E.ON launches Two new Energy Tariffs
Gas and electricity supplier E.ON has today launched two new energy tariffs – however neither is good enough to make the energy supplier top the best buy tables for dual fuel customers, reports energychoices.co.uk.
E.ON Effective date 08.10.2009 Details Launch of Track and Save v3
E.ON Effective date 08.10.2009 Details Launch of Fixed Price Version 4 (to 1 December)
The energy comparison site suggests that these are ok tariffs – but nothing spectacular.
Tariff; Track and Save v3 guarantees customers that their gas and electricity prices will be cheaper than British Gas’s standard tariff – for existing E.ON customers – until 1 February 2011, and will also be free from exit penalties.
Tariff: Fixed Price v4 offers households the ability to fix their gas and electricity prices until 1 December 2010 – There is also no exit fee so customers can switch to an alternative energy supplier without penalty at any time.
Further features include the ability to manage their account online, to pay by monthly direct debit, cash or cheque for either tariff, and customers will also receive Tesco Clubcard points (where applicable) – However, neither tariff is available to prepayment meter customers or households on a restricted hours tariff, for example Economy 7.
Sources;
Energychoices.co.uk/ Energy News
http://www.energychoices.co.uk/eon-unveils-new-fixed-and-new-tracker-energy-tariffs-8102009.html
energypricebeater.com/ Latest Price Updates
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E.ON confirms Coal Plant holt
As reported by news.bbc.co.uk Energy company E.ON has confirmed that their controversial plans to build a new coal-fired power station at Kingsnorth in Kent, have been put on hold for up to three years, stating that it would be delayed until at least 2016, and claimed this is because electricity demand has fallen during the global recession.
A spokesperson for E.ON – who provides gas and electricity along with renewable energy to UK homes and businesses – stated that the economic downturn had:
“Pushed back the need for a new plant in the UK to around 2016 because of the reduction in demand for electricity…
And, continued by saying:
… As a group, we remain committed to the development of cleaner coal and carbon capture and storage (CCS), which we believe have a key role to play alongside renewables, gas and nuclear, in tackling the global threat of climate change, while ensuring affordability and security of energy supplies” .
The Kingsnorth site has become a high-profile target for environmental protests by groups arguing that a new plant would only increase carbon emissions and affect climate change, where upon hearing the news, Greenpeace acknowledged E.ON’s decision and said this was “good news for the climate”.
The plant still needs to be granted permission from the government, and would be the UK’s first coal-fired power station to be built for 30 years, if it was agreed.
Also campaigning against the new plant is Andy Atkins, executive director of environmental campaign group Friends of the Earth, who said that the station would have “seriously undermined the UK’s credibility on climate change” and that “The government must now show real leadership and say no to all new coal plants which aren’t fitted with 100% carbon capture and storage from day one”
Defying E.ONs insistence that their decision has been determined by the downturn, Oxfam’s campaigns director Thomas Schultz-Jagow, points out that the announcement has come after “Thousands of campaigners raised the alarm about this proposal”
Source;
Bbc.co.uk/News/UK
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8296076.stm
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Scottish Power losses CCS Funding
Electricity and Natural Gas company, Scottish Power – a subsidiary of the Spanish utility Iberdrola – has lost out on funding for Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) research, reports energyhelpline.com.
The energy firms Longannet power plant in Scotland was nominated to receive a share of £1 billion from the European Commission designated to help with the development of CCS technology – which is intended to reduce harmful emissions subsequently produced by burning coal, but was unsuccessful in its bid.
Nonetheless, officials remain hopeful that the power station will instead receive funding from the UK government through a CCS competition which has been set up by the Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC).
The World Wildlife Fund acknowledged Longannet power plant as being the best place in the UK for CCS funding, and responding to the missed opportunity, the funds director, Richard Dixon stated:
“We sincerely hope it will get some form of support to properly test this technology soon, whether it is from Europe or as a winner of the UK government’s own CCS competition”
He also continued by saying that Scotland has a good position in becoming a world leader in the development of CCS technology.
Source;
Energyhelpline.com/ Gas and Electricity News
http://www.energyhelpline.com/news/article.aspx?aaid=19392387&y=2009&m=10&w=1&pid=1
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National Grid connects to Norway
National Grid, operator of the UK’s network of high-voltage wires, has announced that it is in talks with Norwegian energy company Statnett, regarding plans to lay a £1 billion cable beneath the North Sea that would connect the two countries – whereby British consumers would then benefit from hydroelectricity generated in the fjords of Norway.
