Energy & Environmental Management articles from September 2003

Energy & Environmental Management archives from September 2003

Incentives for energy efficiency--call for action.(News: UK Treasury publishes the Energy White Paper )
September 1, 2003... The Treasury has published a consultation document on economic incentives to improve household energy efficiency. After last year's initial consultation, the Government is now seeking more detailed feedback on specific economic instruments to...

Tap into tax relief.(News: Enhanced Capital Allowance scheme enables tax relief for water conservation measures)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... Businesses could get 100% tax relief by investing in products that encourage sustainable water use. The launch of a new website under the Enhanced Capital Allowance (ECA) scheme enables manufacturers and suppliers of water technologies to...

Run new homes off renewables.(News: UK Business Council for Sustainable Energy hopes for new energy investments )(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... John Prescott's plans for major new developments in the Thames Gateway could stimulate a new generation of investments in sustainable energy, believes the UK Business Council for Sustainable Energy. David Green, chief executive, said:...

Cash for waste.(News: further funding for sustainable waste management initiatives)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... Local authorities in England will receive a further 135 million [pounds sterling] for sustainable waste management initiatives. Bidding details will be provided by Defra in September when funds of 90 million [pounds sterling] will be available...

Re-register for your free copy.(News)
September 1, 2003... Readers of this magazine are requested to re-register now to continue to receive a free copy. We need to ensure that our records are accurate so that copies do not go astray, and we would appreciate your cooperation in this update of...

Sustainability in action.(News: office furniture recycling program Green-Works )(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... A ground-breaking initiative based in London's East End is revolutionising the redistribution of office furniture waste streams and has received the support of Secretary of State Margaret Beckett. Green-Works is sustainability in action,...

Trading views.(News: new UK consultation on the EU Emissions Trading Scheme )(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... A new UK consultation on the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS), which comes into effect in January 2005, was launched in August. The consultation covers a number of issues including: * How the UK's overall cap should be distributed to...

Think energy wins.(News)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... British Gas saw off competition from the London Stock Exchange to win a Business in the Community award for Think Energy, its national education programme dealing with energy efficiency. It took the prize in the education and lifelong...

Sustainable fuels funded.(News)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... Heating schemes using alternative fuel sources are among the latest projects to share grants totalling 1.26million [pounds sterling] from the Government's Community Energy programme. Shetland Hijaltland Housing Association uses energy from...

Is growth more important than happiness?--Porritt asks Blair.(News)
September 1, 2003... The Prime Minister and the Chancellor of the Exchequer have been urged to focus urgently on improving true quality of life for all citizens, and to rethink the dominance of economic growth as the principal driving force in modern politics. ...

Chance to join ECA list.(News)
September 1, 2003... The Carbon Trust has urged manufacturers to submit applications for inclusion on the Energy Technology List and to ensure their current products remain listed. Following last April's Budget, eight newly proposed technologies have been...

Wind power goes prime time.(Renewables)
September 1, 2003... Britain is pushing ahead with a huge expansion of offshore wind farms which could supply green power to more than three million households and create 20,000 new jobs. The Government is inviting companies to bid to build these farms, some...

Package price: advisers call for regulation changes.(Waste News)(Advisory Committee on Packaging)
September 1, 2003... The Advisory Committee on Packaging (ACP) has told the Government how it thinks the Packaging Regulations could be improved. Its suggestions include: * bringing the Packaging Waste Recovery Note (PRN) and associated Packaging Waste Export...

Bunkered in the glass.(Waste News)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... Alan Hansen and Kenny Dalglish put this bunker to the test at GolfWorld in the Park. The bunker is a special one, made of recycled glass--and therefore its backer breathed a sigh of relief when the stars gave it the thumbs up. The backer is...

Packaging waste targets.(Waste News)
September 1, 2003... Packaging waste targets National targets: Material specific Year Paper Glass Alu Steel 2002/3 59% 33% 24% 42% 2004 50% 38% 30% 44%...

Cut pollution--and save.(Environment)
September 1, 2003... The Government wants to stop 700,000 tonnes of sulphur dioxide and 950,000 tonnes of nitrogen oxides being released into the atmosphere by 2024. Power generators, oil refineries and other large-scale processors like chemicals, sugar, steel and...

Tackling substance abuse.(Environment)
September 1, 2003... As a society, we are addicted to chemicals, and often don't even know what their effects may be on human health and the environment, according to two senior research bodies who both published reports in June. We have to wise up or give up their...

