Last week, wind energy surpassed the 5GW energy generation mark, which is enough electricity to power 3 million homes for an entire year.

This landmark was achieved by the commissioning of 2 wind farm developments this month. The Vattenfall’s 300 MW Thanet offshore wind farm, which came on stream as of last week and the expansion of Fred Olsen Renewables’ Crystal Rig 200MW onshore wind farm in the Scottish Borders which was completed early September.

RenewableUK Chief Executive Maria McCaffery MBE, said last week: “Today’s developments are of tremendous significance for meeting our long term renewable energy targets.

“In 2002 the UK was generating around 2% of all electricity from renewable sources, we are now on the threshold of 10%, having increased outputs five fold.

“This demonstrates that, considering the current pipeline of projects, 2020 targets are realistic and achievable, provided the policies are in place.”

This is really beginning to seem like we may hit our targets regarding the Renewable Energy Strategy published in 2009, in which the Government outlined a scenario for the UK to reach around 30% of electricity from wind by 2020 in order to meet EU targets on reducing carbon emissions.

On the 23 September the Thanet Offshore Wind Farm officially opened, which now has the capacity to power over 200,000 homes.

The site has 100 turbines, the owners Vattenfall say it is the largest offshore farm in the world was opened by Chris Huhne and began producing power the same day.

Mr Huhne was joined by Swedish firm Vattenfall’s Chief Executive Øystein Løseth for the ceremony.

Mr Løseth said: “This is a milestone in the development of renewable energy for a sustainable society.”

“For Vattenfall it is a springboard to the future, both to the British market and to large-scale offshore wind power.”

“This is an expression not only of the rapid technological development in offshore wind power, but also of Vattenfall’s development strategy, where the UK is seen as one of the main future markets for offshore wind power.”

Thanet lies in sight of Kentish flats, another offshore wind farm owned by Vattenfall and the two organisations have been merged into one.

Including Thanet Vattenfall is producing 25% of the world’s offshore wind power.

The development of the East Anglia Array, a gigantic offshore wind farm area in the North Sea off the east coast of England, granted jointly to Vattenfall and ScottishPower Renewables.

Within the next 2 years there will be an offshore turbine constructed just off the coast of Britain and it will be about 500ft tall with a diameter of 475ft.

The mammoth 10 megawatt machine, dubbed Britannia, may become a growing trend says the project leader Bill Grainger.

He doesn’t see a reason why offshore turbines should not get evener larger, as the larger they are, the more power it creates which makes economic sense.

Mr Grainger, who heads the Britannia design team, told The Engineer magazine: ”There isn’t a technical issue that screams out size limit.

”You have to make changes as you get bigger. Blades get floppier, for example, so you have to put more carbon in, but we aren’t anywhere near 100% carbon yet.”

The Britannia turbine is being built in Blyth, Northumberland, will have 3 enormous blades which will each weigh more than 30 tonnes. The circumference of the blades will be 100ft wider than the London eye. The most likely location for Britannia is Dogger Bank, just off the north-east coast.

The turbine will rise 574ft above the waves and will generate enough electricity to power 10,000 homes. Over its lifetime could replace 2 million barrels of oil.

Clipper Windpower Marine is splashing out with £44 million for the turbine’s building facilities, including a blade factory in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. There will also be £5 million contributed from the local regional development agency.

Mr. Grainger did say, ”There might be a limit to the size that people want to put into the field; if a 20 megawatt turbine failed, that’s a big chunk of electricity to lose. But then, if a power station goes off-line you’ve lost 300 megawatts, so I don’t think that’s a limit either”

”They’ll get bigger than 10 megawatts, is my feeling. How much bigger? I don’t know.”

Wind energy will be increased by 13% by the end of 2010 according to new figures.

The European Wind Energy Association (EWEA) predicts that 10GW of new wind power to be introduced across Europe this year, taking the capacity to almost 85GW.

Christian Kjaer, chief executive of EWEA said, “We predict another strong year for wind turbine installations in Europe, repeating the high level achieved in 2009, what is encouraging is that, unlike in 2009, the 2010 results consist of orders placed after the start of the financial crisis. This shows continued and strong investor confidence in the technology.”

Kjaer added that it’s too early to say whether, for a third year running, there will be more wind energy capacity installed than any other electricity generating technology, but it is clear that wind energy will be competing for the top spot with new gas power plants. This year up to 1 GW increased capacity is to be installed during the year which is a big increase on the 577 MW installed in 2009.

