News
News
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Solar industry warns government against “suppressing” large installations
The Solar Trade Association (STA) is warning the UK government against ruling out mid-and large-sized photovoltaic installations when it rules on new support levels. The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) is expected to outline the level of financial support for solar power under the Renewable Obligation (RO) shortly. The STA is concerned that […]
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UK Prime Minister lives up to his promise to simplify energy tariffs
UK Prime Minister David Cameron has outlined measures to ensure that consumers get the lowest energy tariff after surprising colleagues with the announcement last month. The proposals will limit energy suppliers to offer just four ‘core’ tariffs per fuel and require bills to be made simpler for customers. Energy companies will have to offer customers […]
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London confirms position as Europe’s carbon trading hub
London has confirmed its position as the centre of carbon trading, now accounting for 90% of European trading and 80% of global trading. The UK’s first auction of Phase III allowances under the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS) took place this week in the City of London using the ICE Futures Europe auction […]
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Mixed forecast for giant Desertec solar plan
The ambitious plan to generate 15% of Europe’s electricity from solar farms in North Africa and the Middle East appears to be beset by problems. The Munich-based Desertec initiative had been hoping to start transmitting power from Morocco and Tunisia via under water interconnectors by 2015 but two major backers, Siemens and Bosch, are reported […]
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Microsoft to test wastewater-powered fuel cell for data centres
Software giant Microsoft is to test out whether a fuel cell power plant running on biogas generated by a wastewater treatment facility can support a data centre. The data centre research project in Cheyenne, Wyoming will use FuelCell Energy’s stationary fuel cell power to evaluate whether onsite biogas could be used to generate ultra-clean and […]
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EU should step up action on global warming, says European Parliament
In a cross-party resolution, the European Parliament yesterday urged the United Nations climate change summit in Doha, Qatar next week (COP 18) to spur Europe and the rest of the world to step up action on climate change. MEPs warn that current actions being taken by governments around the world are not sufficient to limit […]
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UK government fails to deliver decarbonisation target in Energy Bill
Energy Secretary Ed Davey today announced key details about the Energy Bill, which will be published next week, but failed to make a decision on a decarbonisation until 2016. The Energy Bill is designed to overhaul the energy market, providing certainty to investors to drive the necessary £110 billion of investment in the country’s infrastructure […]
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Carbon capture and storage can compete on costs, says report
Carbon capture and storage combined with fossil fuel power generation could be cost-competitive with other low-carbon energy sources in the 2020s, according to a report out today. The findings are from the Carbon Capture and Storage Cost Reduction Task Force, which was commissioned by the Department of Energy and Climate Change, The Crown Estate and […]
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GE to purchase 2000 Ford C-MAX hybrids for fleet
GE is to purchase 2000 new Ford C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrids as part of a collaboration between the two companies and Georgia Institute of Technology. Ford will make GE’s alternative fuel infrastructure products – like its WattStation electric vehicle charging units and ‘CNG in a Box’ natural gas fueling station – available to its commercial […]
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California hails success of first cap-and-trade auction
Californian officials are hailing the success of the state’s first cap-and-trade auction of carbon emission permits but sale price was not as high as predicted. Chair of the California Air Resources Board (ARB) Mary D. Nichols commented: “The auction was a success and an important milestone for California as a leader in the global clean […]
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The cheapest kWh of energy is the one you don't use Delvin Lane, Head of Energy 360, British Gas