2006 News Archive

Latest | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998

18 December 2006: Eco-CHP Docklands Development gets the 'green light'
A new 1.2 hectare site in London Docklands, comprising 230 new homes, has been unveiled by the London Development Agency. The Zero-Carbon project is tipped to be a 'blueprint' to future urban developments. The buildings have been designed to maximise energy efficiency, the heating will is to be provided by a CHP system fuelled by sustainably-grown woodchips. Further details here.

15 December 2006: New Guidance to Power Station Developers to Maximise the use of CHP
DTI have issued new Guidance to power station developers to maximise the use of CHP where feasible. In issuing this Guidance the Government is signalling its strong commitment to CHP, whilst recognising that it is up to the market to bring forward the most competitive proposals to help ensure security of supply. For the first time, this Guidance gives developers access to information on regional heat customers through Defra’s interactive heat maps.The three documents released:
*the revised consents guidance
*a regulatory impact assessment on this policy and *an open letter to the industry from Lord Truscott of DTI are downloadable here.
In line with this work a new website has also been created www.industrialheatmap.com

13 December 2006: New PPS on Climate Change
The Govenrment have today issued for consultation a new Planning Policy Statement (PPS) on Climate Change. The statement highlights how the use of decentralised energy systems, such as CHP, are key to helping reduce carbon emissions. Alongside the PPS, a further consultation on Zero Carbon homes and the final version of the Code for Sustainable Homes were published, both of which feature references to CHP and district heating. Full details of all documents can be accessed here.
The Association have issued the following press release in response to the PPS

7 December 2006: CHPA Member Scheme Wins Prize
At the Green Energy Awards 2006, West Highland Housing Association was honoured with the Best Renewable Project Award in recognition of its pioneering work in biomass district heating systems and in particular its Glenshellach development of 90 homes. CHPA Member Vital Energi designed, built and operate this scheme. Full details of the awards here
Further information on the project is available at: www.vitalenergi.co.uk

December 2006: IEA - Why is Combined Heat & Power (CHP) Not Always a Mainstream Option?
The International Energy Agency (IEA) Secretariat has recently launched a new Combined Heat and Power Programme as part of its drive to promote more efficient use of energy. Building on existing data-collection efforts within the IEA’s international energy technology collaborative network, this initiative seeks to join forces with partners in government, industry and interested stakeholder groups. Click here to learn more about the IEA Combined Heat and Power Programme.

23 November 2006: Proposal for new CHP in Exeter
An energy from waste CHP scheme has been announced by Devon County Council. More info here.

CHPA NATIONAL CONFERENCE 2006
CHP - It’s the Future!
Thursday 16 November 2006
One Great George Street, Westminster, London SW1
View the programme, photographs & presentations
Sir David King, Government’s Chief Scientific Advisor, Luc Werring, Head of Unit, Regulatory Policy & Promotion of New Energies and of Demand Management, DG TREN, EUROPEAN COMMISSION, Kees de Blanken, Director, Cogen Nederland and Elliot Morley MP, Former Environment Minister were amongst the speakers.

6 November 2006: New Biomass CHP Project at Paper Mill
Details of a new £49 million biomass CHP scheme at the UPM-Kymmene paper mill at Irvine in Scotland have just been announced. Read further details here.

November 2006: DTI Energy - Better Regulation Project
The DTI's Better Regulation Programme have been studying the Government's energy policies to identify options for streamlining, simplification, consolidation and abolition of existing energy legislation. The final report from this team has just been published and is available to download here.

The report makes a number of comments in relation to CHP, including "There are also a number of issues, particularly in the CHP field, where there appears to be some conflict between energy efficiency policy and the practicalities of the legislation. There is a concern that the complexity is acting as a barrier to smaller operators, of which the CHP sector has a significant proportion."

November 2006: Two Government CHP Studies Published
Two reports commissioned by the Government in 2005 for the Climate Change Review, analysing new policy options for supporting growth in the CHP secor, have just been published by Defra. The reports - studying the basis for a CHP Obligation and the appraisal into the 'Alan Whitehead MP proposal' (a 'spark-spread' guarantee mechanism) are downloadable here.

2 November 2006: Power Produced Locally Could Cut Emissions, says Darling
Decentralised power stations and microgeneration could help to cut carbon emissions and improve household energy efficiency, Alistair Darling, trade and industry secretary, has said. The Department of Trade and Industry and Ofgem, the energy regulator, yesterday launched an examination of distributed energy, in which electricity is generated in smaller amounts, closer to the place where it is used. Distributed energy in-cludes microgeneration, such as solar panels and wind turbines, and combined heat and power plants. CHP plants are more efficient, and therefore contribute less to climate change, as heat produced during electricity generation can be used by industry or to warm homes.The government has be-gun to take a close interest in decentralising power generation. It hopes it could be one way to cut carbon emissions, as urged by this week's Stern review, and solve the growing problem of energy insecurity. As reserves of North Sea gas dissipate, the government is keen to make the most of homegrown energy sources - from wind farms to nuclear power - to avoid becoming overreliant on gas imports. Mr Darling said: "I want a shift in the way we make our energy. There is huge potential for us to make energy a local issue, involving individuals, businesses and communities. Making it easier for people to sell surplus electricity back to the Grid, and looking at the potential of new combined heat and power domestic boilers, must be considered. We want to understand the barriers to generating en-ergy locally in large buildings like hospitals, hotels and universities."
The DTI will be taking evidence on the subject until January 2.
Britain loses as much as two-thirds of the energy generated in power stations before it reaches customers, as heat is lost at power stations, and then electricity is lost through powerlines in the form of heat.
By Rebecca Bream and Fiona Harvey Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2006

1 November 2006: Government seeks boost for local energy
A radical shift away from large centralised power production to community based 'locally grown' energy could help cut carbon emissions and improve efficiency, Alistair Darling said today. More information on DTI press release here.
and consultation paper 'Distributed energy - A call for evidence for the review of barriers and incentives to distributed electricity generation, including combined heat and power, a joint government-Ofgem review' downloadable here.
Deadline for responses is 2 January 2007.

1 November 2006: Ofgem publish first sustainable development report
Ofgem, the UK energy regulator, has today published its first sustainable development report, which includes information on their work with regard to CHP. The report states that "Ofgem will work to remove barriers to the participation of CHP generators in the energy markets." The press release and report can be downloaded from www.ofgem.gov.uk

31 October 2006: Energy Minister announces new CHP opportunity
Energy Minister Malcolm Wicks has announced today that consent has been given to E.ON for the development of a new 1,200MW combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) plant at the Isle of Grain in Kent which has the potential to operate as CHP. More info via the Ministerial announcement here.

30 October 2006: Community Heating Benefits Highlighted at Treasury Seminar
At a special seminar held today at the Treasury on climate change issues (in the wake of today's report issued by Sir Nicholas Stern on the economics of climate change), Angela Smith MP, of the Department of Communities and Local Government (DCGL) highlighted that in "Tower Hamlets, for example, the council is planning a communal heating network fired by a combined heat and power unit. This will reduce the amount of energy used in the borough and emissions, as well as give more people access to cheap, affordable heating. This means community buy-in and also leadership by the council." Read the full speech here.