EWEA expects France and Italy to install around 1 GW each in 2010. Spain are expected not increase their capacity but it will be more than compensated for by the doubling of installation in the new member states – led by Romania and Bulgaria and the massive growth in the UK, particular offshore wind farms. German is expected to be the leader in the market, with the UK a close second.

According to a spending watch dog, after £265 million of tax payer’s money was spent to meet the climate change target, it looks likely we will miss our target.

The money which was used to fund wind, wave or solar sources to generate  more electricity doesn’t seem to be enough to match the 10% target set by the last goverment in 2000.

A report from the National Audit Office said the target is likely to be missed this year, despite direct government grants of £265 million to help energy companies develop the new technologies.

This set back has cast further doubt over the Government’s ability to meet a legally-binding EU target, which is to generate 15% of all energy from renewable sources by 2020.

The latest available data from 2008 shows that only 5.5% was obtained from renewable sources.

Amyas Morse, head of the NAO, pointed out that the Government will have to increase the amount of renewable energy in this country seven fold on 2008 levels to meet the 2020 target.

“At present the 2020 target looks optimistic,” he said.

The Government has been under heavy criticism from Environmental groups for their disappointing performance especially due to the amount of finances they have used from the tax payers.

The Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) insisted the UK are confident of hitting their target and also confident about cutting green house gas by 34 per cent by 2020.

The latest figures show the UK has cut greenhouse gas emissions by 28% since 1990.

One of the largest offshore windfarms in the world will begin construction next year an energy firm has announced. The £2bn Gwynt y Mor windfarm will have 160 turbines about 10 miles away from the shore, near Colwyn Bay and Llandudno.

Work will begin the later part of next year, the windfarm is expected to begin generating power as early as 2013 but the RWE Innogy-led project is not expected to be completed until 2014. The project will also involve two other partners, Stadtwerke München and Siemens.

Some of the residents in Llandudno have tried to stop the project claiming it will destroy the resort’s view out to sea.

The government’s decision to grant planning permission was criticised by protesters who also said wind energy was unreliable.

There is a possibility that 1,000 jobs will be created regarding the construction and supply of materials.

Welsh Secretary Cheryl Gillan said: “This is excellent news. Gwynt y Mor will be one of the single biggest private investment projects ever seen in Wales, creating up to 1,000 quality jobs and contributing many millions of pounds to the regional economy of north Wales.”

“It will also become one of the largest offshore windfarm projects in Europe, able to provide enough clean, green electricity to power the equivalent of around 400,000 homes.”

“In Wales we are ideally located to embrace the economic benefits of green technologies. Surrounded by wind, wave and tidal resources, we are in a prime position to be able to benefit from investment in the green economy whilst making a significant contribution to the [UK] government’s carbon reduction targets through safe, clean renewable means.”

Shadow Welsh Secretary Peter Hain said, “This £2bn investment in north Wales, which was previously opposed by David Cameron, is only happening thanks to the pioneering work undertaken by Ed Miliband when he was Labour’s Energy Secretary. Gwynt y Mor will be Wales’ largest wind farm, capable of powering around 400,000 homes, and preventing the release of 1.7m tonnes of carbon dioxide every year.”

After the announcement that the Government has given permission, contracts worth £2.2m have already been awarded to companies based in Wales. More contracts and jobs are expected to be awarded throughout the development and to provide maintance once complete.

UK Energy Secretary Chris Huhne said: “This is the first of what I hope will be many examples of how we can make the most of our island’s huge renewable energy potential.

“I want to make sure we grab all the opportunities the rapidly expanding renewables industry has to offer, and that wind power can come of age under this government.”

RWE has invested in other windfarms off the north Wales coast such as North Hoyle and Rhyl Flats.

Rhyl Flats, which was officially opened at the end of last year, is currently Wales’ largest wind farm.

We here BuilderScrap are truly excited by the action Wales has taken to become a more energy efficient country.

Another problem has occurred regarding the Olympics, as their plan to build a 130 metre-high wind turbine to provide 5% of the energy it needs to power the Olympic park have been cancelled, according to the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA).

The renewable energy was supposed to contribute to the commitment the ODA made. They said that they would deliver 20% of the park’s energy needs from renewable sources from 2014 onwards

Unfortunately David Higgins, Chief Executive of the ODA say it is “no longer feasible”.

