The study surveyed SMEs in business, professional, finance and property services and exposed a severe lack of knowledge of available cloud-related energy efficiencies that ultimately impact the bottom line. Cloud computing allows SMEs to only pay for the computing power they use with the ability to scale requirements up or down as needed - crucially without the need of additional physical servers. Energy savings are therefore inherent with the cloud as fewer machines equate to greater electricity savings. Yet despite the significant savings available with this technology, over a third (39%) of SMEs admitted to not even knowing what the cloud is. With the findings revealing 60% of SMEs are concerned by their energy expenditure, E.ON is on a mission to get British businesses energy fit by providing the tools and advice to better understand the amount of electricity they consume, how to cut bills and save energy. Revealing a lack of foresight when it comes to business growth, less than a third (30%) of SMEs consider the impact on energy costs when making business plans. Cloud knowledge by industry sector: SMEs in property services were the least knowledgeable regarding cloud computing, with only a quarter (25%) admitting to knowing what it is, compared to over three quarters (77%) of those in business services who were aware; Surprisingly SMEs in the finance sector are the least savvy when it comes to financial savings - a meagre 3% were aware they can save up to 90% on their IT energy footprint by moving their business into the cloud. Iain Walker, Head of Business Sales at E.ON, said: 'Energy is a hot topic for UK SMEs and it's clear they are unaware of the energy saving solutions available to them. By adopting cloud computing, small businesses are in a win-win situation, they will be able to improve their productivity through its flexible approach and will benefit from savings on their IT energy expenditure.' Phil McCabe, Senior Policy Adviser at the Forum of Private Business, said: 'As with other green technologies, it is important that business owners realise that embracing cloud computing can significantly reduce bottom line costs, as well as their energy footprint. 'Using the internet rather than physical servers is a flexible and effective way of managing accounts and other paperwork, for example helping businesses to adhere to HM Revenue & Custom's record-keeping guidelines, sidestepping the aggravation and cost of more traditional business accounting systems.' E.ON recently announced a seven step plan to make energy easier for its SME customers, including new industry standards for business sales by energy brokers, better billing standards, pay-as-you-go smart meters and a customer panel to reflect the views of business, to ensure they receive the best possible service from their energy supplier. To find out more or to join E.ON's new YourSay panel for business customers please visit: www.eonenergy.com/smepanel .
Wednesday, 6 June 2012
Catalyst Commercial Review | Energy Live News
Catalyst is the UK’s market leading independent business energy consultant, specialising in energy procurement services, sustainability and environmental solutions.
For over a decade Catalyst has been helping companies reduce their energy operating costs by decisive procurement and a range of energy management solutions.
Experts in our field, we currently work on behalf of thousands of UK companies helping them to make significant savings in their energy bills, through well informed procurement decisions, by eliminating and recovering overpayments, and by helping those customers manage their energy consumption through the Catalyst Energy AdvantageTM with consumption data reports, and on going invoice validation analysis.
Collectively we have helped save them millions of pounds and helped to significantly reduce their carbon emissions.
http://www.energylivenews.com/2012/06/06/catalyst-commercial-review/
Bribes Help Secure Windfarms
This week, chairman of the Commons energy and climate change committee Tim Yeo has claimed that the best way to win support for new wind farms is with direct fincancial incentives. Or bribes to me and you. In addition, the Mr. Yeo also warned Chancelor George Osbourne not to cut subsidies to onshore facilities.
Windfarms have been a subject of much debate amongst the Coalition government, not least because of the Conservative side of the house’s overall hostility towards this particular method of energy production.
Whilst more than 3,000 onshore windfarms exist in the UK, the Coalition government’s long-term goal is to double that figure by 2020 to increase the output for local and commercial energy.
http://www.catalyst-commercial.co.uk/blog/latest-news/bribes-help-secure-wind...
