2007 News Archive

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22 December 2007: New Sustainability Standards Launched for Housebuilders
A set of new environmental construction standards for housebuilders that go far beyond current Building Regulations are being launched by the South East of England Development Agency (SEEDA). The Green Charter, introduced in collaboration with Creative Environmental Networks (CEN), sets targets for the environmental performance of all buildings on a particular mixed-use new development, with energy and water sustainability targets at the heart of the agenda. Current plans include the potential for the installation of a biomass combined heat and power (CHP) system. All homes connected to this system would also need to meet level 4 of the Code for Sustainable Homes and non-residential buildings would have a requirement to meet BREEAM “Excellent”.
For more infomation please click here

19 December 2007: Woodchip CHP to Power Britain’s First Eco Village
Housing and Planning Minister Yvette Cooper has announced that Barratt Developments Plc, Britain’s biggest housebuilder, is to build England's first of ten proposed eco-villages as part of the Carbon Challenge. The 200 eco-homes will be powered by a woodchip biomass CHP plant, with an underground heat network providing a constant hot water supply. This site in Bristol should provide the blueprint for Government plans to build 100,000 new energy-efficient homes, and the village should be completed ahead of the Government’s 2016 target for all homes to be zero-carbon.
View the Barratt Developments press release
View the Carbon Challenge details being delivered by English Partnerships

17 December 2007: CHPA Press Release
Advances in Planning Provide Half the Answer In Battle On Urban Carbon Emissions

17 December 2007: E.ON to Offer Micro-CHP
EC Power and E.ON have signed a deal that will see EC Power’s Micro-CHP generators offered to E.ON’s public and private sector clients. The deal was made between E.ON’s Sustainable Energy Solutions business – a team specialising in offering low-carbon technologies – and EC Power, a Micro-CHP specialist part-owned by Europe’s largest energy company, Statoil Hydro. A deal between two energy giants is seen as a significant demonstration of Micro-CHP’s place as a leading commercially viable low carbon technology, with a highly competitive position amongst the micro-generation technologies.
Read the EC Power Press Release (pdf)

6 December 2007: CHPA Press Release
Decentralised energy revolution is long overdue

22 November 2007: Wissington Bioethanol Plant Opened
The CHPA welcome the opening of British Sugar's Wissington Bioethanol Plant today, the plant is the first of it's kind within the UK. British Sugar produces it's bioethanol from locally-grown sugar beet and has an annual production capacity of 70 million litres; made from 110,000 tonnes of sugar that is surplus to the needs of the food market. The sugar factory's combined heat and power plant provides energy for the bioethanol plant, ensuring that bioethanol produced delivers 60% lifecycle carbon savings. The remaining heat and carbon dioxide produced by the CHP plant is used in the growing of some 70m tomatoes a year in an 11-ha greenhouse.

Read the Government Press Release here

Read about it on the BBC website here


21 November 2007: The Renewable Advisory Board Backs Biomass CHP
Zero Carbon homes could create a £2.3 billion renewable energy supply market by 2016 states a report by the Renewable Advisory Board. The report looks at the key role played by onsite generation as opposed to relying on large scale offsite generation such as offshore wind farms.The report says that 9 out of 10 new build homes can achieve zero carbon status through the use of proven onsite renewable energy technologies. The report highlights that the success of the Zero Carbon Homes Policy is critically dependent on the technological development of sub 1MW Biomass CHP plant. If technological and supply capacity constraints are overcome the market for sub 1MW biomass CHP technology could be worth over half a billion pounds per annum from 2016. This makes Biomass CHP the leading form of generation which is required to meet the challenges faced by the Zero Carbon Homes policy. Amongst the many recommendations that RAB urges Government to pursue are that the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills make R&D into sub1MW biomass CHP a national priority and recommends that the deployment of biomass CHP is a priority of the new Environmental Transformation Fund,
Please read the report here

20 November 2007: IPCC States that CHP Can Play an Important Role in Mitigating Climate Change
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) launched it's Fourth Assessment Report (AR4), “The Synthesis Report-Summary for Policymakers”. The report acts as a stark prompt for policymakers to take urgent action to avoid the devastating impact of "abrupt climate change" (ACC). Among the key messages from the report is the critical need to reduce greenhouse emissions within the world's building stock and energy production. CHP has been listed as one of the proven key mitigation technologies available to do this. The “Synthesis Report” states that policymakers need to act quickly to provide adequate incentives in order to seize the opportunities that do exist for mitigation and that it is crucial that an effective carbon price signal is put in place immediately. In subsequent press conference Achim Steiner, the Executive Director of United Nation Environment Programme stated "the market alone can not deliver; but the market with the right incentives and the right regulatory frameworks is perfectly capable of delivering giga tonnes of reduction in greenhouse emissions".

To read more about the IPPC's work click here
For a copy of the Synthesis Report-Summary for Policymakers please click here (pdf)

19 November 2007: CHPA Press Release
PM Turns Up Heat in Fight on Global Warming

16 November 2007: Yanmar Take the Lead on Renewable Micro-CHP
Minister for North-East England Nick Brown today opened the first Bio-fueled Micro CHP unit at New and Renewable Energy Centre (NaREC) in Blyth. Yanmar, in partnership with One North East, will work with NaREC, Newcastle University and local partners, the Association welcomes this project and wishes Yanmar and it's project partners well in powering, monitoring, appraising and developing the engine, to enable it to be brought to the UK market within the next three years and look forward to working closely with Yanmar in the future.
For more information please click here

15 November 2007: CHPA Press Release
Hitting Our Climate Change Targets Demand Immediate Action on Combined Heat and Power

CHP: Bridging the Energy Gap 2007
CHPA's Annual Conference and Dinner
The Association's 2007 Conference took place on the 15th November 2007 at One Great George Street, Westminster, London SW1.
The Conference will was followed by a Dinner in the impressive Central Hall at the Natural History Museum, London SW7
This event was a "must attend" for all people with an interest in CHP.