Higgins said that construction of the turbine had become unfeasible due to new safety legislation, a “challenging” delivery timetable and the preferred turbine supplier pulling out all of this lead to the idea having to be scrapped.

The turbine was to be positioned in Eton Manor, the north of the Olympic park, it was intended to be the visible symbol of London 2012’s commitment to delivering a sustainable games.

Higgins, an Australian project management fixer, said: “We have a strong track record in sustainability and we remain committed to meeting the challenging renewable energy targets we have set ourselves,” he added.

“Our focus is now on researching a number of alternative renewable energy options across the Olympic park site to help contribute to these targets and complement the other state-of-the art new energy infrastructure we are building.”

On a more positive note the construction is due to be completed by the middle part of 2011, the ODA currently have 7,500 people working towards the goal.

Hackney council have also helped matter by proceeding with a plan to erect a second turbine on a nearby site at East Marsh. It is still early days any new construction will be the subject of a planning application.

Worries have been raised that amongst all the confusion of a Liberal-Conservative coalition, the fight against climate change may take a back seat on priorities. The new Government have already had different opinions on major talking points such as nuclear power, renewable energy, airport expansion and offshore oil drilling.

These worries have not been helped by the new Climate Change Secretary Chris Huhne, who is one of the most senior Lib Dems in the Cabinet, conceding responsibility for civil nuclear energy policy to his Tory deputy, Charles Hendry, who will now submit any potential changes in legislation through Parliament.

Prime Minister, David Cameron pledged to make the coalition the “greenest government ever” and announced that all departments must cut their carbon emissions by at least 10 per cent.

Yet an investigation by The Independent on Sunday has found that, despite his commitment to “vote blue, go green”, there are many difference between the two parties across the board with relation to environmental issues.

More concerns were expressed after the Coalition agreement published last week, while they have agreed on a number of policies there have been no targets set explicitly for reducing carbon emissions.

There was a 6% difference between the Lib Dems and Conservative’s manifesto regarding UK emissions. Lib Dems pledged a 40% reduction with the conservative only committing to 34%.

The Coalition agreement supports “measure to encourage marine energy” – which is the Tories preference. The Lib Dems want an “energy mix” including 15,000 new wind turbines, the Tories are not happy about wind power and many of the leading Conservatives have opposed wind farms near their constituencies. Mr. Cameron has now decided he wants the market to decide what they feel is the best form of low-carbon technology.

While both parties are opposed to a third runway at Heathrow, the Tories haven’t ruled out the possibility of a new airport in the South-east.

The most worrying prospect, is that of offshore drilling, the Tories in the past have let it be known they support such ventures, they have committed to renew and extend exploration and exploitation of offshore oil reserves in the document “Rebuilding Security: Conservative Energy Policy for an Uncertain World”. The report also stated they hope to open the entire coastline of Britain to potential offshore drilling.

Andy Atkins, Friends of the Earth’s executive director, said: “The coalition Government must agree to cut UK emissions by at least 42 per cent by 2020. This is the minimum that scientific experts say is needed for this country to play its fair part in preventing dangerous climate change.”

One of the first acts Chris Huhne had in his new role as the new Environment and Climate Change Secretary was to concede to Conservative pressure to create a new generation of nuclear power stations.

Lib Dems previously had dismissed nuclear power as a way to meet UK energy needs, stating “We will say no to a new generation of nuclear power stations; nuclear power is a far more expensive way of reducing carbon emissions than promoting energy conservation and renewable power.”

Now it seems there has been a huge turn around as Chris Huhne who once called nuclear power “failed technology”, has made it clear he will not stand in the way of a new generation of nuclear power stations. He does say however that it will not be funded by the state and will be up to the nuclear industry to make the call whether or not they are able to go ahead with the plan.

Under the new coalition agreement signed last week, the Lib Dems agreed not to stand in the way of the Conservatives proposal to build new plants in order to replace our aging plants we currently have.

In the last quarter of 2009 nuclear power accounted for a 20% of the countries electricity and with all but one of them due to be closed by 2025 something has to be done to replace that loss of power generated and it has to happen fast.

Huhne also said that Britain should increase the amount of renewable energy we use. Today; tidal, wave, solar and wind power account for only 6% of our over all power used.

As we thought there will definitely have to be a certain amount of compromise when it comes to the new coalition government. It is not clear what they have managed to negotiate for this change of heart. Let’s hope they’ve only negotiated what they feel is beneficial for the country and not conceded their principals on nuclear power to have a stronger position when trying to introduce more forms of renewable energy.

