UK’s Green Deal for Energy Efficiency

By Dr. Tyra Oldham, LAND sds, February 12, 2013

A national plan is being presented in the promotion of energy efficiency.  The outcome of this venture is the energy scheme reported by Clean Technica ‘s  in the article called, “£600 Million Approved For UK’s ‘Green Deal’ Energy Efficiency Program”.

“£600 million of public support for the UK’s ‘Green Deal’ energy efficiency program was recently approved by the European Union.”

“The Green Deal is a program designed to make investing in energy efficiency improvements, such as insulation, lighting, draught-proofing, hot water efficiency, modern boilers, etc, more affordable for homeowners. The loans are then repaid through energy bills, and transfer with the property, rather than the person who took out the loan.”

“The UK Green Deal allows consumers and businesses to improve the energy efficiency of their buildings without making huge upfront investments,” EU Competition Commissioner Joaquin Almunia said in a statement.  This type of policy is known as Property-Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing in the US.”

 A national scheme when planned, measured and developed sustainably can produce generous outcomes and additional opportunities for improvements within the ecosystem. The apparatus in which the nation bounds its businesses to the policy will draw out data and allow for continuous refined improvements over time. Further, policies can produce green procurement, reduction in waste and improved use of building waste. The Green Plan goal must swing toward net zero implementation for sustainability.

Green Energy Tied to Economy in UK

The United Kingdom much like the rest of the European Union is suffering economically.  In an effort to reduce national debt many programs are on the chopping block. One very controversial proposition is to cut spending in green energy.  A recent Bloomberg Business Week article, “Davey Signals U.K. to Maintain Support for Clean-Energy Subsidy”, explains how cutting spending in green energy might do further damage to the already fragile British economy.

As the article explains,

“’Around the world, the countries who are most competitive are the ones who are investing the most in low-carbon,’ (U.K. Energy Secretary, Ed Davey) said. His comments embraced research from the Confederation of British Industry, which last week said the U.K. may earn 20 billion pounds a year from clean-energy products. The business lobby group criticized the government for sending mixed signals regarding its support for renewable, both encouraging investment and cutting subsidies for solar installations.”

The article also points out that green energy is an easy scapegoat for many nations needing to downsize their spending, but warns that there are often times many very profitable reasons to keep alternative energy subsidies up and running.  Understanding regulations, government subsidies and making a decision on whether or not to invest in green energy can be very confusing especially in today’s market. For that reason we recommend companies needing guidance contact LAND sds.  Dr. Tyra Oldham offers green consulting with years of experience in the industry and can point companies in the right direction.

Catherine Lamsfuss, August 8, 2012

The Chancellor Seeking Protectionist Standards for Renewables in UK

Dr. Tyra Oldham

August 3, 2012

The role of leaders will have a great effect on the role of green infrastructure.  The Daily Mail from the UK reported “Power in our hands to block wind farms: Osborne pledges to give communities more control”. “Under new plans, locals will be able to veto the building of wind farms in their community.”

“The Chancellor George Osborne points out that the UK accounts for less than 2 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions, compared with 40 per cent from the US and China.”

The article states,

“There are 3,800 wind turbines across the UK, but at least 10,000 had been expected to be built to help meet Britain’s pledge to cut carbon emissions to 50 per cent of 1990 levels by 2025.”

“But more than 100 Conservative MPs have called for cuts in state subsidies for new turbines, and changes to planning rules to limit their construction.”

 “Mr. Osborne is offering to limit his demands for reductions in subsidies for onshore wind farms if the Lib Dems agree to compromise on inflexible climate goals. He argues that many renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar, are too expensive and wants a massive expansion of gas-fired power stations instead.”

“Applications for new wind farms have to be made to local authorities, and around half are refused. But under the existing system, energy companies often win on appeal to the Government’s planning inspectorate.”

Countries and cities such as the UK will have to determine their philosophy within renewable development scheme. Further, the success of future of economies will be based on energy infrastructural fitness.  The role of leadership to commit to the future versus the political pull of today is a delicate balancing act when decisions of current leaders will be managed by their successors. The energy discussion goes beyond renewables but toward an integrative energy solution that balances population, infrastructure, requirements, present and potential demand.

UK Offers Green Deal to Home Owners

Recent legislative action in the United Kingdom, the Green Deal, is designed to motivate home owners to make their homes more green through modifications focused on sustainability and green technology. While helping the environment is a reward in itself everyone involved understands that the financial rewards of lower energy bills will be why people take advantage of the Green Deal. 

