Good News on Wind Power
Earlier this month the government announced a £100bn plan to boost wind power to an unprecedented scale. The 
Crown Estate confirmed the latest round of leasing of UK waters for offshore farms, which will add 25 GW of electricity generation (to the existing 8GW); this will be enough to power every household in the UK.
Additional plans for offshore wind farms in Scotland could bring the total capacity to about 40GW.
This is all very impressive. Construction is planned to begin 2013-2015. I was at parliamentary seminar on energy policy earlier this week where the shadow minister for Energy Charles Hendry rightly commented on these plans en passant ”we have a shortage of ships, skills, engineers, manufacturing capacity, and absolutely
no money, but other than that everything is going fine”. It’s a typical “Yes Minister” moment, and probably spot on, but there’re reasons to be optimistic.
There is a huge challenge in delivering the necessary volume to build these offshore farms and the cost involved, especially at a time when Britain is risking a rating downgrade and needs to keep a lid on printing money, but I have no doubt that we will rise to the challenge. It also beside the point that in all likelihood all this technology will be sourced from abroad.
The concerns about the unreliability of windpower are unjustified. If there’s wind for a net 50% of the time during the year, and we need to resort to burning coal and gas for the remainder to make up for the shortfall, that is a 50% cut in emissions already. There is no objective need to expect that any one renewable source will produce electricity
at a continuous level 24/7. The key is to diversify the energy mix and securing that the main elements of the mix delivering the lion’s share of the demand are low carbon.
The same applies at a micro-generation or household level. Solar panels can be a great investment because the excess production can be sold to the National Grid. The limited number of hours of daylight means that a household needs to buy back from the grid part of the time. However the net balance
is that an average set up with an initial outlay of £30000 can bring dividends of about 5-7% p.a. by selling the electricity, which is more than one would get from putting the money in a savings account, plus there’s the added advantage that the household becomes a carbon negative contributor to reducing emissions.
This is far from a trivial point. Micro-generation and energy efficiency can play a crucial role in decreasing demand that would otherwise spiral out of control.
Article by Mikel Susperregi – full article can be found at http://www.baseshow.co.uk/
February 1, 2010
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Budget Airlines – Better for the Environment
Passengers who fly with no-frills carriers leave a softer “carbon footprint” than those on full-service 
airlines, new research has shown.
A couple flying with Ryanair from London to Venice and returning a week later have a carbon footprint of 410kg, while the equivalent journey on Alitalia would produce 977kg. A flight from London to Zurich with easyJet has a carbon footprint of 277kg per couple, compared with 688kg with Aer Lingus.
An easyJet spokesman said: “Our policy is to expand our fleet through the acquisition of the latest-technology aircraft, as these are more fuel-efficient than older models. The average age of an aircraft in our flight is 3.5 years. We also use these aircraft as efficiently as possible, by maximising load factors and seating density.” On an Airbus A319, the average full-service airline has 124 seats; easyJet has 156.
“Our analysis shows that the environmental stigma of budget travel may be unwarranted,” said Gbenga Kogbe of Liligo.co.uk. “Travellers can now assess the financial and environmental costs of travelling with low-cost airlines, traditional airlines and charter-flight companies.”
While many scheduled carriers report dwindling passenger numbers, low-cost carriers continue to see growth: easyJet reported a 9.3 per cent rise in passenger traffic in December compared with December 2008.
Analysts said the airline had benefited from the threat of Christmas strike action against BA and the disruption by snow of Eurostar services.
BA carried four per cent fewer passengers in December compared with the same month last year. Overall, passenger numbers fell by 750,000 to 25.2 million last year. It is not yet clear how damaging the renewed threat of strikes will be to bookings, but several travel agents have already switched flights away from BA since the cabin crew’s union, Unite, announced plans for a new strike ballot. The vote is expected to be held in early March.
Read the full article at the telegraph.co.uk
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Eco-Friendly Schools
Wind turbines and solar panels will be popping up on schools across the country as part of a Government drive to 
educate children about climate change.
From today every school in the country will be offered a hi-tech smart meter that shows pupils and staff how much energy is being used at any one time.
Ultimately schools will be expected to go carbon neutral by improving energy efficiency through insulation, double glazing, using low energy equipment and encouraging children to turn off appliances. Schools will also be expected to generate their own heat and power where appropriate by installing solar panels, wood chip boilers and wind turbines.
Ed Balls, the Schools Secretary, said it was important people learn about cutting carbon at a young age.
“As parents know, their children have a real desire to become the environmental champions of the future and help save the planet for future generations – and we need to harness this interest and do even more,” he said.
The £12 million initiative to provide smart meters to every school will help monitor energy use. It can also be used as a teaching tool by demonstrating how different appliances and lifestyle changes can cut energy use.
