Tag: heat pumps

Fifth Update of July 2020 – An overview of last week’s Energy news

4th Aug 2020 • 0 Comments

Below is this week’s summary. It should be a one minute read relevant to UK energy with links to documents for those who wish to read more.

(Click a bullet point to open the relevant article)

Monday – 27th July

National Grid, the operator of the electricity grid, has published scenarios for future power generation. Three of five scenarios show net zero emissions by 2050 and a scenario of net zero electricity generation by 2033 requiring growth in renewables; hydrogen from gas with carbon capture, heat pumps, electric vehicles and energy efficiency.

Energy provider, EDF, is going through the planning process towards opening a 39 hectare solar power generation station with capacity of 50 MW in eastern England.

Independent article quotes results of a study from Imperial College London, suggesting that, during their lifetime, new offshore wind power generators may pay government subsidies.

Tuesday – 28th July

Scottish Government has announced £300k investment in a ‘hydrogen accelerator’ at University of Saint Andrews in order to develop technologies for hydrogen as a transport fuel.

Thursday – 30th July

UK Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) has released its annual summary of energy production and use for 2019. This press release summarises highlights: Transport continues to be highest demand for energy; oil and gas continue to dominate meeting a combined 75% of energy demand; coal continues to decline (33% down in 2019 compared to 2018); 35% of all energy is imported; renewable sources rose to 37% of electricity generation; overall emissions dropped about 4%.

Article proposes shift to hydrogen as fuel for public transport including trains focused on cleaner air as well as greenhouse gas emissions.

Saturday – 1st August

The Arab world’s first nuclear power generation plant has opened in United Arab Emirates.

Fourth Update of May 2020 – An overview of last week’s Energy news

27th May 2020 • 0 Comments

Below is this week’s summary. It should be a one minute read relevant to UK energy with links to documents for those who wish to read more.

(Click a bullet point to open the relevant article)

Monday – 18th May

Energy Voice opinion piece includes a study showing the rise of interest in hydrogen fuel, based on number of mentions in articles per year on a science literature database. In 2010, about 19000 were reported. In 2019, there were close to 48000. In the first 4 months of 2020 there have been 32000.

Tuesday – 19th May

Consumption of refined hydrocarbons has rebounded in China almost to December 2019 levels at 13 million barrels per day compared with 13.9 million barrels per day in December (13.4 million barrels per day in May 2019). Private vehicle fuel is driving the increase in a return to work which avoids public transport. Aviation demand remains low.

Thursday – 21st May

UK Government has announced a further £40 million ‘Clean Growth Fund” to encourage start-ups with business ideas consistent with net zero emissions targets.

A study by scientists at Imperial College London suggests there is more than adequate carbon storage capacity to achieve net zero emissions if the world chooses to take that route as recommended by International Panel on Climate Change and UK Committee on Climate Change.

An 8 MW district heating system will be developed for Barnet in north London providing heat and hot water for 6700 residential properties and a new office, retail, leisure site.

Friday – 22nd May

UK National Grid expects renewable energy to exceed demand this weekend due to very low demand (Monday 25th is a UK public holiday) combined with longer days, sunshine and wind. National Grid plans to ask renewable generators to switch off for periods in order to balance the grid supply and demand.

A challenge to UK Government decision to grant permission for what would be the biggest gas-fired electricity generation in Europe, has been rejected. The power station will be at Drax site in northern England.

RenewableUK envisages 3/4 of electricity to be from renewable sources by 2050 coupled with hydrogen generated from renewables during periods of excess supply.

Third Update of October 2019 – An overview of last week’s Energy news

27th Oct 2019 • 0 Comments

Below is this week’s summary. It should be a one minute read relevant to UK energy with links to documents for those who wish to read more.

(Click a bullet point to open the relevant article)

Monday – 14th October

UK 3rd Quarter 2019 was first quarter in history where electricity generation from wind, solar and biomass exceeded electricity generation from coal and gas.

The Eden Project visitor attraction in Cornwall, SW England has announced £17 million funding is in place to drill a well which will exploit geothermal energy from granite rocks 4.5 kilometres beneath the surface as first phase of a bigger programme.

4th offshore wind leasing competition has opened for a total of 7 GW power capacity. Successful applicants based on financial, technical and legal criteria will be announced in about a year.

A UK company is proposing turning waste plastic that cannot be recycled into methane and hydrogen. Article quotes UK has sending approximately 2.5 million tons of waste plastic to landfill.

Tuesday – 15th October

UK Government Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy report shows aspects of implementation of Committee on Climate Change proposal for net-zero emissions by 2050. £2 billion provided to various research projects including hydrogen, electric vehicles, new nuclear and carbon capture.

Thursday – 17th October

US Liquid Natural Gas companies are betting on increased growth and more flexibility in customer-base. US plans for terminals match 2018 global consumption and usual approach for long-term contracts is in decline.

Article highlights UK dependence on natural gas for domestic heating. According to the article, 40% of UK energy is for heating properties and 85% of UK households have a gas central heating boiler. Options to tackle this challenge towards net-zero greenhouse gas emissions are quoted as hydrogen, heat pumps and district heating.

BBC article discusses floating offshore wind power for deeper water areas of UK coast. UK has over half global floating offshore wind capacity. Article is critical of lack of UK presence in supply chain.

Exploratory work has begun on a giant pumped storage plant in Australia. 17km of tunnels will connect 2 reservoirs with an elevation difference of 800m. When there is excess power water will be pumped uphill and power will be generated when needed by flowing water downhill through turbines. Cost estimate is equivalent to 3 to 4 billion pounds.

Friday – 18th October

UK energy supplier Scottish Power claims regulator OFGEM is holding up investment into infrastructure for charging electric vehicles.

Total has launched its first vessel which will supply liquid natural gas (LNG) to marine vessels switching from liquid fuel (diesel) to natural gas as a fuel.

Second Update of October 2019 – An overview of last week’s Energy news

27th Oct 2019 • 0 Comments

Below is this week’s summary. It should be a one minute read relevant to UK energy with links to documents for those who wish to read more.

(Click a bullet point to open the relevant article)

Monday – 7th October

20 UK universities have joined together to directly purchase power from energy generators certified as being supplied by wind. (yes, I know I will get a lot of comments on this one!)

A hydrogen-powered boat has arrived in UK capital London. Boat generates hydrogen from sea-water and aims to highlight the challenge of decarbonising shipping.

Tuesday – 8th October

Article covers a point in recent UK Government Business Energy and Industrial Strategy department report showing electricity generation from biomass is increasing.

Wednesday – 9th October

Drax electricity generation station in Yorkshire has been granted approval by UK Government Energy Secretary to proceed to planning for a 1.8 GW gas-fired power generation plant.

London Metrpolitan (“The Met”) Police Force has 21 hydrogen fuel vehicles targeting net-zero 2050.

UK Labour Party has pledged to build 37 publicly owned wind farms within ten years of being elected to government.

Thursday – 10th October

Nuclear Industry trade body is launching a campaign to raise awareness of the need for nuclear power in UK energy mix. Former Shadow Energy Minister and current head of body, Tom Greatrex, says nuclear power is an important part of the UK energy mix providing the ‘most reliable, low carbon source of power’ and points out that 7 of the 8 existing nuclear power stations will be off-line by 2030.

Friday – 11th October

Article suggests heat pumps for new homes will be the future of domestic heating.

220m (700 feet) wind turbines have been proposed for Scottish Border area. BBC article says bigger turbines are needed as subsidies cease.