View the programme & presentations

14 November 2007: Time to Act
The Association welcomes today's publication of Delta Energy and Environment's Benchmarking Study of the UK against other countries in terms of CHP policies and impact entitled "Time to Act". The report provides an excellent overview of the inadequacies of existing CHP support within the UK and demonstrates this underlying assertion in the context of other European Member states.
The report can be downloaded free of charge by clicking here (pdf)

2 November 2007: Biogas CHP District Energy Scheme to Cut Building Emissions
Cornhill Estates has submitted plans to build seven houses, 10 flats and offices that will be linked to a new Zero-Carbon Biogas CHP scheme. A spokesperson for Cornhill Estates commented: "We intend to make the houses zero carbon for heat using either wood pellet stoves and back boilers or wood pellet boilers. We will make all the boilers zero carbon for electricity using Poundbury's new district biogas CHP system. To achieve zero carbon for electricity for all the buildings we will draw their electricity from the new CHP plant". Comments on the scheme can be submitted to West Dorset District Council by November 30.
To read the full article click here

23rd October: Greater London Authority Act Receives Royal Assent
On Tuesday 23rd October the Greater London Authority Act received Royal Assent. It provides the Mayor of London with more strategic powers in key areas such as climate change and housing. The Act brings into law a broad package of additional powers for the Mayor of London and the London Assembly. The Act builds on the earlier Greater London Authority Act (1999) by giving the Mayor new lead roles in housing and tackling climate change as well as strengthened powers over planning and waste. Under the provisions of the GLA Act 2007 the Mayor will:
* Publish a London housing strategy, setting out his strategic housing investment priorities for London;
* Be able to determine planning applications of strategic importance in London;
* Publish a strategy for reducing health inequalities between Londoners;
* Be subject to a duty to address climate change, and publish a London climate change mitigation and energy strategy and an adaptation to climate change strategy for London.
The Assembly will also be subject to a duty to address climate change, and will be able to hold confirmation hearings in order to scrutinise candidates for key appointments the Mayor intends to make.
The Act also allows the establishment of a London Waste and Recycling Board to promote the production of less waste in the capital and encourage recycling and re-use of waste.
For further information please click here (pdf)

20 October 2007: Waste Heat Recycling Plants Seen as Solution
A 10th of the UK’s electricity will come from power plants that recycle waste heat within the next three years, the government said on Friday.
In conventional power stations, the heat that is the by-product of electricity generation is wasted, but "combined heat and power" or CHP plants capture the heat and pipe it to local buildings. The government also said in a report on the technology that CHP could provide up to 17 per cent of the UK’s electricity in future.
Few combined heat and power plants have been built in the UK, though the technology is popular in Scandinavian countries. One reason is that most British power stations are located far from towns, and waste heat can only be piped to buildings within a few miles of the source.
However, some businesses use small CHP plants, also called cogeneration plants, to power their facilities.
The government wants more CHP plants, as they are energy-efficient and produce less carbon dioxide than conventional power operations.
In 2005, according to a government report, there were about 1,500 CHP plants in the UK, with a total capacity of more than five gigawatts, generating 27 terawatt hours of electricity and 52 terawatt hours of heat. By 2010, the UK should be generating 36 terawatt hours of electricity and 350 terawatt hours of heat, according to projections.
The government offers incentives to CHP, including enhanced capital allowances and exemption from the climate change levy. But the Combined Heat and Power Association, an industry body, said on Friday that these were not enough.
Graham Meeks, director of the CHPA, said: "In the absence of effective incentives to build CHP plants, our leading power companies are lining up to build a new generation of less efficient, power-only plants."
Source: FT
Read the CHPA Press Release here (pdf)

Read the Potential Study here

Read the Government's CHP progress report here

October 2007: Combined Heat & Power Association Seeks Head of Policy
The CHPA is seeking to appoint a new Head of Policy to lead the Association's programme of work in policy development, government relations and parliamentary lobbying. Reporting to the Director, candidates should have a minimum of 5 years working experience in a relevent commercial or public policy position, with a comprehensive understanding of the energy sector. Salary is in the region of £45k, with a package including an employer's pension contribution. Further details can be obtained from Marta Miazza at the CHPA (020 7828 4077 or marta.miazza @ chpa.co.uk).

26 October 2007: CHP Could Play a Key Role in New Welsh Civic Centre
A CHP scheme could be used to supply Cardiff’s civic centre with heat and electricity under ambitious plans. The Welsh Assembly Government will part fund a feasibility study into setting up combined heat and power (CHP) scheme at Maindy to supply the historic Cathays Park area.

22 October 2007: SSE acquires 30% stake in Vital Energi
Scottish & Southern Energy (SSE) has acquired a 30% stake in combined heat and power specialist Vital Energi Utilities for £6m.
The announcement follows a deal between SSE and Berkeley Homes to provide energy for a major development in south-east London. SSE will be responsible for installing an energy centre, including a CHP plant, which will serve 450 flats, a nursery, a doctors' surgery and commercial units.

12 October 2007: RWE Npower Cogen Launch New Website
To view the new site and learn more about RWE Npower Cogen, one of the leading developers of industrial CHP (Combined Heat and Power) in the UK, please click here.

12 October 2007 : Vital Energi still continues to recruit but not just in the North!
Due to phenomenal success in winning major projects throughout the UK, Vital Energi has created four new senior management positions in the North and South of England. Opportunities are immediately available for two senior proven Commercial Managers and two Contract Managers reporting directly at board level with respective regional responsibility. For further details about these exciting opportunities please visit our brand new website at www.vitalenergi.co.uk

11 October 2007: CCHP at heart of Olympics: Elyo selected as preferred bidder
Read CHPA press release.

5 October 2007: ENER-G Acquires Utility Services Company
ENER-G has bought the utility services company CMR Group. ENER-G's aquitisition represents a significent development in the development of thier energy service department. ENER-G chairman Tim Scott said: “CMR is a great addition to our growing businesses in this rapidly developing sector. Bringing together the skills, strengths and experience of our enlarged team will enable us to accelerate the growth of this division and confirm ENER-G as a leader in providing cost saving and environmentally preferential solutions".
For more infomation please click here

3 October 2007: Conservatives Address Waste Heat
On the Final day of the conference season, the Shadow Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs announced that the Conservatives would take a lead and firmly address the alarming waste of heat, within the UK's power generation. The Conservatives had previously flagged the idea of the introduction of a "Power Station Waste Heat Levy" within the Quality of Life Report. However, today's announcement marks that the idea has now been accepted and will appear in the parties manifesto. Mr Ainsworth commented that the introduction of a "Power Station Waste Heat Levy will encourage the capture and use of heat which today is just thrown up into the sky".
Please click here to read more:

2 October 2007: Tim Eggar Backs CHP as Rround Ttable Discuss the role of Heat
The last of the three fringe events that aimed to address the alarming waste of heat, within the UK's power generation was held today. The Fringe event entitled "Heat-The UK’s Energy Gap" was hosted by the CHP Association, the Renewable Energy Association & the Green Alliance, hosted at the Blackpool Town Hall and bought together a wealth of commercial, regulatory and political experience. The event was chaired by Graham Meeks the Director of the CHPA and guest speakers included Gaynor Hartnell of the REA, Russell Marsh the Head of Policy at Green Alliance, Phillip Piddington the Head of Cogen RWE Npower and Tim Eggar one of the driving forces behind the Quality of Life Commission. Mr Eggar, formerly Minister for Energy in the Department of Trade & Industry from 1992-1996, viewed the urgent need to reduce wastage of Heat in the UK economy and the greater uptake of Decentralised CHP as pivotal, if the UK will meet the challenges that will be laid out in the Climate Change Bill.

