2005 News Archive

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CHPA 2005 News Archive 13 December 2005: New Guidance on Climate Change Levy Exemption for CHP
Ofgem has today published a new guidance document entitled "Climate Change Levy exemption for CHP - Ofgem's guidance for exporting 'good quality' CHP generators Issue 4".

12 December 2005: EST Publishes Report on Microgeneration Potential
As part of the DTI's Microgeneration Strategy and Low Carbon Building Programme, the Energy Saving Trust was commissioned to carry out a study on the potential for Microgeneration. The report, "Potential for Microgeneration Study and Analysis, Final Report" was published today, giving strong support for both Stirling engine CHP and fuel cell CHP. The report estimates that by 2030, the majority of energy generated from microgeneration will originate from Stirling engine CHP and this technology "could be a major contributor to UK domestic energy requirements".
View the full DTI press release here and the full report here

1 December 2005: Government Launches New Campaign to Communicate Climate Change
A new campaign, the "Climate Change Communications Initiative" has today been launched by Environment Secretary Margaret Beckett and Climate Change Minister Elliot Morley. The campaign is led by Defra in partnership with the Environment Agency, the Carbon Trust, the Energy Saving Trust, the UK Climate Impacts Programme, Department for Transport and the Department for Trade and Industry. The campaign includes a series of resources to communicate climate change issues, all accessible via the new website
View the full Defra press release here

1 December 2005: PV and CHP - "perfect partnership"
Letter in today's Guardian newspaper from Jeremy Leggett, Chief Executive of Solar Century - view here.

29 November 2005: CHP 2000 Target Achieved
View the full Ministerial answer to a Parliamentary Question on the Government progress towards achieving the 2000 target of 5GW CHP installed capacity.

29 November 2005: Energy Review to Address Energy Efficiency
The Prime Minister has today announced a review of the UK's energy policy, focusing on energy supply and demand and ensuring that policy measures are in place to meet the UK's long term climate change commitments. Energy Minister Malcolm Wicks will lead the review, considering "all options including the role of current generating technologies...and new and emerging technologies...The review will also consider transport and the role of energy efficiency". A formal consultation will start in the new year.
Full DTI press release here
The Association have also released a press release, available to download here

29 November 2005: FOE Analysis Strongly Supports Future Growth of CHP
Friends of the Earth have today released a briefing on how the Government can achieve its climate change targets whilst maintaing security of supply stating "We have highlighted six, out of many, cost-effective ways - which the Government have underplayed - to massively reduce electricity consumption...". The largest component by far is the greater use of CHP. FOE estimate that CHP could provide as much as 125TWh of electricity (over 30% of current demand) by 2020. Their press release and analysis can be downloaded here.

24 November 2005: Greener Energy for Marks & Spencer
Marks & Spencer have signed a landmark deal with Npower Business to supply 1800 GWh of CHP to over 350 Marks & Spencer stores across England and Wales. The three-year contract starting in April 2006, represents one of the largest deals signed by a UK retailer.
Further information is available on the following press release

24 November 2005: NAP II - Some Decisions Announced by Government
A Government paper was issued today provding an update on some early decisions concerning Phase II of the EUETS. No decisions on CHP have been made as yet, however a number of other key decisions have been made including: *Free allowances will be made available in a Phase II NER
*Other decisions on New Entrants and closures will be put forward in draft NAP
*Two-stage allocation methodology will be continued
*Baseline period: average of 2000-2003 dropping the lowest year's emissions; 2004 data will not be used
*For Phase I new entrants, 2004 data will be used
*A new 'first year of operation' rule will be introducedThe paper can be downloaded here.
The Association is continuing to discuss with DEFRA/DTI on holding a second NAP II CHP Stakeholders' workshop. Details will be announced to Members asap.

21 November 2005: CBI Policy Paper Supports CHP
The CBI have today launched a wide-ranging energy policy paper which includes a call upon Government to "reconfirm its commitment to combined heat and power (CHP), providing clear delivery plans for achieving its 10GWe 2010 CHP target" and also to give "proper recognition for the carbon saving delivered through the use of CHP, a long-term guarantee of CHP exemption from the climate change levy, and revisiting the treatment of CHP under the EU ETS to remove perverse incentives."
The full paper - Powering the Future - can be downloaded from the CBI website.

15 November 2005: WWF report highlights supports for CHP under NAP II
WWF have today published Carbon Countdown: Emissions Trading to combat Climate Change which states that the second phase of the EU emissions trading scheme National Allocation Plan (NAP II) should "Ensure appropriate incentives for Combined Heat and Power generation (CHP), such as a benchmark approach based on an allocation for electricity and heat production."
The report is downloadable here

1 November 2005: Climate change: 10 Ways to Save the World
The Independent newspapers suggests 10 ways to help tackle climate change, including wider use of CHP in the power sector and in building applications.
Full list here

November 2005: Environmental Advisory Group Consider CHP
OFGEM's Environmental Advisory Group, consisting of a mix of business and environmental representatives, considered CHP at their latest (9th) meeting.
Minutes to the EAG downloadable here

November 2005: New DTI Publication on Fuel Cells
The DTI have recently published 'An Updated Assessment of the prospects for Fuel Cells in Stationary Power and CHP',
giving a detailed overview of the range of products on the market as well as recent developments in the Fuel Cell industry. The publication can be downloaded here.

