The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) has launched a new Energy technologies for net zero guide which gives a detailed look at the technologies available that can decarbonise the UK energy system and shift energy demand from fossil fuels to a low-carbon supply – vital to reach the Government’s
Back in 2012, the English Housing Survey took an in-depth look at the energy efficiency of the country’s housing stock. It found that social housing was leading the field, with an average Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) rating of 65, compared to just 57 for the private rented sector. The most
Midlands based construction engineering consultancy, Howard Ward Associates (HWA), has been appointed by Ineco Energy to deliver a major solar PV project at 41 sites across Coventry. The scheme is part of a wider decarbonisation strategy in the city which will deliver carbon reductions and renewable energy generation improvements across
Following the warning from the CEO of National Grid around tighter electricity supplies, Mike Foster, CEO of the not-for-profit energy trade association the Energy & Utilities Alliance, the not-for-profit trade association that provides a leading industry voice to help shape the future policy direction within the sector, has issued a
Whether a power supply is being used in life-saving pieces of medical equipment, in transportation systems or even in a PC, all relevant parties need to be confident it will have a significant life cycle. This means they want a reliable piece of equipment that proves to be good value
In an exclusive opinion poll, conducted on behalf of the not-for-profit trade association Energy and Utilities Alliance (EUA), in the middle of the current energy crisis, the public have blamed the government for the current gas crisis and have demanded the fast-tracking of alternative energy sources to heat their homes.
Mike Foster, CEO of the Energy and Utilities Alliance, says: “The current energy crisis around gas supply and demand was entirely avoidable but that doesn’t help solve the problem now. In the short term, the tools available to help are limited and expensive but may be necessary to keep fuel
The latest round of financing from the UK Government’s Green Heat Network Fund (GHNF) will be key to ensuring low-carbon district heating schemes are delivered from 2022, according to polymer pipework specialist REHAU. The GHNF is the latest funding scheme launched by the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy
Planned hydrogen innovation projects could create over 17,000 high-tech, green jobs in Britain’s industrial heartlands, new research published by Energy Networks Association (ENA) reveals today. £4.4bn of investment is proposed in developing hydrogen gas grids to help reduce carbon emissions from Britain’s six Industrial Clusters, where strategically important heavy industries
The Heat Networks Investment Project (HNIP) has awarded £24 million of funding to Energetik to support two major extensions of its community heat network across the London Borough of Enfield. This brings the total support provided by HNIP to just under £39 million, following an initial grant and loan award
The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) has launched a new Energy technologies for net zero guide which gives a detailed look at the technologies available that can decarbonise the UK energy system and shift energy demand from fossil fuels to a low-carbon supply – vital to reach the Government’s Net Zero targets. The easy-to-follow guide, produced by energy system researchers at the University of Strathclyde on behalf of the IET, is intended to help the public, policy makers and anyone invested in transitioning to a low-carbon future, understand the options and technologies available. Simon Edwards, Director of Governance and External Engagement at the IET, said: “The transition to Net Zero will rely on people and technology. It is vital that everyone has a good understanding of how technology can make that happen, what the options are and how they work. “Technology enables us to dramatically reduce our dependence on fossil fuels by changing where our energy comes from and how we use it. However, there is a wide range of technologies that might be used and big decisions on the energy transition from policy makers still to come. This guide is intended to give the key facts, so everyone can become more informed about the decisions they make, as well as the pathways the UK Government and industry may take, to reach a low carbon future.” The guide also gives a unique comparative analysis of a set of seven net zero pathways to uncover what our decarbonised energy system – both supply and demand – in 2050 is likely to look like. Dr James Dixon, a post-doctoral researcher at the University of Strathclyde and lead author of the guide, said: “All paths to Net Zero rely on substantial changes in technology and the way we use energy. More optimism in what technology can achieve and how cheaply it can do it reduces – but never eliminates – the need to change how we do things. On the other hand, the more we can bring down our energy demand, the less we are dependent on technological innovation. In other words, it de-risks the transition.” The A-Z guide covers every main Net Zero energy technology from how energy can be produced from sustainable and renewable sources, how it can be used via low-carbon travel choices and how homes are heated. Keith Bell, Professor of energy systems at University of Strathclyde and co-author, added: “The fantastic reductions in the cost of energy from electricity produced from wind and solar and the efficiencies of things like electric vehicles and heat pumps mean that much greater reliance on renewables in future makes a huge amount of sense. However, it also raises challenges around the variability of wind and solar and the need for energy storage and flexibility of demand. “The Government’s Net Zero Strategy, launched this week, shows there is still a lot of work to do across many sectors. However, it’s a welcome statement of intent and it’s good to see acknowledgements of the importance of things like long-term energy storage and action on heating in buildings. “Whilst it is clear these technologies are fundamental, there is still an active part society at large needs to play in making low-carbon choices in our everyday lives. If people, policy makers and businesses understand the various options and why they’re needed, we will get greater support for a fast and fair transition to Net Zero.” The IET’s Energy technologies for net zero guide is available for download here.
