Tag Archives: Clean Energy

Alternative Fuels, Biofuels, Clean Energy, Electricity Generation, Energy, Energy Distribution, Fuel Cells, Green Energy, Hydrogen Power, Renewable Energy

Chemical hydrogen carriers such as Electriq Fuel are typical circular economy products

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AMSTERDAM, 4-Jan-2021 — /EPR ENERGY NEWS/ — Electriq Global, a provider of Hydrogen-Rich, Zero-Emissions energy storage and transportation technologies, and GVG Oil Trade B.V., Benelux-wide Petroleum & Petroleum specialty products wholesalers, announced today their plans to develop and implement Electriq Fuel’s Storage, Distribution, and Return Flow logistics. The parties plan to work with Dutch and EU authorities to obtain all the required regulatory approvals and permits to start commercial distribution in early 2022.

Ernst van Gelder, co-founder of GVG, said: “in recent years we have increased our business with low-emissions and environmentally friendly fuels and lubricants. Partnering with Electriq Global will makes us pioneers in zero-emission fuels, and we are excited at the prospects represented by this business”.

Mr. Baruch Halpert, Executive Chairman of Electriq Global, said “GVG Oliehandel BV will provide us with ready access to the entire Benelux markets. Their logistics solutions are a perfect fit with our fuel requirements and give us the ready-made logistics infrastructure that is required for rapid market development.”

The recent recipient of the Dutch Hydrogen Prize 2020 – Erik Middelman Award, Mr. Jan Piet van der Meer, explained “chemical hydrogen carriers such as Electriq Fuel are typical circular-economy products, requiring logistics both for the fresh fuel delivery and for the return of the spent fuel to the hydrogenation plant. GVG is one of the few wholesalers who handle both streams, so this partnership is expected to be very synergetic to both parties.”

SOURCE: EuropaWire

Alternative Fuels, Biofuels, Clean Energy, Energy, Green Energy, Hydrogen Power, Renewable Energy

Electriq Global to equip the Staets boats with an Electriq PowerPack using Electriq Fuel

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AMSTERDAM, 21-Dec-2020 — /EPR ENERGY NEWS/ — Electriq Global, a provider of Hydrogen-Rich, Zero-Emissions energy storage and transportation technologies, and BOOT10 Amsterdam BV, an operator of passenger canal boats, announced today their collaboration plans to equip the Staets boats with an Electriq PowerPack using Electriq Fuel. The technology will be demonstrated in January 2021 on the Staets-I boat.

Mr. Jan Piet van der Meer, the hydrogen economy pioneer who was recently awarded the Dutch Hydrogen Prize 2020 – Erik Middelman Award, commented: “Electriq Global recognized the excellent match between its energy storage technology and the inland navigation sector’s need for a green on-board energy solution, and this application could well become an ice-breaker for the broader adoption of hydrogen and fuel cells in our region and beyond.”

Mr. Baruch Halpert, Executive Chairman of Electriq Global, said “this is a defining event for Electriq – our first footstep in the market – and a very meaningful one for the entire energy transition effort, and for the hydrogen economy in particular. We are developing a robust eco system with the Netherlands at its hub, and we are thrilled to closely collaborate with BOOT10’s innovative and ground-breaking team.”

Casper Wulfers, co-founder of BOOT10, pointed out the energy challenge: “we set out to electrify our Staets boats with solar cells and batteries already in 2014, but that energy is insufficient and we still need a diesel generator for range extending. With Electriq’s PowerPack, we expect to operate our boats with the same freedom and flexibility that we enjoy when using diesel – while operating 100% green.”

SOURCE: EuropaWire

Clean Energy, Energy, Green Energy, Natural Gas, Oil & Gas, Services

TS EMEA to present its propane and LP gas distribution Android app at the 29th World LPG Forum

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TULSA, OK, 03-Nov-2016 — /EPR ENERGY NEWS/ — TS EMEA, a provider of logistics and mobility software solutions, announced that it will present its NextGen enterprise software at the 29th World LPG Forum & AEGPL Congress on 15-17 November in Florence, Italy. The World LPG Forum serves as both a platform to discuss issues relevant to the LPG industry and as an arena for companies to showcase their latest innovations for a global audience.

TS EMEA, who will be situated in Stand #K8, will be one of roughly 150 propane and LPG vendors exhibiting at the World LPG Forum, a show that will welcome more than 2,000 attendees from 60+ countries. TS EMEA will highlight TouchStar’s propane and LP gas distribution Android application, TransPac LPG, and the company’s integrated telematics and fleet tracking solution, TS FleetWatch.

“TS EMEA is proud to be a part of the World LPG Forum,” said TS EMEA’s General Manager, Robert Pabeschitz, about attending the event. “LPG plays a very significant role as a clean energy source in Europe. TS EMEA is happy to support that role with solutions that are keyed directly to its safe and reliable transport.”

TS EMEA’s goal at the show is to deepen its relationships with the members of the global propane and LP gas distribution industry and to provide increased insight into its propane and LP gas enterprise solutions at the event. At press time, TouchStar’s integrations fleet software is utilized by over 500 companies internationally.

SOURCE: EuropaWire

Clean Energy, Energy, Energy Conservation, Green Energy, Products

Bristan Makes Showering Green Again

Showers have long been promoted as more water and energy efficient than baths. However many modern shower systems use more water than consumers expect. According to the environment agency, a power shower can use over 60l of water in 5 minutes compared to 70l for a standard bath. Add to this the fact that many users stay in the shower far longer than 5 minutes or have more than 1 shower per day and the green credentials of showering look rather shaky.

