Scotland eager to host first floating windfarm

September 2nd, 2010

Alex Salmond, Scotland’s First Minister, has met with Norwegian oil and gas company Statoil ASA to promote the potential of hosting the first commercial-scale floating offshore windfarm at one of two Scottish sites, reports Industrial info Resources.

In September 2009, the first floating Hywind turbine was installed in waters 200 metres deep at Karmoy, approximately 10 kilometres off Norway’s coast. This turbine has a generating capacity of 2.3 MW (megawatts) and has exceeded expectations for performance and stability, confirmed the company.

Although Statoil’s largest activities are carried out in Norway, the company is known to have interests in Scottish sites off the coasts of Lewis and Aberdeenshire.

Confirming his meeting with Statoil went well, Mr. Salmond remarked:

The Hywind II windfarm project would see a Scotland-Norway collaboration push the boundaries of deepwater offshore wind beyond the 100-metre mark and open up vast areas of the world’s oceans to the development of wind energy for the first time”

It is expected that between three and five Hywind turbines will be installed at the chosen site – also competing to host the first commercial-scale floating farm is Maine in the United States.

Source: Industrial Info Resources

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Siemens €100m Comms deal

September 2nd, 2010

The German Federal Employment Agency in Nürnberg has awarded Siemens Enterprise Communications a fully managed service contract, said to be worth over €100 million. Under the terms of an eight year agreement, Siemens Enterprise Communications will be responsible for constructing a telecommunication infrastructure for 165,000 ports as well as providing all the required hardware, software and end-user devices.

The agency, which has 1,900 different sites, will be connected by a common communication platform whereby voice communication shall be integrated into the existing IP infrastructure. The basis of the brand new system will consist of highly available OpenScape Voice clusters to incorporate the 165,000 end-user devices.

The contract also covers a wide range of network infrastructure, the provision of central services, applications & provider services with connections to the public web/network and different carrier services. As a result, the agency’s existing 1,600 telecommunications systems and 350 small office / home office solutions will also be replaced.

Siemens Enterprise Communications, after forming a new partnership, will be working with global telecommunications company Vodafone regarding the projects deployment. Gabriele Kossack, manager of public sector sales and NGOs for Vodafone Germany, stated:

“We are proud that we are able to deliver this integrated network and service provision for the Federal Employment Agency’s complete fixed network and mobile communication nationwide”

Siemens Enterprise Communications MD, Stefan Herrlich, stated:

“We are excited about being awarded this seminal project in which Unified Communications will be implemented across one of the biggest IP networks in the world”

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Source: Comms Dealer (Industry News)

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Irish Windfarm welcomes Scottish Partner

September 2nd, 2010

Utility company Scottish and Southern Energy has agreed a deal with Coillte, Irelands leading forestry company, to develop what will become one of Ireland’s biggest windfarms, reports Industrial Info Resources.

The Cloosh Valley windfarm, located close to the town of Moycullen in County Galway on the west coast of Ireland, is already under construction. Under the terms of the deal, SSE and Coillte – striving to enrich lives locally, nationally and globally via innovative and sustainable management of natural resources, will each own a 45% stake in the project.

Canadian company Finavera Renewables – Coillte’s original partner for the Cloosh Valley project – sold its majority stake to SSE, whilst retaining a 10% interest. Finavera recently confirmed an agreement with SSE Renewables (Ireland) Limited, the Irish division of SSE, to sell a majority interest in its wholly-owned Gate 3 grid connection from Eirgrid for an amount said to be worth €8.4 million. In addition, the company made a co-development deal with SSE and Coillte to move ahead with the Cloosh Valley project.

Permission for the first phase of the windfarm’s construction has already been granted and will involve erecting 22 turbines that will be capable of generating 50 MW (megawatts) of electricity – which is enough to power around 30,000 homes. Upon completion, the 105 MW windfarm will be capable of generating enough electricity for approximately 68,000 homes.

Source: Industrial Info Resources

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UK Nuclear Reactor Scheme behind Schedule

September 2nd, 2010

As reported by Electric; regulators and builders are apparently blaming each other for construction delays as designs await approval for UK nuclear reactors. The UK’s nuclear reactor building program is already behind schedule as the safety regulator confirms that the first reactor will not be built for some time.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has suggested that it might have to issue an interim decision regarding the safety of two new proposed reactor designs next June. This comes as the regulator anticipates a significant amount of additional work that will need to be resolved before it can finally approve or reject the design. However, it is not certain how long this could take.

