Exploring this week's industry updates with ?????? ???????????????? as we take a look into the latest industry developments. UK political parties' manifestos for the upcoming election highlight varying climate policies and Renewable energy producers face the EU carbon border tax, The UK rises to sixth in the Renewable Energy Attractiveness Index, and renewable generation hits a record high. We also cover significant investments in energy storage and solar projects, including a partnership for renewable-powered homes. Were taking a look at the key trends and developments that have happened this week which promise to shape the landscape of sustainable energy. ??????
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?? Industry Updates:
Catch up on the latest news, policy changes and trends.
- Solar Energy in UK Political Parties’ Manifestos - Key UK political parties have published their manifestos for the 4 July General Election. The Labour Party’s manifesto puts green policies “at the heart” of its plans for growth and prosperity. To some degree, all of the parties target the climate in their pledges to the UK public. In the Conservative manifesto, Rishi Sunak aims to deliver on climate without what he has called “unaffordable eco-zealotry”. ?While it pledges to ring-fence its commitment to International Climate Finance, the Conservative Party’s “pragmatic and proportionate” approach to the environment does not establish climate-specific spending commitments. Read the full article.
- UK Renewable Energy Producers Could Be Hit by the EU Carbon Border Tax - UK renewable power generators exporting electricity to the EU could be hit with the EU carbon border tax as of 2026 unless the UK and the European Union work a way to change part of the EU mechanism, British industry officials and analysts have told Reuters. Read the full article.
- The Impact of Reform UK's Policies on the UK's Progress Towards Net Zero - Reform UK has proposed a significant shift in the UK's energy and environmental policies, with a focus on scrapping the current Net Zero target. Their rationale is centred on the belief that Net Zero policies are economically detrimental, driving up energy costs, harming businesses, and resulting in job losses. However, abandoning the Net Zero target could have several negative repercussions on the UK's progress in various areas. Read the full article.
- UK Ranked Sixth Most Attractive Market for Clean Energy Investment - While the UK has climbed one spot to rank sixth in the Renewable Energy Attractiveness Index, it still lags behind the US, China, Germany, France, and Australia. The recent report by EY highlights the challenges posed by grid constraints and the urgent need for action to accelerate clean energy investment. The report underscores the rapid transformation of the global energy system, with electricity projected to dominate energy demand by 2050. Read the full article.
- Renewable Generation Up by 13% in 2023 - Renewable generation, excluding hydro, was up 13% to a record global high of 4,748TWh in 2023, according?to a new report from the Energy Institute (EI) and co-authors KPMG and Kearney. This growth was driven almost entirely by wind and solar and accounted for 74% of all net additional electricity generated,?according to the the Statistical Review of World Energy, presenting for the first time full global energy data for 2023. Read the full article.
- Small Scale Solar Surpasses 1.8m Installations - The latest MCS data shows that the number of certified small-scale renewables installed in the UK has surpassed 1.8 million. The figures from the MCS renewables certification scheme show that May is the best month of the year so far with over 19,000 certified installations. MCS data shows that certified solar PV and battery storage installations are rising. There were 1,600 certified battery storage installations in May, bringing the total for the year so far to more than 6,000 – which is more than the whole of 2023 combined. Read the full article.
- A UK-first Collaboration Between Stiebel Eltron UK and Solarwatt UK To Drive Renewable Powered Homes - The partnership will offer a holistic approach to the implementation of renewable technologies across dwellings, maximising energy efficiency, cost savings, and delivering sustainable homes across the UK.? Combining STIEBEL ELTRON’s heat pump systems with Solarwatt’s solar panel technology, battery storage solutions, and Manager flex energy management system, the two companies will create a single renewable energy package.?Read the full article.
- Market Risk For CfD Projects Mitigated by Energy Storage - The UK’s growing energy storage fleet can reduce market risk for Contracts for Difference (CfD) projects. While a CfD protects renewable generation projects against price volatility, storage can help reduce negative prices, according to AFRY’s John Perkins. Speaking to Energy-Storage.news, Perkins, senior principal at consultancy AFRY, highlighted that negative prices are a “big risk” for generators and that they could grow to “several hundreds” of hours a year. Read the full article.
- Scottish Government Urged to Reinstate Solar PV in Home Energy Scotland Scheme
- Otovo, VW’s Elli Launch Solar and Electromobility Solution
- Octopus Energy to Bring Tesla Powerhouse Perks to Customers
- UK Expands AI and Green Energy Initiatives with Major Funding at G7 Summit
?? Innovative Technologies:
Discovering the cutting-edge technologies and innovations that are driving sustainability and reshaping the industry.
- Oxford PV Achieves Solar Panel World-record With 26.6% Efficiency - Perovskite solar cell researcher Oxford PV has unveiled a new perovskite-silicon tandem module in conjunction with German module producer Sunmaxx, with a record conversion efficiency of 26.6%. Oxford PV said the efficiency was certified by the photovoltaic calibration laboratory at the Fraunhofer ISE (Fraunhofer CalLab), which provides measurement services for solar cells and modules. The 60-cell double-glass module, with a designated area of just over 1.6 square metres, weighs under 25 kilograms and is “an ideal size for residential applications”. Read the full story.
- UK’s First National Centre Launched to Advance Geothermal Energy in the UK - The Net Zero Technology Centre (NZTC), Durham University, SHIFT Geothermal, and The Reece Foundation have announced the launch of the UK National Geothermal Centre (NGC). The NGC aims to accelerate the UK geothermal sector by stimulating and supporting research and innovation, transitioning and developing expertise, and driving the creation of a policy, regulation, and investment framework which enables geothermal advancement. Read the full story.