26 October 2006
The Rt Hon David Miliband MP, Secretary of State for the Environment, at a speech today called "One planet living: towards a 3D energy revolution", which included an examination of energy models used in other countries where "more decentralised and distributed power generation – from combined heat and power stations" are common. Read the full speech here.

25 October 2006: Brum Buildings to use CHP Network
Many of the best known public buildings in Birmingham will have their heating systems switched to CHP in a £6 million city council scheme. The CHP will help provide air conditioning and hot water for corporate and commercial buildings in the Broad Street area and at Eastside, including the International Convention Centre, the National Indoor Arena, the Repertory Theatre, the Town Hall, Millennium Point, Aston University, Birmingham Children's Hospital and the Victoria Law Courts. Read full story here.

24 October 2006 - CHPA Member briefing - Connective Energy
October's Members' Briefing was provided by Tom Millar & Kevin Albrow of a new commercial subsidiary of Carbon Trust Enterprises (CTEL) - Connective Energy. CTEL is charged with identifying market failures in various energy related sectors and developing market-based solutions for them via the establishment of companies in partnership with the private sector. One of the first such market failure to be identified was heat dumping by large industrial concerns when there was equivalent heat demand by other nearby organisations. CTEL set up Carbon Trust Pipelines to develop a business to address this market failure. This eventually resulted in the establishment of a company, Connective Energy. Read presentation (pdf).

20 October 2006: ConocoPhillips Approves Investment for the Largest CHP Plant in Europe
CHPA Member ConocoPhillips has today approved a £210m investment, which will make the Immingham CHP plant in Humberside one of the world’s largest and most efficient power stations. The plant will provide heat and electricity to the ConocoPhillips Humber refinery and steam heat to the nearby Total's Lindsey oil refinery.
Further information here available on the following ConocoPhillips news release.

5 October 2006: Combined Heat Power and... Tomatoes
News report of CHPA Member British Sugar's CHP plant at its Wissington complex in Norfolk. Read it here.

October 2006: The US 7th Annual CHP Policy Summit
Presentations from the US CHP Association's annual policy summit, which took place earlier this year, and now available to download here.

October 2006: Embedded Generator briefing sessions: Are you up to speed with key issues affecting smaller-scale power generation?
The CHPA have been working alongside a number of trade associations who have grouped together to collectively represent their Members’ interests on a series of industry/government technical panels. To inform Members of key issues they should be aware of two sets of dissemination meetings are taking place - the first in November 2006, and then Spring 2007. Attendance at these meetings is free of charge, and is open to all embedded and small-scale generators and project developers. It is not restricted to members of the participating trade associations. Agenda for the day's event can be viewed here.
Maps of the locations on the REA website here

October 2006: Utilising Community Heating and CHP Seminar
Creative Environmental Networks (CEN) are organising a seminar and site visit on 11 October 2006 to the Barkantine Heat and Power community heating scheme.
The seminar will include information on how heating networks operate, how to meter and bill residents, how to finance installations and the future important role of district heating in London. More information on their website.

29 September 2006: MicroCHP included on new EEC list
Defra have published today a first draft of the Illustrative Mix of Measures for the Energy Efficiency Committment 2008-11.This draft provides a list of potential energy saving measures gas and electricity suppliers could utilise to fulfil their energy saving targets under the forthcoming third round of EEC. MicroCHP is included within the list of measures Government have approved. The Illustrative Mix document and further information on EEC can be viewed on Defra's website.

18 September 2006: Climate Change: The Role of Bioenergy
The House of Commons Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (EFRA) Committee has today published its report into the Government's policy on bioenergy. Included amongst the recommendations made in the report, entitled Climate change: the role of bioenergy, is support for conclusions made by the Biomass Task Force, that planning obligations should be used to establish district heating systems, particularly in new housing developments. The full report can be downloaded here

13 September 2006: Vital Energi Update
Article highlighting some of the exciting developments being taken forward by CHPA Member Vital Energi. View here.

11 September 2006: Loughborough University Powering the Way to a Greener Future
Loughborough University has announced a £1.3m scheme to construct a CHP plant on campus: work has commenced and the scheme will be operational by March 2007. More info on the following press release and the following article from The Guardian

8 September 2006: CHPA Seminiar - Planning and Community Heating
The Association has arranged a free seminar examining the role of planning in the development of CHP and district energy schemes. The seminar took place at The Leeds Club, Albion Place, Future Energy Yorkshire and Yorkshire Forward.
See the programme here.

8 September 2006: A balanced Approach to Energy - The Nordic Experience
Energy Minister Malcolm Wicks delivered a speech today to the Royal Society in London, highlighting details of a recent visit to Finland, Denmark and Norway where he observed the energy-routes taken by these countries. This included the greater use of distributed energy technologies, such as CHP, along with extensive district energy schemes. Read the speech here.

September 2006: Latest Information on CHPA Member Edina UK
Ireland’s leading specialist for gas and diesel power generation equipment, Edina, is the sole distributor in the UK and Ireland for DEUTZ Power high efficiency, decentralised energy plants with an output range from 180 to 4,000 kW. More information on the following news release.
Further information on their website www.edinauk.com

31 August: Barkantine Birthday
Barkantine CHP is celebrating it's fifth year of operation - the scheme based in SE London heats 600 homes as well as a swimming pool, primary school, nursery and the Barkantine community hall. Read local news story here.

31 August 2006: EUETS - New CHP Projections from Government
Both the Energy Review and the revised Climate Change Programme referenced new CHP projections work undertaken by Cambridge Econometrics. The report has recently been posted on Defra's website and is entitled EU ETS Phase 2: the Effect of Various Allocation Options on New Good Quality CHP and is available to download here.

31 August 2006: New Hospital CHP Scheme
Ormskirk District and General Hospital is now benefiting from environmentally generated heating and electricity supplies following the completion of a new energy centre equipped with CHP built under a 30 year Private Finance Initiative (PFI) backed energy contract by CHPA Member company Dalkia. More information here.

21 August 2006: Government submits Phase II NAP to Commission
The Government has today submitted its EUETS National Allocation Plant (NAP) to the European Commission. Included amongst the papers released today is the list of installation-level allocations which is open to consultation (deadline 16 October 2006). The NAP for Phase II includes a specific CHP sector and the Government states in the document that "the UK NAP includes a number of measures intended to provide a strong incentive to invest in this kind of clean technology." All papers are available to download from Defra's website.

18 August 2006: New ENSG Technical Reports
The DTI/OFGEM Electricity Networks Steering Group (ENSG) have today issued a number of reports focussed on technical issues of connecting distributed generation to the electricity network. These can be downloaded from www.ensg.gov.uk.

17 August 2006: District Energy included in Housing Design Award winner
Included amongst the winners at the Housing Design Awards, announced by Ruth Kelly MP, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, was the redevelopment of Rowan High School in Mitcham. The design, by developer the SixtyK Consortium, incorporates renewable energy technologies and a CHP plant with district energy system. The site will include a mix of housing and community facilities and aims to reduce carbon emissions by 70% compared with 2002 levels.
View Ruth Kelly's speech at the Awards ceremony and a recent article on the scheme.

