Moorside
Thirty-three consultation sessions will be held this autumn on the route of high-voltage power lines to carry electricity from a new nuclear power station near Sellafield. The first will take place on September 18, in Dalton-in-Furness and the last in Victory Hall, Dalston, on November 8. The consultation on the scheme will close on November 28. National Grid project manager Robert Powell said they were at the the most important part of the project so far.
Carlisle News & Star 7th Aug 2014 read more »
Hunterston
EDF Energy began an overhaul at the Hunterston B nuclear power plant in Scotland. EDF said more than 13,000 separate pieces of work are scheduled to be completed at a cost of ￡20 million ($26.7 million). Each of the two reactors inside the plant are shut down every three years for routine inspections and maintenance, and workers perform other tasks that can only be completed when the plant is not operating.
Power Engineering 7th Aug 2014 read more »
Radwaste
The UK government has launched a new long-term plan ‘to deal permanently with the country’s radioactive waste’. It follows a consultation on improving the process of finding a site to host a Geological Disposal Facility (GDF), which would safely isolate radioactive waste deep underground and inside multiple barriers to provide protection over hundreds of thousands of years. Based on feedback DECC (Department of Energy & Climate Change) has created what it believes is a new and improved plan for working with communities to identify a site for a GDF. Over the next two years the government will work with experts and the public to give greater clarity on issues such as national geological screening, the planning process and the environmental impacts. It will also look at how communities will be represented and what further investment they can expect to see if they choose to host a GDF.
Modern Power Systems 7th Aug 2014 read more »
Scotland
THE UK’s new energy minister has suggested an independent Scotland would not be able to “keep the lights on” as she claimed the SNP’s policy on renewables would not meet the nation’s needs for electricity. Amber Rudd who was appointed to the energy brief by David Cameron in last month’s ministerial reshuffle said the SNP’s flagship policy of generating all of Scotland’s energy needs from renewables such as wind power would fail. During a visit to Edinburgh yesterday, the Conservative MP claimed Alex Salmond’s renewables plan was not properly costed.
Scotsman 6th August 2014 read more »
Supply Chain
CAMMELL Laird is lining itself up to grasp the “stellar opportunities” in the multi-billion nuclear industry, chief executive John Syvret has revealed. The Birkenhead-based shipyard and engineering services company is ramping up its activity in the energy sector by investing more than £1.5m in its facilities and appointing a leading nuclear sector engineer. John Eldridge, one of the most experienced figures in the UK nuclear industry, has joined Laird from Sellafield Ltd which operates the nuclear reprocessing plant in West Cumbria.
Wirral Globe 7th Aug 2014 read more »
Business Desk 6th Aug 2014 read more »
Energy Costs
Energy bills will increase by around £130 a year this summer, according to reports. Power suppliers are preparing to increase prices because Britain’s warmer winter damaged their profits, Mark Todd of energyhelpine.com told the Express newspaper. See below for more predictions. Householders need to act now to beat the rises.
Telegraph 7th Aug 2014 read more »
Japan – Fukushima
Almost all of the nuclear fuel in the No. 3 reactor of the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant melted within days of the March 11, 2011, disaster, according to a new estimate by Tokyo Electric Power Co. TEPCO originally estimated that about 60 percent of the nuclear fuel melted at the reactor. But the latest estimate released on Aug. 6 revealed that the fuel started to melt about six hours earlier than previously thought.
Asahi Shimbun 8th Aug 2014 read more »
Nuclear Weapons
Donside based MSP, Christian Allard, has said power to rid Scotland of nuclear weapons is in the hands of the people, come September 18. The French born politician made his comments on the 69th anniversary of the first atomic bomb being dropped on Hiroshima in 1945.
Donside Piper 7th Aug 2014 read more »
Renewables
After 14 highly successful years in Aberdeen, 2015 sees the UK’s largest renewable energy event move to a new home in Glasgow. Like Aberdeen, Glasgow understands and appreciates the strategic importance of renewable energy and is rapidly emerging as a leading international hub for energy expertise, particularly due to its well-developed R&D and technical engineering capabilities. All-Energy 2015 will be held at the SECC in Glasgow on Wednesday 6- Thursday 7 May 2015.
Glasgow 21st May 2014 read more »
Poll after poll has already shown that the British public are broadly supportive of renewable energy projects and prefer MPs who feel likewise. But now a major new survey has revealed many would like to become renewable energy generators themselves. According to a new poll of 2,000 adults carried out by Ipsos MORI and commissioned by the Energy Saving Trust, 59 per cent of people said they were more likely to rent or buy a property with a renewable energy system, such as a solar panel or heat pump. Moreover, 47 per cent said they would like to know how suitable their home is for renewable energy measures. The survey also underlined the ongoing challenges faced by providers of domestic energy efficiency measures. Only 12 per cent of householders said they were planning to undertake energy efficiency upgrades in the coming year, despite the fact 44 per cent said their home had draught problems, 38 per cent said they had condensation problems, and 29 per cent experienced mould in their property. Admittedly, nearly a quarter of those facing serious problems with their property said they were planning improvements in the next year, but that still leaves three-quarters living in draughty or damp homes without any immediate plans to improve them.
Business Green 7th Aug 2014 read more »
Where does renewable electricity come from? You’re probably thinking about wind turbines and solar panels. But in the UK, that’s only half the story. To find out why, join us for our third dive into the government’s annual energy data, DUKES, published last week. Parts one and two covered the challenge of decarbonising the UK and changes in UK gas supply and demand. In part three we show – among other things – that rotting rubbish tips generated more electricity in 2013 than hydropower or solar panels. In a series of pictures we’ll show you the hidden faces behind the past, present and future of UK renewable electricity.
