a networking site for renewable/green energy businesses in Wales www.greenenergycluster.co.uk
Friday, November 24, 2006
Water works to generate electricity
A Welsh Water treatment works on the Cardigan Bay coast near Barmouth is the first of the company's works to be powered by the water it treats.

A small turbine generates sufficient energy to power the water treatment plant, with a surplus of around 70,000 kWh per year exported to the grid.
icWales story
posted at 6:43 am by GEC exec.
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Thursday, November 23, 2006
Stern Review
The Stern Review on Climate Change has been published, and people have had time to consider its implications. It argues that tackling climate change may be costly (but manageable), but is achievable, and that the costs of NOT tackling climate change are potentially massive. It proposes a raft of measures including (but not limited to) increased energy efficiency, increased use of renewable energy, carbon sequestration and carbon trading mechanisms. It argues that climate change may be tackled effectively whilst still permitting the economic aspirations of both developed and developing economies to be met.

The link below will take you to the official site, where you can read the full report, the executive summary or the short executive summary (4 pages). Cluster members are invited to comment on the report - you don't need to register to post (select the "Anonomous" identity), but if you start your comments with your company or name it makes it easier to follow for others.
Stern Review
posted at 5:17 pm by GEC exec.
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BSRIA reports on world renewables market
The Building Services Research and Information Association has issued a market intelligence report looking at renewables within the building services sector.
Press Release
Publication details
posted at 6:56 am by GEC exec.
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Tuesday, November 21, 2006
First bioethanol forecourt for Wales
Superstore group Morrisons has opened the first filling station in Wales to stock a new fuel, Harvest Bioethanol E85 which is made from renewable and sustainable agricultural crops.
Motortorque article
posted at 6:34 am by GEC exec.
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Monday, November 20, 2006
£2M Lottery cash for biomass projects
Seven projects (including one from Dulas here in Wales) have been awarded funding totalling more than £2 million from the Bio-energy Capital Grants Scheme, funded from the Cronfa Loteri Fawr/Big Lottery Fund.
Press Release
posted at 1:15 pm by GEC exec.
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Tuesday, November 14, 2006
Welsh Lib Dems propose removing red tape for microgeneration
A move to let Welsh householders install solar panels or small wind turbines without the need for 'energy-sapping bureaucracy' was made on the 13 Nov by Mike German, Assembly leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats.
News Wales article

update: "Environment Minister Carwyn Jones has said he will support a proposal to relax planning permission on small wind turbines and solar panels."
icWales story
posted at 9:13 am by egsi manager.
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Saturday, November 11, 2006
Significant developments to reduce emissions by 10%
Weds 25 Oct, Cardiff.
At a meeting of the Cross Sector Climate Change Group, the Environment, Planning and Countryside Minister Carwyn Jones announced:

"Progress on energy efficiency, particularly in the public sector, has been encouraging. But it is clear that more action needs to be taken. For example, there is more we can do to encourage sustainable use of energy including microgeneration and I am pleased to announce a change to planning guidelines for local authorities. I expect all local authorities to secure more sustainable buildings by reducing carbon emissions. This should include a requirement that significant developments reduce their predicted CO2 emissions by 10 per cent. This can be through a combination of building performance improvements, on-site renewables and efficient supply of heat, cooling and power."

Although the detailed proposals are not yet available and there is no announced timetable, it is believed that the exact details should emerge by the end of the year.

WAG press release
BBC report
Western Mail report
posted at 7:01 am by egsi manager.
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3rd GEC meeting report
"Connecting Renewable Energy Businesses with Housing Providers"

Tuesday 24 Oct 2006, Venue Cymru, Llandudno, 10:00-14:00
Wednesday 25 Oct 2006, Waterton Technology Centre, Bridgend, 10:00-14:00

Recent major changes in UK policy and regulations will greatly increase the market for building-linked renewables, not least by providing greater incentives to housing providers and developers.

Housing Providers and the Public Sector

Sixty-seven people, representing 43 organisations attended the event over the two days. Speakers from Grwp Gwalia, Carmarthenshire Energy Agency and Powys County Council explained about different drivers and ambitions for RE installations. Several GEC members gave presentations about their products and services.

Download the full list of people who registered or attended the event.

Presentations available for download:

Update on UK Microgeneration Strategy, LCBP and Microgeneration Action Plan for Wales - Katharine York, EGSi

The Role of Housing Associations (7.8MB) - Haf Roberts, Grwp Gwalia

Also available are the following case studies produced by Gwalia about a number of their projects:
Clase
Llety
Plas Y Mor
St Johns
Swansea Foyer
Ty Caitlin

Working with Housing Associations and the Public Sector to Achieve On-Site Renewable Generation (1.8MB) - Ian Draisey, Dulas Ltd

Experiences in specifying and installing renewable energy technologies - Andy Bull, Powys County Council

Sustainable Energy in Carmarthenshire - Guto Owen, Carmarthenshire Energy Agency

Welsh Biofuels - Ken Shaw (wood pellets)

EAGA - Steven Caseley (solar water heating)

ESCO Cymru - Allan Sharp (wood chip and woodland management)

EETS - Bruce Cross (solar photovoltaic and small wind turbines)

Also presenting were:

Organic Energy Company - Andy Burroughs (wood pellet boilers and solar water heating)

Llani Solar - Chris Lord-Smith (solar water heating & Association of Environmentally Conscious Builders)

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posted at 6:53 am by egsi manager.
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Thursday, November 02, 2006
Hydro: Report on community-owned scheme in Powys
The BBC website reports on the successful Talybont-on-Usk small-scale hydro scheme:
BBC report
posted at 10:07 am by egsi manager.
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350 MW Port Talbot woodchip plant faces oppositon
A proposed power generating facility to be located close to the harbour in Port Talbot, burning woodchip brought in by ship, faces opposition from local councillors concerned about possible impacts on local residents.
BBC Wales Story
posted at 9:59 am by egsi manager.
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Plans for £45 million biomass plant in South Wales
Plans have been announced by Anglo-Dutch firm Express Power to construct a 20 MW biomass power plant, burning clean waste wood. Expected to create 20-40 long term jobs, the construction phase would last for approximately 2 years, and involve up to 200 construction workers. The company is currently looking for a suitable brownfield site for the plant.
letsrecycle.com story
icWales story
posted at 9:42 am by egsi manager.
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