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npower Launches New Wallace & Gromit Ad – Hand Of Dog

While many England fans still bear the scars of the fateful game where Maradona proclaimed that the ‘Hand of God’ knocked England out in 1986, Wallace and Gromit exact their revenge in the new npower TV ad.

npower Launches New Wallace & Gromit Ad - Hand Of Dog

The new TV ad supports the Back the Bid 2018 campaign for England to host the FIFA World Cup(TM). As an official supporter of the bid npower is getting behind England 2018, as hosting the World Cup would provide a huge boost for British businesses large and small.

In one of the funniest football ads to be shown on British TV for many years, Wallace & Gromit, the eternal entrepreneurs, are all set to profit from a tournament in England with their madcap pie-making business – “WAG’s Pies Ltd”. As usual, their best-laid plans are threatened when Wallace’s latest invention – a pie-delivery machine – threatens the game with an errant pie.

Gromit sprints through the stands and onto the pitch making a leap for the runaway pie. As he flies through the air and catches hold of the pie, his other paw accidentally makes contact with the football sending it hurtling past the goalie and into the goal.

The advert ends with Wallace smugly viewing the success of his small business venture and Gromit enjoying a read of the local rag. The front page carries a photo of a very familiar dog scoring a goal under the headline “Hand of Dog”.

Via EPR Network
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Wallace & Gromit Get Smart With npower On The Small Screen

Fans of Oscar-nominated Wallace and Gromit are to be treated to another dose of the favourite duo as they appear in npower’s new TV advert.

The nation’s favourite animated characters are up to their usual ‘inventive’ mischief in delivering npower’s message of sensible energy consumption in the home. The loveable duo soon learns a valuable lesson in monitoring energy, as another invention goes wrong.

The new advertising campaign created by VCCP for npower is in a 30 and a 40 second format and breaks on 29 March until 7 May on ITV (Mid West & North) and Channel 4.

The 30 second advert opens in a darkened room where Wallace is in a state of panic. Hidden behind a cushion he watches a horror movie on his latest invention, a homemade widescreen TV. Wallace’s widescreen TV defies convention, consisting of multiple TV’s taped together.

However, a scary movie is not the only thing poor Wallace has to worry about when the penny finally drops that his pile of TV’s has in fact become an energy consuming monster.

Luckily, the savvier Gromit saves the day when he receives advice from customer care advisor Penny on how to cut energy consumption.

Our heroine informs Gromit about the npower smartpower electricity monitor, which allows customers to keep an eye on how much energy is being eaten up by all household appliances.

The 40 second advert actually shows the viewers what movie is scaring the life out of Wallace – Revenge of the Killer Watts – as well as having an additional scene of Gromit creeping up on Wallace and passing family photographs of Frankenwallace and Dracuwallace along the way. The end of the advert cuts straight back to the ominous pile of televisions ‘sparking’ to life.

The new Wallace & Gromit advert is part of the energy supplier’s smartpower campaign to help customers monitor and reduce energy consumption in the home with the offer of free smartpower electricity monitors when existing and new customers sign up to an online account.

Kevin Peake, marketing director at npower, commented: “We’re all guilty of being like Wallace and Gromit and wasting too much energy in the home, but we want to show that there are ways where we can help our customers save energy and money.

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npower Urges Businesses To Make CRC A Board Level Priority

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npower has launched a plea for businesses to make the Carbon Reduction Commitment Energy Efficiency Scheme (CRC) a board level concern and develop a strategy to manage participation to avoid financial loss and reputational damage.

npower Urges Businesses To Make CRC A Board Level Priority

This is the message of a new film – Understanding the CRC from energy firm npower, designed to help businesses prepare for the scheme and avoid potential pitfalls. npower’s film provides guidance on qualification for the CRC, the importance of managing energy and carbon emissions to succeed under the scheme, and the reputational implications of the CRC league table that will name and shame those participants failing to reduce emissions.

It also points out the potential financial benefits of the scheme. DECC calculates that the CRC will stimulate £1bn of cost savings for participants through better energy efficiency.

