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The move provides the foundation for further growth for the roof-integrated solar specialist as it prepares for rapid growth driven by changes to building regulations and its expansion into international markets.
Jose Alves, UK country manager for Panasonic commented: ‘Panasonic had welcomed the UK Government’s scheme to help the sector and to help reach its net zero targets. We therefore have no hesitation in continuing with both our Green Cashback schemes to help both installers and homeowners to make the switch to renewable air source heat pumps, in a bid to help homeowners to decarbonise their homes and become more energy efficient.’
With sustainability and good quality high on the agenda for this new development, making the right specification choices was very important to the developer. Andy Denton, director of Marshgate Properties commented: ‘Selecting sustainable energy options is high on our list of important aspects for the homes we build. We had already installed Panasonic Aquarea Heat Pumps on a previous project a year earlier and have been impressed with the units and their performance. This, together with UK Alternative Energy’s professional approach and proficient installation team, has proven successful for the heating and hot water provision for this latest project.’With the new development’s rural location, mains gas was not an option as an energy source. Marshgate Properties has chosen to continue specifying the Panasonic Aquarea range of renewable air source heat pumps, making the move away from fossil fuels, and to help reduce the carbon footprint of each property, as well as providing on-going efficiencies for residents.
Smart metres have the power to coordinate and hold to account the many other smart products that are starting to infiltrate our homes, such as PV, EV charging and smart heating systems. The arrival of so-called ‘agile electricity tariffs’, whose price varies half-hourly in relation to the wholesale price of electricity, are just one manifestation.
ESG stands for Environmental, Social and Governance, also commonly referred to as sustainability. In a business context, sustainability is about the company’s business model. Hence, how its products and services contribute to sustainable development, and how operations are managed to minimise any negative impact.
In January 2013, almost 8 years ago, I wrote an article for this very magazine about my belief that 2013 was the ‘Year of the Heat Pump’. As I’m sure many would agree, it turned out that 2013 however, wasn’t to be that year. Whilst it was indeed a very good year for heat pump installations (approx 17,000 installations covering ground and air source), it certainly wasn’t the magic year I believed it would become. Looking back, it’s been really interesting to see the changes in the landscape since the article all those years ago.
Over the coming months I would like to discuss some interesting topics including the growing mix of technologies, methods and ideas, all contributing towards our ‘Zero-Carbon’ aspirations, and not least, the important role renewable energy installers, play in achieving these goals.
Electric car charging points haven’t been an element architects, developers and electricians alike, have had to factor into their designs and drawings, until now. Charge points have suddenly become less an optional extra and more a key feature which has to be considered, as much in the 1st and 2nd fix stages than the latter. For a while now, Electric Charge Points ‘AKA EV chargers’ sat in the same domain as ancillary optionals such as Alarm systems, CCTV systems, and security tech. An area an electrical installer might delve into from time to time, though not the main source of their workload. The bulk of such work instead shared and distributed with specialist security technicians with advanced network installation skills. However, unlike security technicians whereby a basic skill set in electronics and technology might get you by, EV Installers require their 18th Edition and relevant electrical qualifications to proceed. Where there is still is a niche opportunity for electrical companies to focus the bulk of their attention over to ‘EV installations’, general electrical companies right across the board can benefit from this new work stream, with the added confidence that ‘DIY and self-installation’ is off the table for the foreseeable. The EV industry is swiftly moving past the stages of early adoption, with the mass market consumers waiting in the wings. This was helped by Boris Jonson’s announcement in late 2020 for the ban on the sale of fossil fuel cars from 2030. This gives electrical installers an open goal opportunity to positively shift some of their focus over to these new green technologies and innovations in preparation for the great wave. Companies such as myenergi, a dynamic powerhouse in green tech solutions, are putting emphasis on consumers achieving energy independence and less reliance upon the national grid system. Their flagship product the zappi electric vehicle charger, the market frontrunner, Eco Friendly EV charger in the world compatible with PV, Solar and renewable systems, inspiring other manufacturers not only focus on ‘the charge itself’ but actually how the electricity is generated in the first place. The zappi works as a stand-alone plug and play charger connected to the grid but teamed up with their solar diverter (the eddi), consumers are able to utilise the zappi’s green ECO modes and charge their vehicles using 100% self-generated green energy. It’s this mindset and drive towards genuine tangible change away from pollutants amongst businesses and consumers alike, which is pulling together green smart technology, renewable energy and progressing technologies such as electric vehicles. Award winning companies such as myenergi have been key players in pulling these sub technologies together and adopting new tech terms such as Eco-Smart and Green Tech. Network smart technology was also forced together as a requirement by OLEV and OZEV whereby electric vehicle chargers have to be future-proofed and connected to the internet. A move towards the ‘internet of things’ which is gradually coming to fruition. The zappi charger leads the way in its ability to adapt and update with automatic firmware updates, whereby all myenergi devices are connected over the smart hub device wirelessly. The addition of the wireless harvi sensor makes the zappi one of the easiest devices on the market to install with less need for fishing long CT cables. zappi also offers PEN protection and doesn’t require earth rods which means no digging up driveways, better aesthetics and quicker installations all round.
