News 44
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.
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]
This standard aims to significantly reduce the energy use of new homes and marks the beginning of the end for the traditional gas boiler.
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.
SolarEdge is enhancing its commercial portfolio across the UK and Ireland with the release of 30kW and 33.3kW three phase inverters for the 230V/400V grid, perfectly applicable for small-scale commercial installations.
The European Energy Centre (EEC-ECT) has been awarded Institute status by the UK Government following the distinguished work in providing accredited Renewable Energy training and research carried out in the UK and internationally.
The Association of Plumbing & Heating Contractors (APHC) has announced a new partnership with Propeller Workforce Management software, which will see APHC members receive a host of discounts and service enhancements.