November 2005: Urban Task Force Calls for Greater Use of CHP
Lord Richard Rogers' Urban Task Force have today published their independent report Towards a Strong Urban Renaissance calling upon Goverment to "support innovation and investment in environmental infrastrucure- including zero waste, combined heat and power..." as well as a recommendation to "place an energy efficiency obligation on developers that matches the obligation placed on utilities". Download the full report here

November 2005: Biofuels for CHP in Buildings - A CIBSE CHP Group Event
The combination of biofuels and CHP has the potential to be a leading renewable solution for many buildings. Changes to Part L and planning guidance are encouraging at least 10% CHP/renewables in new buildings. With increases in energy prices and the introduction of emissions trading, renewables are becoming a more viable options in existing buildings particularly when combined with CHP. The event will take place on Tuesday 29th November 2005. More info here

November 2005: SmartestEnergy: Job Vacancies
SmartestEnergy re-configures senior marketing team to improve focus on core strategic objectives. See press release for further details. View job descriptions.

November 2005: New Member - Morgan Est Join the CHPA
The CHPA are pleased to announce that Morgan Est, part of the Morgan Sindall Group, a FTSE 250 company and one of the top ten construction companies in the UK, has become a Member of the association. Further details on the following press release

November 2005: European CHP Biomass Conference 2006
23 January 2006, Brussels - The European CHP Biomass Conference organised with the support of the EU Commission through DG TREN, will identify regulatory, market and technological barriers, possible solutions and a set of recommendations on the way forward. This conference will provide the opportunity to address issues including:
· Latest EU regulatory, technology and research developments
· Barriers to CHP Biomass
· Financial Support measures available
· Examples of best practice CHP Biomass
· Identifying opportunities to further the uptake of CHP Biomass
More info here

November 2005: CHP Supported in Private Members' Bills
CHP supporters Mark Lazarowicz MP and Alan Whitehead MP are supporting a number of initiatives of interest to the CHP community in their Private Members' Bills, the Climate Change and Sustainable Energy Bill, and the Management of Energy in Buildings Bill respectively. These include issues around permitted development for microgeneration technologies (which includes microCHP); requirements in the Builiding Regulations for microgeneration; introduction of a Renewable Heat Obligation and also creation of a Community Energy unit to facilitate the development of community-owned energy schemes. Both bills can be viewed here
The Bills will have their second reading in Parliament on 11 November 2005. More information here

31 October 2005: Support for Community Energy
The Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR), a leading think tank, have today published a report highlighting new mechanisms that could be employed by Government to help get back on track in achieving their 20% domestic carbon reduction target. Included amongst the initiatives is an enhanced and extended Community Energy programme of £200m. The press release and report can be downloaded here

26 October 2005: Carbon Saving Potential of CHP Downplayed by Government
A new report released today at the CHPA 2005 National Conference shows the substantial carbon reduction benefits delivered through the use of high-efficiency CHP. The report’s results highlight that the Government’s current projections for carbon savings from CHP significantly downplay its potential in the Climate Change Programme. Achieving the Government's 10GWe CHP target would help save over 20% of the Government’s 20% carbon target. Download the report 'Time to Take a Fresh Look at CHP' here (.pdf 105kb) and the press release here

26 October 2005: CHPA National Conference 2005, CHP: Forward not Back!
This year's Conference comes at an important time in the lead up to the UK Climate Change Programme Review and the formulation of NAPII. The industry is also awaiting critical decisions on potential new support mechanisms that could significantly boost the uptake of CHP. The Conference brings together leading members of the industry and is being held at One Great George Street, Westminster. There will later be a dinner at One Whitehall Place. Read the programme & view the presentations

26 October 2005: Biomass Task Force Focus on Heat
The Chairman of the Task Force, Sir Ben Gill, today presented the findings of the year-long study to DEFRA and the DTI, whose Secretaries of State jointly commissioned the report. "Heat has been the forgotten part of the energy debate - enough waste heat is emitted from our power stations to heat the country one and a
half times over - but our findings show that producing heat either alone or in Combined Heat and Power plants is by far the most efficient way of using biomass."
The report can be downloaded here

25 October 2005: Government Cuts Carbon Emissions as Whitehall Powerplant is Switched On
The Government today led the way in cutting carbon emissions when Financial Secretary to the Treasury, John Healey MP, turned on Whitehall's energy-saving District Heating System. The CHP system not only provides heat to 18 Government Departments, including Number 10 and the Treasury, but also produces electricity for use across Whitehall. It is estimated that the energy-efficient plant will save taxpayers a projected £140,000 a year in net running costs and reduce carbon emissions by 2,600 tonnes. Full Government press release here

14 October 2005: Self-sufficient in Scandinavia
"The Avedøre power plant, towering over the waterfront just south of Copenhagen, is Denmark’s largest example of sophisticated co-generation and collective thinking. Designed to minimise environmental damage and optimise fuel use, Avedøre is one of the world’s most energy-efficient combined heat and power plants."
Read the full Financial Times article here

12 October 2005: Government Responds to EFRA Select Committee Report on Climate Change
The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee published their report "Climate Change: Looking Forward" in April 2005, including a specific recommendation on Combined Heat and Power. The Government response to this recommendation highlights measures to close the shortfall between the 2010 target of 10GW CHP and the estimated installed capacity of 8.5GW by this date. Measures include the review of the Climate Change Programme, treatment of CHP under the review of the Renewables Obligation, and further support under the Community Energy Programme. View the Government's full response here

11 October 2005: Carbon Trust Members' Briefing
The Carbon Trust kindly provided a briefing to CHPA members outlining their work on a number of areas related to CHP. A copy of the presentation is available to download here

October 2005: New EST Community Heating Guides
*CE75: Connecting CHP in community heating to the electrical network
*CE75: Small scale community heating
Both available to download here

October 2005: New and renewable energy technologies for existing housing (CE102)
EST have published a guide looking at carbon reduction options for the housing sector, including community-wide CHP and microCHP applications. Available to download here