The Marden-based company specialises in green technologies such as solar panels and EV charging points for domestic and commercial properties.
Matthew Thompson took the helm of his family business, Thompson Heating & Plumbing Ltd over 7 years ago. With the company being a big advocate of renewables, it is no wonder that when Matt started refurbishing a new family home in Duns Tew village, he chose to move away from fossil fuels.
Giles came into the solar business by accident. Working for a social housing developer, paired with a lifelong passion for saving energy and doing things more efficiently, Giles homed in on the idea of people being more sustainable and self-sufficient. ‘I grew up in a rural area, so efficiency has been instilled into me from a young age’, he explained.
The new subsidiary, located in Ballycastle, will be spearheaded by Pearse McHenry, a longstanding business partner of myenergi. The move will bring the brand’s product range to the masses, helping residents benefit from a more sustainable lifestyle, as well supporting the government’s commitment to cleaner living.
Under the partnership Fleetsolve will represent the MAN industrial brand as service partner and distributor of MAN parts in the UK via Fleetsolve’s Wirral based office and its five regional service centres around the UK, as well as the UK customer services centre.
Comprising 18 videos divided into three playlists, the videos have been developed to assist both heating engineers and end-users.
The report ‘Longer-Duration Energy Storage: The missing piece to a Net Zero, reliable and low-cost energy future’ estimates that the UK will need at least 30GW of longer-duration energy storage by 2050. However, the report concludes that this target is currently undeliverable based on the present market and regulatory framework.
Two 50MW solar projects have secured planning permissions this week. The first, being EDF Renewables’ Sutton Bridge solar photovoltaic project, granted permission by South Holland District Council and the second being Pegasus Group’s solar and battery storage scheme near Telford.
We stand at the edge of transformation in our energy system and this investment will support that change. Just as the communications industry has been transformed within a generation, from the first land lines at a household level to mobile phones and internet for all in a lifetime, we will see the same degree of transformation to our energy industry. From Altelium’s success in renewable energy and applied battery data – itself the result of an Innovate UK grant win – we know that practical solutions can be developed quickly with the right support. Lithium-ion battery storage though BESS is already working effectively and efficiently, and will transform local community and small-scale commercial energy creation, storage and application. Hydrogen technology coupled with wind and wave energy has the capacity to deliver change on a national scale, with the potential it offers to store energy for longer periods of time or transport it across greater distances. We welcome this investment and the focus it gives on areas where the opportunity for change and benefit for the good of all is greatest.
A multi-partner plan involving the Port of Cromarty Firth has been launched to establish a green hydrogen hub in the Highlands that will see Scotland lead the world in hydrogen technology.
The webinars, hosted by OFTEC and in partnership with MCS, consist of three short sessions developed in response to feedback from technicians and will primarily focus on heat pump technologies.
Mixergy, the smart hot water tank company, has upgraded its entire range of hot water cylinders to allow them to operate with a heat pump at any point during their working life. Once fitted, the multi-use cylinders, which can be used with a gas boiler, mains electricity or solar PV, now give consumers the option to install a heat pump without having to replace the tank.
Rumours have surfaced today that the Green Home Grant Voucher Scheme (GHGVS) will be scrapped in Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s budget announcement, coming next week. Highlighted by nearly 20 organisations representing or working within energy efficiency and low carbon heating sector, scrapping the scheme will put jobs in jeopardy and endanger the UK’s abilities to reach net zero targets at risk.
Whilst the Green Homes Grant has come in for a great deal of criticism, and has struggled to attract installers, partly because of the terms and conditions, and partly because of the apparent failings in its administration, the scheme has successfully raised consumer awareness of heat pump technology to a level that no other intervention to date has achieved.
The National Gas Centre for Excellence (NGCFE) has opened the doors of its 6,000 sq. ft state-of-the-art centre in Featherstone, West Yorkshire to tackle the national shortage in qualified heating engineers with high-quality training focused on the needs of the installers and engineers.
Developed in partnership with EV Comply, the step-by-step solution takes the customer through the OZEV grants application process* and connects them to their closest myenergi-approved independent. While saving time and money for the consumer, installers benefit from sales leads direct to their inbox.