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03-11-2008
The face of the UK's Anaerobic Digestion (AD) industry is set to change significantly as the country's leading operator BIOGEN (UK) Ltd acquires leading technology provider Greenfinch Ltd. For more details see:
BIOGEN acquires leading technology provider Greenfinch - ,
BiogenGreenfinch will hold a unique position in the UK as a business with the capability and capacity to deliver a fully integrated AD solution to the agricultural, food, waste and water industries and to local authorities. BIOGEN's integrated clean AD plants recycle food waste to produce a valuable biofertiliser and renewable energy and along with Greenfinch they have been responsible for the development of 12 plants to date throughout the UK.
31-10-2008
The new department brings together much of Defra’s existing climate change responsibilities with the energy component from BERR, to focus on solving the challenges of climate change and energy supply. Ed Miliband has been appointed the new Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change. Mr Miliband has already committed the UK to cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 80% on 1990 levels by 2050, and has announced an amendment to the Energy Bill to introduce a feed in tariff to support small scale renewables, and will make a further announcement soon on encouraging renewable heat.
Department for Energy and Climate Change Created - ,
20-10-2008
Energy Secretary Ed Milliband announced on 16th October 2008 that an amendment to the Energy Bill will be added to introduce feed-in Tariffs for small-scale green energy generators. Feed-in tariffs are effectively long-term contracts that will offer the generators of renewable energy a guaranteed price for their power above the general market rate for electricity. The Feed-in tariff will help small businesses, community projects and householders to make investment decisions based on long term guaranteed premium prices for the power their systems generate. This announcement does not change the Renewable Obligation system for larger scale renewable energy generators. For more detail about the feed-in Tariffs, see the main story at http://www.newenergyfocus.com/do/ecco.py/view_item?listid=1&listcatid=32&listitemid=1832§ion=On-site%20%26%20Micro%2CLegislation%2CSolar%2CWind
Feed-in Tariff for Small Scale Renewable Electricity Generators Announced - ,
25-09-2008
Start Date 16/09/2008 Closing date: 9/12/2008 The demonstration programme for the Environmental Transformation Fund is seeking to fund between 3 and 6 full scale AD projects which between them, meet the five key aims of the programme. These are to: · maximise the cost effective production of biogas; · maximise the environmental benefits from the use of anaerobic digestion and its products; · maximise the potential of anaerobic digestion to reduce the carbon footprint of the food supply chain; · maximise the opportunity for the injection of biomethane into the gas grid; and · maximise the potential of anaerobic digestion to reduce the carbon footprint of water treatment infrastructure. This £10M programme focuses on supporting innovative or ‘near to market’ technologies which can be used to achieve these aims. You can also register here for one of the supporting workshops which are in Birmingham and London on the 7th and 14th October respectively. Access this funding information on the Green Grants Machine Website
Environmental Transformation Fund Anaerobic Digestion Demonstration Programme Open for Applications - ,
05-09-2008
Farmers facing new rules on storing manure could turn a potential burden into an opportunity by using anaerobic digestion systems to turn the organic matter into renewable energy. That was the suggestion of ministers today, as they published revised regulations that aim to cut the amount of nitrates from fertilisers escaping into British rivers. From January 2009, farmers will face new rules restricting the times of year when manure and other nitrate fertilisers can be spread on land. The Nitrate Pollution Prevention Regulations will extend the areas of England designated as "Nitrate Vulnerable Zones" to 70% of the country. Farmers within such zones are required to limit their use of fertilizers, and under the new rules cannot use more than 170 kg per hectare of nitrogen from livestock manures. Outside these limited periods, Defra said that if farmers store their manure within anaerobic digestion facilities, they could get an added bonus of income from the sale of renewable energy generated. Energy generated from the anaerobic digestion process can be sold at the wholesale electricity price as well as qualifying for extra subsidies under the Renewables Obligation Certificate (ROC) system. The anaerobic digestion process, which involves microbes feeding on the organic material to emit a biogas that can be burned to generate power, would still leave farmers with an organic residue that can be used as a fertiliser. Phil Woolas, Defra's Minister of State for climate change, energy and sustainable development, said: "There's a really important debate to be had on an expanding role for anaerobic digestion, and its potential contribution to manure management. I am already in discussion with farming groups and other interested sectors about how we address the barriers to its increased take up." Defra has already championed anaerobic digestion through last year's Waste Strategy and this year's draft Renewable Energy Strategy. The Department sees the technology as a useful source of renewable energy as well as a treatment option for agricultural and food waste. Source: http://www.newenergyfocus.com/do/ecco.py/view_item?listid=1&listcatid=32&listitemid=1661§ion=
Farmers pointed to energy benefits under tougher nitrate rules - ,
19-08-2008
Bio-energy Infrastructure Scheme (BEIS)
Round 2 of DEFRA scheme announced - ,
As the UK strives to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, the Department for Environment and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) are delighted to announce the Second call for grant applications into the Bio-energy Infrastructure Scheme (BEIS).
