Monthly Archive for March, 2010

How the Thames could generate electricity

Published on March 31, 2010 in climate change, energy efficiency and environmental. 0 Comments

Fascinating green, low carbon solution to renewable energy for the city – and not necessarily harmful to wildlife!

Could the Thames help power London?

The Environment Agency certainly thinks so and is inviting tenders for firms to deliver new hydroelectric systems

By Rachel Fielding, BusinessGreen, 31 Mar 2010

The Environment Agency is inviting tenders for hydroelectricity installations at three of its weirs on the River Thames, after research earlier this month revealed small scale hydropower is failing to fulfil its potential as a sustainable form of energy.

The Agency is calling on developers to submit proposals to construct and operate sustainable hydropower schemes at Bell near Egham, Sunbury and Teddington, after the weirs were identified as sites of high potential for future hydropower development.

The three sites were identified following a screening process for all 44 weirs on the River Thames, and the Environment Agency quietly launched a tendering process earlier this month publishing an Expression of Interest on March 10 requiring interested organisations to submit outline proposals for their chosen site or sites.

The Agency said that preferred developers will now be selected for each site by the end of May.

The latest initiative is part of a wider scheme designed to harness energy from the Thames. A weir development pilot, led by a private developer at Romney Weir in Windsor, is already underway and should be operational by the end of the year. RWE npower renewables had originally planned to develop the scheme, but pulled out last year due to concerns over project costs.

Meanwhile, Osney Weir in Oxford and Goring Weir in south Oxfordshire are also set to house hydropower schemes, with the Environment Agency working with community groups to develop the sites.

“The Environment Agency is keen to ensure hydropower fulfils its potential as a small but useful renewable energy source whilst protecting the environment,” said Tim Reeder, Environment Agency Thames region climate change programme manager, in a statement. “We hope that by offering these further sites for development we can facilitate the delivery of a suite of pilot projects within Thames region from which green electricity will be produced and lessons as to future developments can be learnt.”

Earlier this month, the Environment Agency published a report showing that there are almost 4,000 untapped sites in England and Wales with the potential for generating hydro-electricity without damaging the environment.

The report’s authors identified almost 26,000 sites theoretically suitable for hydro schemes and claimed that together, these sites would generate around 1,178MW – enough electricity to produce three per cent of the renewable electricity the UK will need by 2020 and about one per cent of the country’s total predicted 2020 electricity demand.

However, the report said the real potential was significantly less due to environmental and practical constraints. Of the 25,935 opportunities highlighted, only around 4,000 were designated “win-win opportunities” where a hydropower scheme would not harm fish populations and could deliver an improvement in the local environment as well as renewable electricity.

Energy minster Lord Hunt has lent his backing to the technology, describing small scale hydropower as “potentially one of the most cost-effective means of producing clean, green and home grown renewable electricity”.

“It is clear that recent advances in technology, reduced equipment costs and financial incentives like the new feed-in tariffs will provide further opportunities for communities to harness the power of our rivers and streams,” he added.