The good news is Bristan has extended it’s ecosmart range of water efficient products with the launch of a new Bristan Eco shower handset model No. HAND100 ECO C.

Offering excellent value for money the stylish single function handset features a built-in flow limiter that instantly reduces water usage to six litres per minute. It can be fitted with any shower hose to deliver significant water savings while still allowing for an enjoyable showering experience. Available in chrome, the eco handset features rub clean nozzles for easy cleaning.

Quote from ‘Heating & Plumbing Monthly Nov 2009’

Judith Gibbons, head of marketing at Bristan, said:

“Greater awareness of the potential problem of water shortage is driving more people to think about how they can be more water efficient in the home. Our ecosmart range has been developed to make saving water as easy as possible for consumers and, as heating water accounts for around 25% of our energy bills, the range can help people save money too.”

GW Supplies (Gurney & White Ltd)  not only stock the Bristan ecosmart range of Taps, Showers and Flow Limiters but also sell similar products from ‘DEVA’ and ‘House of Ultra’. Visit their web site at www.gwsupplies.co.uk to see the ranges of modern, stylish products that will not only enhance the look of a bathroom but will also save  money by saving water and energy thus reducing the household’s carbon footprint.

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Concentration:FLABEG pools Know-How

FLABEG, the international glass finishing specialist, now provides its customers with even more transparency. With the formation of FLABEG Deutschland GmbH the company will concentrate its key competences in the field of automotive and technical glass, in future FLABEG GmbH will focus simultaneously on the development of the solar mirror business.

“The significant expansion of our worldwide business locations made it necessary to re-organize our key competences,” said Axel Buchholz, CEO of the FLABEG Group, explaining the new structure. The automotive and technical glass divisions will operate under the umbrella of FLABEG Deutschland GmbH. The mission: to create a powerful, flexible center of competence for partners in the automotive, consumer electronics and aerospace industries.

For FLABEG customers the pooling of expertise in the solar mirror business and the automotive, technical glass has distinct advantages. FLABEG provides its partners from consulting to support up to the individual precision solution all from one source. “Even with expansion, it is important for us to retain the flexibility and structure of a medium-sized company,” said Axel Buchholz. “Utilizing the concentrated development expertise of our all locations, we are able to produce tailor-made high-tech glass products for our customers in a timely manner. A key competitive advantage for FLABEG customers.”

FLABEG, founded in 1882, is an independent company with production facilities in Europe, America and Asia. FLABEG is an expert in all types of glass processing. Precision bending and coating are among the core competencies of the company.

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20% Of The Cost Of Most Domestic Electricity Bills Is From Lighting

Although energy-saving light bulbs are more expensive to buy than ordinary bulbs they can last up to 15 times longer, depending on the type of the bulb you buy.

Changing saves energy and thus money.

The November 2009 ©Which? report on Megaman® GSU111d 11w Dimmerable® (fully dimmable with standard dimmers) had this to say:

“Test score 75%. Megaman® GSU111d Dimmerable® Warm White 11W.

Pros. One of the best bulbs for starting up, this one produces a good amount of light quickly and light output meets the manufacturer’s claim. It lasts well, too – we test bulbs for up to 8,000 hours, and every one of the Megaman® bulbs lasted the duration. It handles frequent switching on and off well and can be used with dimmer switches.”

With many traditional light bulbs disappearing from the shops for good, now is the time to change to more energy-efficient lamps & bulbs.

In September the phase out of traditional bulbs started with 100w clear and most pearl/frosted wattages being discontinued, all others will go over the next few years.

The humble light bulb is dead….. to be replaced by more efficient lighting such as compact fluorescent lamps — known as CFLs, or energy-saving light bulbs.

This has caused a lot of consumer concerns. Gurney & White Ltd, stockist of Megaman energy efficient light bulbs, have provided answers to the most frequently asked questions:

Q. For how long will I be able to buy ordinary bulbs?

A. 75W clear bulbs will be phased out from 1 September 2010, 60W clear bulbs from 1 September 2011, and all remaining clear bulbs from 1 September 2012.”

Q. Can I get energy-saving bulbs in different shapes?

A. Yes. You can get a variety of shapes including globe, golf ball, twisted and candle shapes.

Q. Do low-energy bulbs start at full brightness or do they need to warm up?

A. Some bulbs produce more than 40% of their claimed light output within the first few seconds, but others take longer to warm up. Megaman Dimmerable lamps have a quick start-up.

Q. Where can I dispose of low-energy light bulbs?

A. Compact fluorescent lamps contain a small amount of mercury, which is a hazardous material, so they must not be thrown in your domestic rubbish bin. You can dispose of used bulbs at more than 90% of civil amenity sites.

GW supplies has a wide range of energy saving bulbs and because they can buy in bulk they can offer excellent prices.

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FLABEG Solar U.S. Corp. Opens New Solar Mirror Plant

FLABEG, global leader in high-tech glass and mirror applications, is opening a new production facility for solar mirrors which are used to help generate electricity at large-scale solar power plants. The new 209.00sq.ft manufacturing facility is erected in the Clinton Commerce Park near Pittsburgh International Airport.

The factory will have a annual capacity to deliver parabolic curved mirrors up to 450 MW for PT plants. This production site is therefore equipped to produce tempered solar mirrors in addition to the established monoliths, untempered mirrors.

“Our philosophy has undergone no change, nevertheless we want to be fully prepared for all possible changes in the law,” commenting FLABEG CEO Axel Buchholz on the extended production range. “We expect some federal states will introduce standards for safety glass for Concentrated Solar Power applications. Our core production will remain with untempered solar mirrors.”

