Low Carbon Bulletin

Dear Member,

A very warm welcome to the Low Carbon Innovation Bulletin, which focuses on sharing best practice techniques and innovative measures that can be adopted to reduce your carbon output.

This issue's cross sector case studies look at some groundbreaking uses of renewable energy, including the innovative use of landfill gas to heat municipal buildings and private homes; and a forthcoming initiative aiming to provide power to several inner city tower blocks using solar panels.

We cover the wider funding issues that may beset the private and public sector when trying to achieve similar building development initiatives and take a look at one companies' endeavours to engage local organisations in their bid to reduce emissions harmful to the environment. As usual, tips on how to overcome these and other barriers and the pitfalls to look out for are included.

We encourage all readers to comment on any of the outlined initiatives and in particular, to respond to the advice provided and important issues arising from the experiences of others; even where you disagree! To share your comments and ideas, please follow the links.

If you would like to tell others about innovative work you have been doing to become more energy efficient, please contact us. We hope you enjoy the Low Carbon Innovation Bulletin and welcome any feedback or news you may have.

All the best,

Mel Poluck.

Click on the links below to read the full stories

Opinions invited for consultation

Opinions are invited for a consultation launched last week setting out the UK Government's obligation on energy suppliers, previously referred to as the Energy Efficiency Commitment (EEC). Proposals for the 'Carbon emissions reduction target' (CERT), from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, include double the current levels of EEC activity and a continuing focus on lo-income consumers. The closing date for comments is 15 August.

Energy White Paper published

An Energy White Paper was published b y Trade and Industry Secretary Alistair Darling last week, containing new measures designed to reduce Britain's greenhouse gas emissions in all sectors such as revised subsidies for renewable energy and "smart" electricity meters for homes. Darling claims the new policies would be able to cut carbon dioxide emissions by up to 33 million tonnes by 2020.

Ethical funds database

A free database of information about UK ethical funds went live online this month aimed at financial advisors, allowing them to match funds with clients' requirements: 'Ethical screening' enables individuals, charities and trusts, and clients of investment managers with environmental and social concerns, to invest their money according to their principles

The Low Carbon Innovation Network and Enterprise Events cannot be held liable for the content of external websites

To see more news and to add some of your own visit the forum here

The Low Carbon Innovation Exchange will take place on June 14th at the Olympia 2 Conference Centre in London and the list of companies and products that will be on show continues to grow.

Companies represented in the showcase will include:

Accelerated Compost Ltd, Akristos, Ambirad, Aptiform, Airus, ASI, Autoflame Engineering, NetComposites, Bluesky, BT Conferencing, CMR, Curvaceous Software, E.ON Energy, EA Technical Services, Ecocooling, Ecosearch, EDF Energy, Encraft, Epicam, Eurowind, Flexitricity, Gasfill 2000, Green Dimension, Green Ocean Energy, Hoval, Hydroventuri, Interflush, KVM Partnership, Microcab, NEC Computers, npower business, RD Energy Solutions, Schneider Electric, Scottish Power, Sd3, Spirovent, Tarmac, The Energy Savers, Trend, TruRead, Walltransform, Wind Direct

Full details of the showcase attendees can be seen here

The full programme for the Low Carbon Innovation Exchange can be seen by clicking here

New discussion groups and case studies that have recently been added to the Low Carbon Innovation Exchange programme include:

Simple ways to achieving behavioural change

Revathi Balasubramanyam, Tamside Council

Implementing an environmental management system (EMS)

Elaine Preston, Environmental Manager, Interservefm

Reduce your computing energy consumption by 50%

David Newbould, NEC Computers

To book your place to attend the exchange for the special discounted member rate please click here

The full programme for the day can be seen here

So how can you be involved?

-- Have you got any experience on a carbon reduction initiative that you would be willing to share with a small group of counterparts?

-- Or is there a specific challenge you face, where a collective brainstorm may help provide some of the answers for yourself or others?