Kevin Allars, director of the assessment program, explained how companies would be able to continue planning and carrying out preparatory construction on proposed nuclear sites whilst waiting for a final decision but that construction of a reactor cannot start without consent.

Furthermore, Mr. Allars promised that they would avoid the chaotic construction that has consumed Finland. This was originally supposed to house Europe’s first new reactor in decades however, the Areva plant is more than three years behind schedule as well as £1.6 billion over budget. And, EDF who promised that the UK’s first reactor would be operational by 2017 has said that it will now be running by the end of 2018.

According to HSE, companies associated with the designs have repeatedly submitted information, but it has been incomplete and late. In response, these companies blame the regulator for not having sufficient resources to carry out the work.

Source: Electric

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SNG Trainee scoops national award for Gas paper

September 2nd, 2010

A graduate Trainee at gas pipeline operator, Scotland Gas Networks (SGN), has won first prize at the Scottish Branch of the Pipeline Industries Guild Young Person’s Paper competition. Jamie McAinsh was awarded the Carron trophy and also received £250 at the Presentation Competition held recently in Aberdeen.

In his paper, entitled ‘Biomethane – Gas of the Future’, Mr. McAinsh outlined the exciting and innovative work which is currently being carried out by SNG within the ‘green gas’ sector. Also known as ‘poo power’ – biomethane can be made from human waste and manure which is processed and then transported through existing mains networks. This method significantly reduces the amount of waste sent to landfill as well as the huge reliance on North Sea gas.

SGN is preparing to open its first biomethane project at Didcot in Oxfordshire later this month in collaboration with Thames Water and Centrica Plc. It is expected the biomethane will initially provide energy to approximately 200 local homes and business premises.

Mr. McAinish joined SGN as a Graduate Trainee in October 2008, embarking on a structured two-year training programme, offering in-depth understanding of the company and the gas industry. He came up against strong competition for the award including representatives of Acergy, Morgan Oil and Technip. However, it was his lively and informative presentation that was regarded as being highly educational, raising awareness on a subject that has an important future in the gas industry.

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Source: SNG (Press Release)

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Google launches new PowerMeter feature

September 2nd, 2010

Google has launched a brand new feature on its PowerMeter application, designed to help users benefit from cheaper energy efficiency, reports energyhelpline.com. Users of the PowerMeter, Google’s cheap energy monitoring app, will be offered personalised energy saving recommendations, offering advice about the best ways to improve energy usage.

Not only that, Google has further enhanced its PowerMeter energy graphs to show specific energy usage data, at any given time, using pop-up display graphics. Users will also receive ‘virtual badges’ depending on their energy-related accomplishments.

Via an official blog posting, Ryan Falor, Google PowerMeter product manager, stated:

“Collecting badges is a fun way of keeping track of your accomplishments to reduce energy waste and save money…

… You might even strike up some friendly competition among family and friends to see who can collect the most badges the fastest”

Google launched its PowerMeter application last year, in conjunction with various energy suppliers, to enable users to view their home energy usage through an iGoogle gadget.

Businesses can also benefit from using an energy monitor – they are designed to help save money, electricity and the environment. Energy monitor’s provide up to the second information regarding the amount of electricity being used in terms of power, cost and your carbon footprint. This means you can see in real time the benefits of turning off electrical devices that are not being used.

Plus, businesses can significantly reduce energy costs by switching supplier to ensure they are not paying too much for their business gas and electricity supplies – Request a FREE quote online or call Utility Exchange on 0800 411 8830 and see how much your business could save!

Source: energyhelpline.com

‘strong return’ due 2ergo

September 1st, 2010

Over the past year, 2ergo – an international mobile phone technology company that provides software solutions for mobile phone and Smartphone marketing, business communications, mobile websites, mobile entertainment, mobile news and mobile banking – has significantly invested in acquisitions as well as the expansion of the operational scale of the business – where as a result, the firms’ management is predicting a “strong return” for the business.

According to the statement to shareholders, 2ergo’s overheads increased – but not by the £7.1 million that was initially forecast. However, the company explained that this saving has enabled the group to bring its programme of technical and infrastructure ahead of schedule:

“This has allowed significant progress to be made in integrating the businesses which were acquired in the previous financial year” continued the statement.

2ergo is currently the biggest commercial provider of mobile news in the USA and is the only provider of secure mobile phone money transfers which are both PIN protected and encrypted. The group is also present in Australia, India and South America and has a host of new clients including Aviva, Burberry, Cricket Australia, Fidelity, Transport for London and Times of India.