This follows on from the success of the first round which provided grants of up to £200,000 to 28 projects enabling them to aid the development of supply chains required to harvest, store, process and supply certain biomass to heat, combined heat and power, and electricity end-users.
Over £2 million has been allocated to this next round, providing grant funding to farmers, foresters and businesses, within England, continuing the encouragement and assistance in getting biomass from the fields and forests on to the market.
If you are small or medium sized producer or business involved in the following types of biomass, for energy end-use you may be eligible for a grant of up to £200,000 to assist you in getting your biomass from the fields and forests on to the market.
· Short rotation coppice
· Miscanthus
· Switch Grass, reed canary grass, prairie cord grass, rye grass
· Straw
· Woodfuel from forestry, arboricultural tree management and primary processing
· Other energy crops at Defra's discretion
If you are interested in finding out more about BEIS or would like to apply for a grant please see
http://www.defra.gov.uk/farm/crops/industrial/energy/infrastructure.htm
or contact the BEIS support line on 01355 593800.
The deadline for receipt of applications is:
· Noon, 5 August 2008 for applications from businesses
· Noon, 5 September 2008 for applications from producer groups
The longer application window for producer groups reflects the time needed to obtain agreement from interested parties to submit an application.
19-08-2008
Carbon Trust Joins Forces with Professional Services Firms to Support Low Carbon Entrepreneurs Partnerships will enhance service and increase private sector support to Carbon Trust incubation scheme The Carbon Trust incubator scheme, which accelerates the commercialisation of promising low-carbon businesses, has announced partnerships with business advisory firm Grant Thornton and law firm Mills & Reeve LLP, to provide corporate finance and legal advisory support to its incubator companies. The advice provided will include fundraising support, shareholder agreements, patents/IP, licensing, company re-structuring, manufacturing agreements, joint development agreements, employment contracts and NDAs; and will amount to a total of up to 17 hours of consultancy per company, valued at £200-£300/hour. The Carbon Trust incubator scheme was established in 2004 with the aim of helping scaleable, low-carbon businesses to market through the creation of investment opportunities. A key measure of success for the incubator scheme is the amount of private investment raised and the number of license deals or significant partnerships established by incubated companies. To date, the incubator scheme has been extremely successful with: Companies accepted for incubation receive up to £60,000 of incubation support over a 12-18 month period. Deal flow for the incubator scheme comes from active prospecting by the Carbon Trust’s incubator team and the four incubator partners; the Carbon Trust’s Applied R&D grant projects and Investment teams are also an important source of new incubatee companies. More information on the incubator scheme can be found at: www.carbontrust.co.uk/technology/incubator
- ,
• 69 companies supported and 30 companies in the incubator today
• Around 20 new companies per year admitted to the incubator
• Over £70m private funding raised by almost half the incubated companies
• Three license agreements secured
• Three companies have achieved an IPO
• The Carbon Trust has invested in four incubatee companies; our Low Carbon Seed Fund has invested in two
19-11-2007
Finally, the REA has called for a parallel carbon and sustainability scheme to be introduced across the EU when the European Commission brings forward its proposals for a Renewable Energy Directive in the New Year.
REA response to the Greenpeace report “Cooking the Climate” - ,
The REA welcomes the Greenpeace report “Cooking the Climate” as a timely reminder of the dangers of destroying ancient peatlands which can exacerbate climate change rather than provide much-needed solutions to global warming.
Representing the UK biofuels industry, the REA has worked closely with all stakeholders, including the environmental groups, to draw up the carbon and sustainability scheme that will accompany the Renewable Transport Fuels Obligation when it comes into effect in April 2008. From that date companies subject to the Obligation will have to report on the sources of all the biofuels they sell in the UK against strict environmental principles. These include an undertaking that the production of biofuel feedstocks “will not destroy or damage large above or below ground carbon stocks”. In addition the carbon intensity of biofuels sold in the UK will have to be reported, and this will include the carbon impact of any land use change, such as the conversion of forest or peatlands for the production for biofuel feedstocks.