A further message coming through loud and clear from the film is the importance of having a board member responsible for the CRC. Annual ‘evidence packs’ detailing participants’ energy consumption must have board level sign off. The CRC will also require enterprise-wide investment and behaviour change to improve energy efficiency, which typically can only be sanctioned at the highest level.

Dave Lewis, head of business energy services at npower said: “A lot of businesses are turning to us for advice on the CRC and it’s clear that many are still unclear on the obligations it places on them, and the opportunities and challenges it presents. Our film answers these questions and will hopefully go some way in addressing the concerns that some organisations have. Those affected by the scheme only have until the end of September to register, so it’s important they understand what they need to do and how they can make the CRC benefit their business. This must be driven from the very top if businesses are to realise all the advantages the CRC offers.”

npower helps companies monitor and manage energy consumption to bring commercial and environmental benefits. To help achieve this, npower has developed a monitoring and targeting (M&T) tool – encompass. A web-based system, encompass gives businesses accurate and timely information on their energy consumption, providing them with the data they need to implement cost and CO2 reduction policies. The system automatically collects data from half-hourly and smart meters, providing a detailed report on a business’ energy consumption behaviour, and the related cost and environmental impacts of this. With this data, benchmarks can be set and consumption tracked, alongside mapping of carbon use and cost.

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npower Reports Solar Energy Boost From Cashback Scheme

npower has reported that, thanks to a new government cashback scheme, those who use solar power to generate their own electricity could soon earn approximately £960 per year.

npower Reports Solar Energy Boost From Cashback Scheme

Introduced by the government in April 2010, Feed in Tariffs, or FITs, as they’re more often referred to, offer homeowners with solar photovoltaic (PV) panels a payment of up to 41.3p for every unit of electricity they generate.

James Morgan, solar expert for npower, commented: “This is great news for homeowners. Put simply, owners of solar photovoltaic panels, which produce electricity, will be paid for all the energy they generate – regardless of whether they use it themselves or sell it back to the grid. So not only will your energy bills be reduced, but you will also be receiving a regular income from the energy you generate.

“Consequently, there’s never been a better time to be installing solar panels on your home. Since the introduction of the scheme, we’ve seen a huge increase in the number of people interested in going solar, as the extra financial benefit offered by FITs means that the payback period has been reduced to around 15 years for a typical installation costing around £12,000.”

Solar photovoltaic (PV) uses energy from the sun to create electricity to run appliances and lighting in the home. Solar PV requires only daylight – not direct sunlight – to generate electricity, making it incredibly efficient. The system also generates no greenhouse gases, helping to reduce homeowners’ carbon footprint.

Ronald and Wendy Jordan from Cornwall are one couple who will benefit from Feed-in-Tariffs. They run their own beef farm and bed and breakfast near Lostwithiel and decided to invest their savings in solar PV panels while interest rates were low.

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npower Boosts Barclaycard Freedom Scheme With Reward Worth Up To £160

The reward, the first in the scheme to be paid regardless of the amount the customer spends on their card, is recorded in pounds not points, and can be spent by customers immediately with tens of thousands of participating retailers across the UK.

npower Boosts Barclaycard Freedom Scheme With Reward Worth Up To £160

Celebrating the partnership, npower is doubling its sign-up incentive to £60* of Reward Money for Barclaycard Freedom customers transferring their gas and electricity to npower before May 17th 2010. Along with the £100 annual loyalty payment for both new and existing npower customers paying by monthly direct debit for both fuels, Barclaycard Freedom holders could earn enough in a year to buy a meal out for the entire family, special treat for someone or have a shopping spree online, simply by choosing npower as their gas and electricity supplier.

Giuseppe Di Vita, Managing Director of npower Retail Markets, commented: “Our customers have told us that they would like more freedom of choice in the way that they are rewarded for joining and staying with npower. Participating in the Barclaycard Freedom scheme enables us to give our customers the choice of up to 30,000 retailers to redeem their Reward Money. Our customers will benefit from a straightforward, simple and transparent way to get more value for their money.”