October 2005: CHP in IOD Guide
The Institute of Directors, in conjunction with the Carbon Trust have recently published a 'Director's Guide to climate change' which includes useful details on CHP. Available to download here

October 2005: Government Responds to Select Committee's Concern on CHP Policy
The Government have responded to the Parliamentary Environment Food and Rural Affairs (EFRA) Select Committee's concerns (published in their report Climate Change: Looking Forward) that not enough was being undertaken to support the growth of CHP. Read the Government's response [page 13] here

October 2005: EU CHP Directive and CHPQA
Mahmoud Abu-Ebid of the Government's CHP Quality Assurance (www.chpqa.com) programme provided a briefing to Members in October on current discussions around CHP reference values, as required under the 2004 Cogeneration Directive. Mahmoud's presentation can be downloaded here

October 2005: Tees Seeks Contractor
Tees Valley Regeneration is seeking a company to provide energy services for the Middlehaven Community Energy Scheme. The company will be granted “exclusive opportunity” to provide heat and power to the new building development.
The company will be invited to form an energy services company which will help finance, design, construct, commission and operate a 3MW combined heat and power scheme via a district heating and private network. Ongoing management, meter reading and billing to individual consumers is included in the contract.
Tees Valley Regeneration has submitted an outline planning application for the second phase of the Middlehaven building development. Phase two plans include more than 500 residential units, sporting and leisure facilities with a possible museum or visitor attraction; a primary school, retail and commercial areas, a hotel, and a high quality public area and landscape. (From Platts Power UK

October 2005: CHPA Response to the Government's Microgeneration Strategy
The DTI, in June 2005, issued their consultation on "Microgeneration Strategy and Low Carbon Buildings Programme". This consultation closed on the 23rd September.
The Association's response to the Microgeneration Strategy consultation is downloadable here (.pdf)

October 2005: OFGEM New CHP Material
OFGEM have recently posted some updates on their website related to their work on CHP. This includes:
*Monthly Total of CHP LECs issued - Oct 05 update

*OFGEM's CHP database
*CHPQA database
Both of which can be viewed here

October 2005: The Sixth Annual Network Integration of Distributed Generation
This DTI sponsored event is to be held on the 4 October 2005 at the The Burlington Hotel, Birmingham and is targeted at developers and operators of distributed generation plant (both renewable and combined heat and power), the network operators, supply companies, technical and commercial consultants as well as system and equipment suppliers. The agenda and registration form are available to download.

30 September 2005: ENER-G Natural Power - Generation using Coal Mine Methane
ENER·G Natural Power, renewable energy specialist has launched a campaign to raise awareness of a free energy source hidden below many UK towns. 3000 local homes are currenltly powered by methane gas extracted from Llay Main Colliery in North Wales. Read press release

19 September 2005: RO Review & CHP
Elements of CHP policy were considered as part of the Government's wider RO Review. Two reports have been released today alongside the RO consultation document These are:
*Extending ROC eligibility to energy from waste with CHP by ILEX Energy Consulting (September 2005), and
*A Study of the Impact of Exempting CHP Electricity Exports from the Renewables Obligation Base by Cambridge Econometrics (September 2005)
Both reports are downloadable here

September 2005: COGEN Europe Briefing
Dr Simon Minett, Director of COGEN Europe, provided Members of the Association with a briefing on CHP, and other energy related issues, currently being studied by the European Commission and Parliament. The presenation is downloadable here. (PDF 700kb)

September 2005: Renewable Heat and Heat from CHP Plants - Study and Analysis
In parallel to the Renewables' Obligation Review, Government are also undertaking a study on proposals for a Renewable Heat Obligation to be established. This study, undertaken by FES, also looked at the promotion of CHP heat from fossil fuelled plant. The study has just been published, with a request for comments, and is downloadable here

September 2005: USCHPA Conference Papers
Presenations from the USCHPA's 6th Annual CHP Policy Summit are now downloadable from their website

30 August 2005: Supplementary EUETS Consultation Paper
As part of the Government's consultation on Phase II of the EU ETS, DEFRA have produced a paper on alternative allocation methodologies (to supplement the consultation document issued on 19 July.) This additional paper, with a sector specific annex, can be accessed here

The paper highlights (page 7) the work needed to be undertaken if a separate CHP sector were to be created along with a breakdown of CHP schemes in the UK NAP.

30 August 2005: Fuelled by a New Energy
Four London boroughs are piloting measures to kick-start a mayoral initiative on global warming, including schemes utilising CHP and district heating. More info on following article published in today's Guardian newspaper

24 August 2005: Time to switch
Merton Borough Council in London is leading the way on CHP and renewable energy - and other local authorities are in pursuit. Full story in today's Guardian newspaper

22 August 2005: New York Funds Distributed Generation, Combined Heat and Power
Governor George Pataki today announced $15.5 million in funding awarded to support 32 distributed generation and CHP projects throughout the state. Read full article here

16 August 2005: DEFRA CHP EUETS Report Launched
ILEX Energy Consulting Ltd was commissioned by DEFRA to inform policy on the treatment of CHP in the Phase II National Allocation Plan (NAP) of the EUETS.
Their study has just been published stating that "we conclude that, to some extent, all of these countries are more generous to CHP in Phase I than the UK" and that "the Phase I NAP appears to disadvantage CHP, at least in some instances." The full report can be downloaded here

10 August 2005: OFGEM EAP
OFGEM's latest Environmental Action Plan (EAP) has just been published and includes details of the OFGEM's work on CHP. Section 2.47 highlights the number of CHP LECs issued over the past year. The EAP is downloadable here

