Taming the #carbon cutting beast

The carbon-cutting beast that is the Carbon Reduction Commitment Energy Efficiency Scheme (CRC) is aimed at cutting the UK’s carbon emissions.

While many businesses want to reduce their energy emissions, the CRC has attracted criticism for being overly complicated and costly.

According to a KPMG report, it is estimated the administrative cost per participant to date has been between £30,000 to £36,000, with future costs of about £8,000 per year over the next three years.

This will impact on SMEs taking part in the scheme, where they have to cover costs, establish management systems, registering with the scheme and producing reports.

To simplify the CRC, the Government published a consultation in March. Rather than announcing anything out of the ordinary, it builds on several informal discussion papers issued in 2011.

These include qualification for phase two of the scheme, based only on the consumption of electricity by business through settled half hourly meters and the 6,000MWh annual threshold. Although this will lead to a reduction in the number of participants, modelling suggests emissions coverage at current levels will be maintained.

The supply rules will remain the same but amended to provide clarity in third party scenarios. However, there will be no requirement for payment in order to establish a supply relationship.

http://www.nebusiness.co.uk/business-news/business-comment/2012/04/10/taming-the-carbon-cutting-beast-51140-30725449/

UK #Ofgem set to crack down on #energybrokers

A lack of rigorous legislation governing the behavior of UK energy brokers has allowed some firms to engage in practices that are threatening to harm the reputation of the entire marketplace.

Between the industry authorities Ofgem and the Office of Fair Trading lies a grey area in which neither has any particular sway. This has been exploited by a small minority of energy brokers, which have used practices that leave small business customers disadvantaged. Legislation is needed to close the protection gap, but the problem facing the authorities is that the vast majority of firms act in the best interests of their customers, and therefore any new legislation should not have any effect on them.

Ofgem is attempting to solve this problem and prevent unscrupulous brokers from exploiting customers through practices including misrepresenting offers from suppliers, not being clear on the fee or commission that is being charged, or only negotiating with suppliers that offer the broker the best commission. Current proposals center on banning brokers from preventing customers contacting the supplier directly and making accreditation to an Ofgem-backed scheme compulsory.

So far so good, as any legitimate broker would certainly be able to comply with these regulations almost immediately. However, should the legislation go further?

The answer to this may lie with the energy suppliers, which have been accused in the past of being silent on the accounts that brokers deliver to them even when it is clear that the customer is not on the right tariff or deal.

http://www.datamonitor.com/store/News/ofgem_set_to_crack_down_on_energy_brokers?productid=687B80C6-BB15-465E-85DE-A7EF8D5F8E66

UK to tap Iceland's volcanoes for new #electricity source

The Government is to enter negotiations to tap the power of Iceland's volcanoes to pump low-carbon electricity into the UK, it emerged last night. Energy minister Charles Hendry is to visit Iceland next month to discuss connecting Britain to its geothermal-energy resources, it was reported.

http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/green-living/uk-to-tap-icelands-volcanoes-7637666.html

Smart Meters Deployment | The Market Leading Energy Consultant - Catalyst-Commercial.co.uk

via catalyst-commercial.co.uk

'Tough' rules govern smart meter data sharing

via bbc.co.uk

Clegg in 'energy deal guarantee'

Energy companies will be required to tell customers what their best deal is, in a move which ministers say could save households up to £100 a year.

New UK Energy Supplier Energetix Sign Deal with Smart Meter Supplier #Bglobal

Smart energy meters supplier Bglobal has signed a deal to help Energetix develop a new energy supply company. Energetix, a developer of alternative energy products which is based at Capenhurst, near Chester, has bought Circuit Energy Supply, a subsidiary of Bglobal's Utiligroup business.

The deal gives Energetix an electricity supply licence which will enable it to trade electricity in the UK. It has also signed a software licence agreement with Utilisoft, a subsidiary of Utiligroup.

Read more at: http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/news/business/deals/s/1490143_bglobal-in-energetix-deal