Barclaycard Freedom, which launches in March, offers the concept of a rewards programme to many small and medium retailers for the first time. In addition to encompassing household names, including npower, over 30,000 retail outlets have been invited to be part of the scheme at launch. On average there will be 200 retailers within a five mile radius of where a Barclaycard cardholder lives and many more retailers are expected to join in the coming months.

Sarah Newman, Managing Director of Barclaycard Freedom, commented: “Barclaycard Freedom incorporates all of the best elements of a rewards scheme with no vouchers or coupons to collect and no points to calculate – the rewards are quite simply in pounds and pence. Offers like npower’s – the first of its kind in the Barclaycard Freedom scheme – give customers a new way that they can build up their reward balance. We hope that customers enjoy spending their Reward Money.”

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npower Welcomes Cash Rewards For Low Carbon Electricity And Heating

npower has welcomed the Government’s announcement regarding Feed-in-Tariff (FIT) levels and urged consumers to buy now to take advantage of the Government scheme.

The scheme offers financial assistance when installing solar PV panels, potentially earning customers £986 per year.

Julia Lynch-Williams, Director of Energy Services for npower, commented: “According to Government calculations, consumers generating their own electricity from solar PV panels could earn approximately £986 per year from tax free generation payments and bill savings combined.

“The new Feed-in-Tariff arrangement means homeowners have the opportunity to earn more than ever before from generating their own electricity and together with a grant, solar is certainly a more attractive investment than it’s ever been. Given that the Government has increased generation levels since the consultation in July, now definitely looks to be the best time to buy.”

With a typical installation costing around £12,000, FITs will see the payback period considerably reduced.

npower has seen enquiries in solar panels increase by 200 per cent since the Feed-in-Tariffs were first announced in July 2009, and expects this trend to continue.

To help homeowners take advantage of FITs, npower solar offers a complete ‘one-stop-shop’ service including site survey, grant application support, installation and buy back of excess energy.

npower’s website includes guidance for homeowners on solar installations, including a suitability calculator which tells homeowners whether their property is suitable for solar installations and offers a free estimate for installation.

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npower Encourages Homeowners To Act Fast To Save Cash

npower has announced that thousands of fast-acting homeowners will be the first in England to benefit from the new Government boiler scrappage scheme as the Energy Saving Trust posts application forms for consumers to claim the £400 discount.

First to receive the details are those who have already registered with the Energy Saving Trust. Thousands of forms are being issued on the first day alone. With only 125,000 grants available on a first come first serve basis, energy company npower is urging homeowners wanting to benefit from the scheme to register quickly to avoid disappointment.

npower was the first energy supplier to launch its own boiler scrappage scheme, matching the Government’s offer. This means consumers could be eligible to receive as much as £800 towards the cost of a new boiler when replacing one that is G rated – which could be almost a third off the cost of an installation. npower’s offer also extends to any boiler 10 years or older so even if it isn’t G-rated, homeowners can still enjoy a discount.

npower hometeam, which installs, services and repairs boilers, has already seen huge interest in the offer and it is expecting more now that Energy Saving Trust mailing has started.

Kevin Miles, CEO npower retail, said: “The scrappage scheme is great news for homeowners and the perfect opportunity to install a new energy efficient boiler to help cut your heating bills. If you want to take advantage of getting £800 off an installation, the important thing is to act fast or you could be disappointed. There’s approximately four million G-rated boilers in the UK*, but there’s only 125,000 grants available under the scheme. Our advice is don’t leave it too late, get it before it’s gone.”

For more details on the Energy Saving Trust £400 voucher please call 0800 512 012.
For further information on npower’s £400 offer please call 0800 0722 999.

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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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npower Launches Return Of Wallace And Gromit Advert

npower launches return of Wallace and Gromit to the small screen in a cracking new energy efficiency advert.

Wallace And Gromit Advert

In the latest 30 second ad the famous pair suffers another calamitous mishap when Wallace concocts a baa-rmy scheme to fill his loft with sheep for better insulation. As poor Gromit ‘rams’ shut the loft hatch, the ceiling begins to crack and the entire flock, along with plaster and rubble, come tumbling down.