Field tests indicate a breakage rate of 0.027% for FLABEG untempered solar mirrors. At such low levels breakage is not an issue.

“As always FLABEG continues to keep abreast oft he changing demands of the market,” says Buchholz. The facility will in future also be home to thinglass applications for Solar Dishes and Concentrated PV and also flat mirrors for Power Tower heliostats and Linear Fresnel power plants.

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Home Owners Find Energy Bill Cuts in Surprising Ways

Again, San Diego Gas & Electric raised its base rates for electricity and natural gas by some $136 million in 2008. We are also expecting successive annual base rate hikes of $44 million in 2010 and an additional $44 million in 2011. For the average residential customer, that translates to a 7% increase in their electricity bills from last year with additional raises in years ahead. While some homeowners are getting into buying expensive solar panels that will pay for themselves in 10 to 30 years, other rate-hike victims are finding energy cuts in surprising ways.

Your Solar Link was started by a LEED accredited professional and designers in an effort to educate local homeowners on the best available solar gadgets on the market.

“As a homeowner, I never thought that those little garden electric lights that are placed along my garden pathway actually can cost me up to $140 a year on my electricity bill? I do not need so much light to light up that trail, but the benefit of using solar pathway lights is enormous”, says Barbara White, who just purchased her first solar pathway lights that cost her only $64.99 for a set of 4.

Your Solar Link started as a hobby but quickly grew into something more. It became a place of contribution by its members and their clients. Your Solar Link doesn’t just sell solar powered products; it plants a TREE for every solar light that is purchased. So not only do you get the benefits of free energy, but you become part of a bigger movement for the future of our planet.

“It’s that simple, replacing your outdoor electric water fountain pump with a solar powered pump will save you around $100 a year. You can find little things around your house that can generate a pretty substantial amount of cash in your pocket by the end of a year: your garage light, your motion sensor lights, your lit home address or lit mailbox, spot lights for your trees, you name it! It adds up every quickly” says Mario Villalobos, one of the founders of Your Solar Link. “I am also surprised that the government, which is so concerned about night sky light pollution, is not interested more in using solar lights. Solar lights are easy to install, cost almost as much as a regular lights and are not as expensive as solar panel systems. Solar lights don’t emit as much light into the atmosphere as conventional electric lights, thus clearing up the sky at night. ”

What’s next for Your Solar Link? “We are in the process of setting up a recycling program for used solar lights. Some of the old solar lights that were sold before us, because of the poor quality, will be thrown out soon. We are looking into figuring out a way to take them apart and to recycle solar lights components,” the Team of Your Solar Link concluded.

For more information on Your Solar Link products visit: http://www.yoursolarlink.com.

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npower Funds Solar Panels For Swimming Centre

Funding from npower means that a swimming pool that is part of a multipurpose centre on the Stackpole Estate in Pembrokeshire has been installed with enough renewable technology to make it the largest collection of solar thermal panels across the National Trust.

npowersolarpanel.jpg (182×120)

Funding from npower – as part of the National Trust Green Energy Fund – enabled a total of 19 flat-plate solar panels to be installed on the roof of the pool at the Stackpole Centre by local contractor West Wales Solar Heating. The Green Energy Fund project invests in small scale renewable energy generation and other carbon saving projects at Trust sites across Wales and England.

The Welsh produced solar panels now provide free heat to a pool that used to cost thousands of pounds a year to heat. The result is not only lower running costs for the Trust but another important small step towards lowering environmental impact and reducing climate changing carbon emissions

The project, which cost £18,000, will enable the pool’s water to be heated by the power of the sun; supplemented for now with a gas system but with plans to move to a biomass heating system in the near future. The system works by water continually being pumped from the pool into a storage tank where it is heated up by energy created from the solar panels.

Keith Jones, Environmental Practices Advisor for the National Trust in Wales, said: “The National Trust is committed to reducing our own energy footprint and in developing projects that can enable people to learn about adaptation and efficient resource use and saving money. This is the largest solar panel system of its kind within the National Trust, and it is estimated it will produce 58,400Kw every year or the equivalent of almost 160 electric heaters left on for an hour every day of the year (saving over a third of its previous energy consumption).

“As far as we were concerned this was a very simple calculation – an investment equivalent to 18 months’ worth of gas costs to heat the pool and it will have paid for itself in six years. In summer and the warmer days this system will provide most if not all the heat for the pool.”

The solar panels also have a digital display, which will enable members of the public and resident guests using the pool at Stackpole Centre, to see exactly how much energy is being produced by the solar panels during their visit.

Allan Robinson from npower said: “npower is proud to have funded the National Trust’s largest ever solar heating system at Stackpole. In partnership with the National Trust, npower is providing expertise and financial support to help those looking for ways to be more energy efficient and make financial savings along the way.”

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Free Flow Power Corporation Announced Today That David J. Youlen Will Join The Company As Chief Operating Officer Of Its Development Subsidiary, Free Flow Power Development LLC

Free Flow Power is developing hydrokinetic generation and new conventional hydropower generation on existing dams to extract clean renewable energy from moving water without building new dams or diversions. Mr. Youlen is the former head of North American Generation Development for Brookfield Renewable Power where he was responsible for development activities for hundreds of hydropower, pumped storage, and wind projects. Prior to development at Brookfield, he was VP Operations for 75 operating hydroelectric facilities in four states.