Carbon Brief 7th Aug 2014 read more »
Renewables – wind
A pressure group campaigning against plans for a major Shetland wind farm will take their fight to the Supreme Court. Sustainable Shetland has instructed its solicitors to lodge an appeal over a recent Court of Session decision allowing Viking’s 103-turbine development to go ahead. A spokesman for Viking Energy said the firm is “confident” the decision will be upheld. A spokesman for Sustainable Shetland said: “It was resolved that an appeal be lodged with the Supreme Court in London following the recent decision of the Inner House of the Court of Session.”
STV 7th Aug 2014 read more »
Renewables – tidal
A full-scale tidal power generator aimed at showing the potential for renewable energy is being unveiled in Pembrokeshire. The underwater turbine in Ramsey Sound will run for a 12-month trial, with its energy powering homes in St Davids. First Minister Carwyn Jones hailed it as a landmark project, creating jobs and helping meet green energy targets. Cardiff-based developers Tidal Energy Ltd hope it will support the case for a larger scheme involving nine turbines.
BBC 7th Aug 2014 read more »
Wales Online 7th Aug 2014 read more »
Renewables – solar
It should have come as no great surprise when four solar power companies this week confirmed they were suing the government over its controversial decision to halt subsidies for large solar farms. The news followed hot on the heels of a ruling by the High Court that the government should pay compensation to 14 solar companies over a similar case in 2012, relating to the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) attempt to impose retrospective cuts to the solar feed-in tariff subsidy scheme.
Business Green 7th Aug 2014 read more »
Community Energy
Community energy is being “caught in the crossfire” as government support appears to be wavering in the face of European regulations, a sector body has warned. Community Energy England (CEE), a group established in May to provide a voice for the fledgling sector, says a recent consultation suggest ministers may not deliver on plans to extend subsidies to projects of up to 10MW in capacity from the current ceiling of 5MW.
Business Green 7th Aug 2014 read more »
Scotland has huge potential for community-owned renewable energy. You can help us spread the seeds of a community energy revolution. We want to say goodbye to fossil-fuelled ‘carbon dinosaurs’ and hello to community-owned renewable energy which benefits everyone. Imagine a future where local communities can tap into natural renewable energy sources right on their own doorstep. A future where communities are no longer held to ransom by energy giants. That future is possible – with your help, we can bring power to the people. A gift of £50 will make a real difference as we work to connect communities across Scotland with the benefits of community power. In the next few months, we are helping to launch a solar co-operative here in Edinburgh. This exciting new venture will install solar panels on publicly-owned rooftops in Edinburgh, transforming previously unused space into an asset for local people.
FoE Scotland 7th Aug 2014 read more »
Biomass
It is hard to keep up with the twists in the tale of Drax’s attempts to win fixed-price government subsidies to help convert two of its dirty coal-fired units to run on biomass pellets. Short version: the company thought it was nailed-on favourite to get two so-called contracts for difference, which are designed to encourage investment in renewables by guaranteeing prices on generated electricity for 15 years. It applied for two units and they were ranked joint first in the provisional ranking of projects last year. In the event, only one made the cut when the Department for Energy and Climate Change (Decc) named eight qualifying projects in April. Drax appealed and won in the high court. Now it has lost in the court of appeal. Cue an 8% slump in the share price.
Guardian 7th Aug 2014 read more »
Power generator Drax has admitted defeat in a row over the government’s decision to pull the plug on a lucrative subsidy after the court of appeal ruled in favour of ministers.
Guardian 7th Aug 2014 read more »
Telegraph 7th Aug 2014 read more »
Times 8th Aug 2014 read more »
Energy Efficiency
Six leading UK universities have launched new energy efficiency research projects today, thanks to a £3m cash boost from the government. Researchers will investigate a range of issues relating to energy management in non-domestic buildings. Funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), on behalf of the Research Councils UK Energy Programme, it aims to enable UK businesses to cut costs and reduce carbon emissions through more efficient energy use.
Edie 7th Aug 2014 read more »
The Government’s failure to take cold homes seriously has brought unions together behind a call for Labour to make energy efficiency a top infrastructure priority. An ambitious, jobs rich, domestic insulation programme, starting with the homes of the fuel poor, are key asks of the Energy Bill Revolution campaign, of which Friends of the Earth is a key founder. EBR’s many backers include Unite, PCS, GMB, the TUC and Unison, which has just launched a new report, Warm Homes Into the Future. Last week, the Government released its draft fuel poverty strategy. Long awaited, it comes too little, too late, full of weak targets and caveats. The new strategy has neither the vision nor the ambition to deal with the problem. It is only the latest item in the catalogue of half-baked ideas and meaningless rhetoric that has been the Government’s attempt at energy efficiency and fuel poverty policy.
Touch Stone 5th Aug 2014 read more »
Washing lines, strung up in back yards or criss-crossing courtyards, have become an image of a domestic past. According to the Energy Saving Trust we are all using our washing lines less and tumble dryers take a bigger share of the load. Washing lines, they argue, should not be a thing of the past but have a vital energy saving role in the future. But is the humble line still a useful tool in modern Britain?
Guardian 7th Aug 2014 read more »
CCS
The Government reaffirmed its commitment to establishing a strong Carbon Capture Storage (CCS) industry in the UK with a scoping document released today (August 7) which summarises the CCS policy and calls for industry feedback. The document sets out Government aims to continuing engaging with the industry in order to seek views for the second phase of CCS deployment.
Edie 7th Aug 2014 read more »
Fossil Fuels
Divesting from coal assets makes sense, not only from an environmental and social point of view, but also economically, Al Gore has said. The former US Vice President and environmental campaigner threw his weight behind the fast-growing global divestment campaign in an article for the Financial Times yesterday authored with David Blood, his co-founder at investment firm Generation Investment Management.
Business Green 7th Aug 2014 read more »
