CHP

Improving technology

When we combine efficiency and technology we can lower greenhouse gas emissions, provide cheaper electricity and heating, and create a more secure energy supply.

Decentralised energy


The city centres of tomorrow’s networked world will produce power and heat as well as consume it. The roofs and facades of public buildings are ideal for harvesting solar energy. Efficient energy use will become the standard for all buildings. We will have a diversity of energy sources that are well suited to the needs of the area and in some cases, particularly in developing countries, independent from the national network.

 

Article tagged as: CHP, climate change, decentralised energy, energy, smart grids, technology

Energy efficiency

The single most significant step we can take in the UK to reduce carbon emission is to make Britain truly energy efficient. With the right policies at national and local levels, we can deploy existing solutions on a scale large enough to bring about real changes. 

Perhaps the only problem is deciding where to start. From badly insulated buildings to poorly designed appliances and gas guzzling vehicles, the UK needlessly throws away almost a third of the energy it uses. This is costing us all dearly – damaging the climate and hitting our pockets.

Article tagged as: appliances, CHP, climate change, decentralised energy, energy, energy efficiency, transport

Nuclear power

Some see nuclear power as an important ‘tool in the box’ to limit carbon emissions and stop climate change. It's more like a spanner in the works.

Nuclear power is inadequate, unnecessary as well as dangerous. It's also a hugely expensive distraction from work to limit the impacts of climate change.

Can nuclear power stop climate change?


Much is made of nuclear power being essential for tacking climate change because it is CO2 free, but even at the most optimistic build rate, 10 new reactors by 2025, the UK's carbon emissions would be cut by just four per cent.

The UK has a binding target of a 34 per cent cut by 2020, meaning that new nuclear’s ability to help meet our obligations is tiny.

We only have so much time and money to spend and must prioritise those technologies with the greatest potential to meet our energy needs and cut emissions.

Article tagged as: CHP, clean energy, energy efficiency, nuclear, nuclear power, nuclear waste, radioactive waste, reactors

Trying to solve the climate crisis with a fistful of pennies?

Posted by jossc - 22 April 2009 at 1:20pm - 0 Comments

All eyes were glued to the TV in the office this lunchtime to see whether Alistair Darling's budget would deliver the kind of changes we need to see if we want to give ourselves the chance to keep the lid on climate change.

Article tagged as: budget, CHP, energy efficiency, energy security, low-carbon

The top 5 reasons that energy efficiency is incredibly exciting

Posted by christian - 12 March 2009 at 8:00am - 2 Comments

Drax
Mega-inefficiency: Only 38 per cent of the coal burned at Drax actually generates power

Energy efficiency. What does that phrase make you think of? Here are a few free-association words I pulled out of my head: insulation, draught proofing, grey, tax return, boring, Germany. Yes, sometimes I do find it hard to get excited about using energy more smartly. But that's only because I'm an idiot.

Article tagged as: CHP, decentralised energy, energy efficiency, insulation

UK nuclear capacity in meltdown

Posted by jossc - 6 October 2008 at 3:59pm - 10 Comments

Hartlepool nuclear plant
Hartlepool nuclear plant - completely out of action

Should you happen to find yourself debating with a passionate supporter of nuclear power about how to supply our country's future energy needs, the odds are that pretty early in the debate they'll play their trump card - namely that only nuclear can supply the 'base load' necessary to ensure that the lights stay on throughout the long, dark British winter. Hang the dangers of radioactivity, forget the ruinous expense, they'll say - we can't do without nuclear power.

Article tagged as: CHP, finland, france, nuclear power, nuclear waste

Salmond bravely goes where Brown will not

Posted by bex - 18 July 2008 at 10:15am - 3 Comments

Avedore CHP plant in Denmark

Avedore CHP plant in Denmark

Remember how we said last month that industrial combined heat and power (CHP) plants could save us money, increase our energy security and help slow climate change?

Well, we've just heard that plans are afoot for just such a plant in Scotland. The Tullis Russell paper mill plans to reduce its annual carbon emissions by around 250,000 tonnes a year by switching to biomass CHP for its electricity and steam.

Article tagged as: alex salmond, CHP, climate change, decentralised energy, RWE, scotland

A surprising solution to our energy needs

Posted by tracy - 19 June 2008 at 9:43am - 19 Comments

Conoco Phillips industrial CHP

No one will be surprised that Greenpeace is against the construction of new nuclear power stations, but what some may find unusual is one of the solutions we are proposing to meet our energy needs and reduce our CO2 emissions - industrial CHP, or combined heat and power.

Article tagged as: CHP, climate change, coal, decentralised energy, electricity, heat, industrial, nuclear

Securing Power

Publication date:  19 June, 2008

Securing Power is a new report by world leading energy experts Pöyry Energy Consulting and provides a compelling piece of the answer to the energy security and CO2 emissions challenges that the UK faces today. Pöyry's ground breaking analysis shows there is an unprecedented opportunity for very large scale combined heat and power (CHP) plants to provide both heat and electricity fromthe same fuel, allowing us to cut emissions, reduce fuel use, cut costs and provide up to 16GW of new electricity generating capacity to meet UK demand over the coming years.

Download the report:
Article tagged as: CHP, climate change, coal, decentralised energy, electricity, heat, industrial, nuclear

Securing Power - Summary

Publication date:  19 June, 2008

Securing Power is a new report by world leading energy experts Pöyry Energy Consulting and provides a compelling piece of the answer to the energy security and CO2 emissions challenges that the UK faces today. Pöyry’s ground breaking analysis shows there is an unprecedented opportunity for very large scale combined heat and power (CHP) plants to provide both heat and electricity fromthe same fuel, allowing us to cut emissions, reduce fuel use, cut costs and provide up to 16GWof new electricity generating capacity to meet UK demand over the coming years.

Download the report:
Article tagged as: CHP, climate change, coal, decentralised energy, electricity, heat, industrial, nuclear

GP online