Previous participants who have led or facilitated discussion groups at similar best practice events have rated the peer interaction to be very valuable, both in terms of exchanging experience and bringing together networks of people sharing an interest or challenge.

In recognition of your contribution, all topics accepted into the programme will qualify for a complimentary place at the Exchange.

So if you are interested in hosting a roundtable group on a topic of interest, please send an email to laura@carbon-innovation.com and we will call you to discuss the options.

Expert panel sessions on the day will cover a range of subjects, giving network members an insight into how carbon emissions are being reduced around the world, and also the opportunities that the future holds for reducing them further.

Panel sessions on the day will focus on minimising carbon emissions and creating bottom line savings, micro power generation, adapting products to suit new low carbon demands and supply chain partnerships.

To find out more about the Low Carbon Innovation Exchange please click here

Hammersmith Hospital- "The only real answer is to automate"

Hospitals are inevitably extremely demanding energy users. At the Hammersmith Hospitals NHS Trust (http://www.hhnt.org/trust/index.htm) in London for example, comprising the Charing Cross, Hammersmith and Queen Charlotte's Hospitals, the total energy budget is some £7 million per year.

Read the full story on the forum here

Clinphone - "Go on the web, see what organisations are out there to get funding from."

While it's early days for ClinPhone's (http://www.clinphone.com/) plan for boosting energy efficiency, high levels of environmental awareness among staff and a supportive Chief Executive are going to make Facilities Support Supervisor Richard Cotterill's job a lot easier.

Read the full story on the forum here

London Borough of Lambeth Council- "We're unique because we allocate a capital sum for 'renewables'"

"We're demonstrating you can generate clean energy into social housing," says Lambeth Council's Environment Manager, Jon Lissimore. The council, a local authority sustainable housing trailblazer, plans to install Solar Photovoltaic panels (solar PV) on three council tower blocks on the Ethelred estate in Lambeth over the next two to three years.

Read the full story on the forum here

Fife Council - "The technology is not rocket science"

Fife Council (http://www.fife.gov.uk/ ) in Scotland has taken the innovative step of using energy generated by methane from decomposing landfill waste as heating for municipal buildings and homes in the area.

Read the full story on the forum here

The bigger the Network is, the more organisations there are to share best practice!

Please forward this bulletin on to anyone who you think would like to be part of the Low Carbon Innovation Network. This may be someone within your organisation or it may be someone in your supply chain or competitive organisation.

New members can register for the bulletin for free by clicking here

We are always grateful to receive any comments or feedback that you have with regards to the bulletin, the forum, the exchange or the network in general.

We would also like to hear from you if you have a case study for the bulletin or have a topic that you would like to discuss at the exchange.

Please send any comments or suggestions to Mel Poluck, Editor, at mailto:mel@carbon-innovation.com or call +44 (0) 1273 232 001

Best Practice Ideas

Please visit the forum here and share a tip that you have for organisations to reduce their carbon emissions. Often the very simplest ideas can have the greatest effect in reducing carbon emissions:

Electronic devices account for 2-5% of landfill space, but they contribute 70% of the heavy metals found in landfills: check with technology manufacturers if they run a recycling program. (The Georgia Conservancy, Environmental organisation, Georgia, US)
By dropping the temperature of a chiller by one degree, you can make 10% energy savings. (Energy Advisor Terry Croydon, Hammersmith Hospitals NHS Trust)
Look local - when searching for grants see what local waste disposal companies have to offer. (Facilities Support Supervisor Richard Cotterill, ClinPhone)
Install motion sensors on light fittings as a matter of course when a new building or extension is developed on your site. (Energy Advisor Terry Croydon, Hammersmith Hospitals NHS Trust)

When training staff use a variety of tools, don't "sheep dip" everyone. (Environmental Manager Elaine Preston, Interserve Facilities Management)

To share your best practice ideas visit the forum here

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