The REA believes that the UK Government has taken the right steps to ensure that biofuels sold in the UK do not produce the environmental disaster that some predict. However, the UK biofuels industry cannot be held to account for all the production of palm oil. Biodiesel accounts for only 3.5% of palm oil use and it would be right for all palm oil users to take the responsible line that the UK biofuels industry is pursuing. In addition, it is for Governments and the international community to ensure that local laws are respected or strengthened where necessary.
Please follow the links below to the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligations Order 2007, the REA Response to the Department for Transport Consultation on Carbon and Sustainability reporting under the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO) and the Greenpeace report 'Cooking the Climate'
Renewable Transport Fuel Obligations Order 2007
www.r-e-a.net/article_default_view.fcm?articleid=2767
REA Response to the DfT Consultation on Carbon & Sustainability reporting under the RTFO
www.r-e-a.net/article_default_view.fcm?articleid=2734
Greenpeace "Cooking the Climate" Report
www.greenpeace.org.uk/media/reports/cooking-the-climate
17-08-2007
With Gordon Brown’s accession to the office of Prime Minister, Downing Street has seen a week of frenzied change which has resulted in the DTI being done away with and the majority of its responsibilities – including energy - transferred to the new Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (DBERR). The REA received the following letter from the DTI’s energy group Director General Willy Rickett. Full details of the Cabinet reshuffle and a Written Ministerial Statement fro mthe Prime Minister can be found in the documnets below. To all our energy stakeholders: You will probably have seen the PM's announcement about his Cabinet and the formation of some new Whitehall Departments. This note is just to confirm that energy policy is now part of a new Department for Business, Enterprise & Regulatory Reform (DBERR) with its London HQ in 1 Victoria Street. Our Secretary of State is John Hutton. Decisions about junior Ministers will be announced tomorrow. The new Department is largely made up of the former DTI. The Better Regulation Executive join us. The Office of Science and Innovation (OSI) will transfer to the new Department of Innovation, Universities and Skills. There will be a new Business Council for Britain, chaired by a senior business figure, to advise on how government can promote the long term health of the economy. The aim of the DBERR will be to create the conditions for business success. We will have an emphasis on building an enterprising economy by creating free and fair markets and by reforming regulation. The creation of the new Department, with the arrival of the BRE and the creation of the new Business Council, gives a new focus on these themes. And they are important themes in Energy Group's work. For example, we want to create competitive energy markets and effective carbon markets. And we want to reform the planning system for energy developments. Securing reliable energy supplies and tackling climate change at least cost are crucial to business success. We will, of course, continue to work with DEFRA, FCO, and other departments on delivering the energy and climate change programmes. I attach a short statement about these and other Machinery of Government changes that has been laid before Parliament today. The structure of the Energy Group itself has not changed and remains as in the organogram I circulated last month. I will let you know as and when our email addresses change. Willy Rickett
The DTI is abolished and the energy sector is re-homed - ,
22-07-2007
The Renewable Energy Association has welcomed Government’s commitment to set out a clear timeframe for introducing a carbon-based Renewable Transport Fuels Obligation and safeguards over sustainability. But the industry is sounding a loud note of caution over whether the two-year timescale suggested today can deliver any meaningful environmental benefits. The Renewable Energy Association has welcomed Government’s commitment to set out a clear timeframe for introducing a carbon-based Renewable Transport Fuels Obligation and safeguards over sustainability. But the industry is sounding a loud note of caution over whether the two-year timescale suggested today can deliver any meaningful environmental benefits. Commenting on the announcement, Clare Wenner, Head of Transport Biofuels, said: “The industry has made it clear that we need the certainty of clear timeframes. Government has always indicated that it was minded to move to a carbon-based obligation, and now we have clarity on the way forward.” “However, the Government and other parties should not be tempted to believe that the announcements made today will address the hugely important concerns over the environmental performance of biofuels. Carbon incentives can only be effective when they are based on real data, obtained through practical experience of growing feedstock and producing biofuels. The expectation that we can obtain robust, reliable and verified data from the vast world-wide range of biofuels supply chains within 2 years is frankly unrealistic. “The proposals announced mean that much of the reporting mechanism will be highly dependent upon default numbers, derived from academic work and not real-world experience. The reputation of the industry depends upon information that biofuel suppliers, the Government and the public can believe in, not a series of desktop studies. With the best will in the world this cannot happen overnight.
Revision to Biofuels Obligation Risks an Environment Own-Goal - ,
01-08-2006
The Renewable Energy Association and La Tene Maps are producing a UK Bioenergy Map. The map will include: Further information is available from www.r-p-a.org.uk
UK Bioenergy Map - ,
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