Luckily npower Bob appears to tell them there is an easier way: most homes have poor loft insulation, so it’s wise to prepare for winter with the npower loft home insulation service to help save time, money and sheep.

Wallace and Gromit’s appearance is the second of a series of npower adverts starring the duo. Each ad will be characterised by the famous duo doing what they do best and inventing hair-brained schemes to make their home more energy efficient.

The ad, which premiered on Thursday 23rd July during the Home Show at 8.30pm on Channel 4, aims to highlight the benefits of insulating lofts properly and how Britain’s brightest energy company is helping to make energy efficiency easier. It follows the success of the first npower ad starring Wallace and Gromit, which aired in March this year and has sent installations of energy efficient boilers soaring.

Kevin Peake, npower marketing director, said: “Wallace and Gromit are a family favourite and the most famous Oscar winning duo in Britain. We’re hoping their positive approach to energy efficiency will help people see how simple it is to make small changes and a big difference to their energy bills.

“Although home insulation may not be an obvious priority while the weather’s warm, now is an ideal time to tick it off the to-do list as ready to save energy and money in the winter months.”

Even for those with loft insulation, the message is to check that it meets the recommended 270mm depth.

Supporting the campaign are two market-leading offers for loft insulation. For the DIY market, npower has teamed up with insulation manufacturer Rockwool and national builders merchant Build Center to offer 2for1 on rolls of insulation with free delivery thrown in. For those who don’t fancy having a go themselves, npower will provide and install the loft insulation in people’s homes.

Further details and terms and conditions for both offers are available on the npower website.

About npower:
npower is one of Britain’s largest electricity supplier and supplies gas, electricity and related services to 6.6 million customers across the UK. npower is a market leader in renewable energy and sources the green energy for juice directly from renewable sources, at no extra cost.

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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npower Achieve A Coveted Big Tick Award For Spreading Warmth

npower achieve a coveted Big Tick Award from Business in the Community (BitC) in the Marketplace Impact category, for its ‘Spreading Warmth’ programme, which is helping to alleviate fuel poverty across the UK.

npower

npower, has helped more than 150,000 customers benefit through the programme; providing financial support, including npower’s social tariff and help with outstanding energy debts, as well as energy saving advice over the phone and in the home which has helped change consumer behaviour to use energy more efficiently.

npower has trained its staff to identify and assist its vulnerable customers, promote assistance available through a range of marketing campaigns and through engagement with external stakeholders developed a targeted programme which provides meaningful help to its customers most in need.

The initiative received the P&G Responsible Marketing and Innovation award for the second year running, and involves training employees to recognise those most at risk, including identifying customers who pay more than 10% of their income on energy bills.

In addition to the Big Tick award, npower has achieved Platinum status in the BitC’s Corporate Responsibility Index, the UK’s leading voluntary benchmark of corporate responsibility.

Paul Dear, programme manager at npower, said: “Being acknowledged in both BitC’s Big Tick awards and Corporate Responsibility Index is a huge achievement.

“In total, we have received three Big Tick Awards throughout the company, and protecting vulnerable and fuel poor customers’ is at the heart of our business ethos. The Spreading Warmth programme demonstrates how, as one of the UK’s largest utility companies, we operate responsibly and seek to develop personal relationships with customers.

“Our advisors are trained to offer sensitive advice to customers, with a specific focus on recommending the correct tariff and suitable repayment methods.”

The Big Tick is awarded to businesses which are able to demonstrate significant impact and high quality management of their responsible business practices, as Stephen Howard, chief executive at Business in the Community, confirmed: “The Big Tick is now recognised as both a valuable and difficult award to achieve.

“Those who achieve the Big Tick are leading companies, ones that run their businesses aware that they depend above all on the talent, innovation and loyalty of their people. They know that they cannot build a successful sustainable business without constantly showing their commitment to being a better business,” he added.

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

- npower received three awards in the 2009 Big Tick Awards for its impact in the workplace, community and marketplace.

