Renewables

The boss of one of Scotland’s biggest industrial trade unions has criticised economy secretary Fiona Hyslop after she claimed only independence could deliver green jobs for Scotland. Hyslop made the remarks in parliament following the decision by energy group SSE Renewables not to award any work on its £3bn Seagreen development, Scotland’s largest offshore wind farm, to Fife-based Burntisland Fabrications (BiFab). Responding to a question from Tory MSP Maurice Golden in which he criticised the SNP’s failure to create green industrial jobs, Hyslop said: “When we have the powers of independence we will be able to deliver that green revolution.” Gary Smith, GMB Scotland secretary, said: “Whatever your position on the constitution, that’s an appalling statement to make at the same moment fabrication contracts for Scotland’s biggest windfarm project were awarded to China and the UAE.” The multimillion-pound contracts to manufacture turbine jackets for the scheme, which will be located 27 miles off the coast of Angus, have been awarded to US group Fluor’s Chinese division and United Arab Emirates-headquartered firm Lamprell. BiFab is jointly owned by Canadian industrial fabrication giant DF Barnes and the Scottish government, which has a 30% stake in the company after lending the business £37.4m when it was threatened with administration. The government’s accounts reveal the equity value of that loan has been reduced to £2m because of expected losses.

Times 27th Sept 2020 read more »

“The Clyde Mission Fund will support projects that will create jobs, benefit places and communities and support Scotland’s environmental ambitions as we work with our partners to build a stronger, fairer, greener Clydeside.” The funding will support capital projects like construction and environmental improvements, with another £25m to follow over five years from 2021 to support zero-carbon energy infrastructure and heat networks for residential and commercial premises.

The National 27th Sept 2020 read more »

Output from renewable electricity sources increased as a share of the UK’s electricity output in the second quarter of 2020, compared with the same period in 2019, according to BEIS figures. Primary electricity output in the second quarter of 2020 was 1.9% lower than in the second quarter of 2019, while output from renewables rose 9% compared with the second quarter of 2019, partly due to increased capacity. During the second quarter total primary energy consumption for energy uses fell by 24%, though when adjusted to take account of weather differences between the second quarter of 2019 and the second quarter of 2020, primary energy consumption fell by 19%. BEIS said the record low quarterly level of consumption was a direct result of the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown which took effect from 23 March 2020, resulting in a significant fall in demand for the main transport fuels. Renewable electricity capacity was 48.5GW at the end of the second quarter of 2020, a 5.4% increase (2.4GW) on a year earlier, with just under 80% of the increase coming from offshore wind, BEIS said. Solar generation hit record levels in the second quarter and in the month of May 2020, due to increased capacity and more sun hours than in 2019, BEIS highlighted. Renewables’ share of electricity generation was a 44.6% in the second quarter of 2020.

Renews 24th Sept 2020 read more »

Energy Systems Catapult and five local authorities in Greater Manchester have won funding for a pioneering clean energy project – that will develop 10 renewable schemes across the city – and create a blueprint that can be replicated in other regions across the UK aiming for Net Zero carbon emissions. Unlocking Clean Energy in Greater Manchester (UCEGM) brings together five local authorities that have declared a “climate emergency” – Manchester, Rochdale, Salford, Stockport, and Wigan. The 3-year £17.2m project – led by Energy Systems Catapult and part-funded with £8.6m from the European Regional Development Fund – will capitalise on under-utilised council-owned sites and buildings, to develop: 10 Megawatts of solar PV and hydro-electric generation, battery storage, electric vehicle (EV) charging, and smart energy management systems. The projects planned include solar farms at Chamber House farm in Rochdale and Kenyon Way in Salford, three rooftop solar schemes in Stockport and a rooftop solar scheme at Makerfield Way in Wigan. Energy Systems Catapult will focus on the development of innovative new business models to maximise the value from the electricity generated, for example by taking advantage of regulatory changes, or utilising flexibility between clean energy assets distributed across the city as part of Manchester’s emerging Local Energy Market.

Energy Systems Catapult 23rd Sept 2020 read more »

Struan Stevenson: THE single-track road from Barrhill in South Ayrshire to New Luce in Wigtownshire, winds through conifer forests and across desolate moorland, where cattle and sheep graze. A few miles from Barrhill, a potholed track leads for almost a mile to Dochroyle Farm, the home of Pat Spence. The cobwebs shimmer in the roadside reeds and thistles in the September sunshine. There is unseasonal high pressure, with cloudless blue skies and not even the slightest breeze. The 184 giant, industrial wind turbines that surround Pat Spence’s home stand idle, towering white monuments to the SNP Government’s obsession with wind energy.

