Britain’s first dual fuel bus will cut emissions by half

A consortium brought together by low-carbon experts at the University of East Anglia has launched the first bus in the UK to run on clean, biomethane gas. The innovative dual-fuel diesel-biomethane powered bus will reduce pollutant emissions and greenhouse gas emissions by around a half. It is hoped the technology will be rolled out to bus fleets across the country and further afield.

The consortium behind the new bus is led by UEA’s Low Carbon Innovation Centre (LCIC) and includes leading independent bus operator Anglian Bus, bus manufacturer Optare plc, and engine conversion specialists Hardstaff Group of Nottingham.

The dual-fuel vehicle is a standard Optare Solo single-deck diesel midibus from the Anglian Bus fleet. Originally powered entirely by diesel, the Mercedes-Benz engine has been adapted to run for 60-80% of the time on clean, low-carbon biomethane. Biomethane is chemically identical to the methane in natural gas but it is made by bacterial action on biowastes. Biomethane is extracted from landfill sites or from biogas produced in purpose-built anaerobic digestion facilities.

Project leader Dr Bruce Tofield, of UEA’s Low Carbon Innovation Centre, says: ‘Dual-fuel use is a very attractive option. The vehicle can still run on diesel, providing flexibility, but most of the time is running on biomethane gas which is a much cleaner and less polluting fuel.

‘In particular, the cost of conversion of a diesel bus to dual-fuel use is a small fraction of the cost of a new natural gas bus. Conversion to dual-fuel use is potentially a viable option for most if not all diesel buses in the UK and, indeed, across Europe and more widely.’

Funding for the project came partly from an EU-sponsored Civitas programme in which UEA and Anglian Bus were partners with Norwich, Norfolk County Council and cities across Europe. The Civitas Initiative exists to promote cleaner and better transport in Europe’s cities.

LCIC scientists have been monitoring air pollution in Norwich since 2005 as part of the Civitas programme. In Norwich, as in many UK cities, emissions from buses are of particular concern. They noticed how the buses in Malmo in Sweden, a partner city in the Civitas programme, were powered by clean natural gas (methane), resulting in significantly lower levels of harmful emissions. Of special interest was the fact that Malmo was beginning to use biomethane rather than natural gas to reduce greenhouse gas emissions as well as pollutant emissions.

‘This conversion shows just how important EU projects can be in helping us learn from what cities elsewhere have done,’ says Dr Tofield. ‘Now we are going one step further and showing how existing bus fleets can be economically converted to low-carbon, low-emissions running. The potential for reducing traffic pollution and greenhouse gas emissions from buses and other fleet vehicles in cities in Britain, Europe, and across the world is very exciting.’

From: http://www.eei-online.com/news.php?key=2370 

Norfolk in fast lane of electric dream

Norfolk has been urged to seize the moment and put Norwich in the fast lane of the government’s £250m vision of getting more drivers into electric cars.

Ministers unveiled radical plans to make electric cars a reality with drivers accessing grants of up to £5000 to buy one from 2011.

Electric cars can range from £10,000 for a two-seater My Car to up to £70,000 for a top-range Tesla Roadster but ministers want to do more to bring them into the price range of the average motorist because of the impact on carbon emissions.

The government is also seeking bids from places interested in becoming “electric cities” to showcase and promote the technology and pay for the installation of charging points - with a strong belief locally that Norwich could be the perfect location.

Around 200 electric cars would also be available in city centres for the public to test drive.

Norfolk engineering firm Lotus, which has helped developed the Tesla Roadster technology, urged transport chiefs to get behind a city bid, claiming one in five motorists in and around Norwich could be driving electric within a decade.

Simon Wood, its technical director, said both city and region were perfectly placed to take advantage of the scheme and government grants to get motorists to buy electric were “exactly the right answer”.

He said it would bring business benefits to the wider region and boost the use of “ultra low carbon” cars which could also include those powered by biofuels.

“I think it would be fantastic for the city,” he said. “It just seems so obvious. As a regional centre it has got well defined boundaries and a good park-and-ride network.

“There are lots of people who live in or just outside of Norwich who commute daily. That’s really where the electric car wins, and £5,000 off one of the lower price cars is probably enough to make people have a look at it.

“If the city and county councils were really positive they could say no-one could come into the city centre unless they had an electric car - otherwise they could leave their car at the park and ride.”

Currently electric car owners can get free parking permits in Norwich, while Chapelfield Shopping Centre car park is the only one locally where drivers can charge up.

The plans would also allow areas access to £20m to improve infrastructure such as charging stations and other types of infrastructure.

Brian Morrey, Norwich city council’s executive member for sustainable development, said: “It sounds like a good idea if they are willing to put the money in.”

