the resulting emissions of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere.

Under the Kyoto Protocol of 1997, the core of the commitment required was for developed countries to reduce their emissions by 5%, based on 1990 levels of emissions. The three principal means of implementing Kyoto are emissions trading, clean development mechanisms and joint implementation. In particular, the emissions trading scheme means putting a cap on carbon and giving everyone an allowance. People who don't need the full allowance can then sell it on to those who need more, so a market is created, leading to more innovation and efficiency.

The 'Energy and CO2 Emissions' category in the Code for Sustainable Homes aims to push people to build low carbon homes, so that they're more likely to use fuels which emit less carbon, and insulate their properties so that less carbon is emitted.

The 'Energy and CO2 Emissions' category is probably the most complicated or extensive of all the categories in the Code. The Code levels are rated at level 1 to 6, sometimes referred to as level 1* to 6* rating. Where level 1 is a poorly performing house in terms of its emissions, level 3 equates to the old, phased-out BRE EcoHomes 'very good' rating, and level 6 is effectively a zero carbon property. The objective of the Code therefore is to reduce carbon emissions and increase the Code level rating. In order to do this there are several aspects of the carbon-producing and energy-consuming functions of the building to consider; these are the Dwelling Emission Rate (DER), the building fabric, internal lighting, drying spaces, energy labelled white goods, external lighting, low or zero carbon (LZC) technologies, cycle storage and the home office.

Green light for sustainable homes

A brownfield site in Inverness that has lain derelict for over 15 years will be transformed to provide 100 sustainable homes, backed by Scottish Government funding, Highland Housing Alliance has purchased the Glendoe Terrace site in Merkinch near the city centre - with £1 million finance from The Highland Council and £530,000 Vacant & Derelict Land funding provided by the Scottish Government.
The plans were unveiled by the First Minister as he joined Housing & Communities Minister Alex Neil and local councillors to see the finishing touches being made to Scotland's Housing Expo - hosted by the Highland capital and expected to attract around 30,000 visitors from across the country.

Case For Good Biofuels In The UK: Sustainable Bioethanol

As the biofuels debate rages, leading stakeholders take time out to discuss sustainable bioethanol as a green alternative in the UK.

Lisa Rogers on biofuels

Actress and presenter of Scrapheap Challenge, Lisa Rogers talks about her experience with biofuel cars. On World Environment Day, celebrities and dignitaries took part in the annual Revolve Eco-Rally. They drove eco-friendly cars from Brighton to London, some you can buy now, some are advanced prototypes - they all work, and they all prove that zero emission motoring is closer than some people think. Here she talks about her own experience with biofuels.

Good quality biodiesel tends to cost more than regular diesel to produce. In July 2002, the UK Government reduced the tax on biodiesel by 20p/litre. Biodiesel pump prices are now roughly the same as standard diesel.

BioDiesel Processors - Why not make your own bio diesel?

Why not make your own bio diesel?

BioDiesel Wet Washing

Systems are capable of producing 20,000+ litres of clean Bio Diesel per year.
Why not make your own bio diesel???
It's much cheaper than the pump prices, and is good to the environment too.

The first 2,500 litres of Bio Diesel produced annually is DUTY FREE, giving you a potential saving of over £2,200 per year, against current ever increasing pump prices!

Biology and Business of Biofuels: Algae as Biofuel

Leading experts explore the need, challenges, opportunities and impacts of creating biofuels for a sustainable future.

first micro-CHP, dual energy system of its kind in the UK

Find out all about the brand new Baxi Ecogen - the first micro-CHP, dual energy system of its kind in the UK. A short animation will explain how the unit works and how you could not only save money but also receive a set price on all the electricity you generate, whether you use it yourself or export it back to the grid!

Salad Power: how Green Energy UK use tomatoes to power Waitrose

You had solar power, now Green Energy UK is using 'salad power,' using the same tomatoes that are sold in Waitrose in Rickmansworth to provide them with their electricity.

Biomass Engineering

a video showing our Dortmund plant running on clean wood. This site is a 500kw CHP

BioRegional Development Group, UK, Wood-chip from waste

The BioRegional Development Group has established a 'TreeStation' -- a centre where waste wood is received from many sources, turned into wood-chip and delivered for use as a heating fuel. Until recently, their site capacity was about 2,500 tonnes per year, but a new chipper has increased this to 15,000 tonnes per year.