Back in 2012, the English Housing Survey took an in-depth look at the energy efficiency of the country’s housing stock. It found that social housing was leading the field, with an average Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) rating of 65, compared to just 57 for the private rented sector. The most recent English Housing Survey to provide a snapshot of energy efficiency is the 2019-20 report. It found that energy efficiency had improved over the preceding decade, with the proportion of dwellings in the highest EER bands (A to C), rising from 12% to 40% between 2009 and 2019. Social rented homes continued to be the best performers, with 61% in bands A to C in 2019, compared to just 38% of homes in the private rented sector. The average cost to move a property from EER bands D to G up to a band C rating was estimated to be £8,110. The cost varied across tenure, from the cheapest being housing association dwellings (with an average of £5,910) to the most expensive being owner occupied homes (£8,579). Just 2% of properties were found to be unable to reach band C at all. With an average annual energy cost saving of £298 because of upgrading a home to band C, it would take the average property over 27 years to start benefitting financially from doing so. Hence the need for government incentives to speed up the upgrading of English homes’ energy performance. Heat pumps are an interesting example of this. In 2019, just 103,000 homes in England had a heat pump – well below 1% of total housing stock. The government has now announced a £5,000-per-household grant to encourage the installation of heat pumps. However, that will cover the installation of just 30,000 heat pumps per year. How the government target of installing 600,000 heat pumps per year by 2028 is to be met remains unclear. Some of those likely to be near the front of the queue for the new heat pump grants are England’s landlords, as all new tenancies will require an EPC rating of band C or higher by 2025. Proptech investment platform houzen is supporting landlords and owner-occupiers alike to reach band C or higher with its in-depth sustainability reports. The tech-driven reports provide owners with the means to see quickly and easily how their properties measure up in terms of their environmental impact, as well as how they can enhance their sustainability. They blend expert knowledge with AI and Computer Vision to consider how homes perform in respect of 27 measures that impact the climate.
Midlands based construction engineering consultancy, Howard Ward Associates (HWA), has been appointed by Ineco Energy to deliver a major solar PV project at 41 sites across Coventry. The scheme is part of a wider decarbonisation strategy in the city which will deliver carbon reductions and renewable energy generation improvements across a number of council-owned sites; such as sports facilities, schools, office buildings, cemeteries and country park visitor centres. Civil and structural engineer HWA has specialist expertise in the solar PV sector and has advised on major schemes across the UK. For Ineco, the practice has been appointed to provide surveys and assessments, to determine the structural capacity for the installation of solar panels and inverters. The ambitious programme will generate 1,840 MWh of energy, with the potential to save Coventry City Council up to £276,000 annually. Over the lifetime of the projects, it will save the carbon equivalent of planting 9,766 trees. The first phase of works – which was funded by the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS) – saw the completion of six Coventry schools, ahead of the new 21/22 academic year. Giles Ward, director at HWA, said: “We are really pleased to be working on a number of solar PV installations across Coventry alongside Ineco Energy. The scheme is contributing to the city’s decarbonisation strategy, helping to deliver carbon reductions and renewable energy systems on a significant scale.” “This is a diverse industry in which we have gained extensive knowledge and experience in since the field was in its infancy. It is great to see that solar PV installations have developed significantly, and their demand and accessibility continue to grow as local authorities, businesses and organisations across the UK seek energy-efficient solutions.” Works have also begun on the Coventry Central Library, a Council office building and Windmill Road Cemetery in the city, due to be completed this month. Angus Rose, director of Ineco Energy said: “We’re extremely proud to be helping Coventry City Council to reduce its carbon footprint with the installation of solar PV across the region. There has never been a more important time to reduce the carbon footprint of our communities and secure a greener future for generations to come. “This part of the project, funded by PSDS, only scratches the surface of the ambitious project with Coventry City Council. The ongoing decarbonisation plans funded by ERDF will allow the Council to make buildings more energy efficient and help the region reach its net zero target.” Phase 2 will see solar PV being installed across 32 further Coventry City Council public buildings and is funded through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). Ineco Energy specialises in the development, installation, and ongoing management of renewable and energy-efficient solutions for local authorities, schools and businesses within England and Wales.
