Ealing Council has given the green light to the Green Man Lane development, which will see the demolition of an existing housing estate and the construction of 706 new flats and houses for a mixture of affordable rent, shared ownership and outright sale.

All the new homes will be built to Level 4 of the Code for Sustainable Homes while other sustainability measures, such as water-saving devices in the homes and rainwater collection, have also been incorporated into the plans.

Furthermore, an energy centre, designed to provide energy-efficient heating and energy to the new neighbourhood, is to be built.

Nicholas Yeeles, executive director of new business at developer A2Dominion, commented: “This is fantastic news for local residents, who have worked hard over a long period of time to get the new high-quality homes they want and need.

“Our aim is to create a place where people feel proud and safe to be, and we feel confident that the regeneration will achieve this.”

A2Dominion recently began building work on another housing development in nearby Hounslow.

source: The Energy Saving Trust

Commissioned by trade organisation Scottish Renewables and development agency Scottish Enterprise, Scottish Offshore Wind: Creating an Industry, describes four scenarios for the future of renewable energy in the region.The scenarios range from adding 1.3 GW to 10.6 GW of new renewable capacity and up to 28,000 jobs, as well as 20,000 in related industries.

However, such growth will only come with investment in the grid, port facilities and skills, warns the report.

“Renewable energy is Scotland’s biggest economic opportunity in a generation, and the development of offshore wind will drive much of the expansion of the sector,” says Jenny Hogan of Scottish Renewables.

“While Scotland has fantastic resources and facilities, if we are to attract major inward investors and grow the supply chain, we need to develop key ports and manufacturing facilities, as well as securing necessary grid connections and upgrades,” she adds.

The Scottish Government is expected to launch a consultation on proposals to reform the Renewables Obligation subsidy mechanism in the region to drive forward development.

Meanwhile, the Government is also in talks with Norwegian energy company Statoil about a possible site for the first Hywind floating turbine in Scottish waters.

The prototype turbine is already being tested at a site 10 km offshore at Karmøy in Norway and has been delivering electricity to the grid for the last year,

Statoil now wants to deploy three to five more floating turbines to demonstrate the commercial viability of the technology and is looking at two sites in Scotland – one off the coast of Lewis and the other off Aberdeenshire – as well other options in Norway and the US.

Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond met with company executives in August and said the discussions were “very positive”.

“The Hywind II wind farm project would see a Scotland-Norway collaboration push the boundaries of deepwater offshore wind beyond the 100 m mark and open up vast areas of the world’s oceans to the development of wind energy for the first time,” he said.

source: Energy Efficiency News

The council is in talks with utility companies about installing cells on roofs of properties as early as spring 2011, reports the BBC.If the plans go ahead, it would mean free electricity for residents during the day.

Corby Borough Council’s chief executive Chris Mallender said: “It’s one of those deals that sounds too good to be true but in truth it’s part of the push to generate more electricity from renewables and reduce carbon.”

It would mean Corby Borough Council is the first local authority in the Northamptonshire region to undertake such a project on a large scale.

The proposals have been made possible by a recent government decision to allow councils to sell back electricity they generate to the national grid.

Recently released figures from Ogem revealed that a record number of solar panels have been installed by UK homeowners during August this year.

source: The Energy Saving Trust

Figures from Ofgem show that a record number of homeowners had solar panels installed this month (August).

Ofgem revealed that there were 1,400 homes fitted with solar panels in June, rising to 1,700 in July.However, so far this month there have been 2,257 homes installing the renewable energy technology, 24Dash.com reported.

The news provider suggested that the feed-in tariff, which pays people 41.3p for every unit of energy they generate, has encouraged the uptake since it was introduced on April 1st.

Homeowners can earn money from the energy they generate for 25 years after the panels are installed and the Energy Saving Trust has estimated that the average property can generate £700 a year from the government scheme, as well as save around £100 on energy bills.

The trend could continue as more utility firms offer customers incentive schemes, such as funding the installation process.

source: The Energy Saving Trust

Speaking to The Daily Telegraph, George Clarke, presenter of Channel 4′s The Home Show and The Restoration Man explained: “When you look at the potential energy savings, every house in the country ought to be double glazed.”The expert has provided advice to consumers about how they can reduce energy bills and make their day to day living more energy efficient.

He added: “There is a perception that eco-designed homes are newbuilds, with a lot of hi-tech modern features. But all homes need to become eco-homes if we are to reduce carbon emissions in line with the Kyoto Protocol.

“Just think how much energy – and money, when it comes to fuel bills – can be saved with roof insulation and double glazing alone.”

Indeed, Mr Clarke noted that homeowners can recoup the costs of loft insulation within two to three years through reduced energy bills, adding that un-insulated cavity walls can be almost as wasteful as un-insulated lofts.

source: The Energy Saving Trust

The utility firm is the latest in a host of companies offering to install electricity-generating systems on homes to take advantage of a government scheme that pays the owners of solar panels for the ‘renewable’ electricity they generate.

The sudden allure of solar power is less to do with planet-saving and more to do with companies or individuals banking the lucrative feed-in-tariffs (Fits) for every unit of electricity generated – currently 41.3p per KWh, irrespective of whether you consume the power at the time or not.

British Gas says the Fits payments can be worth £1,000 per annum, though with export tariffs (for power not used) added, they can be worth even more. They are guaranteed by the government for 25 years, are payable via the utility company, and will rise in line with inflation.

British Gas has entered the market with the launch of two schemes. If you opt for its “rent-a-roof” scheme, it will install solar panels on your roof for free and you will benefit from the electricity you generate during the day. The installation is free but you will not own the panels and so British Gas will pocket the Fits cash for the length of the scheme – 25 years. The rent-a-roof deal is limited to the first 1,500 British Gas customers who apply.

