News in Brief
Monday 06 July 2009
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| The government's Heat and Energy Savings strategy make £3.5 billion available for home makeovers, including micro-generation |
£3.5 billion for whole house energy efficiency makeovers by 2012
The extension of the government's energy efficiency programme will see an extra £3.5 billion made available for "whole house green makeovers", including microgeneration installations, by the end of 2012, a minister claimed on Tuesday (June 30).
The funds will be contributed by energy companies as part of the Carbon Emissions Reduction Target (CERT), which has been increased 20%, and a new programme, the Community Energy Saving Programme (CESP).
The schemes, which form part of government's Energy Saving Strategy (see this New Energy Focus story) will require power companies to contribute to energy saving initiatives in the home and in the community.
Minister of State at DECC, Joan Ruddock, said: "Home energy efficiency has never been so important in achieving our long term goals on climate change and to making a real difference to householder's energy bills.Today's announcement delivers a major part of the Prime Minister's Home Energy Savings Programme that ensures people can save money and save energy, as well as reducing emissions."
DEX Renewables launches parts procurement service for wind sector
Renewables firm DEX has launched a new service that will offer out-of-warranty and hard-to-find parts to the wind energy sector.
The US-based firm, which has its European headquarters in Dublin, claims to have access to a 4,000-strong global network of suppliers who compete to offer the lowest price. DEX will also offer a swap-out service that will repair defective parts.
Sean Keller, business unit director at DEX, said: "One of the most frustrating events for wind farm operators or utilities is when a mechanical or electronic component develops a fault and needs to be replaced. If the equipment is out-of-warranty or discontinued the task is even more time-consuming."
He added: "Our global team has the contacts, engineering knowledge and experience to find these parts at the most competitive price possible, wherever they are in the world."
Ceres Power receives £2 million from British Gas to develop Alpha CHP unit
Ceres Power has announced that it has received £2 million from energy giant British Gas to take the development of its 1kW combined heat and power (CHP) product to the next stage.
The Sussex-based company was awarded the money following the successful testing of the products in the Alpha stage of the CHP programme (see this New Energy Focus story).
Meanwhile, Ceres said on Tuesday (30 June) that it expects to end its financial year with net cash and short term investments of at least £22 million, and it will announce its full year preliminary results in September 2009.
Crown Estate appoints offshore energy supervisory committee
Seabed development rights holder The Crown Estate has appointed the committee that will advise it on marine renewables.
The four extermal advisors have a wide range of expertise which will greatly inform the main board on marine renewable energy issues
Matts Lundgren, managing director of German equity firm Allianz Capital Partners and former Citigroup MD John Burnham were both appointed to the Offshore Energy Supervisory Committee (OESC).
Dipesh Shah, who was formerly the chairman of independent Irish energy company Viridan Group, and Chris Geoghegan, who was previously chief operating officer at BAE Systems, complete the line-up.
The committee is set to be chaired by Roger Bright, chief executive of The Crown Estate, and will include David Fursdon from the Estate's board.
Welcoming the OESC, Mr Bright said: "I'm delighted that The Crown Estate has a new offshore energy supervisory committee. The four extermal advisors have a wide range of expertise which will greatly inform the main board on marine renewable energy issues."
Day to replace Porritt as chair of Sustainable Development Commission
Prime Minister Gordon Brown has appointed former broadcaster Will Day as the government's top sustainability advisor.
Mr Day, who was formerly head of aid organisation Care International, will succeed Jonathan Porritt in the post of chair at the Sustainability Commission, which advises the government on sustainability issues.
Mr Porritt will step down on July 27 after three terms.
Mr Day said: "I am delighted to be asked to chair the SDC. I take this on at a time of growing public and political understanding of the immense social and environmental pressures that are building up around the world and that affect us all. These realities will require thoughtful and decisive action by government at all levels, business and our wider society."
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