Low Carbon Home 27
It has been just over three months since the government’s Green Homes Grant was rolled out for consumers and installers alike, yet the scheme has already been beset by teething problems. The most pressing issue is that of installer uptake and availability. Under its terms, installers must be Trustmark, PAS or MCS certified to carry out the eligible home improvements; however, consumer demand for the scheme has seemingly outstripped supply.
Renewable technologies are constantly evolving, with manufacturers pushing the boundaries in innovation to find new solutions to meet our net zero target.
December brought us the Committee on Climate Change (CCC) Sixth Carbon Budget, which calls for a 78% reduction in emissions between 1990 and 2035. It also sets out the world’s first pathway to a fully decarbonised economy, tackling all sectors, with a specific target for a building emissions reduction of 45%-65% by 2035.
Whilst decarbonisation measures that were outlined in the 10-point plan are revisited in further detail, the paper also outlines a range of funding packages to help consumers to reduce both bills and carbon emissions as well as setting out plans for job creation, including support for those making the transition from traditional gas and oil industries.
National Insulation Association (NIA) welcomes the Sixth Carbon Budget – the world’s first roadmap for a fully decarbonised economy.
At the recent Solar & Storage 2020 live conference (2-4 Dec), one point that was consistently raised in the webinars was the critical role installers play in the road to net zero.
MCS launches new partnership with the Independent Warranty Association (IWA) to ease access to insurance backed guarantees (IBG)
Grant UK has launched a new virtual house, featuring a range of Grant renewable heating technologies, on its online Knowledge Hub. Visitors can step inside this virtual reality to see how readily installed Grant heat pumps, cylinders, radiators and underfloor heating systems can be integrated to work together in the home.
The Government’s commendable plan to install 600,000 per year by 2028 has come under fire from both OFTEC and the Gas User Organisation, who have highlighted significant cost disparities between heat pumps and traditional technologies, along with confusion over what constitutes a ‘zero carbon ready’ home. Andrew Newman, technical director of the Gas Users Organisation, explains:
“There are positive commitments in the 10-point plan towards future use of hydrogen as a green gas, and we need more clarity from the Westminster government that hydrogen-ready gas boilers are considered to be a ‘zero carbon ready’ option, as they should be, and therefore permissible in new builds after 2025. Gas central heating is incredibly popular with customers, because it is clean, convenient and relatively cheap. Furthermore, there is a strong correlation that shows that homes that lack a connection to the gas grid are more likely to be in fuel poverty.”
Marlec Renewable Power is the oldest renewables company in the UK having been founded in 1978, and now also enjoys an international reputation and distribution network. It specialises in the design, manufacture and sale of micro wind turbines and the distribution of advanced solar PV technology. The company is known for a number of branded products. Its wind turbines are supplied to the marine sector as well as powering rail and road signage often in conjunction with its PV technology.
Phil Hurley, managing director of NIBE UK commented; “The annual total for installations is 30,000 currently, so a massive ramp up is needed as well as up-skilling of existing plumbers and heating engineers to achieve the numbers needed for net zero targets.”
The Prime Minister’s 10 Point Plan has offered significant optimism to those working across the low carbon heating industry according to NIBE Energy Systems. The Green Homes Grant scheme, which launched in September, is a much-needed intervention for homeowners and installers and the news of its one-year extension has been very positively received.
The Government has today published a 10-point plan for a green industrial revolution. Despite being the most cost-effective electricity generating technology for the foreseeable future according to the Government’s own forecasts, solar was noticeably absent from the Prime Minister’s announcement, which is largely a repackaging of policies already announced earlier this year.
Leading boiler manufacturer, Baxi Heating UK and Ireland, part of BDR Thermea Group, has promised to revolutionise the way we heat our homes and buildings. The announcement coincides with the Prime Minister’s 10-point plan for a Green Industrial Revolution and places Baxi Heating at the heart of the ‘heating transformation’ that is required to achieve the UK’s climate targets.
Boris Johnson has outlined his eagerly awaited 10-point plan for a Green Industrial Revolution, but which areas affect you?
Just a few days after the US officially withdrew the Paris agreement, newly elected president, Joe Biden, pledged to enter them back into it immediately, whilst also committing a colossal $2tn investment to a ‘green recovery’. Even prior to his election share prices for the solar/wind energy company NextEra exceeded the market value of oil giants ExxonMobil and Chevron signalling a shift in the zeitgeist.
The Heat Pump Association has released a revolutionary report outlining the steps that the UK Government must take to shape future policy and decarbonise the heating industry.
North East England’s offshore wind supply chain could create up to 4500 new jobs in the next five years, according to new research.
A coalition of trade associations representing major British industries including retail, property, construction and technology, has written to the Chancellor to ask that renewable energy technologies such as solar PV and battery storage be excepted from business rates to boost commercial deployment and provide much needed green jobs. [1]
The Government has published its response to the Committee on Climate Change’s (CCC) 2020 Progress Report to Parliament, in which it revealed plans for a “comprehensive” Net Zero Strategy in the lead up to COP26. [1]
Following the launch of the government’s Green Homes Grant on 30th September, Ian Rippin, CEO of MCS, calls for improvements to be made for the long-term benefit of installers and consumers alike and highlights the challenges presented by the scheme;
“Since the launch of the Green Homes Grant, we have been fielding calls on a daily basis from installers seeking clarity and expressing their concerns over what they feel are flaws in the scheme.
Boris Johnson has pledged that offshore wind farms will be powering every home in the country by 2030. We explore reactions from the industry to Boris’ plan to help the UK “build back greener”, announcing £160m to upgrade ports and factories for building turbines in Scotland, Wales, Teesside and Humber.
The figures were published as a cross-party task force of 24 mayors and local leaders, representing 24 million people across England submitted a proposal to the Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, to unlock £100bn as part of the Spending Review, which closed on 24 September. The finance should be predominantly met from the private sector with the Treasury pump-priming £5bn via a Net Zero Development Bank.
British battery manufacturer AMTE Power’s CEO, Kevin Brundish, shares his reaction to Boris Johnson’s pledge that offshore wind farms will be powering every home in the country by 2030.