- EDF Launches Britain’s First Solar Tariff With No Standing Charges - EDF has launched what it claims to be Britain’s first solar tariff with no standing charges or exit fees. Called the Empower Exclusive tariff, it is available to new customers who install a solar panel and battery bundle through installer, Contact Solar. EDF says the move will help customers “slash” household bills and cut carbon emissions. Read the full story.
- Startup Bactery Has Developed a Way to Produce Clean Energy Using Soil Bacteria - The environmentally friendly soil battery technology uses the electrons produced by soil bacteria in the course of their life to produce clean energy. Bactery batteries powered by bacteria are based on “soil microbial fuel cells” (SMFCs). They capture energy from natural chemical reactions that occur in soil microorganisms. Carbon electrodes are placed in the soil and connected to an external circuit. This system transmits electrons generated by certain bacteria as they consume organic compounds from the soil, converting them into electricity. Stacks of these cells can be connected to a battery to store this energy. Read the full story.
?? Project Pipelines:
This weeks projects and initiatives that are making a positive impact.
- Downing Snaps Up 35 MWp of British Solar From NextEnergy - London-based investment manager Downing announced it has acquired a 35-MWp operational solar park in England’s Lincolnshire in a deal worth roughly GBP 28 million (USD 35.6m/EUR 33.2m). The company’s energy and infrastructure unit has finalised the purchase of the ground-mount photovoltaic (PV) farm that has been generating electricity since the summer of 2023. The vendor is NextEnergy Capital. Read the full article.
- Highview Power Secures ￡300 Million for Pioneering Long-Duration Energy Storage Project in Manchester - Highview Power has announced a significant ￡300 million?funding boost for constructing the UK's first commercial-scale liquid air energy storage (LAES) facility in Manchester. This substantial investment is spearheaded by the UK Infrastructure Bank (UKIB) and energy powerhouse Centrica, with additional backing from a consortium of investors, including mining giant Rio Tinto, financial leader Goldman Sachs, Danish investment firm Kirkbi, and US-based Mosaic Capital Partners. Read the full article.
- Hometree Secures ￡250m For Affordable Energy Installations in UK Households - Hometree, a UK residential energy services company, has secured a ￡250m ($316.98m) asset-backed debt facility from Barclays to help UK homeowners finance the installation of solar panels, battery storage systems and heat pumps through a range of lease and loan products. The zero-deposit payment options are designed to boost the domestic renewable energy market, helping homeowners switch to green power. Many homeowners will be able to “pay as they save”, with the forecasted savings they make through reduced energy bills exceeding their monthly payments from day one. Read the full article.
- 740MW Solar PV NSIP Consultation Extended - Renewable energy developer PS Renewables and ?rsted confirmed that the consultation period for its 740MW One Earth Solar Farm in Nottinghamshire has been extended. The two companies stated that, due to the upcoming national elections, the developers have extended this consultation by an additional two weeks to allow interested parties to participate. As a result, the ‘statutory’ consultation is now running for eight weeks, from 29th May to 23 July 2024. Read the full article.
- NTR Energises Eight Renewables Sites With Combined 268.5MW Generation Capacity - European renewable energy specialist NTR has announced the successful energisation of eight clean energy assets across Europe. The sites, a mix of wind and solar projects, are located in Ireland, the UK, France, Spain and Finland. Combined, the assets have a generation capacity of 268.5MW. The UK assets include the 58.8MWp Ockendon solar project, which is located in Essex, with the farm’s 108,000 panels being built atop a 5 million tonne sealed landfill site. Meanwhile in Ireland, the Gorey Solar Farm and Macallian Solar Farm are now providing a combined 22.1MWp of power. Read the full article.
- RWE Pushes Forward With 350MW BESS Plans - Power producer RWE has moved forward with proposals for a 350MW battery energy storage system (BESS) to be located next to its Pembroke Power Station in Wales. The proposed BESS would be located on 5.1 hectares of land next to the current Pembroke Power Station and would comprise 212 battery containers and 106 power conversion systems (PCS) which would allow the system to be connected to the UK power grid. Read the full article.
- Big Battery Co Gets Planning Permission For 49MW BESS - The planning committee of a Scottish local council has approved proposals for a 49MW battery energy storage system (BESS). Developer Big Battery Co has been granted permission by Inverclyde Council. The site, located just outside the town of Greenock, will now host 13 battery units with a combined capacity of 49.9MW and a predicted lifespan of 40 years. Read the full story.
? Talent Spotlight:
Highlighting this weeks hottest jobs in the renewable industry.
- Solar Electrical Manager | Leicestershire | Up to ￡50k - View job
- Retrofit Coordinator | Birmingham | Up to ￡45k - View Job
- Retrofit Coordinator | Manchester | Up to ￡45k - View Job
- Solar Site Manager | Nationwide | Up to ￡50k - View Job
- General Operative (Solar) | Nationwide | Up to ￡30k - View Job
- Solar PV Technical Manager | South East | Up to ￡45k - View Job
- Lead Solar Installer | North Somerset | Up to ￡45k - View Job
- Solar Design Manager | Lancashire | Up to ￡50k - View Job
- Solar O&M Engineer | Cornwall | Up to ￡40k - View Job
- Solar Electrical Installer | Cornwall | Up to ￡38k - View Job
For all the latest roles, updates and help with hiring specialist, cleantech talent check out Zero Global - Shaping the future #WithPurpose
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9 个月Exciting times ahead for the renewable energy industry. ?? Can't wait to see the positive impact on our sustainable future. ?? Amelia Yates-Hartnell