Naked Energy to begin UK trials of its ‘two-in-one’ solar system http://www.energy-broker.co.uk/naked-energy-to-begin-uk-trials-of-its-two-in-one-solar-system/

Naked Energy, the UK cleantech firm that has developed a super-efficient ‘two-in-one solar’ energy system, will shortly begin trialing its patented technology with two commercial partners.Guilford-based Naked Energy has developed a hybrid solar system that both heats water and generates electricity. Tests show it produces up to 46 per cent more energy than the typical solar panel on the market today.The company is now “in advanced negotiations” to raise £1.5 million to trial its patented ‘thermosyphon’ technology, Virtu, with a “large energy company and a major supermarket chain,” managing director Christophe Williams told GreenWise.The two pilot projects, details of which are still under wraps, will be conducted at sites in the UK. If successful, they could lead to two large-scale international deployments – one in Chile and another China, according to Williams. The company’s ambition is to begin a major global expansion drive by the end of the year.”We need to move fast to make the most of our first mover advantage,” said Nick Simmons, financial director.

via solar energy news | Naked Energy to begin UK trials of its ‘two-in-one’ solar system.

Naked Energy to begin UK trials of its ‘two-in-one’ solar system

Greedy energy giants still trying to bamboozle us http://www.energy-broker.co.uk/greedy-energy-giants-still-trying-to-bamboozle-us/

Greedy energy firms have been accused of manipulating new daily charges to entice customers on to expensive deals.This year, Britain’s energy giants must simplify their tariffs.Instead of offering confusing tiers of different rates, they must bring in a standard daily fee to cover their costs for supplying gas and electricity.

via Greedy energy giants still trying to bamboozle us | This is Money.

Greedy energy giants still trying to bamboozle us

EU Energy Sector 'Faces £845m Shortfall' http://www.energy-broker.co.uk/eu-energy-sector-faces-845m-shortfall/

An investment of £845m in the European Union’s energy network is needed over the coming decade to avoid a crisis, peers have warned.

A House of Lords inquiry found there was sufficient money held by institutional investors to construct the infrastructure required for Europe’s future power needs.

But it said this was being held back by a lack of a clear policy from the EU and member states, including the UK, on how to deliver secure, affordable low-carbon energy.

The cross-party EU Sub-Committee on Energy produced its report after an inquiry lasting eight months.

It said it had a growing sense of “alarm at the degree of uncertainty and complacency about affordable, secure and low carbon energy supplies”.

Peers also attacked the UK Government for failing to set a target for how much energy will be delivered from renewable sources by 2030.

It called for the establishment of a greenhouse gas reduction target of 40% compared to 1990 levels, rising to 80% by 2050.

Charirman Lord Carter of Coles said: “It is clear to us that investment is urgently required, notably in a low-carbon, interconnected and innovative energy system that makes us less reliant on imports of highly volatile and dirty fossil fuels.

“Such investment would help to deliver secure and low carbon energy, boost European economic growth, and stabilise household and industrial costs.

“The value of energy companies has slumped since 2008, the public purse is severely constrained, but more than enough money is around in the investment community.

“This should be a great time to invest in long term assets, such as energy, but clear policy is needed in order to release it.”

via EU Energy Sector ‘Faces £845m Shortfall’.

EU Energy Sector 'Faces £845m Shortfall'

Millions on fixed rate energy deals urged to switch or lose hundreds of pounds http://www.energy-broker.co.uk/millions-on-fixed-rate-energy-deals-urged-to-switch-or-lose-hundreds-of-pounds/

Millions of families are in danger of being burnt by an extra £300 as fixed rate energy deals come to an end.

Households are being warned to switch when the money saving tariffs expire – or face a hike when they are put back on a standard charge for gas and electricity.

A study by website MoneySupermarket.com found customers on Npower’s Go Fix II will have to find an extra £319 when their contract ends in three weeks time.

Bill payers who fork out an average £1,033.19 will face an annual charge of £1,352.23 but could save £160.58 if they switched to another tariff.