16 August 2006: SmartestEnergy Seminars on Renewble Energy - October 2006
CHPA member SmartestEnergy, the UK’s leading consolidator of power for the independent generation sector, who currently purchase more than 10 MW from smaller renewable generation schemes, are holding two free renewable energy seminars. More information on the following news release and previous presentations from an ealier seminar can also be viewed on their website.

8 August 2006: US Report - Utility Policies Keeping CHP off Grid
Individual utility interconnection and tariff practices continue to be significant barriers faced by CHP projects, according to the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy’s (ACEEE) new report Combined Heat and Power: Connecting the Gap between Markets and Utility Interconnection and Tariff Practices (Part II). Although many states are making positive progress on CHP policies, significant barriers still stunt the realization of CHP’s nationwide potential. This report is the second of two reports documenting individual utilities’ CHP/distributed energy policies and practices state-by-state. Part I covered 15 states; Part II addresses the remaining states and also provides a nationwide and regional perspective. View the ACEEE press release here. Download Part I and Part II.

3 August 2006: Ireland Launches New Small-Scale CHP Grant Programme
The Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) CHP Deployment Programme will grant support to enable the increase of small-scale fossil-fired CHP and biomass CHP systems (anaerobic digestion and wood residue). The Programme was launched by natural resources minister, Noel Dempsey, who confirmed that a grant package of €11m has been allocated to the programme, which will run for five years, with associated carbon dioxide savings estimated at 120,000 tonnes. More information here.

3 August 2006: New EUETS Carbon Projections for NAP II CHP Sector
DTI have today released revised carbon dioxide projections for the NAP II sectors, including the CHP sector. Download 'EU ETS phase II CO2 emissions projections: revisions to projections following consultation' here.

2 August 2006: ENER-G Group Expands its Energy Services Contracts
CHPA member ENER-G has acquired the Hungarian Energy Services Company, KIPSZER, based in Budapest. This follows the recent expansion of ENER.G's portfolio in energy services, and gives the company a European platform, where it can offer advanced CHP technology and energy management to a wide range of sectors. View the full ENER.G press release here.

1 August 2006: Immingham CHP Plant Extension is Approved
The 760 MW gas-fired CHP power station at Immingham in North Lincolnshire, developed by CHPA member ConocoPhillips, has been given consent to extend its capacity by almost twice the current amount, bringing the new capacity to 1,230 MW. The extension of the scheme, already the largest CHP scheme in Europe, will make a significant contribution to the UK's carbon reduction targets. Full press release here.

August 2006: Ashden UK Awards 2007
Applications for the 2007 UK Ashden Awards are now open, with eligibility based on the three categories; Renewable Energy Award, Energy Efficiency Award and Energy Business Award. For more information, visit the Ashden Awards website.

August 2006: Scottish Review of Geothermal Heat
The Scottish Parliament have published a briefing on Geothermal Heat in Scotland, covering the technology and its contribution to heat generation and carbon dioxide emissions reductions. The briefing also includes a case study of Southampton District Energy Scheme. Download the briefing here.

August 2006: Biomass CHP Best Practice Guide
The final outcomes of the 2-year BIO-CHP project have now been published as a Best Practice Guide. The Guide covers data from 68 biomass CHP plants across Europe, representing a wide range of technologies and biomass fuels. Download the Best Practice Guide here.

August 2006: Euroheat & Power Conference 2006 Presentations
Presentations from the 2006 Euroheat & Power Conference Talking competitiveness! New perspectives for CHP/DHC are now available to download on the Euroheat & Power website.

August 2006: Cross European Cooperation to support CHP and District Heating
The Organisation for the Promotion of Energy Technologies (OPET) have recently published results of the 2-year CHP/DH project, which took place from 2003-2005. The project Consortium consisted of 32 partners from 22 EU countries, Central and Eastern European countries and China and was coordinated by the Danish Technological Institute. Project activities included: supporting CHP development in Central and Eastern Europe, supporting market uptake of small scale CHP and the promotion of biomass CHP. Download the brochure and view the project website.

August 2006: New Course on CHP at Cranfield University
The School of Engineering at Cranfield University have announced a new Short Course on Combined Heat and Power. The 4-day course will take place in October 2006 (and repeated once again in October 2007) and is aimed at engineers, energy managers, architects, local and central government officers as well as users and manufacturers of CHP equipment. More information here.

August 2006: New CHPA Member
The Association are pleased to welcome Edina UK Ltd as a New Member. Edina are specialist gas engine suppliers the UK distributor for Deutz Power Systems. Their website can be accessed via www.edinauk.com.

August 2006: Edinburgh University CHP Event organised by CIBSE
Part of a series of visits of seminars organised by the CIBSE CHP Group entitled Increasing CHP Installations in Buildings, Edinburgh University will be holding a half-day event on their third CHP unit housed in the George Square Energy Centre. The event, which takes place on Wednesday 6th September at 12.30- 4pm, will feature a visit to the Energy Centre, as well as presentations by the CIBSE CHP Group and CHPA member Clarke Energy. Further seminars are planned later this year in London, Southampton, Wales and Woking. A booking form for the event is downloadable here. More details on the CIBSE CHP Group here.

August 2006: New Carbon Trust CHP information resource
A new Knowledge Centre has recently been set up by the Carbon Trust website including detailed information on the installation of CHP. Access the website here.

August 2006: Environment Agency Publishes Guide on Regulation of Biomass Energy
To aid project developers of solid biomass plants, the Environment Agency have recently published "Regulation of Energy from Solid Biomass Plants", summarising the guidance, legislation and other information relevant to solid biomass installations in England & Wales. View the Guide here. 

28 July 2006: New Landfill Waste Schemes to Generate Heat & Power
CHPA member ENER.G has begun construction on two landfill sites in Scotland, which will make use of both the heat and power generated from landfill waste. The sites at Lower Melville Wood and Lochead will produce enough electricity to power approximately 4,500 local homes, thereby reducing methane emissions which has a significant impact on global warming. The Lochead site will additionally recover the heat from the generation process, pumping it as hot water into a new Community Energy scheme in Dunfermline, which will provide heat and hot water to various public and residential buildings. The Lochead scheme is managed by CHPA member PB Power on behalf of Fife Council. View the full ENER.G press release here.

28 July 2006: Latest CHP Statistics Published
The DTI have today published the 2006 edition of their Digest of UK Energy Statistics (DUKES) which includes a chapter on CHP. The latest figures show that only 108 MW of new net CHP capacity was added during 2005, giving a total CHP installed capacity of 5,792 MW by the end of the year. The Association have issued the following press release The 2006 edition of DUKES is available to download here.