Could the Thames help power London?
The Environment Agency certainly thinks so and is inviting tenders for firms to deliver new hydroelectric systems
Rachel Fielding, BusinessGreen, 31 Mar 2010
The Environment Agency is inviting tenders for hydroelectricity installations at three of its weirs on the River Thames, after research earlier this month revealed small scale hydropower is failing to fulfil its potential as a sustainable form of energy.
The Agency is calling on developers to submit proposals to construct and operate sustainable hydropower schemes at Bell near Egham, Sunbury and Teddington, after the weirs were identified as sites of high potential for future hydropower development.
The three sites were identified following a screening process for all 44 weirs on the River Thames, and the Environment Agency quietly launched a tendering process earlier this month publishing an Expression of Interest on March 10 requiring interested organisations to submit outline proposals for their chosen site or sites.
The Agency said that preferred developers will now be selected for each site by the end of May.
The latest initiative is part of a wider scheme designed to harness energy from the Thames. A weir development pilot, led by a private developer at Romney Weir in Windsor, is already underway and should be operational by the end of the year. RWE npower renewables had originally planned to develop the scheme, but pulled out last year due to concerns over project costs.
Meanwhile, Osney Weir in Oxford and Goring Weir in south Oxfordshire are also set to house hydropower schemes, with the Environment Agency working with community groups to develop the sites.
“The Environment Agency is keen to ensure hydropower fulfils its potential as a small but useful renewable energy source whilst protecting the environment,” said Tim Reeder, Environment Agency Thames region climate change programme manager, in a statement. “We hope that by offering these further sites for development we can facilitate the delivery of a suite of pilot projects within Thames region from which green electricity will be produced and lessons as to future developments can be learnt.”
Earlier this month, the Environment Agency published a report showing that there are almost 4,000 untapped sites in England and Wales with the potential for generating hydro-electricity without damaging the environment.
The report’s authors identified almost 26,000 sites theoretically suitable for hydro schemes and claimed that together, these sites would generate around 1,178MW – enough electricity to produce three per cent of the renewable electricity the UK will need by 2020 and about one per cent of the country’s total predicted 2020 electricity demand.
However, the report said the real potential was significantly less due to environmental and practical constraints. Of the 25,935 opportunities highlighted, only around 4,000 were designated “win-win opportunities” where a hydropower scheme would not harm fish populations and could deliver an improvement in the local environment as well as renewable electricity.
Energy minster Lord Hunt has lent his backing to the technology, describing small scale hydropower as “potentially one of the most cost-effective means of producing clean, green and home grown renewable electricity”.
“It is clear that recent advances in technology, reduced equipment costs and financial incentives like the new feed-in tariffs will provide further opportunities for communities to harness the power of our rivers and streams,” he added.the Thames help power London?
The Environment Agency certainly thinks so and is inviting tenders for firms to deliver new hydroelectric systems
Rachel Fielding, BusinessGreen, 31 Mar 2010
The Environment Agency is inviting tenders for hydroelectricity installations at three of its weirs on the River Thames, after research earlier this month revealed small scale hydropower is failing to fulfil its potential as a sustainable form of energy.
The Agency is calling on developers to submit proposals to construct and operate sustainable hydropower schemes at Bell near Egham, Sunbury and Teddington, after the weirs were identified as sites of high potential for future hydropower development.
The three sites were identified following a screening process for all 44 weirs on the River Thames, and the Environment Agency quietly launched a tendering process earlier this month publishing an Expression of Interest on March 10 requiring interested organisations to submit outline proposals for their chosen site or sites.
The Agency said that preferred developers will now be selected for each site by the end of May.
The latest initiative is part of a wider scheme designed to harness energy from the Thames. A weir development pilot, led by a private developer at Romney Weir in Windsor, is already underway and should be operational by the end of the year. RWE npower renewables had originally planned to develop the scheme, but pulled out last year due to concerns over project costs.
Meanwhile, Osney Weir in Oxford and Goring Weir in south Oxfordshire are also set to house hydropower schemes, with the Environment Agency working with community groups to develop the sites.
“The Environment Agency is keen to ensure hydropower fulfils its potential as a small but useful renewable energy source whilst protecting the environment,” said Tim Reeder, Environment Agency Thames region climate change programme manager, in a statement. “We hope that by offering these further sites for development we can facilitate the delivery of a suite of pilot projects within Thames region from which green electricity will be produced and lessons as to future developments can be learnt.”
Earlier this month, the Environment Agency published a report showing that there are almost 4,000 untapped sites in England and Wales with the potential for generating hydro-electricity without damaging the environment.
The report’s authors identified almost 26,000 sites theoretically suitable for hydro schemes and claimed that together, these sites would generate around 1,178MW – enough electricity to produce three per cent of the renewable electricity the UK will need by 2020 and about one per cent of the country’s total predicted 2020 electricity demand.
However, the report said the real potential was significantly less due to environmental and practical constraints. Of the 25,935 opportunities highlighted, only around 4,000 were designated “win-win opportunities” where a hydropower scheme would not harm fish populations and could deliver an improvement in the local environment as well as renewable electricity.
Energy minster Lord Hunt has lent his backing to the technology, describing small scale hydropower as “potentially one of the most cost-effective means of producing clean, green and home grown renewable electricity”.
“It is clear that recent advances in technology, reduced equipment costs and financial incentives like the new feed-in tariffs will provide further opportunities for communities to harness the power of our rivers and streams,” he added.