2ergo added:

“The quality of the group’s order book and pipeline has continued to grow across all territories since its interim statement and the board remains confident of continued success over the coming years”

Source: The Business Desk

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Scottish Renewable Electricity Exceeds Demand

September 1st, 2010

For the first time electricity output from wind farms in the north of Scotland exceeded demand from homes and businesses, according to a press release from Scottish & Southern Electric (SSE). Supply exceeded demand for the first time on Sunday 29 August according to SSE.

The electricity output between 0800 and 0900 on Sunday morning was just over 700MW while demand from homes and business energy users was just below 700MW. The extra electricity was sent to the grid and used to meet demand in other parts of the country.

The Head of Engineering SSE Power Distribution, Alan Broadbent said “Last month’s Annual Energy Statement to Parliament reiterated the important role that renewable energy will have to play in meeting demand for energy in the years ahead.  Yesterday’s milestone demonstrates that wind farms can produce substantial amounts of energy, as part of a diverse mix, and that electricity networks can accommodate it”.

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Source: Scottish-southern.co.uk

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New CCS contender comes forward

September 1st, 2010

According to Industrial Info Resources, the UK has a new contender for the government’s carbon capture and storage (CCS) competition – designed to promote commercial CCS technology. London-based clean energy provider, B9 Coal, has unveiled a 500-megawatt (MW) project at the coal-fired Lynemouth Power Plant in Northumberland, which is owned and operated by Rio Tinto Alcan, a subsidiary of Rio Tinto Plc.

B9 Coal and its partners are proposing to use a combination of underground coal gasification and alkaline fuel cells to reduce carbon emissions by over 90% and generate electricity from the captured hydrogen.

Ordinarily, post-combustion carbon capture processes rely on capturing emissions once the coal has been burnt however, the Lynemouth project uses a pre-combustion process that will use gasification to separate hydrogen and carbon from the coal before using the hydrogen to generate electricity.

B9 Coal’s partners on this project include London-based environmental consultancy firm WSP Group, Australian clean-coal technology developer Linc Energy Limited and Surrey-based hydrogen fuel-cell manufacturer AFC Energy Plc.

The 500 MW project was presented to the Department of Energy and Climate Change’s (DECC) CCS demonstration competition with backing from the North East Process Industry Cluster and Renew – the organisation which manages commercial energy and environmental technology projects across North East England.

B9 Coal Director, Alisa Murphy, remarked:

“At a time when the government is expressing a desire to show global leadership on CCS, we are offering a project that has the potential to become a world-leading template…

Our combination of technologies is truly game-changing and offers CCS without inflated cost or loss of efficiency. The B9 Coal project also has major implications for UK energy security, job creation and technological achievement”

Source: Industrial Info Resources

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Businesses hope for CRC registration extension

September 1st, 2010

The Carbon Reduction Commitment Energy Efficiency Scheme (CRC) registration deadline is imminent – September 30, 2010 – however, businesses are hoping to be granted an extension after concerns about missing the cut off date.

Under the mandatory scheme, businesses will have to buy carbon allowances that equal their carbon emissions for the year. The aim is for businesses to change the way they behave by reducing their carbon emissions and consequently their business energy bills.

However, the Environment Agency has revealed that only 31% of the anticipated 5,000 full participants have successfully completed their registration. Furthermore, those who are obliged to follow the scheme but miss the deadline – could face being fined up to £45,000 and details of their non-compliance published.

Subjective evidence from energy firm, npower, implies that some businesses are still compiling data and that they are relying on the possibility that the Environment Agency will extend the deadline giving them more time to complete their submission.

Commenting on the issue, Dave Lewis, head of business energy services at npower, said:

“Businesses are working hard to get the necessary data together, but many are facing challenges in compiling all the information required. It’s likely that some will miss the deadline and secretly, many are hoping the Environment Agency will extend the registration period”

The CRC will have an impact on a number of the UK’s leading retailers, banks, service businesses and large public sector organisations. They will be required to purchase allowances to cover their CO2 emissions. As a result, the higher their emissions, the more allowances will be needed.

Participants of the schemes introductory phase has been determined using 2008 electricity consumption whereby organisations with at least one half-hourly settled meter and consumption of 6,000MWh or more through all half-hourly meters during this time, are required to participate.

npower, a leading integrated UK energy company, is now working with a number of businesses to support their CRC registrations. The energy supplier believes that part of the problem is down to companies failing to appreciate the full scale of the task.

Source: npower (Press Release)

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