David J. Youlen

Mr. Youlen remarked, “This is the most exciting time to be involved in hydropower development in my lifetime. The hydrokinetic technology development is very important to the growth of hydropower in this country. My priority is to be at the right place to capitalize on the tremendous growth opportunities that lie ahead for this industry. I think this is a ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ kind of opportunity, and the team I’m joining is well positioned to take advantage of it.”

Mr. Youlen has 35 years of experience in the development and management of electric generation, transmission and interconnection facilities. Prior to joining Brookfield, Mr. Youlen was the former Managing Director of Hydroelectric Generation at Reliant Energy.

Mr. Youlen is a member of the board of directors and past president of the National Hydropower Association (NHA), and serves on the board of directors of the Independent Power Producers of New York. He is the 2009 recipient of NHA’s Dr. Kenneth Henwood Award, the hydropower industries highest honor, and the 2007 recipient of the American Society of Civil Engineers’ Rickey Medal for achievement in the field of hydroelectric engineering. He holds a bachelors of science in civil engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and is a licensed professional engineer in the State of New York.

Dan Irvin, CEO of Free Flow Power Corporation commented “Dave fills a key position in our management team. We admire what he has accomplished over his career, have great respect for his talent and experience and are completely impressed at how clearly he sees the landscape in hydropower.”

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Free Flow Power Corporation, A Hydropower And Hydrokinetic Renewable Energy Company, Welcomes TheAddition Of J. Mark Robinson To The Company’s Advisory Board

Mr. Robinson retired in June as the Director of the Office of Energy Projects at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), where he was responsible for FERC’s regulatory approval of new energy infrastructure development projects, including hydropower projects, transmission facilities, gas pipelines, liquefied natural gas terminals and certain forms of energy storage facilities. Mr. Robinson is currently the principal of JMR Energy Infra, which provides strategic consulting services concerning the development of major energy infrastructure.

J. Mark Robinson

Dan Irvin, CEO of Free Flow Power, commented, “Mark has been a respected leader at the center of US energy policy for many years. His experience and judgment are an invaluable resource for any company working to transform America’s energy infrastructure. We are delighted to have him join Free Flow Power’s team.”

Mr. Robinson remarked, “Free Flow Power clearly represents the new vision needed to spur development of our Nation’s hydropower resources. I am very pleased to be a part of what will be a strong effort to deliver more clean energy from our working rivers and oceans.”

About Free Flow Power Corporation:
Free Flow Power Corporation (FFP) is a hydropower developer and technology company focused on using the force of rivers, streams, ocean currents, and tides to generate electricity without building new dams or diversions. FFP operates through two subsidiaries: Free Flow Power Technology LLC is manufacturing the SmarTurbineâ„¢ system to capture energy from free-flowing water, and Free Flow Power Development LLC is developing hydropower and hydrokinetic generation projects in the US, primarily in the Mississippi River Basin.

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Dr. Edward Lovelace Has Been Appointed By Free Flow Power as Executive VP of Engineering

Free Flow Power Corporation announced today that Dr. Edward Lovelace has joined the company as Executive Vice President of Engineering at its wholly-owned subsidiary, Free Flow Power Technology LLC. Dr.

Lovelace will also be joining Free Flow Power Technology’s board of directors. Free Flow Power is a hydropower and hydrokinetic technology and project development company with offices in Gloucester, Massachusetts, New Orleans, Louisiana and Bellingham, Washington.

Dr. Lovelace was formerly Director of Engineering Development at Satcon Technology Corporation (NASDAQ CM: SATC), a market leader in power inverters that aggregate electricity from large-scale solar installations and synchronize it with the grid, and a developer of machinery and controls technology for propulsion and power conversion.

Prior to his nine years with Satcon, Dr. Lovelace spent six years with General Electric, where he was a Senior Control System Engineer in the Aircraft Engines Business Group. He holds a B.S. and M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, M.S. and Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, and a minor in Technology and Policy, all from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He received the three-year Eisenhower Doctoral Fellowship award and has published and presented several papers primarily in the field of permanent magnet machinery and controls, including a first-prize paper for the IEEE Transactions on Industry Applications.

In announcing the new hire, Daniel Irvin, the CEO of Free Flow Power, commented“This is a key position for us. Ed is the perfect guy to optimize utility scale systems that bring output from many variable speed generators to the grid or a large industrial consumer.”

Dr. Lovelace remarked, “I have followed Free Flow Power’s developments since last year and became captivated by their whole approach from the product technology to the business strategy. I feel like this is a great opportunity for me to put my skills to work driving the engineering development plan through successful commercialization, and joining a team that has everything we need to succeed in this environment. Hydropower has been undervalued as a clean renewable resource, which is truly amazing given how significant the opportunity is in this arena.”

Free Flow Power Corporation is a hydropower and hydrokinetic generation company operating through two subsidiaries, Free Flow Power Technology and Free Flow Power Development. Free Flow Power Technology has developed the SmarTurbine Generator hydrokinetic technology to extract energy from moving water without building new dams or diversions or causing other adverse environmental impacts. The company is developing projects to deploy its hydrokinetic generators and to install hydroelectric generators on existing dams. Most of these projects are on the Mississippi River.

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Distributor Wire & Cable Focuses on Wind Energy Industry

Due to the increasing popularity and need for alternative energy sources, Distributor Wire & Cable has decided to stock inventory specifically used for the wind farm industry. Beyond just a business decision, DWC also viewed this as part of their efforts towards being social responsible.

wind farm

“Although we’re not a pioneer in this growing form of energy, we do believe it’s a necessity to search for alternative energy sources outside of coal and other environmentally damaging energy producers. It’s critical that every business does their part to protect our planet,” said Bryce Huett, Owner of Distributor Wire & Cable.