And the energy giant’s customers on its Bill Saver May 2012 deal will be £265 out of pocket when the contract ends on May 21 with bills going from £1,086.39 to £1,352.23 overnight.

According to the research, Scottish Power customers on the Fixed Saver June 2013 tariff will be down by £258 when the deal finishes at the end of the month as bills rise from an average £1,109.71 to £1,368.45.

via Millions on fixed rate energy deals urged to switch or lose hundreds of pounds – Mirror Online.

Millions on fixed rate energy deals urged to switch or lose hundreds of pounds

Energy Bill 'should be amended to protect community energy schemes' http://www.energy-broker.co.uk/energy-bill-should-be-amended-to-protect-community-energy-schemes/

Community owned renewable energy has received remarkable levels of vocal support from ministers and shadow ministers alike as the Energy Bill has progressed through parliament. However, it currently contains no supportive policy measures and, as it stands, represents a huge threat to this vibrant and rapidly growing sector.

Currently, the Energy Bill threatens to prevent larger community schemes over 5MW, such as the Westmill Wind Farm Co-operative in Oxfordshire and the Lochcarnan Community Wind Farm in Scotland, from ever happening again. The problem is that the Bill has been developed with large commercial generators in mind. Participating in the proposed “contracts for difference” system would require a high degree of technical knowledge, creating an excessive administrative burden for community projects largely dependent on passionate and dedicated volunteers. Also, with the end of the Renewables Obligation, electricity suppliers will have little incentive to purchase renewable energy from community generators, who have limited bargaining power.

To overcome these problems the Energy Bill urgently requires amendment. Together with 16 other co-operatives and civil society organisations, including the National Trust, Friends of the Earth, Greenpeace and the Transition Network, we are calling for community schemes to be exempted from the new “contracts for difference” regime by allowing projects up to 20MW in size to access the fixed Feed-in Tariff scheme instead. We also want a duty to be placed on the secretary of state to promote new community energy generation and for a Green Power Auction Market to be introduced, where communities would receive a fair rate for their electricity.

via Energy Bill ‘should be amended to protect community energy schemes’ | Guardian Social Enterprise Network.

Energy Bill 'should be amended to protect community energy schemes'

12 Keys to Energy Management Success http://www.energy-broker.co.uk/12-keys-to-energy-management-success/

The success of a company’s energy management program depends on more than just the energy manager, according to a new white paper from Drumbeat Energy Management, which outlines these 12 steps to success.

1. Management Commitment. Senior Managers need to give their full support to the campaign from the outset. Key areas include releasing staff for training, ensuring that energy management is on the agenda at board meetings and releasing funds. It is also vital that middle managers be fully behind any initiative.

2. Funding. Most campaigns that fail usually have one thing in common: they are attempted on a shoestring budget. To run an effective campaign, the investment level needs to be between 1 to 2 percent of the total annual utility bill.

3. Response Resources. Once management has raised staff awareness, it needs to respond to the number of ideas, suggestions and questions generated by the campaign. If people do not get a response, they may lose interest.

4. Technical Staff Involvement. Technical and energy management staff must be personally involved in the campaign, rather than delegating it to a consultant or a junior member of staff.

via 12 Keys to Energy Management Success | Energy Manager Today.

12 Keys to Energy Management Success

UK Green Energy Set for £1bn Abu Dhabi Investment http://www.energy-broker.co.uk/uk-green-energy-set-for-1bn-abu-dhabi-investment/

Abu Dhabi UK Green Energy Investment Boost

Reports this morning indicate that Abu Dhabi could be set to invest as much as £1bn into UK’s alternative energy industry as part of their ongoing energy strategy. Early morning reports from the Financial Times indicated that Madsar, a renewable energy company owned by state in Abu Dhabi is set to work amongst the UK government’s Green Investment Bank and invest into green energy initiatives in development across Britain.

via UK Green Energy Set for £1bn Abu Dhabi Investment | Catalyst Commercial Services – The Market Leading Business Energy Broker.

UK Green Energy Set for £1bn Abu Dhabi Investment