Features
Features
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The future of planning in the UK
UK energy legislation has changed greatly over the last few years to reflect the country’s necessity to meet projected energy demands as well as carbon emission reduction targets. With the UK Energy Act 2008, the Climate Change Act 2008 and the Planning Act 2008 all now published, these important legislative changes indicate the country’s commitment to the UK’s 2006 Climate Change Programme, which sets a framework for domestic policy initiatives in the final years of the Kyoto agreement to 2012.
Australia’s largest carbon capture project gets underway
The biggest carbon capture plant yet installed at an Australian power station has begun operation at International Power Australia’s Hazelwood plant in the Latrobe Valley.
Low-carbon refurbishment of homes – a sustainable solution
With some 26 million homes in the UK, including seven million social housing properties, the widespread introduction of low-carbon refurbishment techniques could see millions of tonnes wiped off the country’s carbon footprint each year and hundreds of pounds off the average home’s fuel bill.
Managing calm: what to do when the wind doesn’t blow
The UK Government, like others in Europe and around the world, has set itself a target of 20% renewable energy by 2020. Last week the UK Government unveiled its Renewable Energy Strategy1, which set a target of 30% of electricity from renewable sources by 2020, up from the current level of 5.5%.
Carrot or stick? UK taxes target climate change
We are similar to donkeys in many ways, says UK tax expert Shimon Shaw. When it comes to taxation policy, we respond to both force (sticks) and positive incentives (carrots). The UK Government is using a mixture of the two when it comes to its environmental policy.
Energy management key to meeting climate change commitments
The Government’s new mandatory Carbon Reduction Commitment scheme could save businesses £1 billion by 2020. Douglas McLeish, Corporate Markets Director at npower discusses why businesses need to start planning now and why an effective energy management programme is essential.
Smart metering - the way forward
Early 2009 is set to be a key time in determining the future role of smart meters in the UK with an announcement expected from Ofgem, the UK energy regulator, as part of its ongoing consultation into the models for smart meter roll out across the country.
Monitoring and targeting WITHOUT sub-meters
Two years after the introduction of the ESCOT system, Brian Jones, MD of Sinergy Ltd., comments as this highly innovative meterless energy data collection system approaches maturity.
Smart meters in focus
Smart metering promises to give customers real-time, easy-to-understand information about their energy consumption – the most energy-hungry appliances, comparisons with similar properties and even their neighbours, as well as a host of other data.
Cloudy future for photovoltaics?
Renewable energy – particularly the main contenders of wind and solar – may be on the point of moving into the mainstream as governments around the globe look to a clean energy future as a way out of economic gloom and looming environmental catastrophe.