Major proponents of alternative energy include entrepreneur and advocate T. Boone Pickens. For decades he has been at the fore front of this battle by encouraging businesses and the government to explore a variety of energy sources. The most popular in alternative energy is wind generated power. It’s been shown that its annual growth rate is 29% which makes wind power the country’s largest source of new energy. With no byproducts such as hazardous or toxic wastes, and the fact that it doesn’t need fuel of any type, makes it an extremely green option. In addition, with no cost needed to produce wind besides in the collection of its energy, it’s a long term winner over all other energy choices.

“Wind is a free, inexhaustible energy that does not have the price volatility as the normal traditional fuels do,” Bryce goes on to say. “With the increased use of wind power it is only natural that the ripple effect caused will in time help to lower the costs of other resources such as electricity, fossil fuels and natural gas by driving down the demand.”

In order to help build and support growing wind farms, Distributor Wire is now stocking Diesel Locomotive Cable, or “DLO” as it’s commonly referred to. DLO cable is usually used to run power between Diese Locomotive Wiregenerators and transformers as well as to provide energy to various motorized devices. DWC is also carrying SOOW portable cord and tray cable for running turbine control and instrumentation. Medium and high voltage cables, along with Aluminum ACSR, are stocked for power transmission for various applications. These are only a few of the many options available to the electrical wholesaler at Distributor Wire & Cable for the wind farm industry.

To learn more about Distributor Wire & Cable, and the products they offer to the electrical wholesaler, visit www.distributorwire.com or call 888-439-2947.

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CO2 Reduction Not A Business Priority In Current Economic Climate Reports Npower

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Npower has released data that shows more than eight out of ten businesses feel that Government targets to reduce CO2 emissions are unrealistic, with many not seeing the benefit of a small carbon footprint and relegating carbon reduction measures to concentrate on managing costs.

These are among the findings of the npower Business Energy Index, an annual report tracking business opinion on energy use and carbon emissions.

In this latest index, the majority of businesses (83%) said the target to reduce CO2 emissions by 80% by 2050 was unrealistic. Attitudes on the potential commercial opportunities of a small carbon footprint are equally downbeat; only 31% think new business will occur as a result of reducing emissions, compared to 47% in npower’s 2008 index.

The findings also reveal that the economic downturn is leading businesses to prioritise finances over CO2 reduction; 97% said they are currently more concerned with reducing costs than emissions.

68% of businesses believe it is still important for the UK to take a leading role in reducing global emissions. This is a drop f r o m the 2008 index in which 88% of businesses backed the Government’s emission reduction plans.

Despite these opinions the Business Energy Index reveals a renewed focus on energy efficiency measures, with the importance attached to energy efficiency at its highest level since 2005. Furthermore 80% of businesses say they are likely to increase energy efficiency initiatives and, while this was primarily for cost benefit, the same measures would also lead to emission reduction.

Energy efficiency was also rated as the most popular action for businesses to take to reduce emissions, with 43% giving this answer ahead of changing processes (22%) or switching to a green tariff (18%). However, the Index suggests that more needs to be done to support businesses, with 51% of those questioned saying they thought the Government did not offer enough useful advice on the issues of carbon reduction and energy efficiency.

Julia Lynch-Williams, director of energy services at npower, said: “The Index shows that most businesses do not see the commercial benefits f r o m having a small carbon footprint, but we can’t escape the fact that climate change legislation and the strength of public feeling means that CO2 reduction remains important. The Government has set the UK on a path toward a low carbon economy and must now continue to stress to businesses the opportunities that will come f r o m low carbon operations.

“Energy efficiency is an excellent way to save money and it’s encouraging that many businesses are looking at this to reduce costs. While it’s understandable that businesses are more focused on the bottom-line in the current economic crisis, we would encourage them to see energy management as an effective means of reducing emissions as well as costs.

“Our advice to businesses is to make energy efficiency a priority now and in the long term.”

In-depth telephone interviews were conducted in January 2009 with a representative sample of 300 UK businesses, comprising 200 small-to-medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with significant energy usage and 100 major energy users (MEUs).

The npower Business Energy Index (nBEI) is sponsored by npower, in association with the Major Energy Users Council (MEUC) and Federation of Small Businesses (FSB). The nBEI is designed and executed by Moffatt Associates, an independent research consultancy.

About npower:
npower is one of the top energy suppliers to the UK business market, serving over 230,000 small to medium sized enterprise sites and around 15,000 industrial and commercial customers, with over 100,000 sites.

npower is dedicated to helping UK businesses use energy more efficiently and therefore spend less money on their bills. 

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Increasing Demand For Energy Efficiency Specialists

According to Hays, the specialist recruitment company, a drive to reduce carbon emissions on new and existing buildings, in order to meet energy efficiency targets, has led to an increased requirement for qualified individuals with experience and knowledge of sustainability and energy efficiency.

“Employers are keen to bring on board building services professionals with cutting-edge knowledge of new energy efficient and low carbon systems,” commented Rebecca Coen, Senior Manager at Hays Building Services.

Low Carbon Consultants (LCC) is one such group of professionals who advise on the design and operation of commercial buildings to meet the highest energy efficiency standards complying with Part L (Conservation of Fuel and Power) of the Energy Performance in Buildings Directive (EPB). LCCs can subsequently qualify and attain the Low Carbon Energy Assessor (LCEA) grade.

Qualifications in this field have risen in popularity and there are a number of graduate and postgraduate degrees. These qualifications can make a significant difference to those looking for building services jobs, particularly during the current downturn.