Reducing landfill waste and getting a grant!

Published on March 31, 2010 in Recycling, environmental and green. 0 Comments Tags: , .
NLWA offered funding to reduce landfill waste
25/03/2010 14:38:22
The North London Waste Authority (NLWA) has been offered funding of £258 million to help it reduce the amount of rubbish going to landfill.
Some 400,000 tonnes of biodegradable municipal waste will be diverted from landfill each year by 2020 as a result of the project.
The money, which will be delivered through Private Finance Initiative credits, will also allow the NLWA to cut carbon emissions by around 100,000 tonnes a year.
This is the equivalent of taking 31,400 cars off the road, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs confirmed.
Waste will instead be recycled or composted, with the NLWA setting a target to dispose of at least 50 percent of its rubbish in this way by 2020.
“Reducing our reliance on landfill is an essential part of the drive to tackle climate change,” said environment minister Dan Norris.
“This funding demonstrates how local authorities and industry can work together to make better use of the waste that is produced, create jobs and reduce our impact on the environment.”
In his 2010 Budget announcement, the chancellor said that planned increases in landfill tax would continue for another year from 2014.
http://www.defra.gov.uk/news/2010/100325a.htm
Interesting to see some local authorities see the value of investing in reducing landfill waste!
NLWA offered funding to reduce landfill waste
25/03/2010 14:38:22
The North London Waste Authority (NLWA) has been offered funding of £258 million to help it reduce the amount of rubbish going to landfill.
Some 400,000 tonnes of biodegradable municipal waste will be diverted from landfill each year by 2020 as a result of the project.
The money, which will be delivered through Private Finance Initiative credits, will also allow the NLWA to cut carbon emissions by around 100,000 tonnes a year.
This is the equivalent of taking 31,400 cars off the road, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs confirmed.
Waste will instead be recycled or composted, with the NLWA setting a target to dispose of at least 50 percent of its rubbish in this way by 2020.
“Reducing our reliance on landfill is an essential part of the drive to tackle climate change,” said environment minister Dan Norris.
“This funding demonstrates how local authorities and industry can work together to make better use of the waste that is produced, create jobs and reduce our impact on the environment.”
In his 2010 Budget announcement, the chancellor said that planned increases in landfill tax would continue for another year from 2014.

Green procurement set to become the norm

Published on March 16, 2010 in carbon footprint, environmental, environmental solution, green and sustainability. Closed Tags: , .

Green procurement set to become the norm

Food for thought – good news for those producing sustainable solutions

Experts reveal public and private sector procurement professionals are increasingly willing to demand suppliers fall into line with green best practices by James Murray, BusinessGreen, 16 Mar 2010

Suppliers to the public and private sector will see their competitiveness diminish over the next few years if they fail to provide customers with information on their carbon footprint and evidence that they are improving their environmental sustainability.

That is the stark warning from a group of procurement experts speaking at a roundtable event hosted yesterday by the Carbon Trust Standard, who predicted that the number of organisations adopting demanding sustainable procurement criteria will only increase.
The trend is particularly apparent within the public sector, where the launch 18 months ago of a Centre of Expertise in Sustainable Procurement within the Office of Government Commerce (OGC) has led to an overhaul of government procurement policies.

“Two years ago we were failing [with regards to sustainable procurement] and we were severely criticised for that,” revealed Fiona Ross, director of the new Centre of Expertise. “Now we are completely transformed and on track to exceed our sustainable procurement targets.”

Ross said that sustainable procurement had become a key component of civil service procurement training courses and revealed the government is working with its key suppliers to develop a voluntary charter that will commit them to embracing best practices surrounding the carbon resource efficiency of their products, as well as their youth employment policies and support for smaller businesses within their supply chain.