Here at BuilderScrap.com we’ve been looking at some interesting information from Defra. This is an older press release from April, but we think is still relevant… Low carbon economy.   The Secretary of State for Environment Hilary Benn today welcomed the measures in the 2009 Budget which encourage investment in low carbon jobs and energy generation using organic waste.

The Chancellor announced additional funding of £10 million for anaerobic digestion and waste infrastructure and a continued increase of £8 per tonne per year to the standard rate of landfill tax up to 2013. These measures will encourage investment in sustainable waste management and will enable over 850,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent savings to be made each year, which will help towards achieving the Government’s carbon budget.

Following the Budget statement Hilary Benn said:

“The Government is committed to reducing the amount of waste sent to landfill and finding alternative sources of energy. The £10 million for food waste reprocessing will play a vital role in providing alternative energy, diverting a further 316,000 tonnes of food waste from landfill and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

“In the UK we produce over 100 million tonnes of organic material every year that, through anaerobic digestion, could be used to create enough energy to heat and power over two million homes.

“And it’s not only the environment that will benefit. Increasing our anaerobic digestion capability will also stimulate a greener economy by creating skilled jobs in construction, collection and reprocessing of organic waste.”

Anaerobic digestion is the process of breaking down organic material such as food waste and farm manures and slurries to create heat and power and transport fuel.

In February Defra announced the UK’s goal to become a world leader in this innovative technology. Businesses ranging from the energy sector, water, retail and agriculture support this goal and a task group is working on a programme to implement the plans of Government and industry. The £10 million funding package announced in the budget today is in addition to the £10 million already earmarked in 2008 to build demonstration plants. From April 1 2009 Government has doubled the level of support for anaerobic digestion through the Renewable Obligation.

An increase in the UK’s anaerobic digestion capability will also help to deliver landfill targets. This was bolstered in the Budget that will continue the increase in Landfill Tax in increments of eight pounds a year up to 2013.

Mr Benn continued:

“The Landfill Tax has really helped to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill and encouraging businesses and local authorities to move towards a more sustainable approach to handling waste. In the last year alone efforts by local authorities have reduced their landfill from 18 million tonnes in 2006 to 15 tonnes in 2008, and by encouraging greater recycling, carbon emissions have fallen by 11 million tonnes– the same as taking 3.6 million cars off the road overnight.”

Notes

1. ‘Anaerobic Digestion – Shared Goals’ sets shared national ambitions for anaerobic digestion, both nationally and within individual sectors.  The document and the list of organisations which have endorsed it so far are available at: www.defra.gov.uk/environment/waste/ad/government.htm

2. Anaerobic digestion breaks down organic matter, such as animal manure and food waste, to produce biogas which can be used as a renewable energy source for heat and power, and as a transport fuel.  It produces a nutrient-rich digestate which can be used as fertiliser, and importantly it keeps organic waste out of landfill, which cuts greenhouse gas emissions.

3. Electricity from anaerobic digestion is eligible for support in the form of ROCs (Renewable Obligation Certificates).  On 1 April 2009, the Government introduced differentiated support levels for different renewables technologies (known as “banding”).  Anaerobic digestion is among the technologies that receive additional support in the form of multiple ROCs.  Anaerobic digestion now receives 2 ROCs/MWh (Renewable Obligation Certificates per Megawatt hour).

4. In-Vessel Composting (IVC) is a process that breaks down organic matter to produce a compost while contained in a closed environment. Food Waste is subject to the Animal By-Products Regulations that require composting to take place in closed containers or buildings with no access by vermin, and meet stringent requirements for temperature and pasteurisation to kill disease causing organisms. All food waste must be processed by IVC or AD facilities.

5. Landfill targets set by the European Union are:

* By 2010 to reduce the amount of Biodegradable Municipal Waste (BMW) going to landfill to 75% of that produced in 1995.
* By 2013 to reduce the amount of BMW going to landfill to 50% of that produced in 1995.
* By 2020 to reduce the amount of BMW going to landfill to 35% of that produced in 1995.

6. The £10 million additional funding for anaerobic digestion projects is expected to deliver around 178,500 tonnes per year in CO2 savings.

7. Increases in Landfill Tax up to 2013 are expected to deliver around 700,000 tonnes per year in CO2 savings.