“Achieving LCC status not only means that individuals can command better salaries but these specialsts can make a real difference to consultancies and bring in much-needed project work,” added Rebecca Coen.

LCC and Part L skills can also be easily transferred from the private to the public sector, where buildings, such as schools, hospitals and libraries of a certain size need to conform to the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) and have appropriate Display Energy Certificates (DECs). The regulations will affect all buildings and therefore those with low carbon and energy efficient designs will add to the property’s value. There is also demand for heating systems engineers with experience of bio-mass and bio-fuel boilers, which are practically carbon neutral. As well as the technical skills and prior experience, consultancies are looking for engineers who can come up with new ways of developing these systems.

“Contractors and consultants are thinking strategically about how they can win business and public sector investment specific for the projects they’re tendering for. They’re looking for people with MOD, NHS, schools experience – these are great selling points. There is also demand in estates teams within hospitals for electrical, M&E engineers and contracts managers,” noted Rebecca Coen.

Chartership and qualifications are now more important than ever and employers are looking for people who can demonstrate a long-term commitment to the building services industry. Employers want people to push their business forward and want to see evidence of the projects they’ve worked on, their involvement, and importantly where they can add value to their business. Prior experience of innovative examples of the implementation of energy saving technology should always be included when applying for jobs in building services.

A solid Continuing Professional Development (CPD) record is especially important in the current market, “Individuals must pay close attention to their career development. There are many monthly meetings held across the UK by organizations such as the CIBSE, HVCA and the ECA – attendance is free and individuals should take advantage and supplement their CPD,” concluded Rebecca Coen.

 

About Client:
Hays Building Services is part of Hays plc and specialises in a range of building services roles including electrical engineering jobs, sustainability jobs and project management jobs. It is market leader in the UK and Australia, and one of the market leaders in Continental Europe. The Group employs 8,294 staff operating from 380 offices in 27 countries across 17 specialisms.

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Opus Energy Signs Halfords To Reach A Total Of 50,000 UK Business Sites

Opus Energy, the independent supplier of electricity to UK businesses, has recently signed Halfords, bringing 

the total number of UK business sites it supplies up to 50,000.

Now the largest electricity supplier to UK businesses outside the Big Six, Opus Energy has expanded further in the last 12 months:

  • Electricity supplied to an extra 10,000 UK business sites in the last 12 months
  • 26% year on year growth

Halfords has entered into a two year contract with Opus Energy, with the supply starting in April 2009. Opus Energy will provide 52GWh to the bicycle and motoring specialist chain, across 440 sites.

Opus Energy is attracting a growing number of large corporate customers through the development of a unique wholesale purchasing platform, Opus Evolution.

Opus Evolution gives companies control of their energy purchasing strategies, enabling them to choose how much energy they purchase and when. For example, in a volatile market companies using Opus Evolution have the flexibility to purchase a smaller percentage of their total energy demand over a number of purchases rather than being restricted to one buying opportunity per year. Opus Evolution offers an alternative to a fixed price contract for the first time to this sector,

Andy Taylor, Commercial Manager at Halfords said: “Opus Evolution will be a very useful tool for us. We can control our energy purchasing across the whole portfolio, but also monitor the consumption levels at each site using the online reporting tool. This is really key for us as a retail company with a large number of active sites to manage.”

Steve James, Commercial Director for Opus Energy said: “We’ve drawn on extensive retail sector experience to provide a tailored solution for Halfords. Opus Evolution will give Halfords control over their energy needs and projected spend, but we as a team can also help them on a day to day basis. They will benefit from a single point of contact at Opus to simplify account management, and as Halfords are a growing company we can help by quickly connecting new sites to their expanding portfolio.”

On the news that Opus Energy is now supplying 50,000 business sites across the UK,Charlie Crossley Cooke, MD and founder of Opus Energy said: “It’s fantastic to reach this landmark. Customers are our core business and we re-sign a very high number of our accounts as a result of a focus on excellent customer service. We’ve grown the Opus Energy business by listening to our customers’ needs and finding solutions. The Opus Evolution product is a great example of this – a unique answer to a market wide problem. It is this type of innovation which will help us continue to expand into 2009.”

About Opus Energy

Opus Energy is a leading independent supplier of electricity offering tailor-made solutions for the UK SME and corporate markets. Its market-leading innovations are driven by customer needs and the company is committed to helping businesses reduce their carbon footprint through procurement of energy from cleaner sources.

Opus Energy supplies 50,000 UK business sites across all sectors. Large customers include: Stagecoach, Thorntons, Farmfoods, FirstGroup, Cumbria County Council and Deloitte & Touche.

Over the last two years (between April 2006 and March 2008), 62% of the energy supplied by Opus Energy to its customers came from cleaner, low-carbon sources – 54% from renewable generators and 8% from cleaner Combined Heat and Power (CHP) produced by CHP generators. These CHP generators have been awarded accreditation by the regulator, Ofgem, for producing cleaner, more environmentally friendly power.

Opus Energy’s management team has a 50 percent stake in the business, while International Power Plc (LSE:IPR.L) holds 30 percent and Telecom Plus Plc (LSE: TEP.L ) has 20 percent. With offices in Northampton and Oxford, it employs 200 people.

For further information about Opus Energy, please see www.opusenergy.com For further information about Opus Evolution, please see http://opusevolution.opusenergy.com

About Halfords
The Group employs in excess of 10,500 staff and sells over 10,000 different product lines, ranging from car parts and cycles through to the latest in-car technology, alloy wheels, child seats, roof boxes and outdoor leisure and camping equipment.