Alternatively, you can install your own solar panels and British Gas will offer you a two-year interest-free loan, supplied by Hitachi Capital, with which to borrow the upfront costs. You will receive the feed-in-tariffs as well as benefit from the generation of cheaper power. BG says the upfront cost generally ranges from £10,000 to £15,000 depending on the size of the roof.

With the latter deal, consumers should be aware that they will need to ensure they keep up with repayments, which could be as much as £625 per month on a £15,000 across 24 months.

Cathy Debenham, who runs YouGen.co.uk, a website devoted to helping people thinking of installing this, and other similar technology says the rent a roof scheme, “does not sound any different from anyone else’s scheme. The savings they make will depend on their electricity usage and their supplier.”

In short, different suppliers treat exported energy differently so some customers will find they save more than others.

Debenham adds that the Fits scheme is “great, but only if you can afford the capital. There is no government-supported scheme for those without the money.”

Jon Kimber, the managing director of British Gas New Energy, said: “Solar power will revolutionise the way British homes generate and use energy. Customers [will] reap the benefits of this technology to cut their electricity bills, reduce their carbon footprint and earn a yearly income.”

A recent Guardian Money investigation found that it makes financial sense to install the panels yourself. Current remortgaging rates are no more than around 5%-6%, and often lower, but even if you end up paying 12% interest you will still make a huge profit. Most calculations suggest buyers will be able to pay off the costs after nine to 10 years, depending on how much they pay for finance. Most households will make a risk-free profit of £20,000 over the 25 years while enjoying lower electricity bills.

If you are buying the panels upfront, check they come with a warranty. And if you do opt for free solar panels, make sure you get them from a reputable company as you will likely enter into a long-term contract.

Debenham says that, while savings are clearly the incentive with the Fits solar schemes, if consumers install the panels themselves, they will begin to see the green benefits. “It changes forever your relationship with electricity and energy because you can see the impact it has on your bills and how much electricity different things consume. It can teach you to conserve energy.”

source: The Guardian

In a speech to businesses in low carbon markets, deputy prime minister Nick Clegg said that as many as 14 million homes will be set to benefit from the scheme, which will help people fund energy-efficiency improvements such as installing cavity wall insulation and solar panels.He noted that people living in the most inefficient homes could save around £550 a year in reduced energy bills.

Details of the scheme will be unveiled later in the year, but it is thought that projects will begin in April next year and lead to the creation of 10,000 new jobs.

Mr Clegg, who is leading the government while the prime minister is on holiday, said that the coalition would lead a “quiet green revolution”.

“We won’t try and dazzle you with green gimmicks. We want to impress you by quietly getting on with the job,” he said.

source: The Energy Saving Trust

The house is being built inside a three-storey laboratory, which will allow a team of researchers to control heat, light and humidity levels.

The house is set to be ready to begin experiments in December.

The first brick was laid on Monday, and the university’s Energy Hub team hopes the project will shed light on the best ways to reduce energy consumption in the UK’s existing building stock.

“What we are trying to do it tackle fuel poverty and improve energy efficiency, not only from a technological point of view but from a behavioural perspective too,” said Stephen Waterworth, manager of the Energy Hub.

He told BBC News that the scheme will bring together researchers from a wide range of scientific disciplines to analyse the issue and work alongside business and community groups.

‘Robust research’

About 70% of the country’s residential property will still be inhabited in 2050, and it is estimated that more than 90% of all UK homes would benefit substantially from improvements in energy efficiency.

Research has shown that the country’s least efficient properties were predominantly constructed prior to 1920.

Although they comprise 15% of current UK housing, it is estimated that they account for 23% of total national CO2 emissions.

“We need to find ways to make these old-build properties more energy efficient as they will continue to house people for generations to come,” observed Professor Stephen Donnelly, dean of the university’s Faculty of Science, Engineering and Environment.

“But to cost-effectively retro-fit old properties and make them as carbon-efficient as possible requires detailed and robust research.”

The Energy House project is expected to last for about three years before the team will demolish the house and replace it with a replicated public building, such as a hospital ward or school classroom.

source: BBC News

IMAP’s 2010 Alternative Energy Global Report shows that the number of mergers and acquisitions in the market grew, suggesting confidence from investors in the sector.

This in turn could bring down the cost of energy products, and through investments from utility companies, could also reduce fuel bills.

The report showed that the total transaction value of investor deals over the past 12 months came to $20.4 billion (£13 billion), with China leading the way with the highest investment value.

Europe had the largest number of transactions; however they were of a lower value.

Ketil Wig, chairman of IMAP’s Energy & Power Industry Group, commented: “The cost of clean technologies is decreasing and these technologies are being utilised in more applications.

“Within the next decade, we expect solar photovoltaic (PV) installations, smart meters, energy storage devices, wind turbines and other clean technologies to become commodities and help the market to mature.”

source: The Energy Saving Trust

This is the view of Gordon Miller, sustainability and communications director of Sustain, an organisation of sustainable residential and leisure tourism developers and professionals.He claimed that although many buyers will still focus on the location and cost of a property, “they will start to look at issues such as the energy efficiency”.

“People are becoming more aware of the benefits of energy efficiency. In my opinion, the public is definitely switching on to it more,” he added.

From 2012, new EU legislation will come into force, requiring all home sellers to publish the energy efficiency rating of their property in the sale advertisement.

Currently, energy performance certificates can be provided later in the selling process.

However, Mr Miller noted that the new law could be a “burden” and more expensive for sellers.

source: The Energy Saving Trust