Clocking up 560 miles – the high-voltage link from Kvilldal, Norway to an unspecified point along the English coast, would be the longest in the world, with a capacity of 1,000 megawatts. Both companies have carried out a feasibility study and are currently working out the best route.
This will not only enable Britain to import electricity from hydroelectric plants in Norway, but also increase the opportunity for the UK to export electricity from North Sea offshore wind farms, back to in to Norway – where the cable would be equally owned by National Grid and Statnett.
The Government is hopeful that this project will become the formation of a ‘European Supergrid’ – that will link all sources of renewable energy across the Continent.
The Times (Business) 7 October 2009 –North Sea Cable could bring Norway’s energy to Britain.
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Scotland’s Centre of Energy Excellence
Gas and Electricity supplier Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE) are teaming up with the University of Strathclyde to establish a Centre of Engineering Excellence for Renewable Energy that will be created in Glasgow with £2.8 million support from the Scottish Government.
Scottish first minister Alex Salmond stated that renewable energy is at the heart of Scotland’s new economy and society, along with carbon capture and greater energy efficiency. He continued by saying that to achieving ambitions requires a strong partnership between Government, industry and the wider public sector.
Mr. Salmond also confirmed that this shows a significant commitment and investment by SSE in Glasgow and in Scotland by creating 250 high quality jobs while safeguarding a further 70 positions. Furthermore the initiative will position Glasgow at the epicentre of a key strand of 21st century engineering, in the same way the city dominated the engineering ages of the past.
Ian Marchant, SSE’s Chief Executive stated:
“Our Centre of Excellence which will be known as CEERE will play a crucial part in helping Scottish and Southern Energy to realise its renewable energy goals in the UK, Ireland and elsewhere in Europe, helping to secure energy supplies and contributing to the development of a lower carbon economy”
Source;
Utilityweek.co.uk/ News/ Electricity
http://www.utilityweek.co.uk/news/uk/electricity/scottish-and-southern-energy-t-1.php
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Enel supplies Electric car charging stations
Enel produces and sells electricity and gas across Europe, North and Latin America, and is now established in 21 countries around the world. As reported by utilityweek.co.uk Enel has confirmed that they have signed agreements with the mayors of Rome and Pisa allowing them to deliver electric car charging stations.
The energy firm will install 150 charging points in Rome and 100 in Pisa, which will be in operation by September 2010.
The project will act as a pilot scheme in Italy’s capital, where Enel is planning to use the information and experience it gathers during the pilot that will help develop a service system that “meets the real needs of drivers” allowing users the ability to charge their cars at home and at public charging points.
Source article;
http://www.utilityweek.co.uk/news/europe/enel-to-deliver-electric-car-c.php
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Switching Energy Suppliers
If your 2008 fixed energy price plan is due to end soon, it is important to know exactly when your fixed price plan end date is, so that you can prepare and subsequently avoid sudden increases in your gas and electricity. However, you do need to be extremely careful that you avoid incurring penalty fees if you switch to another energy supplier too early – Switch usually takes a lead time of 6 weeks, so you should be safe to begin the switching process within the last 6 weeks of your fixed contract.
Utilising the information supplied by uswitch.com, a UK-based price comparison and switching website, work out from the following table if your fixed plan contract is due to end, alternatively review the energy suppliers penalty fees that may applicable should you terminate your agreement early:
Fixed price plan name Plan end date Penalty Fee
npower one 31/07/2009 No
ScottishPower Fixed Price Energy 2009 31/08/2009 £30 electricity and £20 gas
ScottishPower Fixed Price Energy 2009 NSC 31/08/2009 £30 electricity and £20 gas
ScottishPower Fixed Price Energy 2009 Online 31/08/2009 £30 electricity and £20 gas
ScottishPower Fixed Price Energy 2009 Online NSC 31/08/2009 £30 electricity and £20 gas
ScottishPower Fixed Price Energy October 2009 30/09/2009 £30 electricity and £20 gas
ScottishPower Fixed Price Energy October 2009 NSC 30/09/2009 £30 electricity and £20 gas
ScottishPower Fixed Price Energy October 2009 Online 30/09/2009 £30 electricity and £20 gas
ScottishPower Fixed Price Energy October 2009 Online NSC 30/09/200 £30 electricity and £20 gas
E.ON Energy Saver v1 – v4 01/10/2009 £35 for dual fuel customers
E.ON Price Protection 2009 v14 – v17 01/10/2009 £35 for dual fuel customers
British Gas Guarantee December 2009 31/12/2009 £20 electricity and £55 gas
If you are still unsure of your full contract details, simply contact your supplier for further details, alternatively you can contact Utility Exchange for advice because switching energy suppliers really does save you money, and here at Utility Exchange we do all the hard work for you. Every day Utility Exchange research the utility markets and industry news so that you can be assured you’re paying the best business and electricity prices and gas rates available. Simply click on Electricity Quote or Gas Quote and see how much you can save.