UK G4S Utility Services wins E.ON Smart Metering Foundation Contract
G4S Utility Services (G4S) is further increasing its footprint in the smart metering sector with the announcement it has been awarded the Foundation smart metering managed service contract by E.ON. The service will support the installation, commissioning and full data communications process of industry compliant metering devices. Additional value added services will also be delivered, including support for legacy smart meters and providing interoperability services for smart meters following change of supplier. G4S has been providing traditional meter reading services to E.ON for many years, but this is the first time that smart metering services are being included and recognises G4S’ increasing involvement in smart meter technology. Kim Challis, Managing Director at G4S Utility Services, said: “This is great news for us and we’re proud that E.ON has chosen us to provide this service. As technology and energy provision changes, we’re moving with the times and that means increasing involvement in the provision, maintenance and operation of Smart metering technology. Our expertise in data management and Smart services allows us to provide an interoperability solution, meaning we can serve all E.ON’s Smart meters, whether installed by E.ON and their agents or inherited by E.ON on change of supplier. We look forward to a long and mutually beneficial relationship with E.ON.” Don Leiper, Director of New Business at E.ON, said: “We’ve already installed over 100,000 smart meters across the country and will install one million meters during the foundation period which runs until 2014. Our customers want more accurate bills, more innovative products and more control over their energy use. Smart meters give us the opportunity to provide this and we’re working hard to ensure that our customers who wish to receive the early benefits of smart metering are able to do so.
Energy firm to appear at committee
via fifetoday.co.uk
The energy firm behind a controversial offshore wind farm development is to appear before Holyrood's Energy Committee.
Vattenfall, the company which is facing strong opposition from US businessman Donald Trump over its proposed development off the coast of Aberdeen, will be questioned by MSPs as part of an inquiry into the Scottish Government's renewables targets.
The firm is part of a group behind the European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre (EOWDC) in the North Sea. Its location on the horizon near Mr Trump's Aberdeenshire golf course prompted claims from the tycoon that he could stop his investment.
The Energy Committee has already heard evidence from Mr Trump, and will today hear from representatives from Vattenfall, alongside other firms Burcote Wind, Renewable energy Consultants Ltd and Scottish Power.
Vattenfall's written submission to the committee, published before today's session, focused on land-based wind.
http://www.fifetoday.co.uk/news/scottish-headlines/energy-firm-to-appear-at-c...
Utilitywise raises £6.86m through a share placing ahead of AIM float
Green energy consultant Utilitywise has defied the gloom, raising £6.86m through a share placing ahead of a float on AIM.
Trading in its shares will start next week and it will have a market value of £36.9m.
The company, based in South Shields, Tyneside, was founded in 2006 and trebled its revenues last year to £11.7m. Profits grew to £3.5m.
Read more: http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/markets/article-2155057/Utilitywise-raises...
Is this the end of wind farms in the UK? George Osborne slashes subsidies
via dailymail.co.uk
George Osborne is demanding huge cuts in government aid for wind farms – a step which could kill plans for the construction of hundreds of turbines across the country.
The Chancellor has told the Treasury to draw up plans for a reduction of 25 per cent in subsidies for onshore wind farms.
The intervention will provoke widespread anger among his Lib Dem coalition partners, who strongly support plans to put up hundreds of turbines in the countryside.
Environmental groups say the cut in subsidy would put an end to the development of further wind power sites – an outcome that would be welcomed by thousands of campaigners who are opposing plans for turbines near their homes.
Only last week the campaigners scored a major victory when a High Court judge ruled that the right of villagers in Norfolk to preserve their landscape was more important than the Government’s energy targets.
Last night Tory backbenchers supported Mr Osborne’s determination to slash the amount spent on renewable energy by the Government at a time of austerity.
Douglas Carswell said: ‘Why has it taken so long? A centre-right government should be bringing an end to this. One of the reasons that the economy is not growing is because energy costs are so ridiculously high because of this wind farm scam which is adding hidden surcharges to our bills.’
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2154106/Is-end-wind-farms-UK-George-O...
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