Sun Wind and Rain www.sunwindandrain.co.uk

Sun Wind and Rain Blog

2011-02-17T20:07:00.000+00:00

We have moved the blog to our website. Please feel free to read the old posts and look at the new ones here.

Fish Fight - Half of all fish caught in the North Sea is thrown back overboard dead

2010-11-15T20:47:00.001+00:00

URL: http://www.fishfight.net/index

Hugh needs help to stop half of the fish caught in the North sea being thrown back dead, sign up to stop the waste!

See this Amp at http://amplify.com/u/fa8x

Devon Eco town gains approval

2010-11-05T13:08:00.001+00:00

Amplify’d from www.planningportal.gov.uk

Cranbrook, believed to be Devon’s first free-standing settlement since the Middle Ages is now set to climb off the drawing board following the green light from East Devon District Council. The project is also the first of the last Government’s “eco-town” projects to obtain planning consent.

Following the signing of a section 106 agreement, outline planning permission for the first 2,900 homes of the new community and up to 300 affordable housing units in the first phase, has now been issued by East Devon District Council to the New Community Partners, (Hallam Land Management, Redrow, Taylor Wimpey and Persimmon), The development consortium says construction work is on course to begin in the early part of next year.

Councillor Sara Randall-Johnson, leader of the local authority, said “The planning permission confirms that Cranbrook will include a low carbon district heating scheme, a dedicated bus route to and from Exeter, a multi-purpose building which will be home to the first library and community facilities until the town centre is built, two primary schools, a secondary school and a new railway station on the Exeter to Waterloo line.”

She added: “All of these facilities will have a high-quality landscape setting to include a country park, public open space with play areas, a skateboard park and other recreational facilities.”
Read more at www.planningportal.gov.uk

See this Amp at http://amplify.com/u/emdq

Defra vows to help farmers prune greenhouse gases

2010-11-04T09:42:00.001+00:00

Amplify’d from www.businessgreen.com

Multimillion-pound research programme to identify low-carbon farming
techniques

The government has today announced the launch of a new £12.6m research
programme designed to develop new techniques for measuring and reducing
greenhouse gas emissions from the agricultural sector.

According to government figures, agriculture accounts for eight per cent of
the UK's greenhouse gas emissions, including 76 per cent of UK nitrous oxide
emissions and 38 per cent of methane emissions.

However, the figures are calculated using what Defra admits is a simplified
approach based on generic emissions values and national statistics for
livestock numbers and fertiliser use. As such, they fail to take into account
how different farming techniques can help to curb emissions.

For example, some farms are piloting new feeding techniques for livestock
that are thought to reduce methane emissions, while there is also a school of
thought that using fertilisers on certain crops at different times may reduce
nitrous oxide emissions.

In particular, the research will focus on improving emissions data collection
across the sector and better understanding the factors that effect methane and
nitrous oxide emissions.

Farming minister Jim Paice said that the research programme would aim to
develop a more granular understanding of agriculture's contribution to
greenhouse gas emissions and identify those techniques that are best at cutting
emissions.
Read more at www.businessgreen.com

See this Amp at http://amplify.com/u/ejue

Local authorities urged to raise revenue from green energy projects

2010-10-27T11:29:00.001+01:00

Amplify’d from www.businessgreen.com

Councils ready to usher in 'brave new world' of renewable energy, but Local
Government Association warns members will need funding to drive renewables
revolution

Councils are hugely enthusiastic at the prospect of generating and selling
renewable energy, but they will not be able to deliver green energy projects
without improved easy access to funding and better information about local
renewables potential.

That was the message from the Local Government Association (LGA) at an event
in London this morning on how the public sector can take advantage of recent
changes in legislation that allow councils to sell energy back to the grid.

Councils are already entitled to keep the business rates of any energy
generation they own and following last week's spending review they have been
granted more power to raise their own revenues from green energy projects.

Although the proposed changes to legislation are yet to be finalised, the
reforms raise the possibility of local authorities setting themselves up as
proxy energy companies or working with the private sector to operate localised
renewable energy generation.
Read more at www.businessgreen.com

See this Amp at http://amplify.com/u/e20q

Germany Unveils Bold Energy Plans

2010-09-30T08:01:00.001+01:00

Amplify’d from www.elrst.com

Yesterday the German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, announced a bold plan to slash the use of fossil fuels by 2050. The plan calls for renewable energy to supply 60% of the country’s energy needs by 2050.

As the environment minister Norbert Röttgen stated, it is “the most ambitious energy programme ever seen, not only in Germany”.

The plan will also extend the life of nuclear power plants by an average of twelve years. Nuclear plants built before 1980 will be able to operate eight years longer than planned, and plants built after 1980 will produce electricity up to 14 years longer. This will enable the country to close its last nuclear reactor sometime in the 2030’s.