27 July 2006: The Carbon Trust Launches its Low Carbon Business
Carbon Trust Enterprises, a new commercial subsdiary of the Carbon Trust, have today announced their first commercial business, Connective Energy - a joint venture with Mitsui Babcock Energy and Triodos Renewables. Connective Energy has been set up to exploit the significant amount of waste heat generated in the UK, providing low carbon heat solutions to industrial and public sector consumers. Analysis from the Carbon Trust shows that about 45% of the UK's primary energy is wasted as heat released in the atmosphere, representing a market potential of £1bn a year, with associated carbon dioxide savings of 7.5 million tonnes annually.
The Association have issued the following press release welcoming the announcement.
View the full Carbon Trust press release here

18 July 2006: Environment Minister Visits Successful CHP Schemes
Ian Pearson, Minister of State (Climate Change and the Environment) today toured several sustainable energy projects in Portsmouth and Southampton, including the recently upgraded Combined Heat and Power unit at the Charles Dickens Estate in Portsmouth and the new Energy Centre at the University of Southampton, which houses several Combined Heat and Power units serving the Highfield District Heating project. Southampton University successfully secured a £830,000 grant from Defra's Community Energy Programme to develop this project.
View the Defra press release and the University of Southampton press release.

14 July 2006: Carbon Trust MicroCHP Field Trial Report
E.ON UK plc today published a report on the performance of the Whispergen micro CHP unit in homes being monitored as part of the Carbon Trust field trial of small scale CHP technologies. The report covers full year performance of the micro CHP systems which have demonstrated carbon savings in the range of 13-19% compared with conventional heat and power solutions. Download the pdf report here.

14 July 2006: Baxi Partnership with Microgen
CHPA Members Baxi Heating UK and Microgen Energy Limited are to work together to pioneer the production and distribution of a microCHP appliance for the UK market. Full information on the following press release.

10 July 2006: CHP LECs Reconciliation Workshop
Q&A sheet from this workshop available to view at OFEGM's website here

8 July 2006: Think Tank Support for CHP
The Insititute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) report the massive energy savings that could be made across industry, the public sector and households, and highlight the role that CHP can play. More information here.

6 July 2006: Cameron - "Massive Increase" in CHP Needed
In a speech today to the Local Government' Association, the Conservative Party leader, David Cameron MP, today called more electricity to be generated in local communities, along with "a massive increase in devolved "combined heat and power" production in the 21st century."
Read the Guardian news story here. The full speech can be read here.

July 2006: Profile of npower Cogen
This month's Manufacturer magazine includes an interview and profile of CHPA Member RWE npower Cogen. View here

July 2006: Small Generator Connection Survey Published
The DTI have recently published a survey on connections issues for small generators. The survey, carried out by British Power International, examines the barriers preventing small generators from connecting to the distribution netwowk, as well as looking at related issues; including metering and settlement processes. Download the Survey here

July 2006: Cogeneration in China Set to Grow
China, the second largest energy consumer and emitter of greenhouse gases in the world, has recognised the need for cogeneration and decentralised energy systems in meeting the unprecedented growth in electricity demand, requiring 30GW of new capacity annually. China currently generates 10% of its energy from CHP, and the Chinese Government wil be promoting local cogeneration through the China Medium - and Long-Term Energy Conservation Plan, which includes the installation of 300MW of high-efficiency cogeneration units, in areas of concentrated heat load. The Chinese Government has placed energy conservation high on the agenda, with the aim of reducing the proportion of coal-fired power stations and, in particular adding a further 40GW of cogeneration for heating by 2010. More information here.

July 2006: DTI Security of Supply Report
The Secretary of State's second annual report on security of supply has been published, highlighting that over 1,200 MW of CHP plant is currently consented. Download the report here.

July 2006: New Awards to Highlight Responsible Companies
The 'Green Awards' produced by Satellite Marketing Communications will aim to showcase brands or organisations that have demonstrated their commitment to sustainable development, corporate social responsibility, and ethical best practice. The inaugural Green Awards, supported by the City of London, Friends of the Earth and the Media Guardian, will be held at the London Guildhall on 29th November addressing delegates representing governments, local authorities, NGO's, community based organisations, corporate leaders and research institution academics- amongst others. Visit www.greenawards.co.uk for more information.

22 June 2006: Microgeneration Gets a Huge Boost as Bill Passes Final Stage
The Climate Change and Sustainable Energy Bill, tabled by Mark Lazarowicz MP, has successfully completed its passage through Parliament, passing its final stage earlier this week in the House of Lords with no amendments. The Private Members Bill has now become law following Royal Assent on 21 June 2006. The Bill represents a significant commitment towards climate change, making provisions about greenhouse gas emissions reductions, alleviation of fuel poverty, promotion of microgeneration, introduction of a renewable heat obligation, compliance with Building Regulations, community energy schemes and energy efficiency, amongst others. The Bill also places a duty on local authorities to consider ways to improve these. View the Micropower Council's press release and a copy of the Act.

21 June 2006: PQ on CHP
Written Parliamentary answer highlighting the carbon dioxide generated from a number of generation technologies. The answer states that "Good quality CHP plants typically offer an additional carbon saving of between 25 and 30 per cent. of that generated by conventional plants." See PQ here.

16 June 2006: Biomass Heat Scheme Wins Ashden Award
Barnsley Council has won first prize in the 2006 Ashden Awards for Sustainable Energy for their biomass heating scheme, which uses waste wood to heat community housing and other public buildings, saving nearly 3,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide a year. The scheme was greatly helped by its successful 2004 bid under the Government's Community Energy Programme. More information here.

15 June 2006: CHPA President's Reception
The Association held its annual President's Reception in the House of Lords, hosted by Lord Whitty, CHPA President. Photographs from the event can be found here.

2 June 2006: Microgen and Siemens Join Together in microCHP Development
CHPA members Microgen Energy Limited (a subsidiary of BG Group), deverloper of the Microgen microCHP unit, and Siemens Building Technologies, have announced a partnership to develop a set of controls for the latest Microgen microCHP prototypes, bound for field trials in the UK and The Netherlands later this year. The integrated controls will ensure the appliance is highly energy efficient, by providing information on performance through additional user controls, indicating when and how much power is being generated. View the full press release here.

June 2006: New EST briefing on EU Directives
The Energy Saving Trust have published a briefing note on a number of European Directives affecting Community Heating and CHP, such as the Cogeneration Directive, the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive and the Directive on Energy End Use Efficiency and Energy Services. Download the full briefing note here.

June 2006: New Good Practice Guide on High Rise Dwellings
This EST have just published a Good Practice Guide, Refurbishing high rise dwellings - a strategic guide for local authority managers highlighting the huge potential for community heating in this sector. Download the Guide here.

June 2006: Greenpeace Decentralised Energy Film
Greenpeace have released a new short film What are we waiting for? on the benefits of decentralised energy as a viable UK energy scenario to help achieve the Government's key energy goals. The films provises case studies of several countries around the world to show how carbon emissions can be cut through decentralised energy systems, including the use of CHP and community heating. A number of screenings of the dvd will take place across the UK during the Summer: for more information and to download the film visit the Greenpeace website.