But he said with council funding tight it would be down to the government to find most of the cash, adding: “I would like to know more of the details because I don’t want it to become another one of these things that’s going to cost us an arm and a leg.”

Marcus Armes, of the Carbon Reduction Initiative (Cred), said he was planning to talk to bosses at UEA, which is developing a renewable power plant capable of supplying electricity to the cars, to see if they would support the idea.

“I don’t think it’s a panacea, but electric cars have really got a part to play - 60pc of journeys are under 25 miles, and there is a lot of commuting going on in Norwich, so it would be a sensible idea for the city,” he said.

Adrian Gunson, cabinet portfolio-holder for planning and transportation at County Hall, said he would be happy for Norwich to look at the electric city idea but feared vehicles would not be viable in rural areas. And he was against banning traditional cars from the city centre.

“Anything that reduces pollution in the city is a good idea and well worth looking at, but for rural areas there are questions about whether the technology has reached the point to encourage people to go to the extra trouble of having one,” he said.

But Rupert Read, Green Party transport spokesman at City Hall said the investment would only work if supported by a “massive shift” towards renewable energy.

The AA welcomed the initiative and said while cities like London and Manchester could be in pole position for the electric city roles, Norwich could also be well placed because it had a car club, where electric cars could be used.

Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon, who took a spin in an electric car with Lord Mandelson, said cutting road transport CO2 emissions was a “key element” to tackling climate change.

“The scale of incentives we’re announcing will mean an electric car is a real option for motorists as well as helping to make the UK a world leader in low carbon transport,” he said.

 From: http://www.edp24.co.uk

Indicating the way to a low carbon future

March 25, 2009

to

March 26, 2009

Renewables East is please to announce a new partnership conference for 2009 HEON-E (the Home Energy Officer’s Network - Eastern) has staged its annual one-day conference during March for the last 11 years.  After filling venue capacity for the last two years, 2009 sees a new approach with a two day conference run jointly with Renewables East - the renewable energy agency for the East of England

Who should attend?

This two-day conference seeks to highlight the opportunities for public/private sector partnerships, centred on the challenging and vital low carbon agenda, increasingly. Delegates from both public and private sectors

Location

Chilford hall Conference Centre, Linton Cambs CB21 4LE

Further Information

Contact:

Bruce Pittingale, HEON Secretariat, 3 The Bungalos, Caston Road, Thetford, Norfolk, IP25 6TF - tel 05602 391784 - email:  bruce.pittingale@btinternet.com

Norwich and Yarmouth set to cash in on North Sea offshore energy

Norwich and Yarmouth is set to cash in on investments of more than £80bn in the North Sea offshore energy industry in a major boost to jobs, a conference has heard.

Experts from across the region descended on the Holiday Inn at Norwich International Airport this week for the 2009 Southern North Sea Conference this week, organised by the East of England Energy Group (EEEGR).

Speakers from firms in the sector said the offshore oil and gas industry, off the Norfolk coast, is set to play a key role supplying reliable energy to the country to help reduce reliance on from overseas.

And with offshore wind set for major expansion Norwich and Yarmouth are well placed to benefit from the massive investment in the sector.

Blair Ainslie, managing director of Yarmouth-based offshore firm Seajacks UK, which manufactures self-propelled platforms used in the offshore sector, said his firm was set to take on nearly 100 new workers this year, with potential for hundreds more in the coming year.

He said: “We have already generated 36 jobs. By the time we take delivery of our second vessel in September that number will be about 130 and we are looking to build additional vessels.

“These jobs are just for offshore operations, and don’t include construction, and these are new jobs, not moving people from other parts of the UK or the world.”

He added: “The reason me and a lot of other people are in Yarmouth now they are not fishermen is because of the oil and gas industry, and we are ready to take the skills and experience we have into the renewables sector which is ready to boom.”

The area is also set to be host to the world’s biggest offshore wind farm, Greater Gabbard, off the Suffolk coast.

Steve Rose, offshore operations manager for the development, said about 140 turbines would be in operation by the end of next year, and said the industry would generate thousands of new jobs.

He said: “Our wind farm will create 100 new jobs just in operations. A lot of others are developing now and all projects are going to need local, dedicated technicians.”

John Best, EEEGR chief executive, said the event was aimed at ensuring businesses and different energy sectors worked together to offer secure, lower carbon emitting energy, and said the region was in an ideal location to benefit.

He said: “This is about continuing collaboration to deliver a robust, secure energy sector moving towards a lower carbon future.

“In this location we have got everything, shallow seas, gas reserves, a supply chain in place and 40 years’ experience and a demand for secure, reliable supplies for the future.

“Employment in the oil and gas sector is in excess of 20,000 people. Employment in growing offshore wind and continuing gas industry is all continuing to grow.

“You can’t spend the sort of sums we are talking about, which is in excess of £80bn, without requiring real, long-term employment.”