1 October 2007: CHP will Help Industry Respond to the Zero Carbon Challenge
Housing and Planning Minister Yvette Cooper has urged developers to focus their efforts to deliver the eco homes of the future as Communities and Local Government has published revised guidance to help the industry respond to the challenge of meeting the zero carbon homes target. The guidance, which responds to comments and feedback from industry, provides greater clarity in a number of areas including the future eligibility of different energy sources, including CHP and District Heating and Cooling. The technical guidance can be found here.

27 September 2007: CHP Helps "Thanet Earth"
A major new glasshouse development has today been announced. The Fresca Group's joint development with Dutch grower the "Rainbow Growers", have named the 91 Hector site "Thanet Earth". CHP will used to help supply Heat and Electricity to a major new greenhouse development, in Ken. The group believe that the CHP unit will become the largest horticultural CHP of it's kind, within the UK.
For more information click here for the BBC article.
And here for the Company Press release.

27 September: BERR: Energy Statistics Release
DBERR have released their quarterly energy statistics and prices.DBERR commented that the accuracy of CHP data has improved, they note this is particular true for Large Scale CHP: " for some large schemes who,in order to be included in the CHP European Union Emissions Trading Scheme (EU-ETS) Phase II National Allocation Plan (NAP), had to submit auditable data to the CHP Quality Assurance Programme (CHPQA) for the first time". The largest contribution to electricity generation from CHP in 2006 came from Yorkshire and the Humber. Next largest are the North West and the South East. Nearly 60 per cent of the UK's CHP generation comes from these 3 regions. In terms of economic activity (as measured by Gross Value Added) Yorkshire and the Humber and the North East have the greatest regional shares of CHP electricity generation capacity with more than twice the density of the North West in third position. In terms of the share of heat generation from CHP, Scotland and the North West predominate. It is in these two regions that there is a significant presence of steam turbine CHP plant. * While in the UK the increase in CHP capacity in the period 2004 to 2006 was only a modest 2 per cent, the West Midlands recorded a 13 per cent increase and the North East a 12 per cent increase. Nine new schemes opened in Northern Ireland in this period. For more information please Click here to read more.

18 September 2007: Changes to CHPQA to accommodate the Cogeneration EU Directive (2004/8/EC)
Following an event at the Association, CHPQA have posted the proposed new X and Y values. These will apply to EXISTING CHP Schemes from the end of 2010-Jan 2011and already apply to NEW Schemes as from Jan. 2007. These values are the most up-to-date information at present. The key elements of DEFRA/CHPQA approach are the development of a series of X and Y values that could simultaneously satisfy the 70% efficiency and 10% Primary Energy Saving conditions, the maintenance of the CHPQA design principle that a power-only station, or a stand-alone boiler, cannot meet a QI of 90 or over (allowing a margin of 10% to give a QI of 100). In addition, CHPQA have stressed that this principle was at the heart of the CHPQA methodology since it's conception and was intended to be retained post 2011. Please click here to access more information regarding the changes to CHPQA to accommodate the Cogeneration EU Directive

9 August 2007: Ramboll Snaps Up Whitbybird
The Combined Heat and Power Association is pleased to announce that Whitbybird' s Board of Directors has unanimously accepted Ramboll's offer to buy a majority share in the company. The news highlights a real determination by both parties to capitalise on the substantial opportunities for CHP led District Energy, District Heating, and other forms of sustainable energy infrastructure, in the UK market.

Ramboll, an international Danish consultancy engineering company, has been actively engaged in worldwide energy development for more than 35 years. District and Community Heating, incorporating CHP is one of Ramboll's important services. Ramboll covers all aspects of CHP and district heating, from early planning stages to the supervision of the final operation and maintenance of the system. Ramboll's acquisition complements Whitbybird's strong reputation for innovation in engineering.

Flemming Pedersen, CEO of the Ramboll Group said, “To Ramboll expansion into the UK market is a natural development according to our company’s strategy for growth. The Whitbybird service portfolio and company culture are very compatible to Ramboll and we are particularly attracted to the innovative professionalism that characterises Whitbybird. Whitbybird will further strengthen Ramboll’s abilities particularly in high-rise engineering”. The new business in the UK will trade under the name "Ramboll Whitbybird".

The Association would like to congratulate both parties, and wishes them every success in developing this new relationship in future.
To read the Ramboll press release please click here

7 August 2007: Delta Energy & Environment Seek Dynamic Recruits
Delta Energy and Environment are looking to recruit two new members to their consultant teams in Edinburgh, UK. Bright candidates should apply no later than the 10 September. For full details of this opportunity pleaseclick here and follow the instructions that are laid out.

03 August 2007: The Cogeneration Company to Merge with Dalkia PLC
The Association welcomes the news that the Cogeneration Company, parent company to CHPA members Cogenco, have successfully concluded a deal with Dalkia PLC, who have acquired a majority interest in The Cogeneration Company, leading to full ownership over the next 3 years. Cogenco, leaders in the design, production and maintance of high quality small scale cogeneration units have been seeking further growth funding from an investor who would help grow Cogenco's production capacity and their “own operate” portfolio of CHP assets . Commenting on the agreement Cogenco Managing Director, Steve Guttridge said "This is a very positive move for our company and will enable us to provide the best technological solutions with the lowest operating and environmental costs and also gives us access to Dalkia's far reaching customer base". For more details please click here


02 August 2007: A boost for Biomass CHP: Carbon Trust grants £1 million funding to boost low carbon technologies
The Carbon Trust has awarded more than £1 million of funding to seven pioneering technologies at the cutting-edge of the UK's carbon reduction innovation work. The financial support will speed the technologies' development through to commercial reality and accelerate the UK's move to a low carbon economy. Garry Staunton, Head of Low Carbon Research at the Carbon Trust, said: "The diverse nature of these technologies clearly demonstrates the exciting low carbon innovation work taking place in the UK today. These technologies have the potential to make significant carbon savings and to be commercially very successful." Biomass CHP Ltd. - making biomass gas a viable energy source - were awarded £50,000. This project will install and evaluate an advanced gas-cleaning and computerised engine management system for a biomass CHP unit on a site in Northern Ireland.
Please click here to view the story