Following the warning from the CEO of National Grid around tighter electricity supplies, Mike Foster, CEO of the not-for-profit energy trade association the Energy & Utilities Alliance, the not-for-profit trade association that provides a leading industry voice to help shape the future policy direction within the sector, has issued a reply. With energy policy updates expected form government over the coming weeks, Mike registers his deep concern for the potentially disastrous impact this will have on the public being able to heat their homes this winter in the following comment: Responding to comments by the Chief Executive of National Grid made yesterday, Mike Foster Chief Executive of Energy and Utilities Alliance said: “The man charged with responsibility for keeping the lights on yesterday issued a stark warning to the UK and to Government. He forecasted that the margin between electricity supply and demand would be tighter than in recent years; in other words, there was a heightened risk of blackouts, of losing supply. “This is as serious as it gets. Ahead of the winter, policymakers have been warned. On top of spiralling price rises, there is now a real threat around security of supply. The energy trilemma is starting to bite. “But it’s actually worse than this. There are some politicians calling for all gas centrally heating to be provided for by electricity. That’s an enormous amount of energy that the system hasn’t been designed for. We have been warned about keeping the lights on this winter, imagine the situation if we add winter heat demand to the load. “It won’t be just lights going out, or industry told to stop production, it will mean people going cold in their homes at a scale not seen for generations. It would be the height of irresponsibility to put all of our energy eggs into the electricity basket. “But we do need to achieve net zero. For that reason, for the majority of UK homes currently using natural gas for warmth, should keep their boilers and just have the gas switched to hydrogen. This will take place over a number of years, firstly with blending and then wholesale network conversion. We did it with the digital TV switchover and this is the way to keep people warm and the lights on.”
Whether a power supply is being used in life-saving pieces of medical equipment, in transportation systems or even in a PC, all relevant parties need to be confident it will have a significant life cycle. This means they want a reliable piece of equipment that proves to be good value for money. As such, when creating a power supply, designers must make numerous decisions that will impact how long it is likely to last. Here are just three examples of things to be considered. 1. The electrolytic capacitor The electrolytic capacitor is ultimately what determines how long a power supply lasts as it has a finite lifespan — in other words, it is the only part that wears out. As XP Power’s technical director Gary Bocock explains: “Electrolytic capacitors are an essential component of AC-DC power supplies. They provide high Capacitance x Voltage (CV) and low Equivalent Series Resistance (ESR) in low-volume packages. There’s no alternative part that can do the job cost-effectively.” Choosing the correct one is crucial when designing a long-lasting power supply. Electrolytic capacitors manufacturers will specify the design lifetime at the maximum rated ambient temperature (typically 105°C), which can be anything from 1,000 hours to 10,000+ hours. Applied ripple currents also cause power dissipation within the electrolytic capacitor, and according to Bocock: “The maximum ripple current that may be applied to the capacitor is usually specified at maximum ambient temperature and 100/120 Hz.” Manufacturers must assess probable durability in order to help designers select the most appropriate electrolytic capacitor for the power supply they are creating. 2. Thermal management All power supplies generate heat as a by-product to some degree, but it is critical to manage the temperature in order to prevent damage that could decrease the life cycle of certain components within the power supply. As noted by O’Reilly Media, overloading, fan failure, inadequate air flow inside and outside of the system, and dirt and dust are just a few potential causes of overheating that can contribute to a reduced lifespan. Designers should consider incorporating cooling systems in order to dissipate heat and reduce potential damages. For example, installing a fan will be far more effective than natural air convection. However, as important as cooling is, designers also need to consider how a particular cooling system could impact other aspects of the power supply. In this case, a fan will consume power and therefore reduce the efficiency of the power supply, and may also be noisy. This won’t necessarily be an issue for all power supplies, but depending on the context, other cooling systems could be more appropriate, such as a heat transfer plate or maybe even a liquid cooling mechanism. 