Herald 25th Sept 2020 read more »

As networks prepare for a big surge in demand from electric vehicles in the coming years, Utility Week explores SSEN’s controversial proposals to use smart meters to disconnect home chargers and other low-carbon technologies if they are at risk of overloading the local infrastructure. The imminent arrival of this long-predicted tipping point for electric vehicles is a big concern for networks, who fear being caught out by a sudden surge in demand. Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) was so worried that back in July the distribution network operator (DNO) submitted a pair of code modifications that would allow DNOs to use the smart meter infrastructure to limit power supplies to customers as a last resort if the local network is at risk of being overloaded. Explaining its motivation SSEN said Britain’s electricity networks were not designed to cope with the demands of low-carbon technologies such as electric vehicles chargers and heat pumps. It also stressed that it would only take this action with the express consent of the customer. However, the proposals are now facing a backlash after the story was picked up by several national newspapers, who warned that the smart meters in many readers’ homes could be used to cut off their heating. Among the critics quoted by the papers was Clementine Cowton, director of external affairs at Octopus Energy. Speaking to Utility Week, Cowton said there was “absolutely no evidence” that DNOs needed this capability, claiming retailers like Octopus have already shown how smart systems can be used to shift demand away from peak times if consumers are presented with the right incentives: “This is a clockwork solution in a digital world. It’s not appropriate and it’s not necessary.”

Utility Week 24th Sept 2020 read more »

Five Greater Manchester local authorities have won funding for a clean energy project that will develop 10 renewable schemes – creating a blueprint for UK regions aiming for net zero carbon emissions. Unlocking Clean Energy in Greater Manchester (UCEGM) brings together five local authorities that have declared a “climate emergency” – Manchester, Rochdale, Salford, Stockport, and Wigan. The 3-year £17.2m project – part-funded with £8.6m from the European Regional Development Fund – will capitalise on under-utilised council-owned sites and buildings, to develop: 10 Megawatts of solar PV and hydro-electric generation, battery storage, electric vehicle (EV) charging, and smart energy management systems. Importantly, the UCEGM project will focus on innovative new business models to maximise the value from the electricity generated, for example by taking advantage of regulatory changes, or utilising flexibility between clean energy assets distributed across the city as part of Greater Manchester’s emerging Local Energy Market. The projects planned include solar farms at Chamber House farm in Rochdale and Kenyon Way in Salford, three rooftop solar schemes in Stockport and a rooftop solar scheme at Makerfield Way in Wigan. In Manchester, a large rooftop solar scheme and battery will be installed at the council’s Hammerstone Road depot, in Gorton. Richard Halsey, Capabilities Director at Energy Systems Catapult said: “There are three equally important parts to this innovation project. “Firstly, building renewable energy generation on under-utilised council land to reduce energy costs and carbon emissions for local authorities. Secondly, incorporating energy storage and electric vehicle charging using smart digital systems to make weather dependent renewable generation more flexible to local energy demands. “Thirdly, developing a range of innovative business models that not only reduces energy costs but which may attract private sector investment and grow local

Manchester City Council 23rd Sept 2020 read more »

Shell-owned energy tech company Limejump has secured a contract to trade the electricity produced by Scotland’s first subsidy-free wind farm, it announced yesterday. A joint development between Muirhall Energy and WWS Development LLP, the 46MW onshore wind farm at Crossdykes in Dumfries and Galloway is the largest wind power project to enter Limejump’s generation portfolio, the company said. The project is currently under development, consisting of 10 turbines which are expected to provide enough power to supply almost 45,000 homes.

Business Green 25th Sept 2020 read more »

If we’re to meet the UK’s goal of net zero by 2050, one of the areas we need to transform is how we heat our homes. Our new research gives consumers a voice about adopting lower emission ways to keep the nation warm. If we’re to achieve the UK’s goal of reaching net zero emissions by 2050, we’re going to have to change the way we heat our homes; as the heating sector (across residential property, businesses and industries) accounts for 37% of UK emissions, according to Government department BEIS. It’s vital that we listen to consumers about what they want from the move to low-carbon heating and, with this in mind, we recently undertook some in-depth research with members of the public. Using several small ‘focus groups’, with a total of 60 consumers from diverse demographic groups and from different areas of the country, revealed some fresh insights into what matters to them. 93% of consumers said that climate change was a serious or very serious issue, but only 5% identified heating as one of the more significant contributors to UK carbon emissions. They were more likely to point to power, transport or agriculture. Consumers were confused by the relevant government targets but were still taking action and modifying behaviour to reduce their contribution to climate change.

National Grid 23rd Sept 2020 read more »