18 July 2007: Greenpeace Support a Prominent Role for CHP to Help Tackle Climate Change.
Please follow the link through to Greenpeace's website, to watch "The Convenient Solution: Showcasing Clean Energy Solutions to Climate Change" DVD by clicking here

18 July 2007: Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited and E.ON Team Up
E.ON and Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited have teamed up in a bid to produce a world class Fuel Cell based MicroCHP unit. This exciting partnership will marry the existing experience of each party in order to deliver "energy-saving technology to homes and small businesses throughout the UK" so said Brendan Dow, Managing Director of CFCL. With Energy Suppliers increasingly looking to deliver genuine carbon savings to domestic and commercial customers Bob Taylor, Managing Director of Energy Wholesale and Technology at E.ON UK said "We're keen to get the units out into homes to see exactly what they can do. While we're still at a trial stage, we believe that CFCL's technology is the most advanced offer in the market, and that these fuel cells could make a real difference to our customers' carbon footprint".
Please click here for a copy of the E.ON Press Release
Please click here for a copy of the CFCL Press Notice (pdf)

13 July 2007: Go-Ahead for Gas Fired Power Station at Carrington, Trafford
Malcolm Wicks today gave Section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989 consent to Bridestones Developments Ltd for the construction of a 380 MW Combined Cycle Gas Turbine (CCGT) power station at Carrington. As part of the consent Energy Minister Malcolm Wicks has placed a condition in the Section 90 Direction that the company shall install the necessary plant and pipeworks to ensure that the station can supply heat in the future if the opportunity materialised. He said "To secure our energy supplies, and power our homes it is important industry brings forward new energy infrastructure to maintain a diverse energy mix. In consenting to this project I felt it was important that the potential for utilising heat from the station is kept open, and the necessary equipment is installed." The CHPA gave a cautious welcome to the news but insists the real opportunity exists in building power generation near existing, not potential, heat loads.
Read the press release

10 July 2007: Opening of Aulton Combined Heat & Power Plant
Today saw the opening of the Aulton Combined Heat and Power Plant in Aberdeen. It provides energy to a mixed development including Council-owned flats, a Beach Leisure Complex and a Sports Pavilion. Aberdeen City Council is holding a special opening ceremony to celebrate the successful completion of this project. The Lord Provost opened the facility along with the Chair of Aberdeen Combined Heat and Power Co, Michael King.

5 July 2007: CHP Helping to Fight the War on Drugs as Well as Waste
CHP is increasingly being used in novel and innovative ways. One such example is at Riverside Waste Machinery Ltd where shredded illegal DVDs and even seized Illegal drugs are being used to power a CHP unit. Once the material has been shredded, it is sent to a CHP plant were it is heated to 800 oC, in the absence of oxygen. The temperature is then raised to 1250 oC by a thermal reactor, destroying the pollutant gases and cleans up the remaining emissions. The exhaust gases are then driven through a steam boiler, then steam turbine which creates power that is distributed to the local grid. The company also has plans to capitalise on new waste legislation. The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive came into force on the 1st July 2007. The Directive means that Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment must now be disposed and stored in a sustainable way.

29 June 2007: Royal Seal of Approval for CHP
Combined heat and power (CHP) has gained the Royal seal of approval as an energy efficient technology after being used at Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle to cut carbon emissions by 2818 tonnes - equivalent to the environmental benefits of planting 4,332 trees. Ener-g Combined Power installed CHP units at the Royal households 12 years ago, replacing the units more recently with the latest technology. 13 million KWh of electricity has been generated, sufficient to make 130 million cups of tea - more than two cups each for every man, woman and child in the United Kingdom.
Please click here for the full article.

28 June 2007-DTI abolished Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (DBERR) is formed.
Following an extensive reshuffle by the new Prime Minister, DTI has been renamed the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (DBERR). The new Department will be responsible for creating the conditions for business success, developing deeper and more effective engagement with business, with the ability to promote the competitiveness agenda across critical areas of Government policy. The Department will assume from the Department of Trade and Industry policy responsibility for productivity, business relations, energy, competition and consumer policy, corporate law, employment regulation, and, working closely with the Department for Communities and Local Government making sustainable improvements in the economic performance of all English regions. Malcolm Wicks MP returns to the Energy Minister role after Reshuffle.
For more information please click here to visit the department website http://www.berr.gov.uk/

28 June 2007-Hilary Benn MP named Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs after an extensive reshuffle.
Hilary Benn has replaced David Miliband as Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. Phil Woolas MP becomes Climate Change Minister at DEFRA, Hazel Blears becomes Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government. In the Opposition parties Alan Duncan MP will take on DBERR for the Conservatives. For the Lib Dems, Lembit Opik MP takes over at DBERR as Shadow Secretary of State where he will take responsibility for energy from David Howarth MP who becomes Shadow Solicitor General. Robert Watson became Chief Scientific Adviser at DEFRA and will join the department in September from the World Bank where he is currently Chief Scientist and Senior Advisor for Sustainable Development.

26 June 2007: Consultation on the Carbon Reduction Commitment is Now Open
Please note that the formal consultation on the Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC, formally the Energy Performance Commitment) has today been launched and will run until Tuesday 9 October. The Carbon Reduction Commitment, announced in the Energy White Paper in May, is a mandatory cap and trade scheme that will cap emissions from up to 5000 large business and public sector organisations, which are collectively responsible for around 14 million tonnes of carbon each year. There will be a series of events aimed at increasing the level of understanding of CRC. Please note that the one day workshops are being held on 12 July in London and 19 July in Manchester. Please click here to access the consultation links and more details of these events.

21 June 2007-Energy White Paper and Climate Change Levy Exemption comment:Ian Pearson MP

Gregory Barker MP (Con): The trouble with the energy White Paper is that it flags up many interesting ideas, but totally fails to set a coherent strategy for ambitious implementation. Take combined heat and power, which has huge potential. Did the DEFRA team point out that exemption from the climate change levy, which is trumpeted in the White Paper as the principal policy incentive for more CHP, only lasts until March 2013? Given that it takes up to five years to get a large project up and running, the exemption for new projects is almost worthless. Is it not the case that the Minister's-
Mr. Speaker: Order. That is more than one supplementary.
Ian Pearson: I met representatives from the Combined Heat and Power Association earlier this week and they told me how encouraged they have been by the fact that the Government have been listening to their concerns. The hon. Gentleman raises the issue of the climate change levy exemption and we will need to look at that. We need to send the right long-term signals and the Government believe that CHP will be an important element of the UK's energy mix for the future.

13 June 2007: Poyry provides services for a new RDF power plant in Germany
Finland-based Poyry has been awarded a contract to provide engineering services for a combined heat and power plant in Frankfurt, Germany by EBARA Environmental Germany. EBARA Environmental Germany is the general contractor of the Hochst EVA green field facility. The value of the assignment is about EUR 2.5 million.
Please click here to read about the project.