Legislation in the London Borough of Croydon and other boroughs requires all significant new building developments to generate 10% of their energy from on-site renewable sources. Biomass heating is one of the most cost-effective ways to do this, but requires a reliable supply of fuel. The London boroughs do have a considerable resource of fuelwood from the management of parks, gardens and woodland, but much of the waste produced is currently sent to landfill, at a cost of about £40 per tonne.

The BioRegional Development Group brokered an innovative deal between tree surgery business, City Suburban Tree Surgeons Ltd, and Croydon Council to manage and dispose of all the Council's wood waste. BioRegional established a TreeStation -- a centre where waste wood is received from many sources, turned into wood-chip and delivered for use as a fuel for heating and combined heat-and-power. Until recently, the TreeStation had produced about 2,500 tonnes of wood-chip per year for a single customer, Slough Heat and Power, who supply heat and electricity to Slough Estates and use an increasing amount of wood in their fuel supply. With recent equipment, the TreeStation now has the capacity to process 15,000 tonnes per year. BioRegional is also setting up drying facilities so that the wood-chip will have lower moisture content, and so be suitable for a wide range of boilers.

Combined Heat and Power Biomass Gasifier

The Combined Heat and Power Biomass Gasifier at University of East Anglia will be fired by woodchips from sustainable sources in Norfolk and will have the effect of reducing UEA's carbon emssions by over 30%. It will open in late 2009 and tours are available.

Solar Panel Installation

solar panels use the power in both direct and diffused sunlight, converting the energy into heat, to produce hot water for the home.

A well-sized solar panel system could provide up to 60% of your annual hot water requirements.

Solar PV installation UK

How to install a solar PV system

Sunday 26 September 2010

Solar water heating, Legionella and heating daily to the store base

Solar water heating systems using comnventional hot water stores are reported by a UK government water safety agency WRAS as being highly likely to be creating a Legionella safety risk. Legionnnaire's disease risk can be minimised by improved design. One safer solar storage solution used by Solartwin is called dedicated solar volume in time. This safer design involves heating to the base of a solar hot water store every day in the evening to 60C. This solar hot water storage method fullly complies with regulation UK HSE Legionella L8 guidance para 158. Another safer solution is a thermal store. The safety principles also apply to heat pumps. Includes a suggested way to calculate the statistical number of people infected with Legionella per year from solar cylinders in UK.

Good Energy - Solar Power at Home

In the Herefordshire countryside a couple use solar panels at home to heat water and generate electricity and help them to lead the good life. Find out how it is like to live with renewable sustainable energy systems.

Investing In Solar Energy and Feed In Tariffs

Export electricity to the grid and make money from your home solar power.

How to Make an Inexpensive Vertical Wind Turbine

DIY Kit re-using everyday items that can be modified to make your own domestic wind turbine for your home.

The World's Largest Wind Turbine

the first wind turbine with 6 MW rated power, rotor diameter: 126m (413ft), hub height: 135m(450ft). Two of these giant wind power units have been built for testing at an onshore location, Rysumer Nacken, near Emden, in the northwest of Germany.

The 1,000-foot wind turbine

Seamus Garvey travels to the Waltham transmitter to better comprehend the scale of his wind turbine plan. His turbines create energy differently to conventional ones, using falling masses within the blades to compress air.

20% renewable energy by 2020



Raising the share of renewable energy from 8.5% to 20% in the overall energy consumption is a necessary contribution to the global fight against climate change and towards better control over our energy dependence. The various uses of renewable energy are examined: electricity through wind and hydraulic energies; electricity or heat through geothermal and solar energies; electricity, heat, and biofuel coming from biomass. The EU is a world leader in the use and deployment of technologies that exploit renewable energy sources

What does a Domestic Energy Assessor Do?



Find out what a home energy assessor does when surveying your home for the issue of an EPC (Energy Performance Certificate)

Energy Performance Certificates



looks at Energy Performance Certificate data collected by the NHER Accreditation Scheme over the last 12 months and contains a number of recommendations to Government about how we can improve the usefulness and impact of the EPC.

Renewable Energy in the UK



various technologies involved in the industry. The video focuses on a press tour organised by UKTI to Scotland.

Purging and flushing a Ground Source Heat Pump System



step by step guide to purging a ground source heat pump part of the underfloor heating system system

Domestic Hot Water Air Source Heat Pump



Air Source Heat Pumps ground source heat pumps underfloor heating earth save products

Tuesday 21 September 2010

Renewable Energy News

Keep up to date with our free news feed subscription! Available to all in the UK Energy industry, included the latest renewable energy and sustainability issues.