4 August 2005: Biomass Task Force Report
The Biomass Task Force have today published a report containing their emerging conclusions and draft recommendations to Goverrnment. The report promotes greater knowlegde on the use of heat in the UK, along with more support to both CHP and district heating biomass-fired schemes. Responses to the Task Force's study will be accepted up to 31 August 2005 with the final report issued on October 25 2005. The report can be viewed on the following webpage

2 August 2005: CO2 Continues to Rise
Britain's carbon dioxide emissions are expected to rise significantly in 2005 for the third year running and will reach the highest level since 1992, when the UK signed the Climate Change Convention at the Rio Earth Summit and pledged to combat global warming. Read full Guardian article here

Further information on following Friends of the Earth press release

2 August 2005: OFGEM Renewable & CHP Certificates Note
Note clarifying the purpose of the renewable and CHP certificates issued by OFGEM. Downloadable here

2 August 2005: Potential Benchmarks for EU ETS Operators
Entec UK and NERA Economic Consulting were commissioned by DTI to explore potential benchmarks for EU ETS operators, building on the work carried out by FES on new entrants for Phase I. Section 3.4 covers issues concerning CHP. The full report is downloadable here

August 2005: A Guide to Combined Heat & Power in Ireland
Available to download from the Irish Combined Heat & Power Associtation

August 2005: CHP Award Winning Paper!
Engineers, Paul Woods and James Dickson, of CHPA Member PB Power have recently been awarded the Donald Julius Groen Prize by the Energy, Environment and Sustainability Group of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) for their paper 'The contribution CHP can make to energy efficiency in buildings'.
The paper, presented at the IMechE 'Energy Efficiency in Buildings' seminar, was selected out of papers produced in 2004 for the IMechE from event proceedings and journals concerning energy, environment and sustainability matters. The paper takes an in-depth look at the carbon and fuel savings that can be made from the application of CHP at the smaller end of the market, such as office buildings, housing estates and leisure centres. The paper can be downloaded in PDF format here (.pdf 690kB)

August 2005: Prospects for Gas Markets - and the Implications for Cogeneration
Natural gas is the most important fuel for cogeneration in most parts of the world, so prospects for CHP are very much linked with those of gas markets worldwide.
The following article can be read on the newest issue of COSPP here

August 2005: SERA’s Energy Policy Priorities for 2005
SERA, who promote sustainable environmental policies within the Labour movement, have just published their list of energy policy priorities. The document "supports combined heat and power (CHP) as a crucial technology for reducing greenhouse gas emissions." More on CHP within the full document, available to download here

August 2005: New Fuel Cell Report
The Tyndall Centre has just produced a report entitled Fuel cells: Providing heat and power in the urban environment. The report states "Fuel cell technology is ideal for CHP plants as it offers high fuel efficiency coupled with negligible impact on local air quality. In the context of climate change, perhaps its most important advantage is the ability to use low- or zero-carbon fuels, offering the potential for reduction of the current unsustainable growth in anthropogenic CO2 emissions."
The full paper is available to download here

August 2005: Summary of Responses to CCPR Consultation
DEFRA have just published a (very large!) summary of the responses made to the consultation on the review of the UK's Climate Change Programme. Good support and list of possible policy recommendations made in relation to CHP (CHP dotted throughout the paper, however, main CHP parts on pages 66 - 71 and community heating pages 119,120 - but also in renewable heat and CHP sections). Document downloadable here

August 2005: OFGEM Environmental Action Plan Annual Review
The latest 2005 review has just been published, which includes an overview of OFGEM's work on CHP. Downloadable here

August 2005: Updated Guide on CHP and Climate Change Levy
HM Revenue & Customs have just revised their CHP/CCL note. Available to download here

28 July 2005: New CCL CHP Regulations
Statutory Instrument 2005 No. 1714 - The Climate Change Levy (Combined Heat and Power Stations) Regulations 2005 - has just been published. It can be downloaded from the Office of Public Sector Information website.
An overview of what the SI covers was given by the Financial Secretary to the Treasury, John Healey, in a recent debate, which can be viewed here

25 July 2005: Publication of 'Overview of CHP in Europe'
This new report, free to COGEN Europe members (€80 to non-members) gives a brief overview of CHP in each of the EU-25 Member States as well as Bulgaria, Croatia, Norway, Romania, Serbia-Montenegro, Switzerland and Turkey. The objective of this study report is to give a clear and concise snapshot of the situation for CHP in European countries, thereby reflecting the very diverse national current state and future outlooks for CHP. More information

20 July 2005: Monthly Total of CHP LECs Issued
July 05 update issued by OFGEM. Downloadable here

19 July 2005: High Rise Tenants Set to Have Fuel Bills Slashed
Housing chiefs say power bills will plummet if the CHP scheme goes ahead. A typical high-rise flat with electric storage heaters can cost up to £300 a year to heat, but bills can drop to about £150 where a CHP plant has been installed. Full story of project in Aberdeen can be read here

19 July 2005: Two-Thirds of Energy Wasted by Antiquated System
Greenpeace today launched a report highlighting the environmental and economic benefits of greater investment into decentralised energy, such as CHP. Further information on Decentralising Power: An Energy Revolution For The 21st Century here

19 July 2005: Consultation on Phase II of the EU ETS
DEFRA had today issued a consultation on Phase II of the EUETS. The consultation paper is in two sections, with CHP treated in Section B (Questions QB 10 and QB 11), with a deadline for response of Tuesday 27 September 2005. All information related to the consultation is downloadable here. DEFRA have commissioned a study on the treatment of CHP under NAP I: this is to be published shortly.