30 May 2006: Mayor Plans for a Sustainable Energy Capital
Mayor of London Ken Livingstone today announced a set of new development, transport and energy policies as part of the review of the London Plan. The document, Draft Further Alterations to the London Plan, places climate change at the top of the London agenda, requiring "new developments to connect to decentralised local energy supplies and achieve the highest standards of sustainable building design". New developments will be required to incorporate onsite renewables to provide 20% of their energy demand (a doubling from the 10% requirement in the existing London Plan), and the review also proposes statutory carbon dioxide reduction targets for the capital, with a 20% reduction by 2015 and a longer-term reduction of 60% by 2015
The Association have issued the following press release welcoming the announcement
View the full GLA press release and draft London Plan.
The GLA have also recently published Sustainable design & construction Supplementary Planning Guidance to support the implementation of the London Plan, with strong support for the use of CHP and community heating.

23 May 2006: PRASEG CHP Seminar
The Parliamentary Renewable and Sustainable Energy Group (PRASEG) recently held a seminar entitled Combined Heat & Power - the wasted resource in the House of Commons. Speakers included Bill Stow, Director General-Environment, DEFRA; Sara Eppel, Sustainable Development Commission; Lord Whitty, President, CHPA; Malcolm Fawcett, ConocoPhillips and Phil Piddington, Director, CHPA. View the presentations here.

18 May 2006: Publication of Further Supporting Guidance to Building Regulations Part L
Following the publication of the Domestic Heating Compliance Guide on 19 April 2006, the DCLG (previously ODPM) have now published the Non Domestic Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Compliance Guide, covering guidance on how to implement the revised Building Regulations Part L Approved documents for buildings other than dwellings, ADL2A and ADL2B. The Guide includes a section on CHP and community heating and also covers district cooling.
Download the Guide here.

11 May 2006: Birmingham Heartlands Hospital installs CHP Energy Centre
The Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust, has chosen CHPA member ENER-G Combined Power to carry out energy efficiency improvements at the Birmingham Heartlands site. The site, currently heated by coal-fired boilers, will be replaced with a high-efficiency CHP unit, fuelled by natural gas. The new Energy Centre deal is structured around a PFI contract, and has also received a £403,000 grant from the Government's Community Energy Programme. By installing CHP, Birmingham Heartlands Hospital will be saving carbon dioxide emissions by 3.5 thousand tonnes each year, reducing electricity consumption by 1MW. View the full press release here.

11 May 2006: Dartington Hall Trust Launches Sustainable Land Use Initiative
The land scope project is aimed at pioneering individuals with the experience and skills to develop projects for sustainable land use on selected sites of the 1,200 acre Dartington Hall estate in South Devon. The initiative will cover projects that "focus on the land, help promote sustainability, are economically viable and make connections and foster links with other activities on the Estate". For more information and details of how to apply, visit the website.

10 May 2006: Detailed Guide on NAP II CHP Sector
The Environment Agency and Defra have just released an addendum to a previous paper, the Detailed Guidance to Phase II Allocation Methodology, which was published on 6 March 2006. This new guide extends part 6 of the previous guide, and relates specifically to (currently or potentially) Good Quality certified CHP schemes that are covered by Phase II of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme.

The March 6 main allocation guide can be downloaded here.
The new CHP addendum guide can be downloaded here.
Any queries should be directed to the CHPQA team (email: chpqainfo @ chpqa.com or phone 0870 190 6196)

May 2006: Strong support for CHP under Commission Energy Efficiency Plan
n June 2005 the Commission released the Green Paper on Energy Efficiency or Doing More With Less for consultation. The Green Paper showed a significant role for CHP under its projections for potential energy savings across the EU, providing over 20% of the savings by 2020 under the plan. The Commission has now published a summary of responses to the consultation and reflects strong support for the greater use of CHP by respondents. The report concludes:
"Combined Heat and Power is widely supported by NGOs but also by industry as representing a huge potential if effectively connected to district heating grids by recovering heat in power generation and reducing energy consumption for heating in households." and
"Combined Heat and Power is also mentioned regarding decentralised energy production as it is very flexible and would give a strong contribution to reducing losses in energy distribution grids, together with more research on alternatives to new grids and the renewal of old infrastructures."
Download Report on the Analysis of the Debate of the Green Paper on Energy Efficiency here.

May 2006: CIBSE Trigeneration conference
The CIBSE CHP group are holding a one day conference on Trigeneration in buildngs (Heat, power and cooling from the same source) on Tuesday 23 May in London. The conference will cover the technologies and techniques for the use of trigeneration in buildings, case studies of buildings as well as district heating and cooling networks and design and implementation of trigeneration engineering solutions. For further information and details of how to book, visit the CIBSE website.

26 April 2006: Tesco announces new fund for sustainable energy
Tesco Plc have made a significant commitment towards energy efficiency and renewable energy by announcing a £100million fund towards increasing energy efficiency and cutting carbon emissions. The fund will enable new stores to install a range of technologies including wind turbines, solar energy, geothermal power and CHP and trigeneration, which will contribute towards Tesco Plc's target of cutting energy use in its buildings by 50% by 2010 (on 2000 levels). View the full press release here.

26 April 2006: New Community Heating scheme in the Port of Southampton
Over 3,000 homes in Millbrook, Maybush and Redbridge will benefit from Community Heating CHP following the approval of the planning application by Solent Sustainable Energy Limited to Southampton City Council. In addition to providing affordable heating to residential customers, the scheme will also connect to local schools, residential homes for older people and other council properties, with a view to connecting private homes and businesses as the scheme develops. The possibility of using palm oil as the primary fuel has been proposed, as the port site is well situated for renewable fuel import, thereby avoiding the significant traffic issues usually associated with fuel delivery. Read the full press release.

26 April 2006: Aberdeen City gets a CHP upgrade
Following the success of the CHP scheme at Stockethill, Aberdeen Heat & Power Ltd have installed a £1.6 million community heating CHP scheme at Hazlehead, which links 200 homes, Hazlehead Academy and the adjacent swimming pool. Both the Stockethill and Hazlehead CHP units are supplied by CHPA member Cogenco and, in the first case, have saved customers more than 50% on their fuel bills. As well as receiving £700,000 from Aberdeen City Council's Housing Capital Grant, the Hazlehead scheme has secured a £600,000 grant from the Government's Community Energy Programme, as part of a total £1.3million to develop Aberdeen's community heating networks. Work has already begun on the third and final phase; a scheme serving 500 homes in the Seaton area. View the full press release here.

19 April 2006: ODPM Publishes Supporting Guidance to Building Regulations Part L
Following the publication of the revised Building Regulations Part L on 31 March, ODPM have today released the Domestc Heating Compliance Guide, which will act as a guidance on how to implement the two Approved documents of Part L that cover new and existing dwellings, ADL1A and ADL1B. The Guide includes information related to community heating, as well as how to comply with Part L when installing microCHP systems. ODPM have also released the final version of their Low or Zero Carbon Energy Sources: Strategic Guide, which includes guidance on small-scale technologies such as microCHP, micro- wind and PV.
View the Domestic Heating Compliance Guide and the Low or Zero Carbon Energy Sources: Strategic Guide here.

19 April 2006: Cameron Views Community Heating
David Cameron MP, Leader of the Conservative Party, is visiting a district heating scheme in Oslo, as part of his trip to the Arctic to view the impacts of Climate Change. More information here.

