Tuesday, January 28, 2014
Greenpeace protestor gives Monmouth talk
FOI release: Christmas presents given by ministers
Response to a request for information on presents given by DECC ministers to DECC civil servants for Christmas 2013.
Environmental Defense Fund Climate Corps Fellow Joins First Lady at State of the Union Address
EDF Is Going to Court to Secure Healthier Air for Millions of Texans
Statistics: United Kingdom housing energy fact file: 2013
The purpose of the fact file (produced annually) is to gather together in one volume data on important trends related to domestic energy use, and in particular on the measures that have been taken to improve energy efficiency. Most of the tables relate to total housing stock and will be mainly of use to government departments and others interested in research or planning at that level. The reports cover the period from 1970 (just before the first oil crisis) until 2011.
The the fact file covers the United Kingdom and not just Great Britain. It is based on data collected by the English Housing Survey and its devolved equivalents, and prepared under contract to DECC by Cambridge Architectural Research and Cambridge Econometrics.
Statistics: Energy Follow-Up Survey (EFUS): 2011
The main aim of the 2011 Energy Follow-Up Survey was to collect new data on domestic energy use to improve our modelling and better inform policy. The survey consisted of follow-up interviews with a sub-set of households that formed part of the much larger 2010/2011 English Housing Survey. Some of these households were then selected to have temperature loggers and electricity meters installed and this was combined with information from gas and electricity meter readings. The data gathered is now being used to inform updates to the BRE Domestic Energy Model (BREDEM) and DECC's own National Housing Model. It is also directly informing energy efficiency policy including the Green Deal.
More information can be found on the English housing survey 2011 to 2012: headline report page.
Earth Defense Force 2025 Releases New Trailer, Call the EDF!
Research and analysis: How heating controls affect domestic energy demand: a rapid evidence assessment
DECC has set up a programme of work to understand the potential for smarter heating controls to save energy. As part of this DECC commissioned this review with the aim of synthesising existing research evidence on how domestic heating controls affect energy demand. The objective was for the review to contribute to the Smarter Heating Control Research Programme, aimed at establishing the extent to which the introduction of smarter heating controls is likely to save energy. The review was also intended to provide evidence with which to inform a subsequent design of a possible field trial that could detect any energy reductions associated with improving control technologies.
The Rapid Evidence Assessment found that relevant studies are small-scale and mostly from outside the UK. The assessment also established that there is not a consistent and reliable body of evidence on the capacity of heating control technology to contribute to energy savings. Little evidence exists on the role of consumer behaviour with regards to heating controls, yet some research does point to the poor usability of heating controls and that use is often driven by thermal comfort rather than saving energy.
The report also highlights that heating controls are typically replaced with boilers, which is 5% per year. Secondary analysis of EFUS data found that 49% of households have a full set of heating controls including a central timer, thermostatic radiator valves and room thermostats. This provides more up to date statistics than previous industry research by BEAMA and the Energy Savings Trust in 2008 which suggested only around 30% of households have full set of controls.
As a result the report concludes that there are large gaps in the evidence base, specifically on national data, around the role of consumer behaviour with few UK studies testing households with smarter heating controls.
Guidance: Energy Entrepreneurs Fund: phase 3 documents
This is a competitive funding scheme to support the development and demonstration of state of the art technologies, products and processes in the areas of energy efficiency, power generation and heat and electricity storage.
The Energy Entrepreneurs Fund seeks the best ideas, irrespective of source, across these energy technology areas from the public and private sector. The scheme particularly aims to assist small- and medium-sized enterprises, including start-ups, and those companies that are selected will receive additional funding for incubation support.
Phases 1 and 2
The first phase of the Energy Entrepreneurs Fund was open from 23 August to 31 October 2012. Under this phase, £16million was awarded to 31 projects. Following the second call on 13 June 2013, a further £9m was awarded to 20 projects. A full list of the projects who have received EEF grants to date is available on the Innovation Funding pages.
Phase 3
The remaining £10m is now available for projects up to March 31st 2016. Full details on how to apply, and deadlines for registration and submission of applications, is in the guidance notes.
During the application process, applicants will be expected to demonstrate a robust evidence based case for funding, that will include but not be limited to:
- the potential impact of the innovation on 2020 and/or 2050 low carbon targets or security of supply
- the technical viability of their innovation and coherent development plan that will commercially progress the innovation
- value for money
- the size and nature of the business opportunity
Press release: £10 million boost for SME energy innovation
British entrepreneurs are set to benefit from a share of £10million to help bring new and innovative energy efficient products to market, Minister of Energy and Climate Change Greg Barker announced today.
Small and medium size enterprises within the energy efficiency, building technologies, power generation and energy storage sectors are invited to bid for funding of up to £2million under the Government's Energy Entrepreneurs Fund.
Support will be given to state of the art technologies that could bring down the cost of consumer bills and reduce carbon emissions, such as ground source heat pumps, and energy from waste technologies.
In addition to funding, the winning companies will also receive advice from commercial experts on how to attract investment to bring their products to the market.
Energy and Climate Change Minister, Greg Barker said:
“This investment will give SMEs a vital boost to drive forward the development of a range of innovative low carbon designs, helping cut costs and bringing new technologies to market in this sector.
“Innovation is vital for the move towards a low carbon economy and an essential part of our long term economic plan. I look forward to seeing our great entrepreneurs rising to the challenge.”
Applications are assessed by engineering and technical experts across government and industry, as well as a commercial panel of low carbon investment professionals. Bids are judged against a range of criteria including the ability to cut the cost of existing technologies, future carbon savings and commercial viability.
This is the third phase of the Energy Entrepreneurs Fund. In the first phase, which was launched in September 2012, 31 companies were awarded grants of a total value of £16million. The second phase, launched in June 2013, resulted in 20 companies receiving grant offers totalling £9million.
Notes for Editors:
Details of how to apply for funding
The Energy Entrepreneurs Fund is designed to spur on innovation in the low carbon sector, helping to support jobs and create export opportunities as well as help the UK meet its carbon targets.
The Fund – totalling £35million and launched in April 2012 - aims to support energy efficiency technologies such as building control systems, advanced lighting systems and space heating and cooling technologies, alongside power generation and energy storage technologies including fuel cells, biomass boilers and heat pumps. Winning designs range from smart energy demand controls and innovative waste management solutions, to innovative ideas for installing insulation.