Solar Wind - Micro Power Generation » Energy Efficiency http://www.micro-generator.com Blogging about wind and solar power at home Wed, 23 Sep 2009 18:01:21 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7.1 en hourly 1 Solar and wind micro generation for UK http://www.micro-generator.com/2008/05/26/solar-and-wind-micro-generation-for-uk/ http://www.micro-generator.com/2008/05/26/solar-and-wind-micro-generation-for-uk/#comments Mon, 26 May 2008 11:45:56 +0000 ashleys http://www.micro-generator.com/2008/05/26/solar-and-wind-micro-generation-for-uk/ The UK Climate Change Minister Phil Woolas has told The People that the government will help taxpayers install solar and wind micro generators in their homes. In new measures apparently to be announced by Gordon Brown next month the government will put up £1.5 Billion over the next three years, all to be funded by energy companies. 40% is to go to low income homes. Individuals will be able to get a survey from the energy saving trust and the results will outline what needs to be done.

This seems to be a good approach as it ensure it includes energy conservation in the equation we should always be the first thing a homeowner looks at prior to investing in micro generation. However I am still of the opinion that the UK should be looking at feed in tariffs as a more effective way to drive the uptake of micro generation, and help foster supporting industries.

Anyway all we have to do now is wait and see what the the announcement really says!

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]]> http://www.micro-generator.com/2008/05/26/solar-and-wind-micro-generation-for-uk/feed/ Which country will win the race to be carbon neutral? http://www.micro-generator.com/2008/04/01/which-country-will-win-the-race-to-be-carbon-neutral/ http://www.micro-generator.com/2008/04/01/which-country-will-win-the-race-to-be-carbon-neutral/#comments Tue, 01 Apr 2008 08:55:53 +0000 ashleys http://www.micro-generator.com/2008/04/01/which-country-will-win-the-race-to-be-carbon-neutral/ For a country to be completely carbon neutral is a lofty and admirable goal and one on which a number of countries are presently focused. Iceland, Norway, Costa Rica and New Zealand have all declared goals of ultimately becoming carbon neutral. Most of these countries with the exception of Costa Rica actually generate a lot of their energy from renewable sources already, mainly hydro electric or geothermal. It is the reduction of the emissions that is their real challenge, one that Costa Rica for instance is planing to meet through a huge tree planting programme.

The challenges that these countries, with their already well developed renewable energy generation programmes, to reduce their reliance on technologies and fuels that produce carbon emissions, shows how far other countries have to go, and the vital role of energy efficiency in trying to become carbon neutral.

]]> http://www.micro-generator.com/2008/04/01/which-country-will-win-the-race-to-be-carbon-neutral/feed/ UK Power companies forced to give to the poor http://www.micro-generator.com/2008/03/30/uk-power-companies-forced-to-give-to-the-poor/ http://www.micro-generator.com/2008/03/30/uk-power-companies-forced-to-give-to-the-poor/#comments Sun, 30 Mar 2008 08:32:35 +0000 ashleys http://www.micro-generator.com/2008/03/30/uk-power-companies-forced-to-give-to-the-poor/ UK Energy and power companies are to be forced to rob the rich, i.e. their own shareholders to pay the poor or at least to help the poor. UK government plans to force these companies to use a portion of their profits to help poor and vulnerable groups like pensioners, increase the energy efficiency of their homes. It is hoped that this will help in reducing carbon emissions from the homes, and help make savings on heating costs.

What is more interesting is that the plans are also expected to aid households who micro-generate, to sell power back to the national grid. Now I want to hear more about that! When I have more information I will share on this site!

]]> http://www.micro-generator.com/2008/03/30/uk-power-companies-forced-to-give-to-the-poor/feed/ The Reichstag goes green http://www.micro-generator.com/2008/03/29/the-reichstag-goes-green/ http://www.micro-generator.com/2008/03/29/the-reichstag-goes-green/#comments Sat, 29 Mar 2008 18:18:59 +0000 ashleys http://www.micro-generator.com/2008/03/29/the-reichstag-goes-green/ In another symbol of how much better Germany is approach the whole concept of renewable energy and micro-generation is the news that the Reichstag is to run entirely on renewable energy from this summer. Due to a fairly recent refurbishment the building is already very energy efficient. The building houses biofuel generators in its basement which are already providing 40% of its energy needs. The remainder will now be supplied by renewable outside sources.

As I said at the beginning it is purely a symbol , but I’m impressed by what Germany have managed to do in pushing renewables forward especially their tariff based support of micro-generation. All of which has but them way ahead of the UK and other countries.

]]> http://www.micro-generator.com/2008/03/29/the-reichstag-goes-green/feed/ Energy saving lightbulbs means it pays to save! http://www.micro-generator.com/2007/11/25/energy-saving-lightbulbs-means-it-pays-to-save/ http://www.micro-generator.com/2007/11/25/energy-saving-lightbulbs-means-it-pays-to-save/#comments Sun, 25 Nov 2007 05:48:49 +0000 ashleys http://www.micro-generator.com/2007/11/25/energy-saving-lightbulbs-means-it-pays-to-save/ www.thisisguernsey.com reports on how the channel islands could potentially be saving around six million pounds by the simple method of providing each household with five energy saving lightbulbs. Providing each household with five free light bulbs would cost £375,000 giving rise to a very interesting positive equation. If the calculation is accurate and assuming that all households actually use the bulbs, it seems like a bit of a no brainer.

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