13 April 2006: CHPA response to the Energy Review
The Association has responded today to the Government's 2006 Energy Review. The response calls upon Government to examine the barriers to all four of the principal CHP sectors (Large Scale, Packaged, District Heating and MicroCHP) and work to exploit the massive potential for CHP that exists in the UK. The response can be downloaded here.

5 April 2006: ENER-G Sells Landfill Gas Generation Projects
CHPA member Ener-G has sold a portfolio of UK landfill gas generation projects, totalling 64MWe in generating capacity, to Viridis Energy Capital. As part of the deal, Ener-G will continue to manage and operate the projects, some of which qualify for Renewable Obligation Certificates. The sale has also successfully raised new capital for the group's continued growth and international expansion. View the full press release here.

April 2006: MicroCHP Projections
The Society of British Gas Industries (SBGI) have just published a report MicroCHP – Updated market projections which follows on from a detailed study they undertook in 2003 (MicroCHP –Delivering a Low Carbon Future). The study reviews opportunities and challenges for microCHP and provids market projections for the uptake of microCHP products in the UK. The report can be downloaded here.

28 March 2006: CCPR fails CHP
The Government issued its long-delayed revised Climate Change Programme Review (CCPR) today at a launch event hosted by Secretary of State for the Environment, Margaret Beckett. The document:
* indicates that even in the best circumstances the Government's manifesto target of 20% reductions in carbon emissions by 2010 (of a 1990 baseline) will not be achieved
* whilst highlighting the shortfall, presents limited new measures to reduce carbon
* dismisses a range of policy initiatives that Associaton had been discussing with Government over the past year to support CHP; and, incredibly,
* withdraws the £10m it had committed in December 2004 to a second phase of the Community Energy Programme
The Association have issued the following two press releases in response to the CCPR and the cancellation of the CEP programmme:
Response to CCPR launch 28 March 2006
U-Turn by Government Eliminates Support for Community Heating Sector

Following the publication of the CCPR, the Government's carbon reduction target suffered a further setback with the release of provisional estimates of carbon emissions for 2005 which announced that CO2 emissions had increased a further 0.5% over the 2004 figure. The full details can be viewed here. The full CCP document can be downloaded here.

28 March 2006: Draft National Allocation Plan (NAP) Released
Government have released today the draft NAP for Phase II of the EU emissions trading scheme (2008 - 2012). Following Government-commissioned research in 2005, which highlighted that some CHP schemes had been disadvantaged under the UK's Phase I plan, Government have proposed the creation of CHP sector under NAP II along with new measures to incentivise the growth of New Entrant CHP schemes. The Association will be looking at the range of proposals put forward by Government and will respond to the consultation on the draft. The NAP II consultation paper can be downloaded here.

28 March 2006: Microgeneration Strategy Launched
The Government's Microgeneration Strategy was released today which proposes a wide ranging work programme to support the growth of microgeneration, including microCHP. Download the Strategy here. Closely related to the Strategy is the Private Members' Bill currently going through Parliament, the Climate Change and Sustainable Energy Bill, which can be downloaded here.

23 March 2006: Treasury Award to CHP Scheme
The Treasury has awarded total funding of £1.9 million from its Invest to Save Budget to six Defra sponsored environmental projects. Included amongst the award winners is Creative Environmental Networks (CEN) who plan to develop a service that will support the implementation of mini CHP schemes. More information on the Defra press release. More information on CEN.

22 March 2006: Power Debate asks is Small Beautiful?
Reuters news story on the decentralised energy debate, including prospects for CHP. Read the article here.

22 March 2006: New Entrants' Benchmarks Review Consultation
DTI have today released a consultation on NAP II New Entrant Benchmarks. Included with the consultation paper are a number of supporting documents on NAP sectors, including a report by Enviros Consulting on CHP. Both the consultation paper (response required by 17 April 2006) and the CHP report can be downloaded here. 

22 March 2006: Budget 2006
The Chancellor announced a series of environmental and energy efficiency measures in today's Budget. Of interest to the CHP sector included news that the Climate Change Levy (CCL) will, from April 2007, increase with inflation; and an increase of funding of £50m for microgeneration in the Low Carbon Buildings Programme. Further information:
Budget Environment Chapter, CCL news release and explanatory document

Further HMRC announcements on CCL available here.

17 March 2006: CHP Delivers Affordable Warmth to Social Housing
Sustain have completed the installation and commissioning of three CHP units at separate housing associations across the country. The installations have been carried out at Accord, LACE and Walbrook Housing Associations as a cost effective solution for reducing CO2 and providing affordable warmth to tenants. More information on the following press release.

16 March 2006 : Strong Support for CHP in New Greenpeace/GLA study
The Mayor of London, Ken Livingston, today launched a new study Powering London into the 21st century . The report details how decentralising London's energy, much of this through the wider use of CHP, would be the most efficient way to help reduce the capital's carbon emissions. More information here.

15 March 2006: Island Power Station Cuts Fuel Bills
Residents of the Barkantine estate in Tower Hamlets have seen a 25 per cent drop in heating bills, due to the installation of a new CHP system by CHPA member EDF Energy and Tower Hamlets Council. Similar schemes have also been installed at the Tiller Road Leisure Centre, Seven MIlls School, local nursery and community centre. Read the full news story, the EDF Energy press release and the EST case study.

8 March 2006: WADE Members' Briefing
Michael Brown and Sytze Dijkstra of the World Alliance for Decentralised Energy (WADE) kindly provided a briefing to CHPA members giving an overview of their economic model which explores a range of scenarios for meeting future energy requirements, particularly those that favour decentralised energy. The results of this model formed part of the recently completed work commissioned by Greenpeace, to help inform their input into the UK's Energy Review. A copy of the presentation is available to download here (pdf). Further information about recent work undertaken by WADE can be found on their website.

8 March 2006: Scotland Renewable Heat Strategy in Pipeline
The Scottish Executive Environment Minister Ross Finnie has committed to developing a strategy and ambitious targets for renewable heat in Scotland. Marking the start of Enviroment Week, the Enviroment Minister commented that "eighty per cent of energy used by the domestic sector goes towards heating. Renewable heat has a great potential to reduce Scottish carbon emissions and Scotland is well placed to become a major player in its development." As part of the new strategy, a range of technologies for producing renewable heat will be looked at, one of which is fossil-fuel fired CHP. View the full press release here.

8 March 2006: CHP and CCL
Ofgem have released today the latest monthly total of CHP LECs issued. They can be viewed on Ofgem's website.

7 March 2006: New Report Reveals the Real Answer to Britain's Energy Needs
The WADE report "Decentralising UK Energy", commissioned by Greenpeace, looks at several scenarios for the UK's future energy supply based on the key criteria; cutting carbon emissions, security of supply and cost. Amongst others, the report model compares a centralised generation scenario using nuclear power with a decentralised generation scenario using renewables and CHP. The report concludes that the decentralised generation option is a far better solution, as it is cleaner, cheaper and more secure. View the full Greenpeace press release and report. 