See full article at telegraph.co.uk
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Green Skills Required
The UK workforce lacks the green skills necessary to take advantage of the wind power revolution, claims an 
energy-saving advisory group.
A spokesperson for the Renewable Energy Centre said that the £100 billion investment by the private sector would revitalise the construction sector only if the workforce has suitable skills in place.
She said: “The government has to make sure the UK is able to meet this demand otherwise jobs will inevitably go to those working in the UK from overseas.
“It is critical that as renewables become an integral part of the UK’s energy supply that the country has the skills to drive the industry forward from manual construction work through to project management and board level.”
The granting of nine major development licences for offshore wind farms by the Crown Estate this month is expected to create up to 70,000 jobs by 2020.
Find the article at: therenewableenergycentre.co.uk
January 29, 2010
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Top Ten Ways to Save on Energy
1. Turn it Off
Turn things off at the plug. Make sure that little red light on your TV is switched off at night time and don’t leave your computer endlessly on charge!
Energy saving products can be a fantastic way to upgrade your home and keep your carbon footprint down. Water-saving products are a particularly efficient way to keep your bills down and your home eco-friendly.
Make it your New Years Resolution to cut down your emissions by 10% in 2010
4. Clean your filters
Make sure all of your appliances are efficient by keeping them clean
Ironically, keeping your old appliances might mean your using more energy than you need! If it’s from before the 90s then it might be time to think about buying a new and more energy efficient replacement.
6. Tumble Dryers
Turn them off!!! Dry your clothes outside for a nicer smell, a better feeling and a much-reduced energy bill
7. Heating
Heating can be one of the biggest expenditures, especially around this time of year. Try to exclude any draughts and seal your windows and doors as best as possible. Have thick curtains instead of blinds to retain the heat and don’t keep your heating on all day! If you keep your windows and doors closed you shouldn’t need the heating on.
8. Use The Dimmer
Using your light dimmers is a great way to cut down on electricity. Try not to have your lights on full power and remember to turn them off whenever you don’t need them.
9. Run Full Loads
In your dishwasher and washing machine. This can dramatically save water-use and save you money and time!
10. Insulate!
Insulation in your attic or home is the best way to retain heat on those chilly winter days
December 13, 2009
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Top 10 Eco Tips
1. Recycle
Find out what your local council recycles and make sure to adhere to their rules. Clean out your cans and jars and take your paper (newspapers, cardboard, old letters etc) to your local dump. Recycling is one of the best ways we can cut down on our unnecessary consumption!
2. Simplify
Your life – cut down on any unnecessary expenditure. Take any un-used clothes to your local charity shop and try not to buy too many things you don’t need! Getting rid of things you don’t use and cutting down on things you don’t need helps reduce unnecessary waste in the future!
Try to budget and plan your weekly shop so you don’t throw away food. Keep a small compost heap so any raw vegetables that you might have thrown away get put to better use. If you enjoy gardening then grow your own instead of buying your fruit and vegetables down the shop!
Get rid of all your disposable products and replace them with reusable products. This might include plates, cups, cutlery, razors, bathroom products, towels, bags, pens etc.
5. Use the Library!
The library is a great local free service. Instead of buying all your books new go down to your local library and borrow for free! Great for the environment and your purse strings.
6. Buy Organic, Local and Free Range Where You Can
One of the best ways to be sustainable is to keep your local businesses thriving. Instead of tescos head down to your local butchers or grocers and try to support your local Farmer’s Market. Try to avoid food which uses unnecessary packaging and has been processed. It’s better for your health and the eco-system! Only purchase ‘dolphin-safe’ Tuna and try to buy fair trade wherever possible. Helping other people is the first step to helping the world.
Buying an energy-meter can be one of the best ways to measure and cut down on your energy use. Turn off your TV at the socket and try to keep your computers off-charge when they don’t need it. Turn off lights when you’re not in the room – it is these little changes that can make a massive impact on energy consumption in your community! Try these changes in your office as well!
Try to commit to cutting down your water consumption. Place a water-saving product in your shower such a timer and try to avoid having too many baths! Only fill up your kettle to the level which is needed and consider buying a low-flow flush toilet. Always run your laundry and dishwashers on full – they should be packed before you turn them on! Use a dishwasher instead of hand washing and don’t rinse your dishes before putting them in the wash! Fix your leaks and try to use a recycling-water car wash!
Don’t throw your trash on the floor and try to pick up any you see left along the roadside. Get involved in a local clean-up project and think of planting some trees in your local park. Helping to support local parks is an important part of keeping your community green.
10. Natural Products
Try to use natural products whenever possible. This includes make up, cosmetics, body lotions, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner etc. Make sure they’re cruelty free. Good for your body and the world! Try to use natural products for the home as well (such as Ecover)
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