Tag: change

How the Internet of Things could change the energy market

No longer are laptops and phones the only devices connected to the internet. Smart appliances are taking over the home with smart dishwashers, TVs, fridges and more entering the market.

These appliances can be programmed to run when energy is at its cheapest or when a consumer is generating surplus energy and doesn’t need to buy any from the grid. This function, alongside the advent of the smart grid, rooftop solar and energy storage, is enabling customers to take control of their energy consumption, generating their own and trading it with each other to balance supply and demand across their communities – making a profit while they’re at it.

Read the full article in Clean Energy News

UK Government plan to tackle fuel poverty by 2018?

According to an article in Utility Week – the UK government will have a plan to tackle fuel poverty – but not until 2018!!

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Bourne, under-secretary of state for the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC), said that energy efficiency measures in the wake of the Green Deal and ECO would be “centric to fuel poverty.” He told a meeting of the Energy and Climate Change committee that detailed plans for a single scheme to replace the Green Deal and ECO would not be set out until 2018, with a focus on “how we recast ECO”.

He said once ECO (Energy Company Obligation) comes to a close in 2017, there will be a transitional year before an announcement about how it will be carried on, “likely by spring” the following year. “We are aiming to tackle the severe fuel poor first. We are also hoping to have access to more data by then… Households that can be identified as fuel poor will be prioritised – Ofgem will control that on our (the government) behalf.”

Read the full article published on 19 January 2016

 

COP21: A quick guide to the UN Climate Change Conference in Paris

The UK Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) have produced a quite guide to the “UN Climate Change Conference in Paris” – starting 30 November till 11 December 2015.

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It is generally considered that climate change is one of the most serious threats facing our world. It is not just a threat to the environment. It is also a threat to national and global security, poverty eradication and economic prosperity.

The 21st UNFCCC (UN Framework Convention on Climate Change) Conference of Parties* (COP21) will be held in Paris from 30 November until 11 December and its aim is to agree the first truly global agreement to tackle climate change. Over 160 countries, covering 90% of global emissions and representing over 90% of the global economy have come forward with their proposed national commitments to reduce emissions. Around 130 World Leaders will be attending.

Read the full quick guide.

New direction for UK energy policy

UK Energy and Climate Change Secretary Amber Rudd has set out her vision for an energy system that puts consumers first, delivers more competition, reduces the burden on bill-payers and ensures enough electricity generation to power the nation.

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It focuses on:-

  • Consultation on ending unabated coal-fired power stations by 2025
  • New gas-fired power stations a priority
  • Commitment to offshore wind support completes commitment to secure, low-carbon, affordable electricity supplies
  • Move towards a smarter energy system

See full press release

What’s so smart about smart meters?

According to veteran environmental campaigner Jonathon Porritt, replace your old gas and electricity meters with natty new digital ones and you could be helping to tackle "the biggest single challenge that humankind has ever faced" - global warming. This is quoted in an article by - which addresses the question - What's so smart about smart meters?

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Wall argues that smart meters are not just about saving a few quid on your gas and electricity bills to save people money but are being rolled out in many developed nations around the world to promote more competition, more innovation, and change the way the global energy industry works.

The aim of the UK government is to install 53 million of them by 2020 in homes as well as businesses. Smart meters will increase competition by making it easier for new suppliers to enter the market, says Sacha Deshmukh, chief executive of Smart Energy GB, the body responsible for publicising smart meter roll-out.

Read the full BBC article