15 July 2005: £1.3 Million Funding for University Project Aimed at Cutting UK Emissions of Greenhouse Gases
Research at The University of Nottingham into new energy-saving technologies has received funding from a major national investment programme aimed at drastically cutting emissions of the greenhouse gases that cause global warming. The project, which also involves academics at Heriot-Watt, Ulster and Surrey universities, is focusing on the greater use of combined heat and power (CHP) in buildings, the use of building fabric materials with improved insulating properties and the use of building-integrated renewable energy technologies. Read full story here

15 July 2005: Desire Programme Launched to Marry Combined Heat Power & Wind Power
Read News Release (.pdf)

15 July 2005: House of Lords Push for CHP and Community Heating
The House of Lords Science & Technology Committee today published the report of their inquiry into energy efficiency highlighting the significant benefits that can be delivered through the wider use of CHP and community heating, recommending to Government that “ODPM encourage local authorities and developers to incorporate community heating as standard in all new build projects.”
Full report downloadable here

The Association have also issued a press release, available to download here.(.PDF)

7 July 2005: Baxi presentation MicroCHP Conference
Useful presentation from Ian Stares of CHPA Member Baxi, highlighting the market and different MicroCHP technologies under development Download presentation here (pdf 1.5mb)

5 July 2005: Green Homes Turn Up the Heat
Residents at two new housing developments in Greater Manchester will benefit from a revolutionary combined heat and power (CHP) system to create warm homes with less impact on the environment. Read full article here

15 July 2005: MicroCHP Members' Briefing
CHPA Member Powergen (part of E.ON) kindly hosted a Members' Briefing providing detailed information on their Whispergen MicroCHP product. A copy of Jeremy Harrison's presentation is available to download here (PDF 300kb). Further information from Powergen can be obtained here

July 2005: CHP LECs - Simplified Arrangements
The Climate Change Levy (Combined Heat and Power Stations) Regulations 2005 came into effect on 21 July 2005. One impact is that non-exporting CHP Schemes no longer need to register with Ofgem (or Ofreg for Northern Ireland) and obtain LECs. Further details of the Simplified Arrangements can be obtained from OFGEM's website together with information on how all NON-Exporting CHP Schemes currently registered on the Ofgem's CIMS system can request to be removed from the system.

July 2005: Local Authority CHP Examples
The EST and Local Government Association have today published Leading the Way: how local authorities can meet the challenge of Climate Change which includes examples of the use of CHP. Available to download here.

July 2005: CHP Capacity Consented...But Not Going Ahead
The Secretary of State's First Report to Parliament on Security of Gas and Electricity Supply in Great Britain highlights that 832MWe of CHP capacity is current consented, but not proceeding. See page 28 of the report

July 2005: UK Energy Sector Indicators 2005
Useful CHP capacity and load factor graphs (1977-2004) produced on pages 18 and 61

July 2005: Community Heating & Fuel Poverty Statistics
Government today have published The Fuel Poverty Strategy 3rd Annual Progress report 2005 . The report states that "Since 2002, it is estimated that over 22,750 fuel poor individuals (over 9,800 fuel poor households) have been connected to community heating projects under the Community Energy Programme." View the full report here

July 2005: Second Annual Report on the EWP
Government have today published their Second Annual Report on the implementation of the Energy White Paper. Update on CHP covered on page 32. View here

July 2005: DTI Energy - Its Impact on the Environment & Society
DTI publish 2005 update to this report. CHP covered in section 2.5 . View here

July 2005: New York Finds Formula for DG Success
In New York City, the world’s 11th largest city, where all office towers now at the planning stage include CHP systems, according to the United States Combined Heat and Power Association (USCHPA). This phenomenon occurred after the state uncovered vast potential for CHP and set up an incentive programme to spur the market. Full story here

July 2005: Smaller Suppliers/Generators Penalised
Former head of UK electricity regulation, Professor Stephen Littlechild, has published a paper highlighting how the current rules for electricity trading "handicaps" both smaller suppliers and smaller generators. Professor Littlechild's paper 'Smaller suppliers in the UK domestic electricity market: experience, concerns and policy recommendations' is available to download here

July 2005: Review of the Energy Efficiency Commitment 2002 – 2005
OFGEM have today published a review of EEC I, which included the installation of 11 community heating schemes. Full details here

July 2005: Industrial Sector Carbon Dioxide: Energy-Saving Abatement Opportunities
DEFRA commissioned report as part of the NAP II prepartory work. Downloadable here

July 2005: New CHP Statistics issued
DTI have today published the 2005 edition of their Digest of UK Energy Statistics (DUKES) which includes a chapter on CHP, and reveals that the Government have, in 2004, finally achieved their 2000 target of 5GWe of CHP. DUKES available to download here

July 2005: New DTI Energy Projections Webpage
The DTI are currently updating energy projections (UEP) which will feed into the the Govenrment's review of the UK Climate Change Programme. Work under progress can be viewed here

July 2005: CHP Simplified Arrangements
New OFGEM note explaining revised procedures for CHP/CCL exemption with the adoption of the new CCL (CHP stations) Regulations 2005 which came into effect on 21 July 2005. Downloadable here

July 2005: CE Audit
In March 2005, DEFRA commissioned an independent audit of the Cambridge Econometrics's MDM-E3 combined heat and power sub-model. This has just been published by DEFRA and is downloadable here

29 June 2005: Get Ready for ‘Kitchen Power Stations’
British Gas has predicted that within five years nearly 200,000 UK households will be generating their own electricity - through their boiler. Read more here

