"Renewables firms are laying off staff because the government has shut its grant scheme that helps households adopt green energy technologies such as solar panels. The grant suspension means not a penny has been committed to any household since March 1, leading to accusations that it has made a mockery of the government's green credentials."

Guardian Online article

The modern world relies heavily on computing technology, from e-commerce webistes, to email servers to financial processing computers. For efficiency reasons large datacentres provide the resources to run many thousands of these computers on one site, with customers administering their machines remotely over the internet.

One of these companies, Rackspace, seeking to move on from its experiences in carbon-offsetting its activities, has constructed a pioneering datacentre in Slough drawing its power from a local wood-fired CHP plant.

"At first glance the idea of Rackspace's wood-fired datacentre may look like a rather primitive solution for reducing the firm's carbon footprint, but in fact CHP plants represent one of the more technically feasible sources of clean energy and it would be no surprise to see growing numbers of firms and business estates investigating how this model could also work for them."

With the provision of the right information infrastructure, Wales with its ready access to biomass reserves, is well-placed to attract projects of this nature.

IT Week article

Labels: biomass, carbon neutral, case study

5th June 2007 No Charge Church House,Westminster,London

A one-day conference for businesses to engage with influential international officials involved in shaping future policy on climate security and the low carbon economy. This is a knowledge share event for stakeholders in emerging economies to meet, discuss and feed back views to senior Ministers and officials.

Registration deadline 18th May

For more details, check out the conference website at:
www.ukti-lowcarboneconomy.org

It’s not too late to register your place for the free ‘Meet the Buyer’ event taking place at Sustainability Live! , 1st-3rd May. This is the perfect opportunity to meet serious buyers and specifiers looking at a number of environmental sectors, including renewables.

The Welsh Assembly Government, working with UK Trade and Investment, is bringing serious international buyers from across the world to this show. They are looking for Environmental products and services from the UK.
Buyers will be attending from: • TAIWAN • BRAZIL • PORTUGAL • SAUDI ARABIA
• PHILIPPINES• MALAYSIA • ROMANIA • THAILAND

This event is free for UK companies; it is one of the most cost effective ways of getting one to one sales meetings with international buyers.

If you follow the link, http://www.meetthebuyer2007.co.uk/ you can find information on the exact requirements of the international buyers present this year. If you feel your skills, products or services match their requirements please don’t hesitate to book your free meetings.
More information on Sustainability Live can be found at www.sustainabilitylive.com

Labels: events

Deadline: 12 June 2007

"The UK Government is committed to addressing both the causes and consequences of climate change and to that end is bringing forward proposals for a Climate Change Bill.
The Bill will introduce a clear, credible, long-term framework for the UK to achieve its goals of reducing carbon dioxide emissions and ensure steps are taken towards adapting to the impacts of climate change.
Our objective for this consultation is to ensure that all interested parties have the opportunity to contribute their opinions at an early stage of policy development. We are asking important questions about the shape of our policy proposals and what issues we should take into account, when developing the Climate Change Bill.
We are seeking and welcome your views on all parts of the consultation document, and in particular your responses to the specific questions posed throughout Section 5 and also in the partial Regulatory Impact Assessment."

DEFRA consultation website

19-20 May 2007

Following the success of the Greener Homes and Buildings Exhibition at the 2006 Smallholder Festival, the Society is considering staging and developing a section encompassing a broad range of renewable energy ventures, green projects and environmental protection topics at the 2007 event.

Royal Welsh info page

Labels: events

"New Business Opportunities"
Wednesday, 18th April 2007 Cardiff University
Free
Main Building, Park Place, Cardiff, CF10 3QN
Registration from 6.00 pm
Presentation begins at 6.30 pm

The Innovation Network’s third event of 2007 trains the spotlight on market opportunities for new and existing businesses offered by the need to address the UK’s looming energy gap.

Sources of energy are becoming less available and more expensive, but demand for power shows little sign of declining. Ensuring a secure, affordable and environmentally acceptable supply of energy opens up exciting opportunities for businesses ready to exploit both existing and innovative new technologies, especially in the areas of renewable and low-carbon energy and the design of energy systems.

We are delighted to be joined on this occasion by John Loughhead, Executive Director of the UK Energy Research Centre and author of the authoritative, multidisciplinary report “How to Plug the Energy Gap”. We will start with an overview of the future of energy in the UK and highlight the challenges involved in bringing about the fundamental changes required in the production, demand and use of energy. John will illustrate that the future of energy is not just a threat for your business but that it also offers multi-dimensional opportunities.

Stay with us to exchange ideas and network over a free buffet supper following the presentation.

Don't miss this exciting chance to hear from one of the leading authorities on the energy challenge. Feel free to pass this invitation on to any colleagues who may be interested in attending.

Cardiff University Innovation Network7th Floor30 - 36 Newport RoadCardiff CF24 0DE
Freephone: 0800 801750
http://www.innovation-network.org.uk/

Labels: events