The OGC is also working with the Carbon Disclosure Project initiative to co-ordinate carbon information requests for public sector suppliers to ensure they only receive one request for carbon data from government, rather than the same request for numerous departments.

Ross said that suppliers would increasingly have to meet minimum sustainability standards to secure government business, noting that Defra’s new Government Buying Standards were already ensuring that public sector bodies purchase products that have secured a “green tick” of approval from the department.

Similar trends are apparent in the private sector, where retail giants such as Wal-Mart and Tesco have made high-profile commitments to cut carbon emissions across their supply chain and environmental criteria are an increasingly common feature of tender documents.

Brian Pembroke, quality and supplier development manager at paint manufacturer AkzoNobel, said the company had a sustainable supplier policy in place and that the procurement team’s success was measured in part on how many suppliers it can get to sign up to that policy. He added that such an approach was increasingly becoming the norm across the industry.

“We are seeing a repeat of what happened with quality assurance, where companies started off with an aspiration to improve quality and now have very controlled and organised processes for managing quality assurance,” he said.

There is little excuse for suppliers not to measure their carbon emissions and embrace efforts to curb them, according to Helen Alder, product development specialist for the Chartered Institute of Purchasing & Supply (CIPS), who argued that almost all the environmental measures being requested by corporate and public sector procurement teams delivered either an immediate or short-term payback for the supplier, primarily through the energy bill savings that are associated with cutting carbon.

Sustainable procurement policies have in the past been hampered by what Jeremy Willis, head of procurement at PricewaterhouseCoopers, described as a difficulty in knowing whether to trust suppliers’ competing environmental claims.

However, he noted that the emergence of credible new environmental standards in recent years such as the Carbon Trust Standard, which requires firms to measure and reduce their carbon footprint year on year, was making it easier for companies to ensure their suppliers are making good on environmental pledges.

He added that there was an increasingly robust case for suppliers to embrace the environmental best practices that their largest customers are calling for. “Suppliers can now get the accreditation that their customers want and if they are doing it properly, they are taking cost out of their business as well,” he said.

How innovative design could revolutionise our domestic carbon footprint

Published on March 15, 2010 in carbon footprint, climate change, eco-design, environmental, environmental solution, green and sustainability. Closed Tags: , , , , .

Clever ideas on Low Carbon Economy.com – but will manufacturers act?

Household products could save 8m worth of carbon with simple redesign

15/03/2010 09:18:02
Manufacturers could save around eight million tonnes of carbon each year through using better eco-design principles, according to a newly-published eight-year study into the carbon footprints of over 2,000 consumer products.

Testing and certification specialist Bureau Veritas found that manufacturers could substantially reduce the emissions from five staple household products – the kettle, mobile phone, fridge, laptop – by simply modifying the production process and taking on better ‘eco-design’ principles.

It calculated up to 60 percent of a company’s carbon footprint could be cut by addressing the environmental impact of the supply chain and production method.

Xavier Vital of Bureau Veritas said: “While consumers are making huge efforts to recycle and buy responsibly, many companies are still making and selling products that could easily have their environmental impact reduced considerably, but have yet to take the necessary steps to support the efforts of their customers.”

In addition, the specialist called for the inclusion of ‘embedded carbon’ into the government’s forthcoming Carbon Reduction Commitment, which will come into place on April 1st.

A recent study from researchers at the Carnegie Institute of Science found that the EU is ‘exporting’ as much as a third of its carbon emissions from the consumption of goods to developing countries, such as India and China.

http://tinyurl.com/co7jqq

Why being different is the best way to win

Published on March 8, 2010 in retail technology. Closed Tags: , , .

Excellent advice in Management Today on differentiating your company – it also makes it easier to build your media awareness if you’re different

Why being different is the best way to win
Date: 01-Mar-10 Alastair Dryburgh

Since when was running with the herd good for a company’s performance? It’s all about being unique.
We’re number two – we try harder. So went the old slogan from car hire firm Avis. Memorable marketing, but is it any way to run a business? Avis has been trying harder for as long as I can remember (and that’s a long time now), but it’s still only number two.