3. Insulation materials Choosing the correct insulation materials is vital in terms of both safety and efficiency. According to Bright Hub Engineering, examples of suitable options include “PVC, glass, asbestos, rigid laminate, varnish, resin, paper, Teflon, and rubber”. While designers may decide to use a variety depending on the particular power supply they are creating, they should avoid mismatched or incompatible insulation materials. Although combining different types may seem like a thoughtful way to ensure adequate voltage withstand capability, mixing insulators with varying degrees of permittivity means there will be uneven electric field intensity across the insulator, as per Kirchhoff’s Law. This could cause it to break down, which is why designers must keep this in mind when selecting insulation materials.
In an exclusive opinion poll, conducted on behalf of the not-for-profit trade association Energy and Utilities Alliance (EUA), in the middle of the current energy crisis, the public have blamed the government for the current gas crisis and have demanded the fast-tracking of alternative energy sources to heat their homes. The 2,000 respond representative sample of the UK population when asked who was to blame for the current crisis, said the government and energy suppliers shared responsibility, with 26.4% blaming the energy suppliers; 24.9% the government; 12.9% the regulator Ofgem. 40.5% of respondents blamed all three. Overwhelmingly, three out of four people asked (74.4%) agreed that the government should keep the price cap for energy bills in place, placing a limit on bill increases, rather than allowing the market to determine the price for energy. What’s more, two-thirds of those asked (66.1%), confessed to being worried about being able to afford to keep warm this winter and 64.9% believe any increase in household energy bills above £10 a month was unacceptable. Crucially, UK homeowners are now looking for government action on energy to prevent a repeat of the gas crisis. More than nine in ten (95.8%) thought it important for the government to invest in alternative sources of energy such as zero carbon hydrogen and only one in four (24.6%) wanted to see gas central heating removed from homes to be replaced with electric appliances. Commenting on these results, Mike Foster the CEO of Energy and Utilities Alliance said: “These results are shockingly clear. The government cannot be comfortable knowing that two-thirds of people are genuinely worried about being able to keep warm this winter. “But consumers don’t want to pay higher energy bills and are blaming the government and energy suppliers for the problems they now face. Any increases above a tenner a month are seen as unacceptable.” “There is also a very clear message being sent about future energy policy. Consumers expect, actually they are demanding, that the government invests in alternative sources of energy, such as zero carbon hydrogen, to avoid a repeat of what we are going through. When 96 per cent of the public support something, politicians had better listen.” “The current crisis is further proof that we need to decarbonise our gas network, using zero carbon gases such as hydrogen and keep costs down by adopting hydrogen-ready boilers. “What our politicians must avoid at all costs is a ‘dash for electricity’. These results clearly show that there is real concern over electricity prices and the consequences for consumers if we try and convert homes from gas for heating. What’s more, the electricity grid will not be able to withstand the extra demand being placed upon it in winter months.” For more information on renewable heating and to see the EUA’s latest report, Too Close to Home, visit: https://eua.org.uk/too-close-to-home/
Mike Foster, CEO of the Energy and Utilities Alliance, says: “The current energy crisis around gas supply and demand was entirely avoidable but that doesn’t help solve the problem now. In the short term, the tools available to help are limited and expensive but may be necessary to keep fuel poverty levels in check; to keep the lights on whilst still keeping an eye on our emissions. “In the longer term much more can be done and should be. This crisis should act as a wake-up call to get on with improving the energy efficiency of buildings; of ramping up of zero carbon power generation, that’s nuclear, wind as well as gas with CCS; but most of all seizing the opportunity to massively invest in hydrogen production, so we are no longer dependent of geology for our energy. “Above all, this crisis should put pay to the notion that we should electrify all domestic heating in the UK. We simply cannot load high seasonal heating demand onto a system that cannot cope. It would be reckless and irresponsible to do so.”