7 March 2006: New CHP Sector announced in ETS
The CHPA has welcomed the Government’s announcement yesterday that it intends to create a separate sector for high efficiency CHP schemes under the next phase (2008 - 2012) of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (EUETS). The Association have issued the following press release. Further information on the new CHP sector is within a DEFRA note just published entitled A Detailed Guide to Phase II Allocation Methodology available here. The Defra commissioned report published report EUETS Phase II: Treatment of CHP can be downloaded here. 

7 March 2006: Decentralising Energy in London
The CHPA welcomes the Mayor's announcement of a partnership between the London Climate Change Agency and CHPA Member EDF Energy to develop sustainable energy projects in London. Ken Livingstone stated "'The partnership with EDF Energy places London at the forefront of tackling climate change by encouraging the use of combined heat and power and renewable energy." Read the Association's press release here.

3 March 2006: New Research Shows a Bright Energy Future is Possible
Friends of the Earth have today released a study which forms part of the organisation's submission to the Energy Review. The report assumes CHP generating around 123 TWh/yr by 2020, plus significant further capacity associated with microCHP. The press release and report can be accessed here.

1 March 2006: Conservative Leader Shows Support for Decentralised Energy
David Cameron, leader of the Conservative Party, spoke today in favour of the Decentralised Energy agenda, when he attended the Stop Climate Chaos carbon 'dating' event in Westminster, aimed at examining the case for a UK carbon 'budget'. Speaking ahead of the event, Mr Cameron commented that "the concept of Decentralised Energy should be taken seriously".
Full Conservative news story here. The Association have also released a press release, available to download here.

March 2006: Distributed Generation Connection Activity in the UK Distribution
The Energy Networks Association (ENA) have published information collected by distribution network operators (DNOs) to illustrate generation connection related activity, which includes details of new CHP capacity added. Download here.

March 2006: New statistics for CHP in the EU
The European Commission have today published new statistics for CHP electricity generation in the EU 25 Member States. The publication "Statistics in focus" issue 2/3006, covers data on CHP electricity and heat generation and capacity in Member States, CHP generation and capacity by economic activity and fuel consumption in CHP plants. In 2002, CHP totalled 299.2 TWh, 9.9% of total gross electricity generation, with Germany, Finland and the Netherlands as the main producers, contributing nearly 40% of CHP electricity production. In terms of percentage of total electricity generation, Denmark, Finland and Latvia are in the lead; in Denmark CHP contributes almost half (49.1%) of electricity generation, whilst the share in Finland and Latvia is approximately 38%. The publication can be downloaded here.

March 2006: The EU Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS) and Community Energy Programme
Energy Saving Trust Briefing recently posted on their website. Download here.

March 2006: Microgen Update
Chris Lee, Chief Executive of CHPA Member Microgen, provided a presentation at the Micropower Council's recent annual conference updating information on their microCHP product. View the presentation here.

March 2006: Consultation on Implementation of the EU Cogeneration Directive
Defra, together with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (Northern Ireland), have recently issued a Consultation document for the implementation of Directive 2004/8/EC on the Promotion of Cogeneration based on a Useful Heat Demand in the Internal Energy Market, seeking views on Regulatory Impact Assessment, which covers the regulatory changes required in the UK, and is based in the final Directive text. The EU Cogeneration Directive came into force on 21st February 2004, and Member States are required to transpose the Directive into national law by 21st February 2006. The aim of the Directive "is to increase energy efficiency and improve security of supply in the EU by creating a framework for the development of high efficiency CHP". View the full consultation document.

March 2006: Major Housing Trust Chooses Baxi DACHS Mini-CHP Unit
Bradford Community Housing Trust Group has made its first move into alternative technologies with the installation of a CHP unit at Shuttleworth House – a sheltered accommodation scheme for the elderly located in West Bradford. Read full press release and view scheme.

March 2006: New CoSPP
Details of the latest issue of Cogeneration and Onsite Power Production (CoSPP) can be viewed here, which includes an excellent overview of CHP use and potential in China.

March 2006: CHP Potential in Wales
Mark Williams, Liberal Democrat MP for Ceredigion, set out recently in a press conference in Westminster that Welsh Businesses could save £800 million a year by slashing their bills using CHP technology. Read the full story here.

March 2006: CHPQA Presentations
Presentations made at the recent two-day CHPQA programme workshops in February have now been posted on the QA website.
These include further details on the recent announcement made on ROCs for energy from waste CHP plant, CCL issues and also an update on Cogeneration Directive Reference values.

March 2006: CIBSE National Conference
The 2006 CIBSE National Conference "Engineering the Future" takes place on 21-22 March at the Brit Oval Cricket Ground. The conference will include important updates on Part L of the Building Regulations and the European Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD).
For further information and details of how to book, please visit the CIBSE website.

March 2006: BAXI Installs Two New Mini-CHP Units
BAXI Technologies UK continue to introduce their DACHS mini-CHP unit in increasing numbers across the UK, with recent installations at the SCORE healthcare project in London and the new Hindley Primary School in Wigan. View both press releases.

March 2006: New Position Available: WADE Executive Director
WADE, the World Alliance for Decentralised Energy, is seeking a full-time Executive Director from 1 August this year. More information about this post is available here. The closing date for applications is 31 March.

27 February 2006: Green Party Launches Alternative Energy Report
The report, co-authored by Dr David Toke, Green Party Energy Advisor, and Dr Simon Taylor, results shows that CHP offers significant CO2 savings at a negative cost of carbon. The study can be downloaded here.

16 February 2006: Reducing London's Carbon Footprint
The Greater London Authority (GLA) have today launched a major study highlighting the significant potential for high efficiency Combined Heat and Power and Community Heating (CHP/CH) in the capital. The study has identified significant opportunities to create heat networks allowing for greater use of CHP, along with a number of other low carbon technologies, to provide affordable heat and power to London’s homes and businesses. Read the full CHPA press release here.

16 February 2006: EUETS & UEP Updates
The Government have today published an outline timetable on the the NAP Phase II process - this is downloadable from Defra's website.
Also released today is a consultation on the Government's Updated Energy Projections (UEP) which includes some limited, but useful information on CHP use across the NAP II industrial sectors. The DTI/DEFRA news release can be downloaded here . The consultation paper and related reports released can be downloaded from the DTI's website.

8 February 2006: EUETS Guidance Published by Government
DEFRA have today published a useful summary on the EUETS entitled An Operator's Guide to the EU Emissions Trading Scheme:The steps to compliance. It is freely downloadable from the DEFRA website.

6 February 2006: Cogenco Extends Unit Range
CHPA member Cogenco have introduced a new series of CHP units to their range to meet growing customer demand. The units range from a smaller 82 kWe up to two further higher capacity units of 1600 kWe and 2 MWe which can operate on natural gas, biogas and landfill gas. For further information, visit Cogenco's website

February 2006: New Housing & Energy Policy Published by SERA
The publication "Blueprints for Green Homes" has been jointly written by the Association, SERA and the Labour Housing Group, and sets out the need for an integrated housing policy to meet the growing gap between housing supply and demand whilst "finding ways to create strong, sustainable communities". The publication includes contributions from SERA, CHPA, Labour Housing Group and the Environmental Change Institute of Oxford University. Further details here.