8 June 2007: G8 backs CHP
G8 leaders emerged from week-long talks and called for international cooperation in increasing energy efficiency by significantly increasing the share of combined heat and power (CHP). The G8 states the pressing need to "adopt instruments and measures to significantly increase heat and power (CHP) in the generation of electricity". The Association welcomes this announcement and demands action in respect of it.
Please access a link to the statement by clicking here (.pdf)

4 June 2007: PÖYRY Awarded Engineering Services Contract for a New CHP Power Plant in the UKIN THE UK
Pöyry's Energy business group has received an assignment by UPM-Kymmene Corporation for services in a renewable energy combined heat and power plant project in the UK. The value of the assignment is over EUR 2 million.
UPM has decided to build a new power plant at its Caledonian mill in Irvine, Scotland. The new boiler will utilise a 350 000 t/a combination of biomass and site derived residues as its primary fuel. The total investment cost is GBP 59 million (approx. EUR 88 million).
Pöyry’s assignment includes pre-engineering and implementation engineering, project management and procurement services. The plant comprises a new boiler plant utilising bubbling fluidized bed combustion technology, an extraction-condensing steam turbine and new fuel handling systems.
The new power plant, once started up in the third quarter of 2009, will continue to reduce UPM's CO2emissions by 75 000 t/a. The company has reduced its production related fossil CO2 emissions by 25 per cent during the last ten years by investing in biofuel based energy generation and in energy efficiency. The new power plant at the Caledonian mill will also significantly assist the Scottish Executive in achieving its 2010 national renewables generation target of 18 per cent.
Pöyry is a global consulting and engineering firm focusing on the energy, forest industry and infrastructure & environment sectors. Pöyry's net sales in 2006 amounted to about EUR 620 million and it employs 6400 experts.

29 May 2007: WWF report: Making Energy-Efficiency Happen: From Potential to Reality
The CHPA warmly welcomes many of the recommendations that have been published in WWF's report. In particular the Association believes the following recommendations are integral to the future prosperity of the G8 + 5 Economies and the World's Climate:
Buildings: Government's must support energy efficient heating systems, including District heating and supply and implement fiscal incentives for retrofitting for existing dense housing stock.
Energy: The Association strongly urges the G8+5 countries to support the recommendation for a "strong expansion of CHP (and cooling) in both public and industrial sectors", whilst insuring there are minimum standards for all power stations. This must be coupled with better regulation of grid issues at a regional and national level.
Financing: Flexibility must be given to ensure that innovative financing and contractual tools, such as joint ventures between private companies and local authorities, public guarantees on bank loans can enable the greater uptake of the aforementioned technologies on a regional, national and international scale.
Monitoring: The Association supports the proposal that the IEA should be given the authority to produce progress reports on the G8's improvements in Energy Efficiency.
WWF Press release and report can be accessed here

23 May 2007-Carbon Emissions Reduction Target (CERT) Consultation Open
Following the launch of the Energy White Paper, the consultation on CERT (Carbon Emission Reduction Target), formally EEC3 is now open. The consultation document sets out the Government's proposals for the Carbon Emissions Reduction Target 2008-11 (CERT). This is the name for the obligation on energy suppliers previously referred to as the Energy Efficiency Commitment 2008-11, or EEC3. The Government proposes a CERT obligation at around double the level of activity of the current EEC 2005-08, with a continuing focus on low-income consumers. It proposes to extend the scope of the mechanism to include energy efficiency measures and Microgeneration. The closing date for comments is 15 August 2007. Please click here to access the consultation document.

23 May 2007: Energy White Paper: Missed Opportunity To Promote Large-Scale CHP
Read here (pdf)

21 May 2007: Planning White Paper Supports Decentralised Energy Vision
Read CHPA Press Release (pdf)

14 May 2007-CHPA Launch New Website
The Association is pleased to announce the launch of a new website. The Association aims to provide both Member's of the Association and the general public with some new services and information. The website has a clean fresh feel with clearer navigation, an improved members directory, with the ability to view member companies according to areas of expertise and sector. There is an improved, updated content on CHP techniques, including a FAQ, fact sheets, statistics & case studies. For the benefit of CHPA members, there is a members only section containing member's briefing presentations, member only reports, newsletters & forum agendas, & minutes.

14 May 2007: Gordon Brown Embraces CHP
Read Press Release

11 May 2007-Energy White Paper delayed until May 23 2007
The long awaited Energy White Paper has once again been delayed. Following initial delays caused by the Greenpeace verdict, the White Paper due to be published on the 17 May, has once again been pushed back. It is thought the delay is due to the start of the Labour Party Leadership race. The expected date is now the 23 May, with the Planning White Paper due just before on the 21 May. The Energy White Paper is expected to yield a variety of subsequent consultations.
For more details please keep checking the CHPA web-site.

10 May 2007: Green MEP Claude Turmes Called on the EU to Make Cogeneration Central to its Future Energy Policy
Green MEP, Claude Turmes, speaking at Cogen Europe's Annual Conference urged the EU member states to deploy the use of CHP as a fundamental means of cutting Carbon Dioxide emissions and reducing the catastrophic effects of Climate Change. In a upbeat and lively speech Turmes claimed that if the CHP, Renewables and Energy Intensive Industries worked on a common approach, limiting Global warming to 2c was possible.
Please click here to view the whole article.

8-10 May-Cogen Europe's Annual Conference
Cogen Europe's Annual conference was described by attendees as a turning point in the fortunes of European Cogeneration. This optimistic appraisal was representative the whole event. The Three day event, consisting of workshops and presentations enforced the message that Cogen is now considered the fundamental means to which Europe can deliver on it's impressive emission and energy efficiency targets. Notable speakers included Claude Turmes (Green MEP), Guido de Wilt (DGTREN, from European Commission's Energy and Transport team), Peter Loffler (Intelligent Energy Executive Agency) and Svien Jacob Nesheim (Statoil), Phillip Moody (General Secretary of the Association for Issuing Bodies) and Wolfgang Schulz (Bremer Energie Institut, Germany).
Please click here for more details

9 May 2007-UN Backs CHP's use of Biomass
A UN report, Sustainable Bioenergy: A Framework for Decision Makers has stated that "Current research concludes that using biomass for combined heat and power (CHP), rather than for transport fuels or other uses, is the best option for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the next decade - and also one of the cheapest," it says. The report warns that a hasty switch to biofuels could have major impacts on livelihoods and the environment and suggests that biofuels can be a force for good if they are planned well, but can bring adverse consequences if not. The European Union and the US have recently set major targets for the expansion of biofuels in road vehicles, for which ethanol and biodiesel are seen as the only currently viable alternative to petroleum fuels.
For a copy of the full pdf report, click here.