29 June 2005: Heat & Power Plan to Cool London’s Tube
Cooling systems driven by combined heat and power (CHP) plants could be among technologies used to reduce the summer heat on London’s underground network.
The idea is just one put forward by the capital’s newly formed Climate Change Agency (CCA) in preliminary discussions with Transport for London.
Absorption cooling, which sees water boiling at around 2oC under very low pressure, driven by the heat output of a CHP system, would be a highly efficient and radical approach to the annual problem of stifling heat in crowded trains and stations. Allan Jones, Head of the CCA, said the idea was fine in theory but engineering studies were required before any plan would be approved. He added that this could run in tandem with other systems.
A partial solution will be needed before 2009, when new trains on the Circle, District, Hammersmith and City and Metropolitan lines, equipped with air-cooling, should be running. While improving train conditions, this will add heat to stations and tunnels, Jones said.
The idea by engineers from South Bank University in 2001, to route cold ground-water already pumped out of deep tunnels through heat exchangers in stations, is due to be trialled later this year. A 150kW prototype system will be installed in a station on one of the deeper lines after the team secured “hundred of thousands” in founding from the government’s Carbon Trust. Contracts for building the prototype, which will be fairly small compared with the potential of the system, are being finalised. Heat exchangers in the station will produce air at around 22oC.The system will not provide enough cooling for summer extremes, when temperatures of 38oC can be reached, said Jones, and so will need back-up. He added that the fans and pumps would produce carbon dioxide, reduction of which is the CCA’s main aim.
Source: Professional Engineering

28 June 2005: CHPA Planning & Community Heating Seminar
Following the publication of EST's Community heating for planners and developers guide, the Association held a seminar on Planning and Community Heating. View the full list of presentations from the event:

Sponsor's Welcome by Mark Howell of Vital Energi (917 Kb)
Regional Guidance - The London Plan by Tom Carpin of Greater London Authority (1 Mb)
Local Planning - Making it happen in Greenwich by Andrew Parker of London Borough of Greenwich (1 Mb)
Planning: 'Pushing the Envelope' by Adrian Hewitt of London Borough of Merton (1.5 Mb)
Planning: 'The 40% House' by Dr Mark Hinnells, Oxford Environmental Change Unit (657 Kb)

28 June 2005: Defra Announces Latest Round of CEP Successful Schemes
Another 17 schemes have been successful in securing grants from the final round of the Community Energy Programme, totalling £10.6 million in grants. The schemes will help cut carbon emissions by over 5,000 tonnes each year. Further information is available on the following press release

27 June 2005: Greater use of Wood Fuel could Radically Cut Climate Change Emissions
In a report published today, the Sustainable Development Commission (SDC) in Scotland demonstrate that wood-fuel heating, especially through the use of district heating, could make a significant contribution to cutting carbon emissions - while providing much needed new rural jobs, and reducing fuel poverty. The report, Wood Fuel for Warmth is downloadable here
 
27 June 2005: CHPA Launches Report "50 Ways to Boost CHP"
The Association have today launched a report containing 50 recommendations to Government to help kick-start the CHP industry.
This report comes at a time when recent figures show that UK carbon dioxide emissions are still increasing, jeopardizing the domestic target of a 20% cut in carbon by 2010 as well as the Kyoto target of a 12.5% cut in greenhouse gases for the same period. The CHP industry has been at a virtual standstill for the past few years with no planned large CHP plant for the foreseeable future, and Government action is therefore needed now more than ever.
Launched at the CHPA's President's reception at the House of Lords, the full report and press release are available to download

24 June 2005: SDC call on Greater Government Encouragement for CHP
The Sustainable Development Commission (SDC) is the Government's independent advisory body on sustainable development. They have published today their response to the Government's Climate Change Programme Review which states that the "SDC believes a range of policy opportunities have not so far been taken to give maximum encouragement for CHP to achieve its potential in the UK." Full response downloadable here

23 June 2005: DTI Launches Consultation on the Microgeneration Strategy
Government have today published their consultation on the Microgeneration strategy and Low carbon buildings programme. The Strategy consultation can be downloaded here

22 June 2005: Doing More With Less
The European Commission adopted today a Green Paper on Energy Efficiency that seeks to put energy savings higher on the agenda. The paper points to over 25% of potential energy savings across Members States coming from increased use of CHP. The paper asks for responses to a series of questions including how distributed generation and CHP could be further promoted. Read the full paper and press release here

22 June 2005: Draft Climate Change Levy (Combined Heat and Power Stations) Regulations 2005
Read the House of Commons' Committee debate on the new CHP regulations here.

1-2 June 2005: CHP Seminar in Scotland
The seminar "Combined Heat and Power, Where It's At Today and Tomorrow" was hosted by the Industrial and Power Association on June 1 and June 2 in Glasgow and Edinburgh respectively. Speakers included CHPA members BAXI Technologies UK and Vital Energi. For further information visit the IPA website

June 2005: CHP Article
The latest issue of DTI's journal Energy Trends includes the article Comparison of United Kingdom and European reporting of Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Statistics. Available to download here

June 2005: Pew Climate Centre Report
The US based Pew Climate Centre have published a study entitled 'The U.S. Electric Power Sector and Climate Change Mitigation.' Four major policy recommendations emerge from the findings in this report concerning prospects for a long-term transition to a low-carbon electricity power sector and include "promot[ing] the deployment of efficient combined heat and power systems." This study has been launched alongside another report entitled 'Towards a Climate-Friendly Built Environment' which looks at energy use in the Buildings sector. Both are downloadable here

June 2005: Mirage & Oasis: Energy Choices in an Age of Global Warming
The New Economics Foundation (NEF) have just issued study stating that a combination of renewable energy sources and technologies such as CHP could more than meet all of the UK's energy needs. The report is downloadable from the NEF website

23 May 2005: £21m Project Investigates CHP & Heat Pump Technology to Collect Geothermally Heated Water in the Former Mines
More info here

