The Energy Systems Research Unit (ESRU) at the University of Strathclyde is working with software provider Arbnco on a Knowledge Transfer Partnership to work out why the actual energy performance of buildings is often well below design expectations. This gap leads to higher costs, higher consumption, unhappy clients and can foster distrust, and therefore energy Read more…
Why more firms are obtaining electricity supply licences
Consultant Jo Butlin believes a push to obtain electricity supply licences by aggregators, local authorities and renewable generators is set to continue as they try to maximise value and minimise reliance – and payments – to incumbents. Meanwhile those that fully exploit opportunities afforded to licence holders may actually deliver the innovation in business models that has long been Read more…
We need to talk about Triad
Smart Grid Consultancy director, Gary Swandells, believes heated debate around proposed cuts to Triad payments is fuelling fear and misunderstanding of the nature of the changes. He points out that Triad avoidance will likely become even more valuable, and only those generators that receive a disproportionate benefit by exporting power in those periods will be affected. Read more…
Directors ‘right not to spend cash on energy efficiency’
Energy efficiency isn’t a priority for many board directors, who would rather spend company cash on revenue generating activities. They are the smart ones, Capitas Finance energy efficiency specialist Jason Hunter tells The Energyst. Finance remains the biggest perceived barrier to energy efficiency investment amongst small and medium-sized enterprises and the public sector, according to a Read more…
Sustainable City Awards open for entries
London’s Sustainable City Awards today opened for entries. The City of London Corporation-backed awards, which recognise best practice in environmental management and sustainable leadership, seek applications from organisations of all sizes that can demonstrate that their work has contributed to a healthier, more environmentally friendly city. The six award categories include: Health and Wellbeing, Innovative Technology, Innovative Spaces, Sustainable Transport, Read more…
Gazprom launches ‘more transparent’ platform for large gas users and TPIs
Gazprom Energy has launched a gas buying tool for third party intermediaries (TPIs) and major energy users. The Energy Risk VuePoint service aims to streamline the procurement process between Gazprom Energy and customers with flexible purchasing contracts, plus any TPI that manages the customer relationship. It provides 24/7 access to live position data, bespoke reports, Read more…
Electric vehicle energy storage range ‘cuts costs, emissions and grid congestion’
Sponsored post: Powerstar is officially launching its Virtue energy storage range for electric vehicles. The firm says the system cuts costs, network congestion and CO2. As more companies are looking to invest in electric vehicles (EV), the need for convenient and rapid charging is becoming apparent. However, large numbers of EV connecting to the National Grid Read more…
Can you sell less for more? Energyst Media is hiring
The Energyst is hiring. We need smart, driven sales people who can listen, analyse and package solutions for demanding clients. Energyst Media is recruiting due to significant growth. Our engaged business and public sector audience buys billions of pounds worth of energy-related products and services – and our advertisers recognise the value we deliver. But Read more…
Flexing your site’s energy muscle pays off
Sponsored: Smart technology deployed to monitor the energy consumption of industrial buildings and facilities is enabling ScottishPower customers to earn additional revenue. Head of Energy Services UK, Malcolm Paterson, explores why being flexible with your energy consumption can make good business sense. Winter is coming which means a prolonged period in the demand for energy to Read more…
Reduced surface tension improves heating system efficiency
Sponsored: It is well-established that imperfections in a heat exchange surface can have a negative impact on heat transfer. Tony Willis of Sabien Technology explains how a CIBSE award-winning additive to reduce the surface tension of the heating fluid can improve performance. The efficiency of heat transfer from a heating fluid in radiators, air handling Read more…
The Heat Network Regulations: Messy delivery leaves landlords cold
Heating and hot water within buildings is responsible for 40% of the UK’s energy consumption and 20% of its greenhouse gas emissions. The Heat Network Regulations 2014 aim to tackle this but lack of publicity and messy delivery mean that many commercial and domestic landlords are left either unaware that they need to comply or Read more…
Maintenance KPIs made Easy – Move Towards Sustainability Goals
Advert: There are significant developments in the new version of Priana CMMS, the software solution for maintaining assets and controlling maintenance operations. The enhanced Key Performance Indicators utility delivers an instant view into maintenance efficiency and process performance. The KPI module interface has been advanced and new metrics added to highlight the worst performing assets, monitor uptime and Read more…
National Grid urges Scottish firms to provide demand response, hosts free Edinburgh workshop
National Grid wants industrial and commercial firms based in Scotland to help balance the grid. It is inviting end-user organisations to find out more at a free demand-side response (DSR) event at the Roxburghe Hotel, Edinburgh, on Tuesday 25 October. According to National Grid, the DSR & Flexibility workshop is designed to empower businesses with the appropriate Read more…
Paying more for green power is a great way to go out of business
Sponsored post: “Green can’t just be a badge. Green must be something which fits in with your overall business needs, so it has to be cheaper, better or both,” says Nick Boyle, CEO at Lightsource. He outlines how the firm will own, operate and finance a private solar farm and private-wire agreement for companies so that Read more…
Why do policymakers always assume we need more power stations?
Electricity consumption is falling, yet governments consistently fail to recognise the facts when setting policy that assumes security of supply can be achieved only by energy generation, says Andrew Warren, chairman of the British Energy Efficiency Federation. For the past fifty years, the UK Government has issued many projections estimating future demand for energy. These have varied Read more…
Reducing DUoS Red Band charges
In this sponsored post STC Energy outlines how peak electricity network charges work – and how firms can avoid being stung by high ‘red band’ charges using its software. DUoS (Distribution Use of System) charges are levied by the UK’s regional DNO (Distribution Network Operator) and have a significant impact on electricity costs. These costs Read more…
Virtue: An internet of energy
Sponsored post: Virtue is an integrated energy management and micro-grid solution with smart grid control. It is forming an integral part in the future development of smart cities, enabling energy generated from sources such as wind and solar to be stored locally and ultimately more efficiently. By allowing ultimate flexibility to business users and electricity Read more…
Free energy and carbon management workshop
Sponsored post: Bedfordshire-based energy and carbon management consultancy Energise is hosting a one-day seminar exploring the key questions facing the UK energy and carbon landscape. The free event will take place at Wyboston Lakes Executive Centre, St Neots, on Tuesday the 11th of October, giving delegates the chance to discuss how businesses can protect themselves Read more…
Government waves through Hinkley C
Government has given the green light to new nuclear at Hinkley Point. The decision has received a mixed reaction but ends uncertainty around bill payer support for the project. EDF can now begin work proper on the project, which, if successfully constructed, could deliver up to 7% of the UK’s baseload power. It will receive an index-linked Read more…
Brexit: What will the government have to address?
In this sponsored post, Stuart Lloyd-Evans, director of risk and trading operations at Opus Energy, asks what Brexit means for the energy and FM market. Despite the summer lull in headlines, and even though the vote was several months ago, the shape of ‘Brexit’ remains the ‘known unknown’ in the future of our island. As if Read more…