Halfords’ own brands include Ripspeed, for car enhancement and Bikehut, for cycles and cycling accessories, including the Apollo and Carrera brands. Two further premium brands were added during 2008; Boardman cycles and accessories, where Halfords has exclusive UK distribution rights, and URBAN Escape for camping equipment. Operating from 455 stores, including four stores in the Czech Republic, 25 smaller format, neighbourhood stores and six standalone cycle stores, Halfords offers a “wefit” service for car parts, child seats, satellite navigation and in-car entertainment systems, and a “werepair” service for cycles. Halfords: shop in store, buy on line, or use the new “Reserve & Collect” service to acquire products on line at www.halfords.com.

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Npower’s Green Energy Fund Helps Cover Costs Of New Log-Fired Boiler

npower’s Green Energy Fund has helped fund a new log-fired boiler, which has been installed at Carding Mill Valley in Shropshire. The log-fired boiler is expected to save £5,000 a year in fuel bills.

The sustainable system – which will provide the Chalet Pavilion with hot water and heating – will also reduce the property’s carbon footprint by 10 tons a year.

Around eighteen tons of logs, which are to be cut from National Trust woodland at Wenlock Edge, will be burnt annually, as part of its ongoing woodland management scheme.

The £43,000 project was funded by several partners including the National Trust West Midlands Sustainability Fund, npower Green Energy Fund, South Shropshire District Council and the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) – Shropshire Development Fund.

Peter Carty, Countryside Property Manager for the National Trust, said: “This has been a major project identified in the Marches Energy Agency Energy Audit in 2006. It will save £5,000 in fuel oil and reduce our Carbon footprint by over 10 tons per year.

“Thanks to some hard work we currently have three years worth of logs cut and stacked by the trackside from where we can easily collect them. These are currently seasoning and a further five tons are cut and drying in our tractor shed at in Carding Mill Valley. A dozen volunteers and four members of National Trust staff were involved in this work which improves woodland management at Wenlock Edge.”

Robert Harper, Sustainable Technology Manager at npower, said: “The National Trust is to be applauded for the sustainable nature of this project, which will ensure that Carding Mill need not ever rely entirely on fuel oil to provide heating for the property. npower’s National Trust Green Energy Fund has contributed a significant amount towards this project and we are delighted that the project has come to fruition.”

Kathryn Warren, National Trust Environmental Practices Adviser, added: “The boiler will provide the Chalet Pavilion with all of its heating and hot water requirements. It is a sustainable source of fuel, which promotes better woodland management and results in increased nature conservation.”

She continued: “Installing the log-fired boiler will remove the need for heating oil at the property; it will significantly reduce its carbon footprint by moving to a carbon neutral fuel. The property will also be self sufficient for heating fuel and no longer exposed to increasing oil prices. More long-term sustainable energy initiatives are planned at Carding Mill’s Chalet Pavilion including hydro-electric power and rainwater harvesting.”

 

About npower:
RWE npower is an integrated energy business, generating electricity and supplying gas, electricity and related services to customers across the UK. We operate and manage flexible, low-cost coal, oil and gas-fired power stations – generating over 10.3 GW of electricity. npower serves around 6.6 million customer accounts and produce more than 10 per cent of the electricity used in England and Wales. In 2007, the company’s turnover was £5.9 billion.

About National Trust Green Energy:
National Trust Green Energy – in partnership with npower – was launched in September 2007. Through this partnership, the National Trust and npower have created a renewable energy tariff – National Trust Green Energy – from offshore wind and hydro-electric sources. When a customer signs up to National Trust Green Energy, npower makes a payment in the National Trust Green Energy Fund which is invested in small scale renewable energy generation and other carbon saving projects at Trust sites. npower’s National Trust Green Energy customers also receive an energy saving tips booklet and money off products such as insulation and PV panels to encourage them to save energy and money in their own homes.

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After-Lite Wins Green Home Eco Innovation Award

After 14 years of research and endless trials in the field of practical photo luminescent application, a unique product has emerged, and it’s been recognized by greenhomehints.com as a product contributing to making the planet a greener and healthier place for all.

After-Lite Energy-Free Lighting performs absolutely as described. Its creator, Tim S. LeMaster, a professional inventor for the past 25 years, is no newcomer to the universe of photo luminescent technology. He has succeeded in taking what one used to think of as a glow-in-the-dark novelty and elevated it to a legitimate player in the quest for a greener, more energy-efficient lifestyle.

Here is a quick overview of what differentiates After-Lite from its glow-in-the-dark predecessors: It begins with a variety of advanced, high-grade, photo luminescent crystals. These proprietary rare earth minerals are processed under intense heat and pressure by a leading developer of unique photo luminescent safety products. The result is remarkable product that glows brightly for hours without requiring an energy source. LeMaster calls his creation a Crystal Energy Cell (CEC).

The crystal energy cell absorbs light, natural or manmade, during daylight hours or at times when a space is artificially lit. Absorbed light, in the form of photons, is stored by the crystal energy cell. Then, in low light or dark conditions, those photons are released, resulting in a soothing green glow allowing that space to be negotiated safely for hours without requiring energy to illuminate.

A CEC charged by the sun for as little as 3 minutes can be taken into a dark room and function nearly as effectively as a flashlight. Longer exposure to brighter, broader-spectrum light results in a brighter, longer-lasting illumination.

When partnered with a compact fluorescent light bulb (a proven energy-saver) the After-Lite Energy-Free System is a positive solution to generating light while contributing the the green initiative by not requiring energy to operate once it is in use.