The problem with companies like Avis – across a diverse range of markets – is that they just aren’t different enough. The days when it was possible to thrive simply by doing the same thing as the competition, only a little bit better, are long gone. Distinctiveness is now the name of the game.

So, if you want to escape a lifetime of trying ever harder for only average rewards, you’ll have to come up with something really different to offer your customers. To this end, MT has gathered together a few examples of Contrarian Champions whose example we can learn from – companies that have deliberately separated themselves from the pack – and outperformed their rivals’ vanilla offerings as a result.

Especially in times of economic hardship, it seems, being different can make all the difference. Just look at the winner of the latest MT Britain’s Most Admired Companies Awards: BSkyB. Here’s a company that is most assuredly not part of the regular media pack, and yet it has shown a clean pair of heels to its rivals – in terms of both commerce and its reputation – over the past 18 months.

more click here – http://www.managementtoday.co.uk/search/article/985301/why-different-best-win/

Science fiction becomes fact?

Published on March 1, 2010 in retail technology. 0 Comments

Science fiction turns fact as ‘internet of things’ draws closer
Fascinating piece which started with Bill Gates predicting intelligent fridges becomes ever more a reality – The Guardian

Bobbie Johnson, San Francisco
guardian.co.uk, Monday 1 March 2010 09.00 GMT

Advertising that uses advanced technology – explored in the film Minority Report – is one use of an internet of things

The idea of a world where even mundane objects like shoes and food can be connected to the internet may sound like a plot culled from Hollywood – but a new report suggests that it is fast becoming reality.

An analysis from the McKinsey consultancy suggests that the “internet of things” – where everyday devices are able to send information over the web – is closer than ever, resulting in a series of new technological and social advances.

Using a variety of technologies, including Wi-Fi and RFID – the electronic chip system used in the Oyster card – all sorts of objects will soon be able will be able to feed data back about their position, status and location. A successful internet of things could help people keep track of their actions or help businesses improve efficiency, it suggests.

And while McKinsey accepts that such systems still have some way to go, the report says that the pieces of the puzzle are now falling into place.

“The widespread adoption of the internet of things will take time, but the time line is advancing thanks to improvements in underlying technologies,” it says.

“Ever-smaller silicon chips for this purpose are gaining new capabilities, while costs – following the pattern of Moore’s Law – are falling. Massive increases in storage and computing power, some of it available via cloud computing, make number crunching possible at very large scale and at declining cost.”

Many technologists have been working on such systems, largely through small-scale experiments and pilot projects aimed at exploring the boundaries. Current work in the area is being done by telecommunications companies including Alcatel and Nokia, as well as academic institutions such as MIT – which ran a scheme to track rubbish in Seattle as a way of checking the effectiveness of the city’s waste removal and recycling services.

The McKinsey report suggests areas for future growth such as the creation of complicated systems that can act independently of an operator, as well as other developments in tracking, decision-making and automation.

The concept of so-called “ubiquitous computing” has long been a favourite subject for science fiction authors, but recent developments have made the concept of embedded, connected – and even intelligent – devices much more like a reality than a fantasy.

The writer and futurist Bruce Sterling coined the idea of “spime” – physical objects that can be tracked through GPS and interact with their environments using RFID. Meanwhile Adam Greenfield, an information architect and designer now working for Nokia, developed many concepts at the heart of the movement in his 2006 book Everyware.

While some of the ideas in the report bear all the hallmarks of fiction, its authors point out that many of these technologies are already in use.

“Pill-shaped micro-cameras already traverse the human digestive tract and send back thousands of images to pinpoint sources of illness,” they write.

“Precision farming equipment with wireless links to data collected from remote satellites and ground sensors can take into account crop conditions and adjust the way each individual part of a field is
farmed—for instance, by spreading extra fertiliser on areas that need more nutrients.”

The internet of things is not without its problems, however. Two years ago scientists demonstrated that could use radio signals to hack into pacemakers – effectively taking control of a life-saving technology that had been implanted inside a patient’s body.

McKinsey’s report suggests that companies working on such ideas must examine a number of areas, including privacy, security and data protection.