4 April 2007- Consultation Launched: Permitted Development Rights for Householder Microgeneration
The government has launched the first consultation paper on Changes to permitted development: Permitted Development Rights for Householder Micro generation. The paper, launched at the Green Alliance Local Government and Climate Change summit, sets out the government’s proposals for changes to the planning system in relation to micro generation equipment in domestic properties. The new system will deliver a more permissive scheme than exists at present and removes the costly and long stage of planning permission regime that exists. The system sets out a transparent, clear and precise framework for what is permitted, which will ease frustration of the existing system. The potential of micro generation has been long been realised and now it can become a reality.
Further details

30 March 2007 - Eon & National Grid Recognise Shared Benefits of CHP
The Combined Heat and Power Association welcomes the announcement that Eon is to supply National Grid with 340 KW of heat from it's planned 1,275 MW CHP plant on the Isle of Grain. The agreement is expected to save 350,000 tonnes of emissions a year, reduce primary fuel consumption and will drive up the overall efficiency of both operations. The National Grid had been using natural gas to warm the Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Terminal on the Island. The announcement means that heat is no longer being wasted and disposed of in the River Medway. Asides from the positive environmental impact, it is clearly a win-win for both parties.
For more information please these two links, Eon & National Grid

27 March 2007 - BAA Approves CHP for Heathrow's New Terminal
BAA has today announced that 85% of Heathrow's fifth Terminal heat demand will be supplied from a district heating network. Vital Energi undertook the District Heating connecting the Thames Valley Power CHP station to T5. The pipework was some 3km long between the two sites. The existing CHP unit will recover and export nearly all it's waste heat.
Please click here

22 March 2007 - London Energy Partnership Launches Studies on Wind Power & Planning Policy at Annual Forum
Two studies were published today at the annual London Energy Partnership Forum in City Hall. One of the London Energy Partnership reports identifies the feasibility of large-scale wind and biomass plants in London. The 'London Wind and Biomass Study' considers how London can reduce its carbon emissions by using more wind energy and by using (CHP), which fuel homes and businesses more efficiently than traditional power plants. The study shows how the power generated at 25 possible locations for wind power could supply electricity to around 116,015 households, saving 147,015 tonnes of carbon dioxide a year.
For more information please use the links below.
www.london.gov.uk and www.lep.org.uk

21 March 2007 - Gordon Brown Delivers his Final Budget

Emissions, Industry and Fuels
Biofuels will, by 2010, account for 5 per cent of all fuel in road vehicles and by 2020 potentially 10 per cent. Will extend to 2010 the Biofuels duty differential worth 20p per litre, a fuel duty discount of 40 per cent;
Extending to 2012 the biogas incentive worth 40p per litre, a discount on fuel duty of over 80 per cent.
Introduction of a 100 per cent first-year allowance for Biofuels plant that meet certain qualifying criteria, and which make good carbon balance inherent in their design.
Government will introduce a payable enhanced capital allowance for companies not in taxable profit to ensure both profit and loss making firms have an incentive for energy-saving technology.
Modernise the system of capital allowances by simplification of the Capital allowances to 2 categories, focusing on the life span on the asset .

Homes
From next month there is an increase, by 4m, to £18 million microgeneration grants for homes. From 1 October 2007 all new homes meeting the zero carbon standard costing up to £500,000 will pay no stamp duty, and zero-carbon homes costing in excess of £500,000 will receive a reduction in their stamp duty bill of £15,000.
Reduce the rate of VAT from 17.5 per cent to 5 per cent on energy saving and environmentally friendly products in the home

Distributed Generation and CHP
Review the classes of equipment that can qualify for ECAs for good quality heat and power (CHP) to ensure that the scheme includes all necessary equipment for CHP
facilities to use solid refuse fuel.
Gov has asked Ofgem to examine how green homes can benefit more from the prices paid when they become not just sources of clean energy for themselves, but sell it back to the grid.
Inflation increase from next April in the climate change levy and the scheme will be simplified. This includes reforming how relief is applied to energy-intensive
businesses that sign climate change agreements. This will align procedures with other relief, and remove an unnecessary and redundant provision, allowing levy relief to be provided where certification is received after the supply, and removing the requirement on customers to notify suppliers before it is destined for export or onward supply.
Renewable Obligation Certificates from electricity generated from microgeneration technologies, by individual householders, will not incur an income tax or capital gains tax charge.
For more information please click here.

13 March 2007 - Draft Climate Change Bill Announced
The Bill provides a legal framework to manage future emissions. It provides a clear, credible and long term framework that will provide greater clarity and confidence for businesses and individuals to plan and invest in delivering the changes needed to move to a low carbon economy. It will demonstrate leadership through example - a vital factor in helping to secure future international agreements.
In summary the Bill:
makes challenging carbon dioxide reduction targets for 2020 and 2050 legally binding; introduces a system of 'carbon budgeting' capping emissions over five-year periods - with three budgets set ahead to help businesses plan and invest with increased confidence; creates a new independent body to advise on the setting of carbon budgets and to report to Parliament on progress; contains enabling powers to make future policies to control emissions quicker and easier to introduce and
introduces a new system of Government reporting to Parliament including on climate change adaptation policies.
View the Draft Bill here.

9 March - EU Leaders Agree Climate Change Targets
European leaders today launched a green revolution, after agreeing to take on ambitious climate change goals including legally-binding targets for switching to renewable energy sources such as wind, wave and solar power.
The landmark deal, which came at the end of an EU summit in Brussels, saw leaders pledge to cut overall levels of greenhouse gas emissions by 20 per cent from 1990 levels by the year 2020 - vowing to boost the figure to 30 per cent if the rest of the developed world does the same.
They also agreed a separate binding target of obtaining at least 20 per cent of all Europe’s energy needs from renewable sources by the same date.
The agreement came after hours of wrangling over how far European countries should go in leading the new global environmental campaign.
23 March 2007-Launch of report to plug energy sector skills gap
Read more here.

6 March 2007- ESCO Guidance Supports CHP.
The Combined Heat and Power Association (CHPA) welcomes today’s publication of the London Energy Partnership’s report “Making Energy Service Companies Work: Guidance and Advice on Setting Up and Delivering an ESCO”.
The Association believes the document will harmonise the ESCO model structure and provides assistance, helping to identify the most appropriate and effective model for individual projects. It provides a “fast track” to current knowledge, both in the UK and internationally and will enable individuals, companies and Local Authorities to address their energy needs directly.
Read the report here.

