News
In brief
European Centre of Technology launch The European Centre of Technology ( ECT ) has arrived in the UK , bringing over 40 years ’ experience of education through knowledgesharing and best practice in Engineering , Management and Finance . Working alongside the United Nations ( UNEP ), its twin organisation the European Energy Centre ( EEC ) and leading universities , the ECT provides training courses , qualifications , conferences , publications , European projects and global partnerships , and awards the highly regarded , internationally recognised Galileo Master Certificate .
Wolseley opens graduate scheme Wolseley UK , the world ’ s largest trade distributor of heating and plumbing products , has launched a sales graduate programme that offers young people training and handson experience with market-leading brands , like Plumb Centre , Parts Centre and Pipe Centre , serving workers in the construction industry with energy efficiency products .
UK ’ s first transparent solar bus shelter opens in the capital
The UK ’ s first solar power generating bus stop has been opened in Canary Wharf , London . Designed by Polysolar , it is made with transparent photovoltaic glazing , which captures the sun ’ s rays even in low light .
The shelter was unveiled last month outside the HSBC building in Canada Square by London Mayoral candidate Sian Berry .
It can generate up to 2,000kWh per year of renewable electricity , enough to power the average London home , which will be used to run smart signs and infrastructure on the estate and help reduce carbon emissions .
Polysolar was commissioned to create the shelter by Canary Wharf Group after winning its Cognicity Challenge and it worked with
Surge in renewable generation hard landscaping and street furniture supplier Marshalls on the pilot scheme .
It now hopes to use the same technology for cladding on new buildings on the estate in the future .
Solar kits donated to colleges
Solar on the go Swedish solar energy expert Midsummer , a leading provider of equipment for manufacturing flexible CIGS thin film solar cells , has received funding from Mistra for the development of lightweight solar modules on vehicles . The new solar panels will be integrated into body panels in a Clean Motion Zbee ultra-light electric vehicle composite roof .
Demand for green gas A survey conducted for Biomethane Day has shown that 84 percent of people in the UK would like to switch to using green gas in their homes . The event , organised by the REA , revealed how the UK now leads the world in green gas production . Biomethane injected into the gas grid has been used for industry and transport , but is now also available to domestic consumers in their homes .
New statistics released by DECC reveal significant increases in the installation of renewable electricity capacity , over a period in which overall electricity generation fell .
Renewable electricity in 2015 made up 24.7 percent of all electricity generated in the UK , a record-breaking achievement and a 28.8 percent rise from 19.1 percent in 2014 .
Solar PV showed strong growth , 86 percent up from 2014 with total generation of 7.6TWh .
The Government understands that it needs to reach a target of 30 percent renewable electricity by 2020 to meet its legally binding targets . Given present growth rates it appears likely that this will take place .
However , analysis by the REA suggests this may not be enough . The legally binding 2020 renewable energy targets include both heat and transport , two sectors where the Government is currently set to miss its decarbonisation targets – something acknowledged in government committee hearings by groups such as the Committee on Climate Change . Thus to meet the overall binding target the electricity sector will have to go even further , hitting 44-45 percent sourced from renewables by 2020 .
2015 ’ s renewable electricity growth rate of five percent would need to continue year-on-year to achieve this and recent policy changes make that unlikely .
Solar energy company PROINSO is donating equipment to 16 United World Colleges ( UWC ) to assist students in comparing renewable energy data from different parts of the world .
PROINSO ’ s first donation has been made to UWC Atlantic College in Llantwit Major , South Wales . The equipment will be set up in the college ’ s ‘ Valley ’, an on-site kitchen garden . It will primarily power a greenhouse run by students , which houses a range of vegetables and plants while allowing experiments with different food growth techniques .
The aim is for students in Wales to compare renewable data with peers around the world , to see how different climates impact on energy usage at schools in countries such as Canada , China , Costa Rica , Norway , Singapore and Swaziland .
At UWC Atlantic College , students split their week equally between their IB studies and co-curricular activities , with the college ’ s mission stating that environmental responsibility forms part of its overall goal to make education a force for peace in the world .
Students also play an active role in the college ’ s Sustainability Council . The Council works continuously to develop the Sustainability Charter , which regulates on everything from day-to-day student activity to assessing green credentials for school suppliers .
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