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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US causes Kyoto chaos
The US and China have publicly clashed over the US’s proposals to replace the Kyoto Protocol with a brand new deal – putting the chance of reaching an international climate change deal in Copenhagen in December – in jeopardy.
Reports suggest that US negotiators, discussing the issue at the UN-backed talks in Bangkok this week, state they are not going to sign up to the Kyoto Protocol or any Copenhagen deal which maintains the legally binding emission targets which were set out in the original Kyoto agreement.
The US team has put forward their plans for an entirely new agreement that would require all countries to have to set their own emission targets and action plans – Chief negotiator Jonathan Pershing confirmed that the US has made significant progress in tackling climate change and does still want reach a global deal. But negotiating for the US, he insisted it would not sign up to a deal which would result in international sanctions, if it didn’t meet targets that would not necessarily apply to large developing countries such as China.
Mr. Pershing stated:
“We are not going to be in the Kyoto Protocol…
… We are not going to be part of an agreement that we cannot meet. We say a new agreement has to be signed by all countries. Things have changed since Kyoto. Where countries were in 1990 and today is very different. We cannot be stuck with an agreement 20 years old. We want action from all countries”
The US comments have brought a robust response from China and the G77 group of developing countries, all of whom categorically reject any attempt to scrap the Kyoto framework and the concept of legally binding emission targets.
Related Utility Exchange feature;
http://www.utility-exchange.co.uk/2009/10/china-claims-climate-change-sabotage/
Source;
e-news @ businessgreen.com
http://www.businessgreen.com/business-green/news/2250751/copenhagen-talks-brink-refuses
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Energy Big Six Hit the Headlines
The UK’s “Big Six” Energy suppliers, which includes British Gas, npower, E.ON and EDF, are making a pile of profit from the British public states national newspaper The Independent, who claims this has to be curbed.
Energy suppliers are still failing to pass on the massive savings in gas and electricity prices, after hiking the prices up by 42% last year – this equates to around £382 per household – when the companies blamed the high wholesale cost of gas and electricity, however, since then, these wholesale costs have halved – but utility bills have been reduced by just 4%.
Independent energy analyst, David Hunter told The Independent that the continued failure of suppliers passing on the massive reductions in energy price – is approaching scandal proportions.
He continued by saying that some suppliers have in fact made small reductions to niche tariffs recently, but deemed these as “token discounts” which do not change the overall trend.
The newspaper has now called on the “big six” gas and electricity suppliers to lower their energy prices by 10%, amounting to about £125 per year for each household, and is urging ministers to remove the licences of suppliers who do not pass on lower wholesale prices to the consumer.
Source;
Energychoices.co.uk/ Energy News
http://www.energychoices.co.uk/energy-bills-are-a-scandal-07102009.html
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DONG Energy Reduces Investment Plans
DONG Energy – one of Northern Europe’s leading energy groups based on procuring, producing, distributing, trading and selling energy – has announced plans to decrease its net investment programme in 2010 and 2011 to reduce its debt load whilst strengthening its capital structure.
The Danish business advises that it is likely to decrease net investments to US $1.98 billion in 2010 and US $1.98-$2.97 billion in 2011 compared with earlier proposed levels of US$2.97-3.96 billion for both years.
Through investing, DONG is expecting to attain a net interest-bearing debt which is the equivalent to nearly treble its EBITDA in 2010, and the company is to focus more on renewable energy while achieving its 2020 target of lowering carbon dioxide emissions per produced MW/h by 50%.
The financial results for 2009 will not be affected by the proposed investment cuts, said DONG.
Source;
e-news @ powertechnology.com
http://www.power-technology.com/news/news66320.html?WT.mc_id=DN_News&mxmroi=14002247/2207106/false
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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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DECC reveals Energy Efficiency Scheme
Final details of the Government’s scheme that will save organisations money on fuel bills as well as reduce the UK’s carbon emissions, have been revealed today by the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC).
According to an issued press release by the DECC – The Carbon Reduction Commitment Energy Efficiency Scheme is the new regulatory incentive devised to improve energy efficiency within large public and private sector organisations, whereby large energy users in business as well as the public sector will be required to take part in the scheme from 1st April 2010.