– BitC’s Corporate Responsibility Index is the UK’s leading voluntary benchmark of corporate responsibility. This year, 141 businesses participated, with seven companies achieving the new Platinum Plus level

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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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Npower Announces Top Engineering Award Win For Tilbury Apprentice

Tilbury Power Station is delighted to announce that Katie Lester, a third year npower electrical apprentice, has been awarded the IET (Institution of Engineering and Technology) Mary George Memorial Prize for Apprentices.

The apprentice award is a category in the wider IET Young Woman of the Year Engineer Award, and celebrates the very best young female engineers in the UK – not only highlighting their achievements but also encouraging others to enter the profession. The Apprentice award is valued by the engineering industry and highlights Katie’s commitment to her chosen profession.

Miss Lester, currently an apprentice at npower, was given this award as a result of her flair, charisma and experience which allowed her to present engineering as an exciting career. In achieving this prestigious recognition, she will now take on an ambassadorial role in the industry, giving her a real opportunity to demonstrate what she loves about her job.

Nigel Staves, Tilbury Power Station Manager, commented: “We are so proud of Katie. She is a fantastic apprentice at the station, and has always contributed beyond the realms of her normal duties. She demonstrates real innovation in her approach to engineering, and is clearly very committed to furthering her career. Katie is a true example to her peers – and I hope that she will encourage other young women to enter into a career in this very rewarding industry.”

Katie added: “I’m really chuffed to have won the award – I was totally shocked when my name was called out! Engineering is a brilliant career and I want to inspire other people to consider it. I couldn’t have done any of this without the help of all my colleagues at the power station – they have trained me and given me guidance the entire way through my apprenticeship.”

This isn’t the first award of Katie’s career – she was RWE npower Apprentice of the Year in 2007, and Engineering Student of the Year 2008 for Rotherham College of Arts and Technology. She was also recently involved in setting up an Apprenticeship Open evening at Tilbury Power Station, with the aim of encouraging young people into applying for the Tilbury Apprenticeship scheme.

 

About npower
npower is one of the UK’s largest electricity suppliers 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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npower Opens its Doors to Help Local Businesses Expand Skills Training in the North East

npower opened its doors to local businesses yesterday, to showcase their award-winning training programme and to highlight the need to build a stronger, regional skills base for the North East of England. This event was supported by Business in the Community’s Business Action on Skills campaign.

npower’s contact centres are predominantly based in East Durham and the training programme provides a comprehensive range of support for its diverse population of staff. This includes a dedicated space for employees to pursue tailor-made skills training as well as offering literacy, numeracy and vocational courses.

The Opening Doors event gave other regional employers the opportunity to see learning in action and meet some of npower’s learning team. With 63% and 85% of the local population identified as having significant needs in literacy and numeracy* respectively, the company realise the importance of making a long-term commitment to the employability of the future, as well as the present workforce.

npower firmly believes that staff training is fundamental to the on-going success of the business. npower is working with Business Action on Skills to help make the case for organisations to keep focused on the learning needs of the workforce, and not to cut training budgets at a time when many companies may be tempted to do so.

Lesley Blower, npower’s Learning Resource Centre Manager, said: “We are very proud to be showcasing our award winning training programme to local businesses in the area. The Open Doors event has given us the opportunity to highlight the importance of investing in our employees, despite the current economic climate.”

In 2008, npower won a prestigious Business in the Community Award for its efforts in upskilling its people, bringing it both business benefits whilst helping it to play a positive role in the wider community and providing opportunities for non-employees.

 

* Learning Skills Council North East figures for East Durham 2007

About npower:
npower is one of Britain’s largest electricity supplier and supplies gas, electricity and related services to 6.6 million customers across the UK. npower is a market leader in renewable energy and sources the green energy for juice directly from renewable sources, at no extra cost.

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.

