Case Studies Category
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Boost for UK infrastructure with new Bill
Today has seen the publication of new legislation designed to encourage investment in Britain’s infrastructure. The Infrastructure Bill aims to create stable long-term funding for work on the country’s major road network and to make it easier to sell surplus and redundant public sector land and property, allowing more homes to be built on brownfield sites. The legislation will also give local people the right to buy a stake in renewable energy projects Other measures include: making a number ...
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Rural Payments Agency looking for new people
The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) is looking for new people to join the Independent Agricultural Appeals Panel. Appeals panels meet to consider appeals from farmers and traders against decisions made by the RPA in administering the various schemes that it operates, and makes recommendations to the Farming Minister for his final decision. RPA customer director, Justin Chamberlain, comments: “We have made significant improvements in the service we provide to customers in recent years and ...
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China welcomes UK green construction standards
Buildings in China could soon be built to British green construction standards, Business Secretary, Vince Cable, has announced. UK construction firm, Building Research Establishment, has signed an agreement with the Shenzhen Municipal Government to set up a training and R&D centre in China’s fastest growing city. The centre will deliver training on a national scale to other cities and promote services, including certifying buildings to green construction standards, possibly creating up to £200 million of work ...
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One step closer to Scottish Islands grid links
We are now one step closer to unlocking the renewable energy potential of the Western Isles, Orkney and Shetland Islands. A new government-commissioned report by Xero Energy has identified a series of actions to help deliver electricity grid connections as part of on-going efforts to support the development of renewable energy on the three Scottish island groups. The key findings, which will be considered by the inter-governmental Scottish Islands Renewables Group, include issues relating to: certainty for developers ...
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SMEs encouraged to generate bioenergy from wetlands
Three UK businesses have been awarded a share of over £1.3 million to support innovation in turning reeds and rushes from wetlands into bioenergy, Energy and Climate Change Minister, Greg Barker, has announced. Contracts have been awarded to AMW IBERS, Natural Synergies and AB Systems, as part of a competition to help entrepreneurs demonstrate new ways of turning plant-based material derived from harvesting wetlands into renewable heat and electricity. According to the Government, sustainably sourced bioenergy has ...
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Illegal fishing warning
Anglers are reminded that the coarse fish close season is in operation. Since the close season began on 16th March, Environment Agency enforcement officers have caught 11 people breaking the law and officers' activities will be stepped up over the coming Bank Holiday weekends to ensure that anglers have a valid licence and are compliant with national and local bye laws. The maximum fine for fishing during the close season is £50,000; anyone caught doing so may ...
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UN climate report – “we cannot play a waiting game”
A long-awaited United Nations (UN) report on the mitigation of climate change is urging all countries “to act swiftly and boldly” to reach a “global, ambitious and legal [climate] agreement in 2015". The report, which suggests that we need to treble the use of wind and solar power, acknowledges that global greenhouse gas emissions are continuing to rise at an accelerated pace. It concludes that urgent action is needed to limit the increase in global mean temperature ...
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Massive tidal power plant to be built at Swansea Bay
Tidal Lagoon Power Ltd (TLP) is progressing plans to construct the largest tidal lagoon power plant in the world in Swansea Bay. After three years of feasibility work and impact assessments, the company has submitted its application for a Development Consent Order under the Planning Act 2008. Described as a "game-changing" infrastructure project for the UK, the application will now be reviewed by the Planning Inspectorate before public examination, and then determination by the Secretary of State ...
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Potential energy savings for different households
New figures released by the Energy Saving Trust (EST) show that 62% of the average household’s bill goes on heating the home (both space and water). The Trust has also revealed that in an uninsulated home, walls are the worst offenders for heat loss with a third of all lost heat taking this route. The roof was named as the second worst offender with just over a quarter escaping through the roof. In addition, the EST has ...
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More support for community energy projects
The Government says it will be broadening the support available for community energy projects whereby people come together to reduce energy use or purchase and generate their own. Plans include: £10 million Urban Community Energy Fund to kick-start community energy generation projects in England. £1 million Big Energy Saving Network funding to support the work of volunteers helping vulnerable consumers to reduce their energy use. A community energy saving competition offering £100,000 to communities to develop innovative approaches to ...