Is your company set to create new jobs? Call Evening News business reporter Sam Williams on 01603 772447 or email sam.williams@archant.co.uk

For the very best selection of local jobs log onto www.eveningnews24.co.uk and click on jobs24 or see the Evening News every Wednesday for the jobs24 supplement.

Source: Norwich Evening News 24. Sam Williams. 07/02/2009

Meet the Buyer Event

March 5, 2009

Local businesses looking to boost their sales are being offered a unique opportunity to meet some of the area’s largest buyers thanks to enterpriseGY.

Following the very successful Meet the Buyer event last year, enterpriseGY are working with Norfolk Chamber of Commerce to deliver a second ‘Meet the Buyer’ opportunity, designed to match local buyers with local suppliers - and representatives of both sectors are invited to get involved.

This year’s event, at Great Yarmouth Racecourse on March 5th, takes on a new format - with three different sessions designed to maximise opportunities.

The day begins with a ‘Speed Networking Breakfast’ where suppliers can pitch to a minimum of 30 potential local buyers. They also have the opportunity to access additional local business contacts during the ‘free networking’ part of the event.

Following on from this, the formal Meet the Buyer event takes place where suppliers can pitch for 10 minutes to larger buyers through a scheduled appointment programme. Buyers already attending include Pasta Foods, Norfolk County Council, Perenco UK, AJS/AMEC, Norfolk Constabulary, Petrofac Facilities Management, Windboat Marine and Great Yarmouth Borough Council.

Finally, in the afternoon, there will be a special ‘Meet the Construction Buyer’ session, focussing specifically on the construction industry, in conjunction with BuildNorfolk. Potential suppliers can find out what construction contract opportunities are available, make personal contact with the main contractors and decision makers and also learn more about about the support available to help win more work.

Chief Executive of Norfolk Chamber of Commerce Caroline Williams says it’s a great opportunity for traders of all types to support the local economy. “Last year we successfully matched up buyers and sellers to the benefit of both. This year the event is even more topical with companies looking to buy locally. We’re looking for both buyers and sellers to get involved as there are great benefits to both sectors. Many local businesses have the potential to fulfil supply chain contracts but they’re missing out for a number of reasons; it may be lack of knowledge, poor sales skills or simply not knowing the right people or processes.”

“From a buyer perspective,” explains Caroline, “the programme can help with sourcing new products and suppliers, keeping up with innovation, networking and ensuring businesses are achieving best value. From a seller perspective, it gives them the chance to hold face-to-face meetings with buyers who are actively looking to place business.”

The March event will be preceded by two workshops for suppliers on 2 February , from 4 - 6pm also at Great Yarmouth Racecourse - one on ‘How to pitch to public sector buyers including Olympic 2012 opportunities’ and the other on ‘How to pitch to private sector buyers.’

enterpriseGY programme manager, Richard Percy, says the Meet the Buyer programme is a showcase for the fantastic pool of business opportunities the region has to offer. “For suppliers, getting a foot in the door of bigger of public sector firms can be hard, especially if a business is new or still developing. This kind of event is about bringing the right people together and encouraging traders to support the local economy - completely in line with enterpriseGY’s ambitions.”

enterpriseGY is a government funded programme designed to transform the economic future of the Great Yarmouth region. Working with a range of partners it focuses on three key areas - business start-ups, business growth and young enterprise, offering access to a wide range of free advice and practical support to encourage local commerce.

Businesses interested in joining the ‘Meet the Buyer’ programme or attending the workshops should contactmailto:katy.barker@norfolkchamber.co.uk or visit http://www.enterprisegy.co.uk/

The main Meet the Buyer events are free, although there is a charge for the ‘Speed Networking Breakfast’ - £15+VAT or £18+VAT for two attendees, with buffet breakfast included.  To book onto the breakfast please go to http://www.norfolkchamber.co.uk/ or e-mailevents@norfolkchamber.co.uk

To register for the Construction session please go tohttp://www.buildnorfolk.co.uk/ and click on event or e-mailadmin@buildnorfolk.co.uk giving details of attendee name(s), company and telephone number.

Chance to put enterprising town’s on map

THE enterprising initiatives of Lowestoft and Waveney business-es could help put the area on the map in a national competition.

Ideas are being sought to help promote the town and region as one of the most dynamic places in the country as part of the Enterprising Britain contest.

And readers are being encouraged to help develop the entry process and strategy by highlighting businesses and organisations which can be used as case studies for the contest.

The competition is aimed at inspiring projects and organisations to take the plunge, have faith in their ideas and put their busi-ness plans into action through innovation and technology, participation and social inclusion, education and skills, environment and infrastructure, and leadership and collaboration.

The winner will be judged the most enterprising place in the UK, a location where enterprise has helped transform a community and led to improved economic prospects for the area.