Low emission zone--capital idea.(Environment)
September 1, 2003... A low emission zone could follow the congestion charge to make the air even cleaner for Londoners. If policy-makers were to decide to proceed with such a scheme, it should ban the most polluting buses, lorries and coaches and should cover the...

Ford driven by wind.
September 1, 2003... All diesel engines in Ford vehicles in Europe will soon be made using wind power. Ford, with the help of Ecotricity, has received planning permission to install the first of three wind turbines at its Dagenham plant. They will provide all the...

Better boilers.
September 1, 2003... Boiler standards will be raised to the level of the most efficient A and B-rated condensing boilers from April 1, 2005, as part of the next revision of the Building Regulations, Secretary of State Margaret Beckett has told industry leaders. She...

Tax escape.(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... An online database has been created for the new Combined Heat and Power Climate Change Levy exemption certificates. 'Good quality' Combined Heat and Power (CHP) stations are exempt from the Climate Change Levy, and CHP Levy Exemption...

Cool fridges.(labeling of energy-efficient regrigerators and freezers)
September 1, 2003... As from 2004, consumers will be able to identify the most energy-efficient refrigerators and freezers by their labels of A+ and A++. Other household appliances are already covered by this European energy consumption labelling.

LPG--a cheap ride for how long?(Energy)
September 1, 2003... How green are LPG and natural gas as a road fuel, and should they continue to have tax breaks compared to other fossil fuels? Tens of thousands of LPG cars are now on the road and the fuels are available right across the country. Eight car and...

Transco chief's honour.(Energy)(chairman of National Grid Transco plc awarded the 69th Melchett Medal)
September 1, 2003... Sir John Parker FREng, chairman of National Grid Transco plc, has been awarded the 69th Melchett Medal, the Institute of Energy's most prestigious annual award. It was presented at the Royal Society, where Sir John looked back over major energy...

ROCs need more support.(Energy)(Renewable Obligation Certificates)
September 1, 2003... The Renewable Obligation Certificates scheme is a year old. Is it succeeding yet in its aim of bringing more renewable generation online? ERMEnergy believes not. its analysis of the ROC registry shows a shortfall on demand of 4.4TVVh, which, in...

Carbon cuts 'will cost little'.(EU news)
September 1, 2003... The cost of a 60% cut in carbon emissions by 2050 will be very small, Environment Minister Elliot Morley and Energy Minister Stephen Timms told the Joint Information Council of the EU Environment and Energy Councils, in Montecatini, Italy, in...

Targets double.(EU news)(European Parliament revision of Packaging and Packaging Waste directive more than doubles minimum recycling targets)
September 1, 2003... The European Parliament has voted to support the revision of Directive 94/62/EC on Packaging and Packaging Waste, which more than doubles the minimum recycling targets. It remains to be decided the deadline by which the new targets must be...

EU and US team-up.(EU news)
September 1, 2003... The United States has teamed up with the EU and countries including Brazil, Canada, Russia and China to create a "carbon sequestration leadership forum". This will develop a technique to fight climate change by pumping carbon dioxide...

Solar shines.(EU news)(sales of solar energy in 2002)
September 1, 2003... The solar thermal sector recorded annual sales higher than 1 million sq m for the third consecutive year in 2002, according to the 2003 European Thermal Solar Barometer published by EurObserv'ER, pushing the continent's total capacity to 12.8...

Prodi's dream deflated.(EU news)(policy panel cuts European Commission President Romano Prodi's commitment to hydrogen research)
September 1, 2003... A hydrogen policy panel has cut European Commission President Romano Prodi's commitment to hydrogen research. It will now be around one-sixth of what he promised and less than US funding. European Science Commissioner Philippe Busquin said...

Buy green power--governments told.(EU news)
September 1, 2003... Governments should buy at least 30% of their electricity from renewable sources, and companies 10%, says an association developing a green power labelling scheme for Europe. If they did, C[O.sub.2] emissions from the power sector would drop by...

Progress to clean water.(EU news)
September 1, 2003... The Water Framework Directive has been called "the most ambitious item of environmental legislation to reach the EU statute book", and its third consultation paper was launched in the UK by Environment Minister Elliot Morley in August. The...

Zero tolerance call for polluters.(News)
September 1, 2003... The Environment Agency has warned that higher fines and more prosecution are failing to stop big businesses from committing environmental crimes, despite a general improvement in performance. Many offenders are household names, and the Chairman...

