Earning the gold medal in energy efficiency

London is preparing for an influx of visitors as it prepares to host the 2012 Olympic Games. This influx, which will include 18,000 fans, plus athletes, coaching staff and others, is forcing London to create a city within a city as it prepares for the Games.

One of the key considerations is energy consumption efficiency. Related to this, the Olympic Development Authority set the goal of all buildings in the Olympic Park to exceed building regulations for energy efficiency by at least 15%.

World Energy Expenditures

US$6,000bn for energy consumers, and substantial revenues for governments

World energy expenditures have more than doubled in 20 years

More than US$6,000bn -10% of the world Gross Domestic Product (GDP)- is spent each year in the world for energy purposes (figures in US$2005ppp). This places energy second to health care expenditures in many countries; and in some cases first.

Energy Market Shake-up to boost Renewables

The UK government has announced the biggest shake-up of the country’s electricity market since it was privatised by Margaret Thatcher in the 1980s. “We face growing demand, shrinking supply, and ambitious emission reduction targets,” said UK Secretary of State for Energy Chris Huhne. “Demand for electricity could double by 2050 as we decarbonise the economy. 
30% of our electricity must come from renewables by 2020, up from 7% today, to meet our contribution to the EU renewable energy target.”

Insuring electric cars

Cheaper or more expensive than conventional cars?

When the cost of a plug-in vehicle is mentioned, it mostly refers to the purchasing and maintenance expenses. Sometimes, tax reductions given to electric vehicles (EVs) are taken into account, but the insurance cost is rarely discussed. This is somewhat strange, since the insurance on a conventionally fuelled car accounts for roughly one quarter of its fixed cost of ownership. So, what happens to this cost when switching from a conventional car to an EV?

Electricity Grids – facing the third industrial revolution?

John Scott
The 2008 Hunter Memorial Lecture, Birmingham, UK.
09-Dec-2008

The address will review the fundamental changes now being faced by electricity grids in Britain, across Europe, and beyond. What are the drivers creating this radical change; how will it affect end customers and the industry; how well is the UK placed, and what are the risks and opportunities ahead.

World's first tidal stream generating system

1.2 MW plant installed off the coast of Northern Ireland

A new type of renewable energy has been connected to the European grid: tidal energy turbines. The SeaGen Tidal System has been installed in the Strangford Narrows, about 400 metres off the coast of Northern Ireland, by Marine Current Turbines Ltd (MCT). The installation was completed last April and the generators were successfully connected to the grid on 17th July. It produces 1.2 MW of power, operating 18 to 20 hours a day. The total manufacturing and installation cost was nearly £10 million.

Like a wind turbine, but more predictable

The Seagen Tidal System consists of a fixed structure bearing two 16m diameter axial flow rotors, each connected to a generator via a gearbox. In contrast with other existing tidal power plants — such as the one on the Rance in France — this system does not require a barrage closing in an estuary. It is sited offshore on a large piling.

The technology is similar in many respects to a wind turbine. However, its principle advantage compared to most other renewable sources is that tidal energy is entirely predictable. In addition, its visual impact is much smaller since it is almost entirely submerged. The slow rotation speed (10 to 15 revolutions per minute) is unlikely to pose a threat to either fish or marine mammals.

UK goes renewable – A tenfold increase in 12 years.

The UK got one of the tougher tasks when Europe distributed the shares for renewables within the 20% target for 2020. They were tasked to reach 15%, coming from 1.5 %, in only a few years. Considering that many other countries with better deals and coming from better starting points screamed to high heaven over their misfortune, it was anticipated that the British would just say no, it can’t be done. So much greater is the surprise when their recently launched consultation shows the possibilities based on work from their Renewables Advisory Board (RAB).

Energy performance of existing housing

A report by a UK Parliamentary Committee on Communities and Local Government criticises the UK Government’s concentration on improving the energy performance new homes and paying too little attention to existing housing stock.