The latest round of financing from the UK Government’s Green Heat Network Fund (GHNF) will be key to ensuring low-carbon district heating schemes are delivered from 2022, according to polymer pipework specialist REHAU. The GHNF is the latest funding scheme launched by the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy building upon 2018’s Heat Networks Investment Project (HNIP). As part of this latest funding tranche, the GHNF has pledged an additional £270 million investment in low-carbon technology, on top of the £165 million already provided by the HNIP. Steve Richmond, Head of Marketing and Technical at REHAU Building Solutions, said: “It is no secret that COVID-19 has impacted the decarbonisation of the UK heating sector. The pandemic has left budgets strained for many, so investing in a new heating system simply hasn’t been a priority.” “For this reason, schemes such as the Green Heat Network Fund will be key to putting low-carbon progress back on track post-pandemic. The heating sector currently accounts for as much as 21% of the nation’s emissions total, so increasing uptake of heat pumps and district heating networks will be key to achieving net zero by 2050.” This development coincides with the launch of the CP1 Heat Networks Code of Practice by the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers and Association for Decentralised Energy. The publication advocates a maximum flow temperature of 70°C for district heating networks, making them better suited to fourth generation heating schemes. Polymer district heating networks, using low-carbon technology such as heat pumps and waste heat recovery systems, are one of the most effective ways to reduce reliance on traditional gas boilers. Low-carbon networks are the only form of network supported by the GHNF, so it is important contractors and consultants consider the recommendations in the CP1 guidance to deliver suitable installations. Steve concluded: “The launch of schemes such as the Green Heat Network Fund and regulations such as CP1 will be critical to driving the uptake of low-carbon technology in England and Wales. Coupled with comprehensive training from specialists such as REHAU, this demand will be a major factor in ensuring heat network installations are suitable for end users in a low-carbon future.” For more information on district heating networks, visit: https://www.rehau.com/uk-en/rehau-district-heating
Planned hydrogen innovation projects could create over 17,000 high-tech, green jobs in Britain’s industrial heartlands, new research published by Energy Networks Association (ENA) reveals today. £4.4bn of investment is proposed in developing hydrogen gas grids to help reduce carbon emissions from Britain’s six Industrial Clusters, where strategically important heavy industries such as chemicals, iron, steel, glass and ceramics are concentrated. Over 9,000 of the jobs expected to be created would be employed by the network companies, with another 8,000 roles created in supply chain partners. ENA’s Innovation Impacts report shows that new hydrogen innovation projects proposed by Britain’s five gas network companies could create a total of up to 25,000 highly skilled green jobs across Great Britain over the next ten years across five strategically important areas, including those in Industrial Clusters, as they plan to invest a total of £6.8 billion in proposed hydrogen innovation projects. Up to 13,300 of the jobs would be created by network companies directly with, a further 11,400 jobs created by supply chain partners, in projects spread across the country. The investment plans have been submitted to the energy regulator, Ofgem, as part of the companies’ business plans. The regulator is responsible for approving investment plans proposed by GB gas and electricity network companies. The report sets out how the companies want to invest: £4.4bn to help reduce emissions in Britain’s industrial heartlands, such as HyNet North West, which will produce, store and distribute hydrogen while capturing and storing carbon from heavy manufacturing industries. These projects are expected to deliver over 17,000 high-tech green jobs in Britain’s industrial heartlands in north-west England, the Humber and Teesside, Southampton, north-east Scotland and south-east Wales, as well as other locations. £2.2bn in projects to speed up research into how we can repurpose existing gas pipelines so they are hydrogen-ready, to ensure gas network companies can deliver the Government’s hydrogen plans for building hydrogen village and town trials. This investment is expected to create over 6,700 jobs in projects in Fife, Cumbria and southern England, as well as other locations. £150m in projects to ensure the wider energy system and economy is ready for hydrogen, such as the expansions of the HyDeploy project to trial blending of