The world of buildings is about to change.(focus on buildings)
September 1, 2003... Andrew Warren chaired the EU Task Group on Sustainable Construction and Energy Efficiency which reported in 2000 and proposed a directive on energy performance in buildings. Here, he looks at the changes and opportunities which are emerging...

2020 vision--next step for buildings: Prof David Strong, Managing Director of BRE's Energy Division and Chairman of the group assisting the Government on the new EU Energy Performance in Buildings Directive, considers its key provisions.(focus on building)(European Union)
September 1, 2003... The Government's Energy White Paper sets out its goals and targets for reducing emissions of carbon dioxide by 60% by 2050. In achieving this long-term target, and an intermediate target of reductions of 1525 million tonnes of carbon (MtC) by...

Clock is ticking on housing challenge.(focus on buildings)
September 1, 2003... The scale of the task of improving the UK's energy efficiency can be better appreciated in light of a newly published BRE Report. This documents progress over the past 30 years on improving energy efficiency in the largest energy use...

Micro CHP--major savings.(focus on buildings)(Combined Heat and Power )
September 1, 2003... With an ever increasing focus on energy efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions, the launch of a new Danish micro CHP technology has been widely applauded in the UK. The company with its new UK team is working towards repeating its...

Bright ideas--for energy efficient lighting.(focus on buildings)
September 1, 2003... To light up the UK, 58,000GWh of energy is used annually, equating to around 20% of total electricity generated. As most electricity is generated by burning fossil fuels, which cause carbon dioxide emissions, it all adds to climate change and...

Economical and attractive--by design.(focus on buildings)
September 1, 2003... Green design is a virtuous circle... by creating attractive places in which to live and work, with an environmentally responsible approach, lower running costs are achieved. Action Energy's Design Advice service works to improve environmental...

Life after BedZED ... can all new communities be sustainable?(focus on buildings)(ZEDFactory)
September 1, 2003... Since its completion three years ago, the BedZED development in Sutton, South London, has become a Mecca for many in the sustainable construction industry and for policymakers. They have been impressed by features which find echoes in the...

Estimating energy demand.(focus on buildings)
September 1, 2003... When evaluating energy-saving opportunities it is often necessary to estimate the annual energy consumption of equipment that is not separately metered. Energy consultant Vilnis Vesma discusses some estimation techniques. Hours-run...

What a difference an 'a' makes: in the battle to cut 12billion [pounds sterling] of energy wasted each year ...(focus on buildings)
September 1, 2003... It is hard to believe but true: around 12 billion [pounds sterling] of energy is wasted every year--roughly 30% of the energy consumed in the UK. This fact was certainly an attention-getter at the first national aM&T (automatic Monitoring &...

Best practice should be standard: Sara Eppel, head of policy at the Energy Saving Trust, outlines the Energy Efficiency Best Practice in Housing programme recommendations for the next revision of Building Regulations.(focus on buildings)
September 1, 2003... The Government has a real opportunity to make the step change in energy efficiency called for in the Energy White Paper when the Building Regulations in England and Wales are revised in 2005. Energy Efficiency Best Practice in Housing,...

Building knowledge--web resources.(focus on buildings)
September 1, 2003... According to the World Watch Institute, buildings account for one fourth of the world's wood harvest, two fifths of its material and energy usage, and one sixth of its fresh water usage. These demands will be exacerbated as population growth...

Cheers! Here's to energy savings.(focus on buildings)
September 1, 2003... Pubs and bars are getting the benefit of free advice from the Hospitable Climates programme, to cut their energy bills. The Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers (ALMR)--representing 95 companies in the pubs and bars sector--is the...

Fonebak a winner.(News)(Company wins Business in the Environment Award for 2003. The Scottish Nappy Company receives commendation)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... The company which introduced the world's first nation-wide mobile phone recycling scheme has won the Business in the Environment category of the Award for Excellence 2003. In its first year Shields Environmental's Fonebak Scheme redirected over...

Seapower vision.(News)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... The South West--with 700 miles of coastline--is aiming to have a world-class sea power industry. It has set up an expert panel to look at how to encourage wave and tidal energy companies around the world to establish new sea power machines in...

Solar rewards cut costs.(News)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... Londoners can now claim a Solar Reward of up to 500 [pounds sterling] in addition to the Government's Clear Skies 500 [pounds sterling] grants towards the cost of a solar water heating system. Solar for London helps private homeowners and...