For more information about Business Action on Skills and the work it is doing to support large employers on skills training, contact Caroline Melton, Skills and Workplace Account Manager on 0113 205 8219, or email caroline.melton@hotmail.com

For more general information about the campaign please go to: www.bitc.org.uk/skills

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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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Clean Energy, Electricity, Energy, Energy Conservation, Green Energy, Projects, Renewable Energy, Solar Power

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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Electricity, Energy, Energy Distribution, Projects

An Industrial Process Flow Control System Built By Npower Students

Npower, one of the UKs largest energy suppliers, has revealed that its modern apprentices have completed the building of a live Process Flow Control System at Bridgend College. The system, which took just three weeks to complete, replicates a process distribution and conditioning system that can be applied to many different disciplines within industry.

In training to become a qualified RWE Npower engineer students must be able to distinguish different components within automated process systems and recognise the maintenance and service requirements of these particular components. This can be achieved through drawings and specialist interactive software but the students at Bridgend familiarised themselves with the process by creating a live Process Flow Control system.

The installation of a complete line of water systems is extremely beneficial, not only to the modern npower apprentices at Bridgend, but also to other students who run similar systems. It can be utilised for delivering industrial based skills and competencies such as safe shut down procedures, safe isolation, maintenance requirements, fault diagnosis procedures, dismantling techniques and overall process control and monitoring.

The basic design structure was presented to the npower modern apprentices as part of the PEO (Performing Engineering Operations) qualification. Responsibility for different sections of the system was given to different groups within the class, replicating the practice that would be adopted by company employees or contractors.

Brian Cowen, Section Head of Engineering and Maintenance training at npower said: “I am very impressed with the wide range of skills implemented to install this system. It provides a platform for real-time work. It is outstanding practice and is what sets Bridgend College apart from other Colleges. Indeed, this system is of such a high standard that it could be used to assess NVQ level 3 candidates.”

Amy Chandler, an npower Advanced Apprentice, said: “The project was good fun and brought the team together. It took a lot of planning but we gained a lot of knowledge along the way.”

The next stage is to introduce a temperature control system, which will support process monitoring and environmental issues connected to process plant and process conditioning systems. A basic airline system will also complement the maintenance centre and again be used as a delivery tool to support student learning.

About Npower:
Npower is one of Britain’s largest electricity supplier and supplies gas, electricity and related 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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Npower juice fund sponsored pioneering wave power device that could provide a major breakthrough in the drive to hit sustainable energy

Npower juice fund sponsored pioneering wave power device that could provide a major breakthrough in the drive to hit sustainable energy targets is a step closer to commercial use after tests proved the system is highly effective.

Green Ocean Energy Ltd, the Aberdeen-based renewable energy company, has developed a wave power machine which uniquely attaches to an offshore wind turbine thereby giving combined wind and wave power from one installation.

The company was able to develop its ground breaking Wave Treader technology after securing £60,000 of funding from npower’s Juice fund – a unique scheme that supports the development of wave and tidal technology.

The financial backing enabled the company to put the device through a feasibility study into its commercial electricity generating application. The Wave Treader has since achieved proof of concept and a full size prototype could be ready for testing in 2010.

Managing director of Green Ocean Energy, George Smith, said: “We have drawn on our extensive skills and experience in the energy sector to develop this technology. The support we have received from npower through the juice fund has enabled us to take a huge step forward in preparing the device for widespread use in the offshore environment. These are exciting times for the company and we look forward to eventually seeing the device incorporated into offshore wind farms.

“The Wave Treader has the potential to significantly increase sustainable energy generation both in the UK and around the globe. If we’re going to reach the Government’s target of generating 20% of the UK’s energy from renewable sources by 2020 it’s essential that a range of sustainable sources are put into widespread use.”

Green Ocean Energy was established in 2005 with the aim of generating ample, clean and sustainable energy by harnessing marine energy in ways that are harmonious to the environment and economically viable.

Each Wave Treader machine generates approximately 500 KW which is enough electricity to power 125 homes.

Helen Steed of npower’s Juice fund commented: “We are delighted with the results of the Green Ocean Energy Wave Treader. The device is the first of its kind, and shows tremendous potential in utilising existing off-shore infrastructure to generate clean renewable energy. This is exactly the type of project that npower juice fund was developed for.