up to 20% hydrogen into the existing grid in north-east England and a continuation of the Future Billing Methodology project, which will ensure peoples’ energy bills remain accurate as we start to use more hydrogen. This is expected to create over 700 jobs in the north east and central England. £19.5m in transport and other projects, researching how hydrogen can reduce emissions from cars and good vehicles, as well as ensuring it is used in a way that it is integrated with other green technologies and gases, such as wind farms and biomethane. These projects are expected to create nearly 100 jobs. Commenting, Chris Train, ENA’s Gas Goes Green champion says: “For the first time, this report sets out the sheer size and scale of the economic and social opportunities that hydrogen innovation can deliver over the next ten years, creating new green, hydrogen super-skills in communities and companies across the country. “With the recent publication of the Government’s Hydrogen Strategy and the Prime Minister’s Ten Point Plan before that, the time is right for Ofgem to consider how it can unlock this investment, helping ensure that hydrogen plays its full part in fuelling Britain’s Green Industrial Revolution.” Chris Manson-Whitton, of HyNet North West, adds: “The UK has the innovation, skill and world leading infrastructure to be a global leader in the delivery of the hydrogen economy. Our leading industrial partners, such as those in the HyNet North West cluster, are committed to decarbonising their operations and products. Hydrogen enables them to do that, safeguarding jobs and attracting inward investment. As this report shows, network innovation underpins this transformation, also decarbonising our communities and transport systems, and creating thousands of skilled green jobs.
The Heat Networks Investment Project (HNIP) has awarded £24 million of funding to Energetik to support two major extensions of its community heat network across the London Borough of Enfield. This brings the total support provided by HNIP to just under £39 million, following an initial grant and loan award of over £14 million for the construction of the Meridian Heat Network in 2020. The additional funding will increase the network’s reach and enable Energetik to supply very low carbon heat to over 50,000 homes, building on its previous forecast of 15,000 connections by 2026 and making this scheme the largest to be awarded HNIP funding to date. The extensions will link together and significantly decarbonise all existing heat networks in the London Borough by connecting them to the upcoming Meridian Water energy centre at Edmonton Eco Park. The energy centre will connect to the North London Waste Authority Recovery Facility once complete in 2026, delivering very low carbon waste heat to customers through a network of underground district heating pipes. The northwards extension will link the Meridian Water Heat Network with the existing Ponders End Heat Network, serving two new housing developments comprised of over 3,300 homes and the civic centre building in Enfield Town. The westwards extension will follow the route towards the Arnos Grove Heat Network, heading north towards the Oakwood Heat Network and connecting two care homes along the way. These extensions are a strategic step forward for Energetik, maximising the long-term decarbonisation potential by allowing more homes and buildings to benefit from heat that would otherwise be wasted. Energy Minister Lord Callanan said: “Changing how we heat homes and workplaces is a vital part of how we will end our contribution to climate change, which is why we’re investing in cutting-edge low-carbon heating technologies to help us meet our bold climate targets. “Thanks to this Energetik project, backed by a further £24 million of government funding, up to 50,000 households across North London are going to feel the direct benefits as we continue making our towns and cities cleaner places to live and work.” Jayne Clare, Managing Director at Energetik said: “This funding decision is extremely positive for Enfield and our Company. The expansion of our low carbon heat networks will provide the required infrastructure to unlock untapped potential and deliver maximum carbon savings across the borough. This an immense step forward towards achieving Enfield’s carbon goals.” Ken Hunnisett, Project Director at Triple Point Heat Networks Investment Management said: “Energetik was one of the very first projects to be awarded through the Heat Networks Investment Project and it is great to be able to support them further with a second award in the scheme’s final year. One of the major benefits of heat networks is their ability to expand and decarbonise over time, and Energetik is a shining example of how this can be done for the benefit of a significant 50,000 homes across North London.