Genuine recovery.(News)
September 1, 2003... Defra and the Welsh Assembly are seeking views on waste recovery to prevent tipping and other avoidance of legal waste management. Some operators with exemptions granted under the Waste Framework Directive were allegedly using them for purposes...

Fridge back offer.(Comet helped by Wincanton, Renew Trust and Remploy, local authorities and Defra)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... A pilot scheme offering free take-back for fridges and freezers has been launched in the South of England. Comet will take back, at no charge, fridge and freezers from customers for a three-month trial period. They will be helped by logistics...

89m [pounds sterling] for spaces.(transforming parks, public spaces)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... Radical ideas to transform parks and public spaces will be rewarded under a new 89million [pounds sterling] three years scheme. Twenty-seven English local authorities will allow the approach to be tested in a variety of situations with a focus...

Abandoned cars.(removal regulations)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... In an attempt to reduce the number of abandoned cars on private land, which is expected to increase under forthcoming legislation, the Government is proposing to reduce the period during which the occupier of the land may object to the local...

Varney on board.(waste implementation programme)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... A new steering group has been established to drive delivery of Defra's waste minimisation, re-use and recycling objectives under the new Waste Implementation Programme. It will be chaired by David Varney, chairman of mmO2, a leading provider of...

Sustainable smiles as dentist goes green.(Best Practice)
September 1, 2003... Nobody likes a trip to the dentists, but at least with one surgery in London you can have your fillings done while reflecting that you're causing as little environmental damage as possible. Dr Ash Patel, a West London dentist, has recently...

Can the City clean up its act?(City of London's social responsibility)
September 1, 2003... How do you set about making the country's financial institutions more sustainable? Is it, as some say, a contradiction in terms? The Corporation of London is well placed to find out whether initiatives such as Socially Responsible Investment...

Classrooms of the future.(project)(Department for Education and Skills)
September 1, 2003... The Classroom of the Future is a national project funded by the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) to create prototype classrooms, in 12 regions across the UK. The initiative started out with the aim of challenging current thinking on...

Three little pigs revisited: Carbon Trust scheme invests in building the natural way.
September 1, 2003... The story of the three little pigs is being turned on its head in the revolution in low impact building techniques. Of course, people continue to build with bricks, but sticks (timber frame) and straw (bale) structures are increasingly being...

Benefit from Clear Skies.(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... Twenty two new renewable energy projects across England and Wales will share more than 500k [pounds sterling] under the DTI's Clear Skies programme. The projects include: * solar water heating for converted housing for the homeless;...

Addressing agenda 21.(Feature)(environment friendly school design)(Column)
September 1, 2003... Although we are a commercial business, that like every business has to make a profit in order to survive, we think it important to undertake at least one project each year that "puts something back" as a thank you to the community for their...

Lighting the way for eco-design: Dr Frank O'Connor of Design Wales looks at the role eco-design has played in Transco's development of an award-winning new lamp ...(Column)
September 1, 2003... In view of supply chain pressures, market demands, charges for waste disposal and increasing legislation, companies need to take eco-design very seriously. Taking an eco-design approach involves considering the environmental impacts a...

Taking the pain out of recycled glass.(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... Crushed glass deposited at bottle banks around the country is increasingly ending up beneath the wheels of our cars in the form of a road construction and repair material known as Glasphalt. The recycled asphalt material contains up to 30 %...

Events diary.(Resources)(energy efficiency )(Calendar)
September 1, 2003... 15-17 September: CCWI'03 Conference: Advances in water supply management, London; incl. water conservation and recycling. Tel. 020 7594 6123, email: a.frederick@ic.ac.uk. 16 September: Open Seminar--Climate Change in the UK: Impact on...

Energy efficiency week.(Resources)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... To celebrate this year's Energy Efficiency Week, from September 22-28, the Energy Saving Trust has developed an Autumn Energy Plan to guide you through the season's energy efficiency essentials. It includes: Look for cavities... Up...

ICT--good or bad?(Resources)(Information and communications technology)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... Information and communications technology (ICT) is everywhere: but what good does it do? Does it harm society? Can it benefit the environment? A new booklet is a brief summary of two years of research with key findings and recommendations about...

New centre for sustainability.(Resources)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... The Centre for Sustainability, known as C4S, is a new centre of excellence within the Transport Research Foundation. Its strength lies in its 400 plus technical and professional staff from TRL and its sister company, Viridis. With ongoing...