“Research and development are the cornerstones of the npower juice fund ethos, and provide additionality to npower juice. For every customer that joins npower juice, npower invests £10 per year per customer into the juice fund. To date npower juice fund has invested £2m into the development of marine renewable industry”

The Wave Treader has been developed using the core concept of a stand alone wave power device called Ocean Treader which is also being developed by the company. Mounting the device on the foundation of an offshore wind turbine makes that technology more commercially viable because of the relatively low technical risk.

Uniquely, Wave Treader can turn to face the direction of the wave train to ensure maximum operational efficiency. It also has active on-board adjustments to allow for the effects of tidal range.

With a design life of 25 years the machines have been designed to ensure they are highly reliable and use standard marine equipment.

The company is now looking to attract further investment to enable continual development of the company’s products.

About Green Ocean Energy
Green Ocean Energy was established in 2005 with the aim of generating ample, clean and sustainable energy by harnessing marine energy in ways that are harmonious to the environment and economically viable. The company based in Carden Place, Aberdeen, is currently developing two wave power machines called Wave Treader and Ocean Treader for commercial use. Ocean Treader is a floating device designed for stand alone use in ocean wave systems.

 

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Npower Calls On Small Businesses In The UK To Be More Energy Efficient And Save Up To 20 Per Cent On Energy Bills

Small businesses in the UK are being urged to be energy efficient and save up to 20% on energy bills as the economy continues to bite.

The call comes as energy company npower completes a series of small business energy makeovers which have shown that saving energy is often one of the easiest ways of reducing costs and can be done through simple steps that together make a big difference.

npower’s energy efficiency makeovers have helped four businesses cut their energy spend by £1,200 and, at the same time, reduce CO2 output by almost 4.9 tonnes. With many SMEs facing difficult trading and financial uncertainty, npower believes these energy efficiency measures serve as examples of the cost savings that can be achieved in all workplaces.

Reducing the air conditioning temperature setting in a pub by a mere 2 degrees C will provide a cost saving of some £232 a year, while energy saving measures implemented at a printing press will be enough to cover the running costs of one of its machines everyday for nearly four months. Simply defrosting the fridge freezer and replacing lighting will contribute to cutting a car auction’s energy bill by £300, while draught proofing doors and changing light bulbs in a shop could lead to savings of £400 on its energy bills.

npower’s team of energy saving experts visited the range of businesses – including a pub , small printers, car auction and a shoe repair shop – to offer practical assistance to reduce energy consumption .

The team replaced light bulbs with energy saving equivalents; defrosted fridges and freezers; switched kettles to eco-friendlier alternatives; adjusted air conditioning and fitted reflective radiator panels; fitted timers to electrical equipment to switch if off when not in use; draught-proofed doors and even installed a wind-up radio and solar powered phone charger, substituting them for existing electric equivalents

“At times like these, every penny counts and we’ve demonstrated simple steps that small businesses in any sector can undertake to save money.” said Steve Fitzsimons, business energy manager at npower.

“Our recent survey has shown 60% of British adults believe that energy is being wasted in their businesses yet when you’re busy running your company it can sometimes seem difficult to dedicate time to cutting costs. Putting in place a range of energy saving measures for little or no cost will cut their energy bills without compromising operations,” added Fitzsimons.

Businesses wanting advice on cutting energy bills should visit npower, where they can sign-up to receive an advice pack and free Current Cost monitor, which will help them track how energy is being used.

About npower:
npower is dedicated to helping UK businesses use energy more efficiently and therefore spend less money on their bills. npower aims to have a positive impact on the communities it serves and reduce customers’ carbon footprints whilst always improving the service to customers.

npower specialises in risk management solutions, including market-leading flexible energy purchasing, energy efficiency, and broader energy management functions, tailored to every size of business. For major energy users, npower offers multi-utility management consultancy to enable organisations to improve efficiencies right across the procurement/consumption chain.

npower is committed to helping its small business customers to improve their energy efficiency. Since 2006 the ‘e3’ campaign (standing for energy, efficiency, environment) npower has offered business customers advice and guidance on reducing energy consumption. New business customers receive an energy monitor designed to improve their consumption awareness as well as access to a dedicate energy efficiency telephone helpline and website.

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