After carrying out extensive consultation with businesses and trade bodies the Department for Energy and Climate Change has made the following improvements:
• To smooth the introduction of the scheme and to help ease the upfront costs, organisations will only have to report emissions in the first year (2010/11). In subsequent years organisations will have to buy allowances corresponding to their emissions from energy use, and then surrender them by the end of the year.
• In the second year (2011/12) extra weighting will be given to organisations which take action early to improve energy efficiency.
• Recognition will be given to organisations which use onsite renewable energy like wind turbines or solar panels by publishing the increased carbon savings from such measures.
• Organisations will be given greater flexibility in how they participate. Subsidiaries who are large enough to qualify in own right (at least 6000MWh) may opt to do so separately from their organisational group.
• Given the primary focus of the scheme is energy efficiency, the CRC will now be known as CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme.
Joan Ruddock, Energy and Climate Change Minister stated:
“The UK is leading the way in tackling climate change and in the move to a low carbon economy. Organisations and the public sector must play a central role including all government departments, regardless of size…
… Large organisations have huge potential to achieve cost-effective energy efficiency savings. There are clear benefits from positive, immediate action to tackle climate change. Investment that takes place in the next few decades will have a profound effect on the climate in the second half of this century and in the next…
… The CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme will help organisations to become more energy efficient, to save significant sums of money on fuel bills, and to show customers, clients and competitors that their organisation is a leader in tackling climate change”
Source;
Decc.gov.uk – Press release – Energy efficiency scheme will save cash and carbon-07.10.09
http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/news/pn112/pn112.aspx
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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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Reduced Carbon Footprint
According to figures released by the Climate Change Department – Green efforts by the great British public are starting to pay off. The data shows that more than three-quarters of local councils across the UK have reduced their carbon emissions over a two-year period, and that Greater London boasts the lowest emissions per person.
The statistics, covering emissions from homes, businesses, road transport and land use across each area, showed that there were reductions for 335 out of 434 local authorities in the period 2005 to 2007, and also revealed a slight fall in UK-wide emissions, which dropped 2% over the same period, however, some councils did see their carbon footprint increase.
Greater London produces the lowest emissions per person, at six tonnes each, in comparison to the North East which had the highest level at 12.5 tonnes per person in 2007. Interestingly, the North East was also the region with the biggest improvement for the two years preceding. Local and regional figures reflect on the density of the population along with energy use and business activity in any given area.
David Kidney, Energy and Climate Change Minister, said that he is very encouraged by the published results. He continued by saying that every community in the country is working to reduce their carbon footprint -local Authorities are at the heart of the community and as such are able to set an example on tackling climate change via their own actions.
Further more, Mr Kidney advised that the government is helping people as well as businesses to save energy, cut emissions and save money, and that their plans include every home having a smart meter to monitor energy use by 2020, more homes will be insulated, incentives will be provided for businesses to go green and that they will be targeting support to those vulnerable people who need it most.
Source article;
http://www.greenenergy.uk.com/Article.aspx?ARTICLE_ID=130
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£8 million renewable energy deal
UK waste management group Shanks announced an £8 million deal with Scotland’s Energen Biogas to build a renewable energy power plant, in Cumbernauld, North Lanarkshire. The energy plant is expected to process 60,000 tons of organic waste each year, and generate up to 3MWh of renewable power in addition to fertiliser that can be used on agricultural land.
The facility, scheduled to become operational in mid-2010, will utilise Shanks’ Orgaworld Anaerobic Digestion (AD) technology – the conversion of animal and plant waste material using micro-organisms contained within sealed tanks – to process various organic materials which includes food processing waste, household and commercial kitchen waste and supermarket waste.
Orgaworld technology, currently in operation in Canada and the Netherlands, deploys micro-organisms in an oxygen-free environment, converting organic waste into biogas, which is then used to produce green power – this process also generates compost, which is then used by the agricultural sector.
Tom Drury, Shanks chief executive advised that the facility will provide organic waste producers an economical and sustainable alternative to landfill – forming part of a Scottish Government initiative aimed at reducing the amount of waste sent to landfill.
The project also aims to encourage local authorities to increase their recycling rates.
Source;
e-Daily update @ powertechnology.com, link
http://www.power-technology.com/news/news66225.html?WT.mc_id=DN_News&mxmroi=14002247/2202113/false