Ofgem overhauls regulation to kick start low carbon drive

Energy regulator Ofgem is to overhaul its regime in a bid to kick-start innovation in low carbon technology. Ofgem estimates that £200bn is needed over the next decade to deliver secure sustainable energy supplies. However, the regulator says the cost of delivering all of the £200bn could see energy bills rise by between 14% and […]

Solar-powered plane lands after 14 days

Zephyr, the solar-powered plane that has been in the air for two weeks, it to come down to earth on Friday. Zephyr was launched on July 9 and flew above the US Army’s Yuma Proving Ground in Arizona. The unmanned, zero-emissions aircraft has been developed by QinetiQ as a cost effective alternative to traditional aircraft […]

Oil giants form rapid response plan for spills

A plan for a rapid response system to capture and contain oil in the event of a future underwater well blowout in the Gulf of Mexico has been announced by Chevron, ConocoPhillips, ExxonMobil and Shell. The four companies will form a non-profit organization, the Marine Well Containment Company, to operate and maintain the system. Other […]

Being sustainable in tough times

Andrew Lee of the Sustainable Development Commission says it pays to be Green

What will climate change mean for energy?

The Environment Agency’s head of Climate Change reveals the risks to supplies

Energy infrastructure at risk from extreme weather

Electricity and gas infrastructure in many parts of the UK are under threat from extreme weather conditions, according to the Environment Agency’s head of climate change. Malcolm Fergusson issued the warning at the launch this week of The Greening Campaign, a drive to involve communities in climate change adaptation. Fergusson said: “A lot of our […]

French power crisis will impact UK

Reports that France will see a power shortfall by as soon as 2013 will put greater pressure on the UK’s dwindling supply and force up prices, according to the UK’s largest energy consultancy, M&C Energy Group. France is facing a growing dependency on electricity imports as demand outpaces supply, particularly at peak times. David Hunter, […]

Minister tours anaerobic digestion plant

Environment Minister Lord Henley has toured an anaerobic digester which transforms out-of-date supermarket food into electricity. BiogenGreenfinch’s Westwood plant, near Rushden, Northamptonshire, can process 45,000 tonnes of food waste each year, which generates enough electricity to power nearly 3,000 homes. Most of the electricity is sold to the National Grid. Lord Henley said: “Today I’ve […]

Lack of renewable investment will speed energy crisis

The UK will suffer an energy crisis by 2020 if investment is not released by commercial banks for renewable projects, according to a sustainable finance expert. And key to bringing this about is helping the banks better understand and overcome the risks in financing renewable energy projects. Aniko Dobi-Rozsa told a conference that a change […]

Are we treating water as a commodity?

Will water become the new oil as global reserves dwindle