News 41
To help installers to prepare for the future of heating NIBE Energy Systems has announced a new training scheme. The launch of the scheme, NIBE Pro, follows the Government’s latest pledge for 600,000 heat pumps to be installed per year by 2028.
The government has re-stated its commitment to rolling out heat pump technologies across the UK housing stock
The UK’s solar industry body has today unveiled a comprehensive rebrand, including a new name and website and an annual impact report to demonstrate the value it has driven for its members.
Ecuity’s extensive expertise in energy, mobility and environmental policy complements Gemserv’s established role as a manager of high-profile projects in the energy and other sectors.
A zone dedicated to specifiers and architects is now available on the Grant eLearning Academy, providing these professionals with online training content focused on renewable heating technologies. This includes access to Grant’s RIBA approved online Air Source Heat Pump CPD course.
Managing director of NIBE Energy Systems, Phil Hurley, has been appointed as the new chairman of the Heat Pump Association (HPA), replacing Graham Wright. Stepping into Phil Hurley’s former position as vice-chairman, a role held by Hurley since April 2019, is Max Halliwell of Mitsubishi Electric.
Building services training provider, GTEC, in partnership with the MCS, has won an almost £1M bid to help existing trades people access discounted training in heat pumps and solar thermal, in order to meet the demand presented by the Green Homes Grant (GHG) – the government’s scheme to improve the energy efficiency of UK housing stock.
Boris Johnson announced at 8pm on 4 January that a national lockdown across England will be imposed with immediate effect.
The Committee on Climate Change (CCC) has recommended that the heat pump market is scaled up over the next 10 – 15 years in advance of a fossil fuel phase out of boiler installations in 2033. By 2030, heat pump sales must reach over 1 million per year in new and existing homes.
Following the government’s announcement to significantly ramp up heat pump installations between now and 2028, LG has seen a surge in interest for their Therma V range of heat pumps, which are considered to be an easy transition for installers looking to either make the switch from traditional gas boiler fitting, or to add another string to their bow.
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 site has been used to complete more than 200 tests, researching and proving the safety of converting homes and gas networks to hydrogen.
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.
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 125 metre high wind turbine has been “transformed” into a giant poppy in support of the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal 2020.
Following the Government announcement of national restrictions to commence on the 5th November, MCS took to social media to highlight that tradespeople are allowed to continue working and access customers’ homes, if the customer is in agreement and the guidance on distancing is followed.
The Future Fuels & Hydrogen Economy Virtual Conference is taking place 9 – 10 November 2020. Explore the fundamentals around future fuels on the market from the industry’s leading experts.