6 March 2007- Manifesto for Future Emissions Trading Launched
The CHPA is pleased to announce that the UK's manifesto on the EU Trading scheme was published today. It sets out how the UK wants to see the
emissions trading scheme develop after 2012 with CHPA being one of over 40 businesses and NGO signatories. We agree with DEFRA that the development of emissions trading is key to the EU's strategy for reducing emission from industry. The placement of a monetary value on current and future emissions it provides an incentive to assess and improve energy efficiency. We are pleased that it has been recognised that are business activities should be exposed to the full costs of GHG emissions to encourage action to mitigate climate change. We are hopeful that governments will set out future levels for post 2012 and agree on the trajectory for the cap on emission covered by EU ETS until at least 2030 in this weeks meeting of EU heads of state in Brussels where climate change will feature heavily on the agenda. In developing the scheme past 2012 the potential market distortions are minimised. Additionally, it aids efficiency and transparency of the market, which achieves harmonisation
across the EU. It also provides an option to expand across the EU and sectorally.
Further information here.

6 March 2007 - Royal Commission Backs CHP
The CHPA welcomes the findings of the Built Urban Environment section of the Royal Commission on Environmental pollution. The Association agrees that decentralised energy represents one of the greatest opportunities to lower Carbon emissions and therefore lessen the environmental impacts of inefficient energy use. We therefore support the reports recommendation that the new Planning Policy Statements on Climate Change should require all new developments beyond a certain size to incorporate a strategic approach to energy planning and provision which makes full use of opportunities to optimise the use Combined Heat and Power

6 March 2007 - Neath Port Talbot Council Installs CHP
Neath Port Talbot Council has taken delivery of three CHP units, all of which have been funded by the Welsh Assembly (installation covered by council.) It is the only programme of its kind in Wales that shows the benefits of on site micro generation systems. One will be installed in Dan Y Bryn home for older people in Pontardawe and the other two in Pontardawe swimming pool and the Vale of Neath leisure centre. Dalkia has installed the 210kWe electricity capacity, 340kWth heating capacity devices and will be responsible for maintenance. The CHP scheme now reduces annual carbon dioxide emissions by 300 tonnes and produces energy cost savings of £45,000 per annum.

6 March 2007 -Cogenco Supply Yorkshire Water with CHP
Cogenco has been awarded a comprehensive framework agreement with Yorkshire water. They will supply, install and maintain 4 new units (in addition to the 14 existing units.) All the units run on biogas, which is generated by Yorkshire Water from their wastewater treatment programme.

22 February 2007 - Energy White Paper Delayed
Alistair Darling has today made a statement on the timing of Energy White Paper. In an address to Parliament he stated that it was unlikely to released until May. In addition, the government will not be challenging the court ruling.
Full article here.

22 February 2007 - CHP Generating Interest at Crucial Time
The Association welcomes indications that CHP is back on the Ministerial agenda before the release of the Energy White Paper. Responding to a recent statement made by Ian Pearson, Minister of State for Climate Change and the Environment, Philip Piddington, Director of the CHPA, made the following comments:
“Government must provide bankable policy measures to encourage renewed investment in clean, highly efficient energy technologies"
Mr Pearson MP has recently stated that government is set to announce new measures that could stimulate the take up of CHP plant. Mr Pearson, 'a supporter of CHP', is keen to try and improve the sector's ability to meet the target of 10GW of CHP plant by 2010.
In addition, Alistair Buchanan, Chief Executive of Ofgem, has recently expressed the need for clarity of government policy in regards to CHP, distributed generation and tackling fuel poverty. The Association believes that this further underlines the need for transparent and accessible support mechanisms, enabling the regulator and the investment community to realise the potential for CHP in the UK.
Mr Piddington concluded by adding:
"The Association welcomes these comments, it should be an interesting year for CHP, we look forward to a constructive dialogue in the near future.

17 February 2007 - CHP Plant for UPM's Caledonian Paper Mill, Scotland
UPM is building a biomass based CHP plant at Caledonian Mill, Scotland at the cost of £59 million. . It will replace the coal-fired burner when it becomes operational in 1st quarter 2009. It will generate 215 Gwh of renewable energy thereby reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 75,000 tonnes per annum. The Scottish executive is providing £210 million under the Regional Selective Assistance Scheme. The new power plant at Caledonian mill will also significantly assist the Scottish Executive in achieving its 2010 national renewables generation target of 18%. UPM has reduced its production related fossil CO2 emissions by 25 % during the last ten years by investing in Biofuel based energy generation and in energy efficiency.

15 Feb 2007 - Energy White Paper Timeline Threatened After Greenpeace Wins Nuclear Legal Challenge
A Greenpeace challenge to the government’s energy review consultation process succeeded on Thursday 11 February after a high court judge called it "seriously flawed” and “manifestly inadequate and unfair." Greenpeace said the government would have to conduct a new, fuller energy review. The DTI said the judgement was not about “the principle of nuclear power.” Tony Blair told the BBC the ruling would not affect policy and reaffirmed his support for nuclear. The FT said on Thursday 11 February ministers were trying to rush through a new public consultation. Read more.

6 Feb 2007 - Appointments to the Renewables Advisory Board
The Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Energy Lord Truscott today announced the appointment of six new members to the Renewables Advisory Board.The Renewables Advisory Board provides advice to Government on a wide range of renewable energy issues. The board is an independent, non-departmental public body sponsored by the DTI that brings together government departments, the renewables industry and the unions. Among the new appointment's were Mr Michael Rolls (Chairman of the CHPA) and Mr Keith Plowman (past Chairman).
Read the story here.

5 Feb 2007 - Draft European Connection Standard for Microgeneration
The concept of connecting a generator to a public low-voltage distribution network without prior permission has been a new and somewhat radical approach to many parties involved. In order to enable all National Members to participate in the drafting process it has been necessary to provide a listing of countries that can and cannot at present permit the so-called “Inform and Fit” procedure. As many CENELEC members have limited experience as to the operational behaviour of micro generation systems the national committees have put forward their existing national protection settings for generation equipment. It is envisaged that (if this standard achieves a positive vote) frequent maintenance of the content of this document will be required in the initial period of mass market penetration as member state’s legislative requirements are reviewed, and harmonisation of protection settings agreed.
In the interim period the document at least provides suitable information to enable design, testing and certification of micro generation products.
In the UK, connection requirements of equipment is not a new concept as agreement for the connection of micro-generation equipment or Small Scale Embedded Generators has existed as G83/1 since September 2003 and is also referred to in the relevant UK legislation (the Electricity Safety, Quality and Continuity Regulations 2003). The draft standard content is compatible with G83/1 in that inform and fit is permitted, protection settings remain unaltered and safety of Distribution System Operator personnel remains out of scope.
Responses should be sent to dstart@btopenworld.com before 7 March.