In 2006, Lowestoft entered the contest and came second with its Dawn of Enterprise project. Now it hopes to build on that success by entering the 2009 challenge.

Hazel Johnson, of Enterprise Lowestoft, who is heading up a working party to develop a detailed document ready for the competition, said: “This is a marvellous opportunity for us to demonstrate the massive impact many brave initiatives and fledgling businesses have made on the town and the district.

She has been joined by Waveney MP Bob Blizzard, Richard Perkins from the Waveney Economic Partnership, and representatives from 1st East, Make Your Mark campaign, Norfolk and Waveney Enterprise Partnership, and other key organisations.

She said there was a need to galvanise the community to supp-ort the entry and help to raise the profile of the town and district.

The working party has to produce a detailed document for judges to determine how Lowestoft has improved through enterprise in the past two years.

All entrants must be able to prove that enterprise is a reason for the economic or social changes within an area.

Mrs Johnson said the group had already brainstormed many ideas, including Lowestoft’s involvement in the wind energy industry and the Orbis Centre, bids by sporting clubs to train Olympic athletes and the way Lowestoft Town Football Club had marketed itself in the run up to their appearance at Wembley in the FA Vase.

Should Lowestoft make it into the regional stage, the town will go through to the national final. A win would mean automatic nomination as UK representative to the European Enterprise Awards and an invitation to join the Enterprising Britain network of enterprising places and people.

If you want to make an input or suggestion for the local entry, write to Russell Cook, Lowestoft Journal, 147 London Road North, Lowestoft NR32 1NB, or e-mail russell.cook@archant.co.uk

Source: The Lowestoft Journal 24

Fuel for the future gets EEDA backing

Woodlands in the East of England are set to provide fuel for the future after a new project received one of the largest funding awards of its kind in England.

The East of England Development Agency (EEDA) has awarded £4.3 million to increase the use of wood-based energy production.

The £10.7 million Woodfuel East project will help cut carbon emissions by providing locally produced and sustainably sourced fuel. It will also help create jobs and businesses in the rural economy and improve biodiversity.

The award has come from the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE), which is a combination of European funding and money from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, delivered regionally by EEDA.

Woodfuel East initiative is a partnership governed by representatives of 25 organisations from across the region, co-ordinated by the Forestry Commission.

Landowners will be encouraged to manage neglected woodlands, which has the added benefit of creating new habitats for wildlife.  There are about 140,000 hectares of woodland in the East of England, around seven per cent of the total land area, but 50,000 ha are undermanaged or not managed at all.

Felled trees and cut branches, which might otherwise go to waste, can be chipped for use in specialised boilers. These can provide heat and hot water for medium-sized buildings such as schools, village halls and offices, particularly in rural areas with no gas supply.

David Sillett, EEDA Rural development manager said:

“Woodfuel East, which covers Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Essex, Suffolk and Norfolk, will encourage a co-ordinated supply chain, from land owners through to the marketplace for wood chips.

“With new markets, come new opportunities which will be of particular benefit to the rural economy.”

Mr Sillett added:

“By 2013, we could be saving at least 75,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions per year and supplying the equivalent of 12,500 homes with energy.”

Edwin Van Ek, of WoodFuel East, said:

“This is a real kick-start to the wood fuel industry in the East of England. Woodfuel East can provide advice and investment support to the supply chain.

“It is also good news for biodiversity, as woodland management such as coppicing, where trees are cut back and allowed to regrow, creates new and varied wildlife habitats.”

“Land owners can also benefit by installing modern, efficient wood fuel boilers to produce heat and hot water for their buildings, using wood produced from their own woodlands,” he said.

“The latest wood fuel boilers are easy to operate and very efficient, producing very small amounts of smoke and little ash. With recent increases in fuel prices, switching to wood fuel also makes financial sense.”

Wind turbines suitable for Fens site

A renewable energy developer seeking permission for a wind farm claims turbines are the most advanced of the clean technologies.

Notus Energy, which has submitted plans for a 19-turbine project, also claims that turbines provide a good return in terms of energy and benefits for the money required to set them up.

The Marshland Wind Farm proposals feature Enercon E-82 turbines rated at three megawatts (MW) each.

In total the wind farm would have a capacity for 57MW and would generate enough electricity to meet the equivalent of the needs of 28,000 homes.

The developer’s website lists various reasons for setting up wind turbines on the site in the Norfolk Fens.

It cites the national windspeed database, on site wind measurements and a report by Arup and Partners, which supports the assertion that there is viable wind speed at the location.

Although the developer claims that no insurmountable issues were raised by 50 organisations consulted for the scoping report, the project has been controversial.

Early plans for the project included 26 turbines but this number was scaled back to the current proposal for 19 as the project developed.

http://www.marshlandwindfarm.de/project/project_site.html

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