The European Parliament's decision to support the 'backloading' of
CO2 Emissions Permits in an attempt to encourage the move from
fossil fuels towards renewables has drawn a mixed response from
industry. The decision, by 344 votes to 311, holds around 900
million carbon allowances off the market - and has brought
an immediate rise in the carbon credit price.
Criticism of the decision came from major energy user UK Steel,
where Director Ian Rodgers described the move as "only
a short-term sticking plaster. If anything it will be counter-productive,
because interfering with the market sends the wrong signals.
It is now clear that the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) in
the long term needs fundamental review. It is not working on
several levels, including for energy intensive industries."
However, at the European Wind Energy Association, senior regulatory
affairs advisor Remi Gruet said that EU vote "will give
a small boost to the carbon price, but most importantly it will
build confidence in the ETS. It is crucial that the EU Member
States now agree backloading as soon as possible. Then the EC
should propose a 2030 climate and energy package with headline
renewable and greenhouse gas reduction targets."
For ETS information visit http://ec.europa.eu/clima/policies/ets/index_en.htm
EVENTS & EDUCATION
On-line 'Lessons' offering
a sustainable building resource
Construction and property consultancy Pick Everard has completed
a three-year project that allows designers to share sustainable
building know-how. More?
Energy
Resource Centre offers information to tackle waste
Fluke has launched an Energy Resource Centre, an interactive knowledge
base to help facility managers both identify and quantify energy
waste. More?
MACHINERY & PRODUCTION PROCESSES
Permanent
magnet motor key to compressor efficiency
Atlas Copco's in-house manufactured permanent magnet motor
plays a key role in the high energy efficiency level of its new
variable speed drive compressors. More?
VS
drives reduce energy use on MoD 'Spend to Save' project
Variable speed drives from Invertek are helping the MoD make significant
cuts in its £1m a day spend on heat, light and power. More?
BUILDINGS & FACILITIES
Wireless
BEMS brings major cut in energy costs for retail chain
A web-enabled wireless Building Energy Management System from WEMS
is producing average energy savings of around 18 per cent for a
major UK retailer. More?
Retrofit
PIR control unit cuts lighting energy consumption
IP66-rated Batten Mount PIR from Danlers is designed to mount onto
a batten style luminaire to allow a retrofit upgrade to an existing
lighting system. More?
VEHICLES & TRANSPORT
Coating
protects and increases efficiency of fuel cell plates
Bipolar plates in a pioneering type of high-efficiency vehicle
fuel cell have been coated with Ceramic MaxPhase material provided
by Impact Coatings. More?
Lighter
components aim to improve vehicle fuel economy
DuPont's new technology and material solutions for automotive 'lightweighting' are
helping vehicle manufacturers to reduce emissions and improve fuel
economy. More?
ENERGY PROCUREMENT & MANAGEMENT
City
centre complex saves energy through IT and control upgrade
Honeywell has delivered operational and energy savings to a city
centre retail and leisure complex by upgrading its IT network and
business critical control system. More?
Energy
calculator aims to serve up £250m saving for UK caterers
The Carbon Trust's new energy calculator is designed to save
the UK catering industry up to £250m per year in fuel costs
through optimised equipment use. More?
MICRO-GENERATION
Soitec
aims for even higher efficiencies from PV solar cell
A new 'four-junction' PV solar cell from Soitec has
achieved a high efficiency level of 43.6 per cent, with the company
now setting a 50 per cent target. More?
Mixing
systems help maximise performance of waste and AD plant
System Mix has developed pumped mixing systems to help maximise
the performance of waste and anaerobic digestion (AD) facilities. More?
FUNDING & FINANCE
Finance
scheme means energy savings pay for efficient lighting
Under a new finance initiative introduced by Premium Lighting Services,
the cost of an efficient lighting installation is paid for entirely
by energy savings. More?
LEGISLATION, REGULATION & STANDARDS
BSRIA
aiming for heat pump accreditation standard
BSRIA Cert is currently undergoing accreditation to allow it to
certify heat pumps under the Microgeneration Certification Scheme
(MCS). More?
David Keighley
Editor
EfficientEnergy.net
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