3 Feb 2007 - DTI Reforms to the Renewable Obligation
The DTI has published its decisions regarding amendments to the Renewables Obligation Order for 2007, which it will now lay before parliament with a view to passage and implementation by 1 April. The new order reflects the changes proposed in the statutory consultation on the RO, which was published alongside the wider consultation on banding and closed in December. These changes are concerned with amalgamating output of small generators through agents to simplify the claim of ROCs for generators of <50kW, and some amendments to the co-firing rules to allow energy crop co-firing to be taken outside of the co-firing caps. DTI says it intends to lay the draft Amendment Order before Parliament next week.
Read the full story here

2 Feb 2007 - IPCC Adopts Major Assessment of Climate Change Science
Paris, 2 February 2007 - Late last night, Working Group I of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) adopted the Summary for Policymakers of the first volume of "Climate Change 2007", also known as the Fourth Assessment Report (AR4)."Climate Change 2007: The Physical Science Basis", assesses the current scientific knowledge of the natural and human drivers of climate change, observed changes in climate, the ability of science to attribute changes to different causes, and projections for future climate change. Read more.

26 January 2007 -"Green Attraction" Swansea Leisure Centre Embraces CHP.
The refurbishment of Swansea Leisure Centre is a £32 million project due for completion in December 2007. The development places CHP at the heart of it's energy saving initiative with a 300 KWe gas-fired, combined-heat-and-power plant, which will provide electricity and additional heat to a network of pools, a multi-purpose hall for sports, conferences, exhibitions and concerts, a health-spa and a treatment-centre, café-bar, an internet-café, party-and function-rooms and a fitness-arena with more than 160 items of the latest kinds of equipment and monitoring-systems.The project was selected by the Carbon Trust for its "Low-Carbon Buildings Acceleration Programme" (LCBAP), which promotes refurbishment projects that have a key focus on minimising, throughout the design, construction and occupation phases, the carbon-emissions from those buildings.
For Further Information and the Press Article please click here

23 January 2007 - CHP at the 2012 Olympics
The Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) today announced ground-breaking plans to ensure the 2012 Games are the ‘greenest’ ever. The 'Sustainable Development Strategy' . launched today at 10 Downing Street, includes targets for low carbon, low waste, and sustainable transport for building Games venues and infrastructure. The Strategy states that "It is proposed that energy to the Olympic Park and Village will be supplied efficiently through a gas-fired Combined Cooling Heat and Power plant (CCHP), housed at Kings Yard, on the western edge of the Park...After the Games there will be opportunities for this network to grow into surrounding areas and for extra sources of heat and power to be added. The CCHP will allow for a further reduction in carbon emissions of some 20 to 25 per cent over current building regulations and industry standards."
Read the full press release here.
Read the Sustainable Development Strategy here.

10 January 2007: European Commission Sets out a New Impetus for the Internal Energy Market
President Barroso outlined his European energy initiative today. In a keynote speech Mr Barroso pledged a series of targets and commitments to increase the competition of Europe's energy markets and cut carbon emissions. The following targets were set: EU members are to cut their carbon emissions by 20% by 2020 (1990 baseline), there should be a 20% increase of renewables in the EU energy mix by 2020, 10% of Europe's transport fuel should be derived from biofuels by 2020 and there will be a 20% increase in energy efficiency by 2020. This will instil confidence for long term investment for energy efficient technology such as CHP.
The press release for today's announcement can be viewed here
and associated memoranda can be accessed here.

January 2007: Defra Opens Up Bio-Energy Capital Grants Scheme Third Round - Support for Biomass Heat
Defra today opened a ten week application window for the third round of the Bio-energy Capital Grants Scheme. The £10-15m scheme was announced this Spring in the new Climate Change Programme and the Government response to the Biomass Task Force report. It will support the installation of biomass-fuelled heat and CHP projects in the industrial, commercial and community sectors, including local authorities and schools. More information here.

January 2007:EUETS - Defra Phase I Year 1 Summary Report Published
Defra are preparing extensive reports on NAP I Year I (2005) reports - 20 will published in total (reflecting the different sectors in NAP I). The first was published on 20 December and is a useful 20-page summary over the whole piece. It can be downloaded here.

On CHP it says the following:
"1.7.1 - Treatment of CHP plants - critics have argued that the Phase I classification and allocation methodology did not reflect the fact that future growth and emissions of combined heat and power (CHP) plants differ from those of non-CHP installations in the same host sectors. For Phase II, a separate sector for good-quality CHP (GQ CHP) has been created to improve the equity of treatment across CHP plants, and particularly the transparency and accuracy of setting the CHP sector cap. Despite these changes, some sectors of industry are still concerned about the treatment of CHP plants and the consequences of the Phase II allocations to CHP."

January 2007: Revisions to Government's Emissions Trading Plan
On 21 December 2006 the Government released a revised version of the list of allocations to UK installations under the Phase II (2008 - 2012) National Allocation Plan (NAP) Revisions were made as a result of new information which came through to Government via responses to the August NAP. A number of changes have been made to the CHP sector including revisions to the New Entrant projections, a change in the size of the CHP NER ring-fence, and a revision to the number of allowances contributed by the CHP sector to the ring-fence. The revised list of installation allocations (which are being consulted upon - deadline for responses is 12 January) and report highlighting the full range of changes made to the NAP are downloadable here.

4 January 2007: Burnham Announces £100m Funding to Boost NHS Energy Efficiency
Health Minister, Andy Burnham has released a £100m of extra funds to help the NHS improve energy efficiency and decrease its carbon emissions. CHP has been highlighted as a key technology in helping improve hospital energy efficiency. This announcement was made at the same time as the publication of a new energy performance report for the NHS which showed measurable progress against energy efficiency and carbon emission targets. Read the full press release, which highlights two CHP hospital schemes, here. The energy performance report 'Statistics on energy performance and carbon and CO2 emissions - NHS England 1999/00 to 2004/05 (with prediction to 2009/10)' can be purchased from www.tsoshop.co.uk

3 January 2007: CHP & District Heating Schemes Drive Greener Local Authorities
The Guardian has drawn up a list of Britain's 10 best performing councils on green issues and have highlighted that half of these are using CHP and district heating to lower emissions and save local tax payers money. The 'top ten' list was compiled in consultation with the Energy Saving Trust (EST), the Carbon Trust, the Local Government Association and the Improvement Development Agency. For the full news story please use the following link.