Why should I get a solar battery storage system at home?
Through panels on your roof, a solar PV system is a reliable way to harness free electricity. Radiant light and heat from the sun is converted into electricity, to be used for lighting, hot water and heating. The benefits are clear:…
An introduction to smart meters
What are smart meters? Smart meters can be installed in your home to record real time electricity and gas usage in households and businesses. It sends data straight to energy companies, meaning less fuss for the homeowner, as they no longer…
Renewable energy: comparing Sweden with the UK
Scandinavian countries are leading the way for renewable energy generation and Sweden wants to become the first fossil fuel-free country in the world. A few years ago we looked at combined heat and power in the country. This time we are taking…
The environmental impact of nuclear power generation
Nuclear is considered by many a ‘clean’ form of energy; but this viewpoint is controversial for a reason. With Chernobyl – and the more recent Fukushima disaster – at the forefront of social consciousness, the idea of nuclear having a place in the modern energy…
Offshore wind energy may soon be cheaper than fossil fuels
11 leading offshore wind companies signed a document ahead of Monday’s EU Council meeting, stating that within a decade, offshore wind could generate electricity as cheaply as fossil fuels. However, it all relies on EU countries prioritising growth in the industry.…
Largest floating wind farm in the world to be built in Scotland
Soon, gas won’t be the only form of energy produced in the North Sea. Scotland is to be home to the largest floating wind farm in the world – Hywind – featuring five 6 megawatt turbines. Developers have been granted…
Experts warn of approaching ‘energy gap’
A stark warning was issued this week: if considerable action is not taken, the UK faces blackouts in the next decade. On Tuesday, the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) released a report entitled ‘Engineering the UK’s Electricity Gap’. The group estimated…
More problems for UK nuclear energy industry
On Monday, there was another blow to the nuclear energy industry here in the UK. NuGeneneration (or NuGen as it is more commonly known) announced a delay in its new Moorside plant. It was intended that the plant would first start producing…
Public support for fracking has dropped sharply
The Department of Energy and Climate Change last week published their latest Public Attitudes Tracking survey. One of its key findings is a substantial dip in support for hydraulic fracturing, more commonly known as fracking. The government survey shows that support…
Understanding your energy tariff: standing charges and usage charges
Over the last couple of years, the Government have made a real effort to simplify energy tariffs. We have looked at these before – both electricity and gas – but since these changes we thought we should revisit the subject.…