Remarkably, the CEC will never loose its ability to recharge. Remove it from a failed light and attach it to a new bulb to provide light energy-free, over and over. Not only does the product save energy, it has positive security and safety benefits as well.

“Photo luminescence has already proved itself to be a lifesaver.” LeMaster says.

Photo luminescent paint was utilized in the World Trade Center towers after the first terrorist attack in 1993. Its widespread application provided visibility after power outages in the attack of 9/11 and has been credited for saving many lives.

“We supply helmet and tool patches to the fire departments of New York City, Los Angeles, Minneapolis and Pittsburgh, to mention a few. The same process has revolutionized energy-free signage for low-light conditions, saving municipalities thousands of dollars, and boosted safety standards in other applications from stairway lighting strips to subway platforms.”

After-Lite provides safety and comfort benefits. An After-Lite crystal energy cell will illuminate a room when the power goes out allowing safe negotiation around the room; or function as an energy-free night-light.

To casually compare the cost of a package of compact fluorescent light bulbs available at a retailer to the price of a complete After-Lite system is inaccurate.

“The compact fluorescent light bulb is an energy-saving consumable product which we provide as a platform for our After-Lite product, LeMaster notes. The bulb has a predictable lifespan. But the true value of our purchase proposition lies in the crystal energy cell, which will last for eons.”

For more information on the After-Lite product, visit: http://after-lite.com/

Via EPR Network
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npower Launches Little Green Fingers

npower, one of the UK’s leading energy companies, is offering fifty schools solar panelled greenhouses in an effort to teach children about renewable energy – and research shows kids are eager to learn about the big eco issues of the day. When asked about their understanding on energy issues, savvy seven-year-olds gave heartening responses: 98% of kids know they should always turn lights off and 93% have the ‘techno-how’ to take their computers off standby to save electricity.

It was also revealed that one third (31%) of the next generation of home owners don’t understand what the term ‘renewable energy’ means and so, with the Government striving to have 20% of the UK’s power generated by renewables by 2020, there is evidently more for children to learn about energy.

npower commissioned the research to launch Little Green Fingers, an inspiring initiative designed to help four to seven year-olds learn about natural and renewable energy through the science of gardening. The programme will award 50 schools an eco-friendly, solar heated greenhouse to highlight how the earth’s energy gives plants the power to grow. Schools and families across the UK will be able to benefit from engaging teaching resources and how to guides and watch video clips which will help to bring the power of the earth’s energy to life for children in a fun, hand on way.

Former Blue Peter presenter Zoe Salmon, who launches the campaign for npower today, says:”Making science inspirational and getting to grips with natural and renewable energy has never been more pressing. That’s why I’m out in the garden for npower’s Little Green Fingers campaign to help under-7s learn about energy and growing in the way they learn best – hands on and hands dirty!”

To bring the learning of energy to life for ‘little green fingers’ across the country, parents can contact their child’s head teacher to request entering the competition by visiting www.npower.com/littlegreenfingers.


About npower Brighter Futures:
npower Brighter Futures, npower’s education programme, aims to inspire young people from their first day at school to their first day at work. This is achieved by helping them to develop their skills and knowledge to make their own choices and empowering them to achieve their vision of a ‘brighter future’ for themselves and for the environment

npower Brighter Futures brings under one umbrella npower’s education programmes – from primary schools through to universities. Npower’s programmes focus on either environmental education, such as energy generation, energy efficiency, climate change and sustainability and npower’s commitment to increase the pool of young talent in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths; or meeting the recruitment challenges the energy industry face daily.

About npower:
npower is one of the UK’s largest electricity suppliers and has 6.6 million customer accounts across the UK and it sponsors the Test Match Series in England, Women’s Test Series, the Twenty20 Cup and Village Cup. The company was also recently awarded platinum status in Business in the Community’s CR Index.

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RWE Npower Sparks Interest In Engineering

The npower enthuse day recently rolled into Cramlington Learning Village in Northumberland, where over 50 students took part in the one day educational experience. The students, aged 13 to 14, participated in a range of interactive activities designed to help them think about the impact science and engineering has on their daily lives.

The students were encouraged to think of ways to improve existing products or design a completely

new concept, before considering the very real problem of how people can meet and reduce the UK’s future demand for energy. These activities were followed by a ‘facts and fiction’ session where the students were given the opportunity to meet with engineering staff from npower. Throughout the npower enthuse day, the students took part in a series of hands-on activities relating to the power industry.

Enthuse, which is part of npower’s Brighter Futures Programme, is a five year scheme designed to inspire and engage students aged 12-14 years old in science, technology, engineering and maths.

Head teacher, Mr Wise, Cramlington Community High School, said, “The variety of activities gave the students an excellent insight into what it would feel like to be an engineer. Also, the opportunity to meet with staff from npower has really brought today’s activities to life and gave the students a great introduction into the world of work.”

Dave Carlton, project manager of the environmental scoping for Blyth Power Stationsaid: “The main purpose of today has been to inspire students in science and engineering and share with them the exciting opportunities that the energy industry has to offer.”

In 2008 alone, npower enthuse days reached out to over 3400 students across the UK and this number is continuing to rise throughout 2009.

About npower
npower is one of the UK’s largest electricity supplier and draws on 50 years experience in supplying electricity and gas. npower offers a range of essential home and business services to 6.6 million customers across the UK.

RWE npower has been awarded the prestigious CommunityMark from Business in the Community (BITC). npower is the only utility business, amongst 21 other companies in the UK, to receive this accolade. The CommunityMark is a new BITC standard which has been created to recognise companies that are good investors in local communities and who have brought about real and positive changes.

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