February 2006: Walt Patterson on Energy Futures
Leading energy commentator Walt Patterson has made a number of his seminal energy publications available for download from his new website www.waltpatterson.org - these include his current series of papers 'Keeping the Lights on' as well as key past publications such as 'The Energy Alternative.'

February 2006: Latest COSPP
The latest issue of Cogeneration and Onsite Power Production includes a number of articles which can be downloaded from their website including the use of CHP in the steel industry; district heating in Russia and coverage.

February 2006: Cogen Europe Announce Major Cogeneration Event
COGENeration week 2006 will take place on March 27-31 in Brussels, and will focus on the future for cogeneration in Europe and the implementation of the European Cogeneration Directive. The Directive came into force on 11 February 2004 and is due to be transposed into Member States national law by February 21 this year. The event will comprise three days of workshops as well as a two-day conference and is supported by the European Commission. For further information and details of how to book, please visit the Cogen Europe website.

27 January 2006: You've Got The Power
Today's article in the The Times emphasises the benefits of domestic microCHP; quoting Alan Simpson, Labour MP for Nottingham South "I will generate 50 per cent more electricity that I consume, so I should never get an electricity bill again". View the full article here.

24 January 2006: Waste Heat PQ
View a recent Parliamentary Question on encouraging waste heat to feed into district heating systems.

23 January 2006: DTI launches Energy Review Consultation
The DTI Secretary of State, Alan Johnson and Minister for Energy, Malcolm Wicks today launched the Energy Review Consultation "Our energy challenge: securing clean, affordable energy for the long term" with five key questions, including "particular considerations that should apply to carbon abatement and other low-carbon technologies?" as well as considerations for meeting government targets on "ensuring that every home is adequately and affordably heated?". View the full DTI press release and consultation document.

18 January 2006: CHP A Key Sustainable Solution
Friends of the Earth has identified 15 sustainable solutions which together would make the UK efficient in its energy-use and have an economy based on clean energy supplies - these include greater use of both larger scale and micro CHP technologies. See the full list here.

January 2006: WADE Launches New Report in Partnership with The Climate Group
The report "Building Integrated Cooling, Heat & Power - For Cost-Effective Carbon Mitigation" explores the potential for high efficiency systems to deliver electricity, heat and/or cooling in the US, Canada, China and India. View the full report.

January 2006: DTI Publishes a Report on Opportunities for Distributed Generators
The summary Part A of "A Guide: Sale of Power Opportunities for Distributed Generators" provides "a high level introduction to the options available for the sale of power from small generators in Great Britain" and is intended for anyone with a general interest in distributed generation. Download the Summary and Full Report here.

January 2006: New Look for the Micropower Council
The Micropower Council, of which the CHPA is a member, has recently redeveloped their website, which can be accessed via www.micropower.co.uk

January 2006: The Energy Institute Announces a New Series of Energy Training Courses
A series of one-day training courses have been designed by the EI at three different levels: Introductory, Energy Management and Technical courses. New courses for 2006 include "Energy efficiency in buildings" on 5 May, "Energy laws and emissions trading" on 18 May, and "Cogeneration/CHP" on 19 May. Full programme and details of how to book available here.

January 2006: CHP Wins in Pre-Budget Report
The Chancellor's Pre-Budget Report, published in December 2005, announced an excise duty exemption for power stations using fuel oil. The Association welcomes the inclusion within this exemption of oil used by "good quality" CHP plants. A further win for CHP came in the shape of the announcement to grant Enhanced Capital Allowances (ECAs) for future biofuel plant construction using certain qualifying processes; this includes "good quality" CHP plant.
Further details of both announcements can be found here.

9 January 2006: Commission Sets Out Emissions Trading Guidance
The European Commission has published a Communication setting out guidance to help member states when they draw up national plans for allocating carbon dioxide emission allowances for 2008-2012 under the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS). Full story and access to guidance here.

January 2006: Renewables Obligation 2006 Makes Energy from Waste CHP Eligible
The Department of Trade and Industry have published their final decisions on the 2006 Renewables Obligation Order, making Energy from Waste (EfW) CHP eligible for ROCs. EfW CHP plant will be able to claim ROCs using a method similar to a CHP plant claiming CCL exemption; CHP plants that are fully compliant under the CHPQA, will receive ROCs on all their biomass-generated electricity. View the final decision document and draft Renewables Obligation Order 2006 here.

January 2006: ENER-G Enters into a Ground-Breaking Partnership with Telford and Shrewsbury Hospital Trust
The partnership between CHPA member ENER-G and the Trust will see the installation of a 1MWe CHPunit at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital, providing all the heating, cooling and process steam for the hospital, as well as a proportion of the sites electrical power requirements. View the full ENER-G press release here.

January 2006: Siemens Power Generation to Build Europe's Largest Biomass Plant in Vienna
Austria will this year become home to the largest forest-biomass-fired plant in Europe; a 24.5MWe Combined Heat and Power plant built by CHPA Member Siemens Power Generation and scheduled to come online in June 2006. The CHP plant will recycle almost 200,000 tons of timber per year supplying 37MWth of district heat to Vienna's supply network. View the full Siemens press release here.

January 2006: ODPM Publishes Final 'Low or Zero Carbon Energy Sources Report'
As part of the changes to the Building Regulations Part L (Conservation of Fuel and Power) and implementation of the EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, due to come into force this year, ODPM have published this detailed report, the aim of which is "to develop suitable performance standards and guidance for the installation of low or zero carbon energy sources in buildings". The report is available to download here.

January 2006: 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 information here.

January 2006: Green Energy for King's Cross Redevelopment
New plans to redevelop the areas north of King's Cross and St Pancras stations in London have been announced by the developer, Argent. The new plans will include a number of "green energy" projects, one of which is a district heating scheme powered by a CHP plant. The original plans for the brownfield location were submitted to Camden and Islington Councils in 2004.
More information here.

January 2006: IEA Publishes New Report on Distributed CHP/District Heating
The report "A Comparison of distributed CHP/DH with large-scale CHP/DH" concludes the Research Project of the same title which also draws from experience in Denmark, the Netherlands, Finland and Canada. Several other related reports have also been published in conjunction with the completion of the Research Project. Summaries of all the reports as well as details of how to get the full reports can be found here.

January 2006: CHP to Power "The Bridge" in Tolworth
The project, located in the Royal borough of Kingston, south west London, is part of plans for extensive regeneration of 9.5 acres of brownfield land- a former Government owned MAFF site. The plans were unveiled by the Building Design Partnership, and include a 'green bridge' linking the railway station and the town centre with a new pedestrian walkway, with electricity and heat provided by a CHP system as well incorporating other sustainable energy technologies. The scheme will also include a new 6,000 sq m Tesco store as well as the development of 835 residential units. Full story here.

January 2006: New Series of Short Courses on Gas Turbine Technology at Cranfield University
Cranfield University School of Engineering is holding a Power and Propulsion Series of Short Courses in Gas Turbine Technology over the course of 2006, with a specific course on Combined Heat and Power from 23-27 October. Full programme and details of how to book available here.

January 2006: DTI Energy Model
Presentation to the Projections Advisory Group (PAG) on the basis of the DTI Energy Projections model. Available to download here.