12 May 2005: Matching CHP with Renewables
Guardian article highlighting that "research at Oxford University shows that intermittent renewables, combined with domestic combined heat and power (dCHP) could dependably provide the bulk of Britain's electricity." Full article here. Further information on Graham Sinden's work at the Oxford Environmental Change Institute

9 May 2005: Presentations from Micropower Event
To view presentations from the event 'Towards a Government Strategy for Micropower' held at the Institution of Civil Engineers,
go to the following links:
Industry's perspective - Dave Sowden
Micropower generation-Rachel Crisp

May 2005: OFGEM Presentation to CHPA
Arthur Cooke provided an overview on OFGEM's work with regard to a number of issues include the introduction of BETTA, the start of the new distribution price controls and the Government's forthcoming Microgeneration Strategy. The Powerpoint presentation can be downloaded here

April 2005: ENER-G GROUP Acquires Petbow Cogeneration Ltd
CHPA Member ENER·G Combined Power (www.energ.co.uk) has acquired the business and assets of Petbow Cogeneration Ltd, formally owned by Centrica.
More information on the following press release

April 2005: Energy Technologies at the Cutting Edge
CHP and district heating covered in major new IEA report. Available to download from www.iea.org (or go direct to PDF (3.9MB) here)

25 April 2005: Community Heating for Planners and Developers
The Community Energy programme have just released a guide written for all those involved in the planning and development process highlighting the role of CHP and community heating. Downloadable from the following website

April 2005: NIAER Invites Comments on its Carbon Reduction Paper
The Northern Ireland Authority for Energy Regulation have issued a consultation paper entitled Beyond CCGT's - The Next Carbon Reduction Strategy. The purpose of this consultation paper is to seek views on the measures which energy users might take from 2005 on to ensure the continued reduction of Northern Ireland’s C02 emissions.
The paper is available to download here.
Comments from interested parties should be forwarded by Monday 30th May 2005

April 2005: Monthly Total of CHP LECs Issued - Update
OFGEM have posted information on the quantity of CHP LECs issued since April 2003. Click here for further information

April 2005: US CHP Event Presentations
Presentations from an event - 'Realizing the Benefits of a Regional CHP Market' - held by the US Northeast CHP initiative, have just been posted on their website. Downloadable here

April 2005: CHPA response the Government's Review of the Climate Change Programme
The Association's detailed response to Government on the CCPR is downloadable here (.PDF 206Kb)

April 2005: CHPQA Presentations
Powerpoint presentations from the recently held QA workshops are available to download from the CHPQA website

13 April 2005: Biomass: Opportunties for CHP
April's Members' Briefing was supplied by Stewart Boyle focusing on current policy instruments and reviews concerned with the promotion of renewably-generated heat. Stewart's presentation can be downloaded from here shortly (Powerpoint file 1.5Mb). Stewart is the Business Development Director at Wood Energy

6 April 2005: CHP in Thames Gateway
Llew Smith MP questioned the Deputy Prime Minister on CHP in the Thames Gateway.
View the rather discouraging answer here

31 March 2005: DTI Energy Statistics Show CO2 Emissions Up Once Again
The Department of Trade and Industry have published the latest issue of their quarterly Energy Trends jounal with details of energy statistics for 2004. This includes trends on energy production and consumption, in total and by fuel. Provisional estimates show that for 2004 carbon dioxide emissions have increased by 1.5%. This is the second annual increase in carbon emissions. March 2004 Energy Trends can be downloaded from here.
More information in the following Guardian story.

31 March 2005: EU ETS NAP II Consultation
The Government today published a document informing stakeholders of the approach to phase II of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS)

22 March 2005: The 2005/06 Renewables Obligation Review
DTI have today issued a consultation on RO Review. Full details here. Included is a study into the proposal to alter the treatment of CHP under the Renewables Obligation, by Impax Capital

21 March 2005: Final Carbon Emission Figures for 2003 Released - Emissions Increase
DEFRA have today announced that carbon dioxide emissions increased between 2002 and 2003. The increase was 2.2 per cent as against the provisional figures released last year which suggested a 1.5 per cent increase.Full details here

18 March 2005: Micro-CHP VAT Reduction
View the answer to a Parliamentary Question on the decision to reduce VAT on micro-CHP, as announced in Budget 2005 here

16 March 2005: Gordon Brown Announces MicroCHP VAT Reduction
The Association welcomed today's announcement by the Chancellor in Budget 2005 to reduce VAT on all domestic micro-CHP units from 17.5% to 5%.
However, despite a strong speech delivered at yesterday's G8 Energy Ministers Roundtable, calling for the need to put “climate change at the heart of UK economic policy”, Friends of the Earth highlight the failure of the Budget to include more environmental initiatitives.

Budget 2005 details here
Gordon Brown speech at G8 energy event here
FOE press release here

15 March 2005: G8 Energy & Environment Ministers Meeting
Energy and environment ministers are gathering in London today to discuss the challenge of creating lower carbon energy systems to combat climate change over the next 50 years. More information here

11 March 2005: UK Government Announces Next Step on EU ETS
The UK Government has announced the intention to issue allowances as soon as possible to enable UK installations to take part in the EU ETS. The allocation of allowances will be based on the allowance figure approved by the EU Commission last July.
View the full press release here
More information on the NAP here

9 March 2005: Fuel Poverty Advisory Group (for England) - Third Annual Report
The Fuel Poverty Advisory Group have today warned that “business as usual” will not be adequate to achieve the Government’s target of eradicating fuel poverty amongst vulnerable customers by 2010. The report also highlights that "in some cases, Hard to Treat Homes need community rather then individual house solutions."
More details here

7 March 2005: BAXI Installs New Mini-CHP Unit in Blackpool Baxi Technologies UK have just announced the installation of DACHS mini-CHP unit at Solaris, the regional centre of excellence for environmental sustainability in Blackpool, Lancashire. This will contribute to the aim of Solaris to become a 'sub-zero' energy building.
For further information, see the BAXI press release

