coal-fired-power-plant-499910_1280

Sizewell B nuclear plant ammonia leak closes part of beach

A beach near a nuclear power station had to be closed to the public after a “small amount of ammonia leaked”, an energy firm said.

EDF Energy said the leak from a storage tank at Sizewell B in Suffolk on Friday afternoon was “immediately contained”.

But part of the beach was cordoned off “as a precaution” because ammonia fumes could have a “strong smell”.

A spokeswoman said: “There is no risk to public health and no-one was hurt as a result of this incident.”

She said the power station remained switched off for planned maintenance and refuelling.

The beach has reopened.

EDF Energy said ammonia was used on the site to control pH levels.

D5ZIvUZXkAAdvJj

Delivering Energy Data Taskforce recommendations

We are delivering

Following the recent publication of the Energy Data Taskforce (EDTF) report, Ofgem, in collaboration with BEIS and Innovate UK, is deciding on the specific and immediate steps that the sector needs to take to keep the momentum from the EDTF going and realise the vision of a modern, digitised energy system. Ofgem is also learning whether the findings are applicable to other energy data.

Don’t stop your work

We know many organisations are already working to progress the energy market’s data agenda. Our message to you is: please don’t stop. Keep working on your projects to deliver consumer benefits. Though, we do suggest that you reflect on the EDTF report and its data vision. Ask yourselves, whether there are opportunities for your work to better align itself to the EDTF principles and recommendations and so help realise that vision. Even if you consider the data you work with to be outside the scope of the EDTF definition of Energy System Data (see page 7 of the report), do still ask yourselves, “Can these recommendations and ways of working also be of benefit to consumers for my work?”

Work with us

Over the coming weeks we will be contacting energy data users to see how they believe the desired outcomes from the EDTF recommendations can be achieved and to learn what their organisations are already doing to improve their data processes and meeting the data needs of their stakeholders. Don’t wait for us to contact you. If you have specific suggestions for how the EDTF vision is best realised, get in touch with us and share your action plan. Please contact us at OfgemDataServices@ofgem.gov.uk. Help us understand:

  1. What do you think the priority next steps should be?
  2. What data projects you are working on that the EDTF report did not include.
  3. What early benefits can be achieved?
  4. How applicable do you think the EDTF recommendations are to other energy data and to data beyond the energy market?

We look forward to hearing from you!

Business-utilities-UK -with-background

EDF Energy bids to shift gear in EV infrastructure with NEoT Capital deal

EDF Energy has signed a partnership with investment firm NEoT Capital to accelerate its deployment of EV charging infrastructure in the UK.

The deal will see EDF become NEoT’s preferred partner for EV charging infrastructure, providing engineering, procurement, construction and management services, while NEoT will take on the mantle of becoming EDF’s preferred provider of financing for EVs, batteries and related infrastructure.

The duo pointed towards a “limited” investment by businesses into electric fleets, with few businesses able to finance the kind of energy systems necessary to support EVs, including battery storage and vehicle-to-grid systems.

EDF recently launched a nationwide advertising zeroing in on its proposition in electric vehicles, and the two companies said they intend to trigger “more meaningful” investment into EVs by providing their business customers with an end-to-end solution.

Energy suppliers in the UK are racing into the EV space in their droves, with end-to-end packages incorporating financing, vehicle ownership, charging infrastructure and clean power supply proving popular.

The likes of ScottishPower, Drax and Centrica have launched special purpose, end-to-end EV product offerings in recent times, while Volkswagen launched its own clean energy supplier – Elli – in Germany earlier this year to secure its position in the EV power supply market.

Beatrice Bigois, managing director for customers at EDF Energy, said: “To accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles, we need to find innovative ways to finance the required investments. This strategic partnership with NEoT Capital will help us make electric mobility a reality for our customers.”

twilight-532720_1280

Innovate UK and ENGIE launch £4m energy innovation competition

Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), has joined forces with ENGIE to discover and fund innovative projects that can speed up the development of solutions to decarbonise, digitise and decentralise energy and help achieve a sustainable energy transition.