Source;
Uswitch.com/ Gas & Electricity/ Fixed Price Energy Info
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Consumers view Gas and Electricity consumption
People will only feel the real benefits of smart meters if they come with live screens displaying energy usage – according to new Energy Saving Trust research, smart meters will only become effective if consumers are able to see how much energy they are actually using.
Smart meters will put an end to estimated gas and electricity bills, as they will have the ability to send accurate usage information directly to the energy suppliers, and the government is hoping to have smart meters in all UK homes by 2020.
However, research indicates that displaying the information makes consumers far more aware of their day-to-day energy consumption, so, if these meters are installed without visual displays, energy efficiency body – the Energy Saving Trust – believes it will be a “missed opportunity”
The Energy Saving Trust’s focus group research discovered the following:
• Consumers would like to be able to see their real-time rate of gas and electricity usage – shown on a cost per day basis
• Most people would also like to be able to see their consumption in watts or kilowatts per day for their electricity
• All consumers would like to see a measure of cumulative usage
The Energy Saving Trust is the leader in the field of delivering energy efficiency to domestic, business, local government and trade sectors, and is urging the government to make energy companies install visual displays alongside all smart meters.
Source;
Energychoices.co.uk/ energy news
http://www.energychoices.co.uk/smart-meters-must-have-visual-displays-06102009.html
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Opus Energy runs for money
Opus Energy, a leading independent supplier of gas and electricity to the business sector, supply’s energy to more than 50,000 properties across the UK – Many of which are small and medium sized businesses. In a bid to raise £3000 for a local charity – Opus Energy is sponsoring two employees to run in the New York Marathon on Sunday 1st November – their challenge, forming part of a wider pledge by Opus Energy to raise £10,000 for the Friends of Cynthia Spencer Hospice.
The employees; Neil Robinson, a Credit Controller and Tanya Matchett, a Credit Control Team Leader for Opus Energy are both novice runners and have never run in a competitive race before.
The duo will become the 7th and 8th employees from Opus Energy to enter the New York marathon as part of an initiative the company started in 2007 – each year, Opus Energy pays for the travel costs, hotels, and entry fees for the chosen employees, and encourages them to achieve a challenging personal goal, as well as raise funds for an important local cause.
MD and founder of Opus Energy, Charlie Crossley Cooke stated:
“This is the third year we have offered Opus Energy employees the opportunity to complete the New York Marathon. It’s a great way to support and raise money for a local charity. We are one hundred percent behind Neil and Tanya and wish them both the best of luck”
Source;
Opusenergy.co.uk/ News
http://www.opusenergy.co.uk/module/page-166/nID-122/item_action-view_item/item-opus-energy-sponsors-two-employees-to-run-the-new-york-marathon/
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Siemens gets Smart
Siemens AG is Europe’s largest engineering corporation within three main business sectors: Industry, Energy and Healthcare (totalling 15 Divisions)
With a wide range of products, including communications services, power generation, IT and Business services, Siemens has teamed up with Electralink – the providers of the Data Transfer Service in the electricity market – to demonstrate a central communications gateway for smart meters, the next generation of electricity and gas meters.
Working in partnership with ElectraLink and with technology partners Software AG and eMeter – the leader in enterprise-class advanced metering information system solutions for electric, gas and water utilities – Siemens has developed a demonstration system that shows how a central communications gateway can provide access to, and control of, smart meters.
Siemens’s demonstration platform of ElectraLink’s Smart Interoperability Portal provides a suite of business capabilities that provide a set of on-demand services which support Smart business processes that are enabled through Smart meter deployment.
Source;
Utilityweek.co.uk/ News/ Utility Engineering
http://www.utilityweek.co.uk/news/uk/utility-engineering/post-6.php