7 March 2005: New UK Sustainable Development Strategy Launched
The Prime Minister made a welcome commitment towards sustainable development with the launch of the new UK Sustainable Development Strategy.
To view the full Strategy, visit www.sustainable-development.gov.uk

March 2005: Mayor of London Draft Sustainable Design and Construction Planning Guidance
Part of the London Plan (a Spatial Development Strategy for Greater London) draft supplementary planning guidance on Sustainable Design and Construction has been issued by the Mayor. This highlights in detail the benefits of CHP. Available to download here

March 2005: Pimlico District Heating Undertaking
Community heating plays an important role in the reduction of carbon emissions and elimination of fuel poverty - two of the Government's key objectives. This case study looks at the refurbishment and expansion of one of the UK's oldest community heating schemes. Case study available to download here

March 2005: Challenges for Independent CHP Operators in the NETA Market
A recent paper commissioned by the Association highlighting the difficulties many CHP operators face under the NETA market. Available to download here (.pdf)

March 2005: Co-operative Energy: Lessons from Denmark and Sweden
The "Co-operative Energy" event at the Royal Society, London, on March 10th, followed a visit by leading UK energy experts to Denmark and Sweden to find out more about the functioning of renewable co-operatives in the countries. The seminar was to discuss the findings of the mission and consider the lessons that renewable energy co-operative in the UK can learn from the Scandinavian experience. Specifically, the impact of community-owned windfarms in Denmark, biogas production in Sweden and community-owned district heating schemes.The full report and presentations from the workshop can be downloaded here

March 2005: CHP Target in Government Estate
Government have today published an outline of the energy saving targets to be undertaken by various Government departments including the requirement "to source at least 15 per cent of electricity from Good Quality Combined Heat and Power by 2010." More information here

March 2005: CHP At A Paper Mill
"Combined heat and power (CHP) offers significant cost and environmental benefits as demonstrated through the installation of two CHP units at Kappa Packaging's paper mill in Birmingham...". New Good Practice Case study (GPCS459) available to download (after registering) at the Carbon Trust's website.

March 2005: CHP At A Pharmaceutical Company
"Combined heat and power (CHP) offers significant cost and environmental benefits as demonstrated through the installation of two CHP units at Pfizer's site at Sandwich in Kent...". New Good Practice Case study (GPCS460) available to download (after registering) at the Carbon Trust's website.

March 2005: CHP At An Engineering Company
"Helical Technology Ltd has taken the unusual step of developing its own internal CHP system to help satisfy its growing energy requirements...."
New Good Practice Case study (GPCS458) available to download (after registering) at the Carbon Trust's website.

16 February 2005: Communicating Climate Change
DEFRA today announced a £12m package of funding over three years as the first part of a new climate change communications initiative to change public attitudes towards climate change. Full news release here

16 February 2005: Kyoto Protocol Enters into Force
The Kyoto Protocol entered into force today , marking a significant step by developed countries to curb carbon emissions. The protocol is legally binding for the 141 countries that have ratified the protocol. For more information see the Defra press release.
More information on the Protocol at www.unfccc.int

15 February 2005: CIMS User Group - A Summary of Suggestions
OFGEM have posted a note on a summary of discussions and suggestions from the recent CHP Information Management System (CIMS) user group. Downloadable here

14 February 2005: UK Publishes Revised Provisional List of Installation Level Allocations
The Government has published the revised provisional list of installation level allocations for the UK National Allocation Plan under the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS). However, please note that this list is not the Final Allocation Decision. Operators had a three week period (until 4 March 2005) in which to comment on any errors of fact. Also included in today's NAP release are the details and size of the CHP ringfence.
Full details here
Details of the CHP ring fence contained in the 'Explanatory note (340 KB)'

10 February 2005: Officials working on CHP Policy
View the answer to a Parliamentary Question on the number of Government staff working on CHP policy.

February 2005: Community Heating Serves Luxury Private Apartments
This comprehensive case study examines a community heating scheme in a new development of luxury private apartments. Produced for architects, developers and planners, this report explores the cost, comfort and environmental benefits of community heating. The case study is available to download here

24 January 2005 - Code for Sustainable Building
The code is a voluntary initiative, by Government and Industry, to actively promote the transformation of the building industry towards more sustainable practices by requiring that buildings use, amongst other sustainability issues, energy resources more efficiently.The aim is to complete development and testing of the code by the end of 2005, and to take action on the national rollout by early 2006. An outline of the Code has been published today by ODPM. More information here

17 January 2005: Lord Ezra Questions Government on CHP
Lord Ezra asked the Government on its progress towards achieving the CHP target. Full Ministerial answer can be read here

12 January 2005: PQ on Government Estate CHP Use
The Government Estate has a target to source 15% of its electricity from CHP by 2010. Further information in a Parliamentary answer issued today. Read it here

January 2005: New Glenshellach Biomass Community Heating Scheme in Oban
Vital Energi, provider of Combined Heat and Power (CHP) and District Energy (DE) Community Heating (CH) schemes, is playing a lead role in the regeneration of a local Scottish community, with a design, manufacture, installation and commissioning project for the Glenshellach biomass community heating scheme in Oban. Read more

January 2005: Vital Energi Replaces Community Heating in Lochgilphead
The Community Heating scheme at Fyne Homes' Ross Crescent Estate is being replaced with CHP provided by CHPA Member Vital Energi.
The replacement now ensures a secure supply of energy efficient heating and hot water supply to the tenants as well as contributing to a reduction in the carbon dioxide emissions of the estate. Further information here