A £4m competition will link government grants from Innovate UK, awarded alongside and simultaneously with private sector investment from ENGIE.

It’s the first time an Innovate UK programme has private funding from overseas.

ENGIE, a French energy and services company, will work with Innovate UK to make joint investments and the competition’s aim is to allow organisations to form investment partnerships at an early stage.

To do this, ENGIE and Innovate UK are bringing together Innovate UK’s expertise in identifying promising innovations and using funding to materially change their risk profiles as well as ENGIE’s expertise in the commercial sector.

Ian Meikle, director of clean growth and infrastructure at Innovate UK, said: ‘We are seeking the very best of British ideas in clean growth innovation.

‘By teaming up with ENGIE we can multiply our funding and do even more to grow the industries, businesses and jobs of tomorrow by bringing in the private sector at an earlier stage through this investment accelerator programme.”

Nicola Lovett, CEO of ENGIE UK & Ireland, added: ‘We are delighted to be working with both Innovate UK and ENGIE’s Paris-based New Ventures team to directly assist innovative UK companies in the clean growth sector – in areas such as renewables, energy services and e-mobility.

‘This initiative also supports our own ambition to be a leader in making zero-carbon transition possible for businesses and local authorities.’

The first round of the competition closes on August 14.

solar-panel-array-1591359_1280

UK becomes first major economy to pass net zero emissions law

The UK today became the first major economy in the world to pass laws to end its contribution to global warming by 2050.

The target will require the UK to bring all greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050, compared with the previous target of at least 80% reduction from 1990 levels.

The UK has already reduced emissions by 42% while growing the economy by 72% and has put clean growth at the heart of our modern Industrial Strategy. This could see the number of “green collar jobs” grow to 2 million and the value of exports from the low carbon economy grow to £170 billion a year by 2030.

Energy and Clean Growth Minister Chris Skidmore said:

The UK kick-started the Industrial Revolution, which was responsible for economic growth across the globe but also for increasing emissions.

Today we’re leading the world yet again in becoming the first major economy to pass new laws to reduce emissions to net zero by 2050 while remaining committed to growing the economy – putting clean growth at the heart of our modern Industrial Strategy.

We’re pioneering the way for other countries to follow in our footsteps driving prosperity by seizing the economic opportunities of becoming a greener economy.

The UK’s 2050 net zero target — one of the most ambitious in the world — was recommended by the Committee on Climate Change, the UK’s independent climate advisory body. Net zero means any emissions would be balanced by schemes to offset an equivalent amount of greenhouse gases from the atmosphere, such as planting trees or using technology like carbon capture and storage

The government is hosting Green GB Week on 4 November to encourage all corners of the country and sectors of society to play their part in meeting these ambitious targets.

For more information about what the government is doing to tackle climate change, please visit the Green GB Week website.

power-plant-815799_1280

Lords debates reduction in UK’s greenhouse gas emissions

Members of the Lords discussed regulations on reducing the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050, on Wednesday 26 June.

This Statutory Instrument (SI) is made under the draft affirmative procedure, meaning it needs to be approved by both Houses of Parliament before it can be made (signed into law) and brought into effect as law. Draft affirmative SIs can be stopped if either House votes against the government’s motion calling for the SI to be approved.

Motion to regret

Lord Grantchester (Labour), proposed a regret motion to the regulations on the grounds that:

  • the government have given little detail of how the emissions target will be met
  • they have made a substantial change in policy without the full and proper scrutiny that such a change deserves and;
  • they have not introduced regulations under section 30 of Climate Change Act 2008, to include greenhouse gases from (a) international aviation, or (b) international shipping, as part of the emissions target.

Following the debate on the floor of the House, the regret motion was put to a vote. 155 members were in favour, with 116 against, and so the regret motion was agreed to.

This regret motion cannot stop the regulations, but provides the opportunity for the House to put its concerns on record.

Lords scrutiny

The House of Lords Secondary Legislation Scrutiny Committee(SLSC) examines every SI and publishes reports, drawing members’ attention to any areas of concern.

The SLSC reported on the Climate Change Act 2008 (2050 Target Amendment) Order 2019 in their 53rd Report.

Further information