A recent article on The Ecologist, “The Beginners Guide to… Creating a Low Carbon Home, explains to home owners what steps they can take to make the most of the Green Deal as well as provides useful tips to prepare those undertaking the labor of love of modifying a home to become more Earth-friendly.  Of course there are the standard things like re-insulating and going to solar to consider, but the article offers other, lesser known, renovations owners can do to improve their carbon footprint.

“There's no point heating areas of your house, or your whole house, when you don’t need to. Good programmable and zoned heating controls can help in this regard. Extractor fans can have closable louvres installed, chimneys can be blocked with removable balloons and floorboards sealed with wood glue or a range of specialist products. Crawl spaces to the sides of room in roofs are often lacking insulation on the timber stud walls and floors, which can be cheaply insulated with sheepswool or mineral wool.”

The UK is not the only country encouraging citizens to make changes to buildings and homes to become more energy efficient.  As consumers begin looking for contractors and skilled technicians to help in these efforts companies providing such services need to be prepared.  By contacting a green consultant (http://www.landsds.com/) any company involved in building renovations can learn how to offer sustainable and green options to consumers as well as what legal and technical issues must be addressed.

Catherine Lamsfuss, May 15, 2012

Wind in England Could be Sweeping Interest

Mother Nature offers a breath of fresh air which provides us with a sustainable energy source when utilizing wind turbines. The people in the UK are accepting her gracious offer to blow off a little cost on energy bills according to Business Green the article; Wind industry dismisses "misplaced" fears of turbines coating the countryside.

England has been considering green energy possibilities and;

“Polls published during the past two weeks have highlighted the popularity of wind and other renewable energy sources as a means of cutting long-term energy bills and reducing the UK's reliance on insecure energy imports.The vast majority of the people in this country, and especially those in rural areas, understand the need for sensibly-sited wind turbines to build the home-grown energy systems that will create jobs, attract investments, generate power and ultimately saves us money.”

Wind energy is not a new technology, but instead, it was a forgotten resource. Windmills were first used around 500 AD, when Persia discovered the benefits of wind energy and utilized it to pump water. China also used vertical axis windmills to pump water and grind grain more than 2000 years ago.

Today’s society is rediscovering the wisdom of the ancients while adding a modern twist. Countries are now seeing the benefits of utilizing a sustainable, green energy source.  "The importance is to discover and implement enabled sustainable synthesis methods that produce long-term results through integrated system management and controls. Cities that are not considering sustainable measures will experience loss of intermittent power and suffer security failures," states Dr. Tyra Oldham, ceo of LAND sds a Sustainable Green Energy Strategy Consulting Company in the U.S.  Wind in England could be sweeping interest.

Jennifer Shockley, May 10, 2012

Solar Tariffs Shifting in Germany

By Tyra Oldham PhD, MBA

March 29, 2012

Reuters reported the story “German solar deal unravels as govt wants steep cuts”.

“The issue could turn into a major political headache for Chancellor Angela Merkel's centre-right coalition because the upper house, the Bundesrat states' chamber, is threatening to form a two-thirds majority to defeat the government's plans” on solar.

Solar dispute

“The government wants to slash the feed-in tariffs (FIT) that have helped the solar power sector in Germany become the world's largest market for photovoltaic energy, with 25 megawatts installed capacity -- nearly half of the world's solar capacity. The government wants to slash tariffs by 37 percent from April 1 but the move, already delayed from March 9.”

“But several conservative states with significant solar power industries are threatening to block the measure in the upper house. “

“Some coalition lawmakers are insisting that utilities should only be required to purchase 80 percent of the produced solar power on small plants and 90 percent for larger plants. Until now 100 percent was purchased at above-market rates. The two sides had provisionally agreed to continue it at 100 percent. Also, coalition deputies now want incentive cuts to be more than previously planned and up to a maximum of 42 percent.”

“The state-mandated FIT incentives have helped the sector blossom over the last decade with 1.1 million solar power plants installed. About 150,000 jobs have been created.”

Good view

The government setting standards and mandates will lead to effective roles between company and government. Further, governments willing to invest, support and incentivize renewable energy is step toward establishing platforms for eventual trade-offs and economic development. The carrot and stick strategy in infrastructural negotiations is tricky when the negotiators are not sure what is the carrot or the stick.