Degree Days--June & July 2003.(Resources)(statistics)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... Degree Days--June & July 2003 Thames South Southern South Severn Valley Eastern Western Valley 20 yr. Avg 44 63 67 58 45 June '02 39 ...

Minimising the shock.(Resources)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... A guidance document for Local Authorities/Climate Change and Local Communities--How Prepared are You?' has been prepared by the UK Climate Impacts Programme and launched at the Local Government Association conference. It is supported by...

Progressing air quality.(Resources)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... Views are sought on a draft Air Quality Progress Report guidance to help local authorities prepare their Air Quality Progress Reports, which form part of the local air quality management (LAQM) system. (The DOE Northern Ireland will be issuing...

Building sustainability.(Resources)(The Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers and the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers conference)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... Building Sustainability, Value and Profit is the theme of the quadrennial CIBSE/ASHRAE conference in Edinburgh from September 24-26. It will attract many of the world's leading experts in building services and construction who will present the...

Water saving.(Resources)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... Reducing the amount of water your business uses will reduce your costs and increase your profits. WaterNet is a new website from Envirowise that makes it e to use the expertise in its publications to practice water minimisation in your...

Fuel poverty detection.(Resources)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... A new tool to determine the running costs of a home and the degree of fuel poverty has been produced to help social housing landlords--local authorities, housing associations and their consultants. The Powergen Pocket Affordable Warmth Survey...

Part L offer.(Resources)(seminar timings)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... Homebuilders are invited to free seminars to discover how to meet and exceed Building Regulations--Part LI and encourage higher standards of energy efficiency. Revisions to Part L of the Building Regulations, in force since April 2002, have...

School action.(Resources)(energy management)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... Action Energy has launched a targeted drive to highlight the potential 60million [pounds sterling] that could be saved through improved energy management in schools. A Good Practice Guide/Saving Energy--A Whole School Approach', tells...

New infrared thermometers are always to hand.(Products & Services)
September 1, 2003... The new Pocke Therm infrared thermometers from Land Instruments International provide a fast, low-cost way of checking temperatures without contact in a wide range of industrial applications. Pocke Therm uses laser technology to define the...

Environmentally friendly pH control.(Products & Services)
September 1, 2003... Messer UK Ltd, the leading supplier of carbon dioxide in the UK, would like to take this opportunity to introduce you to our recently launched pH control packages. These systems are designed for high pH effluent streams, such as CIP wash down...

Latest titration techniques from Mettler Toledo.(Products & Services)
September 1, 2003... During October 2003 METTLER TOLEDO is holding two User Training Courses focusing on titration. These courses concentrate on programming, operation, troubleshooting and maintenance and will help attendees become more efficient, develop better...

Environmental biotech UK.(Products & Services)(Grease Summit presenter Bill Hadley)
September 1, 2003... Certificates for grease summit delegates Delegates from Thames Water, who attended the UK's first ever Grease Summit, have received their certificates of attendance from Aziz Tejpar, Managing Director of Environmental Biotech UK. The...

David Bellamy gets 'fired up' over green energy.(Products & Services)
September 1, 2003... It may look like just a bucket of straw to anyone else but to David Bellamy and Bob Talbott is was the subject of some very serious discussions. The conservationist and TV presenter was visiting Talbott's, the UK manufacturer of biomass and...

Simister: lamp disposal systems.(Products & Services)
September 1, 2003... Simister helps Cheshire Reduce Environmental Impact Simister Lamp Recycling is working closely with Cheshire County Council and Jarvis Highways to help the Council meets its obligations to ensure waste street lamps are disposed of safely...

MSI Marketing Research for Industry forecasts that the volume of reprocessed waste in the UK is set to rise by around 38% during the next four years.(Recycling data)
September 1, 2003... MSI Marketing Research for Industry forecasts that the volume of reprocessed waste in the UK is set to rise by around 38% during the next four years. In its extensive Data Report on Recycling in the UK, MSI reports trends and data across the...

Construction projects will increasingly need to demonstrate that the noise and air pollution they cause are within acceptable and legal limits.(Recycling data)
September 1, 2003... Construction projects will increasingly need to demonstrate that the noise and air pollution they cause are within acceptable and legal limits. Nuisance and health risks to site personnel and locals are two possible problems. New guidance is...