US project helps save $840m in energy costs

A project in the US has helped save $840 million (£529m) in energy costs since 2011. Businesses that took part in the Better Buildings Challenge programme cut 94 TBTUs of energy waste since it was first launched four years ago. It also saved six million tons of carbon emissions – equivalent to one million cars. The project […]

$100m to boost US renewable fuel infrastructure

The US biofuels industry is getting a huge boost, thanks to a $100 million (£65.5m) investment. The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing the cash in a ‘Biofuels Infrastructure Partnership’ to make more renewable fuel options available to consumers. Currently the typical gas pump can deliver fuel containing a maximum of 10% ethanol, limiting […]

Supporting green energy builds ‘tougher economies’

Investing in green energy can build tougher economies and competitiveness in gulf countries. That’s according to government officials, international experts and development practitioners at a meeting organised by the World Bank. They agreed energy efficiency and renewable energy investments have the potential to cut financial pressures and improve economic productivity and competitiveness. The two-day event, […]

World’s first electrical car ferry in operation

The world’s first electrical car and passenger ferry is in service in Norway. It uses 150 kilowatt hours (kWh) per route, which is the same as three days use of electricity in a standard Norwegian household, according to Siemens. The technology giant developed the ferry’s drive system and put up charging stations with lithium-ion batteries […]

Protest at waste to energy construction site

GMB union members protested outside a Teeside waste-to-energy construction site today, claiming local workers were undercut by migrants. Recycling firm SITA has been accused of discriminating against local workers by “giving them no chance to get up to three quarters of the 400 jobs on the site at the construction phase of the job”. The […]

China’s oil demand ‘rose 5.4% in April’

China’s apparent oil demand increased 5.4% in April compared to the same time last year. A report from Platts, which analysed Chinese government data, said this rise was supported by a higher gas demand. That’s an increase of 12.3% year on year. It also said apparent oil demand in the country during the first four […]

‘Big energy users want value from TPIs’

Big energy users want value to build trust with Third Party Intermediaries (TPI). That’s according to Tesco’s former Head of Group Energy Buying. James Summerbell, who spoke at The Energy Live Consultancy Awards (TELCA) roadshows in Manchester and Birmingham last week said they want to pay TPIs and consultants fairly for the service they’re providing but they want “value […]

SSE sells three onshore wind projects

SSE has sold three wind projects to a UK energy company. Blue Energy will build and operate the Whiteside Hill, Blackcraig and Cour wind farms in Scotland. They are expected to have a total capacity of up to 98.7MW. Martin Pibworth, SSE’s Managing Director Wholesale said: “The sale represents the next step, following the recent […]

Project to boost green energy in developing nations

The World Bank is providing help to boost the share of renewable energy in developing and middle-income countries. Its ‘Energy Sector Management Assistance Programme’ will help nations integrate solar and wind energy into their grids with the Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM), which is a global forum to share best practices and promote policies towards a clean […]

James Summerbell explains what matters to an end user

James Summerbell, ex TESCO energy manager tells the audience at our TELCA 2015 Roadshows what an energy end user wants from a TPI. Hear his views on how smaller consultants and brokers can still pitch to a big company and why trust matters more than ever.