Although it is an unpopular move locally, as Germans strongly oppose nuclear, this decision will enable nuclear to be a bridging technology between today’s electricity generation which relies heavily on coal and lignite (more than 40 percent) and the future.

This will also bring important sums of money to finance renewable energy projects as the operators of the nuclear power plants will pay large taxes. More will be needed as the Financial Times notes
Read more at www.elrst.com

See this Amp at http://amplify.com/u/bgmi

10:10 Car Share

2010-09-26T16:47:00.001+01:00

Amplify’d from www.liftshare.com

Welcome to the 10:10 liftshare scheme

Could you save 10% of your emissions by car-sharing to work?

The typical commuter who car-shares every day cuts their emissions by a tonne a year – about 10% of the UK average! It’s a sociable and money-saving contribution to your 10:10 commitment.
There are 38 million empty car seats on the UK’s roads every morning... fill yours (or someone else’s!) with 10:10’s free car-sharing scheme.

Free to use - you simply share the travel costs

Links drivers and passengers together online

Part of the largest car sharing scheme in the UK

Reduces the pollution and congestion on our roads

Read more at www.liftshare.com

See this Amp at http://amplify.com/u/b7ph

UK cuts ribbon on world's largest offshore wind farm

2010-09-24T09:21:00.001+01:00

Amplify’d from www.businessgreen.com

Swedish energy giant Vattenfall today cut the ribbon on the world's largest
offshore wind farm, situated off the Kent coast, and celebrated by revealing
that it is pushing ahead with plans for an even larger offshore wind
development.

Energy and climate change secretary Chris Huhne joined Vattenfall executives
in Ramsgate to cut the ribbon on the 300MW Thanet wind farm, which will power
about 200,000 homes and take the UK's total wind energy capacity to 5.1
gigawatts (GW), cementing its position as the leader in offshore wind energy.

According to trade body RenewableUK, the UK now has more offshore wind
capacity than the rest of the world put together. While the global total
excluding the UK is estimated at 1,100MW, the UK now has 1,341MW.
Read more at www.businessgreen.com

See this Amp at http://amplify.com/u/b28z

Chateau Adventure

2010-09-22T12:40:00.001+01:00

Amplify’d from www.chateau-adventure.com

Make Chateau Adventure your "french entrée" to adventure sports holidays and eco-holidaying!

Immerse yourself in the history, style and facilities of our original boutique chateau at very affordable prices. Join in activities around the chateau as we begin our transformation to self-sufficiency. Meet up with like-minded people, cook together or get a delivery of delicious local cuisine if you don't feel like cooking & share experiences...Let yourself 'shift gear' with any of our adventure, relaxing, 'back to nature' & eco-activities. And with only about 16 guests, you will have plenty of space for your own privacy too.

Set on the edge of the fascinating Dordogne region of France, near the medieval town of Argentat, 'Chateau de Cautine is like stepping straight into a film' as one of our guests put it. Full of original antiques, cosy furnishings, sleigh beds, huge open fireplaces it has a 15-metre salt-water pool, 34 acres of fields and woods and its own stream. Read more at www.chateau-adventure.com

See this Amp at http://amplify.com/u/axt8

New UK Wind Energy Record Set

2010-09-20T20:21:00.001+01:00

Amplify’d from www.windenergyplanning.com

National Grid confirmed that a record was set this week for the amount of electricity generated by wind turbines in the UK.

Graham McQuarrie at the National Grid’s press office said that at 8.30pm on Monday 6 September that 1860 Megawatts was being generated from wind energy mainly from Scotland – accounting for 4.7 per cent of total generation at the time.

Over the 24 hours for the day between midnight and midnight, wind generated 5 % of all electricity – 40GWh out of a total 809GWh.

National Grid also believes that if embedded wind generation is taken into account, about 10% of the UK’s power was generated by wind on Monday.
Read more at www.windenergyplanning.com

See this Amp at http://amplify.com/u/au0t

Ecover - Years Supply Competition

2010-09-12T20:04:00.001+01:00

http://www.tryecover.com/yearsupply/

Win a years supply of Ecover in this competition.

See this Amp at http://amplify.com/u/aapq

GREEN BUILDINGS IN NORFOLK 2010 - BOOKING NOW

2010-09-09T09:25:00.001+01:00

Amplify’d from www.cprenorfolk.org.uk

Interested in Green Building

Building your own eco-home? Looking to renovate in a sustainable way? Interested in installing renewable energy? Wanting to improve the efficiency of your own home? Come and speak to local people who are one step ahead and have much to share.

Every September, CPRE Norfolk hosts a unique programme of guided tours at eco-homes, low-impact dwellings and energy-efficient developments in Norfolk. This is a wonderful opportunity to learn firsthand about how renewable energy and sustainable building design works in practice by meeting the owners, architects and builders responsible for some of the most groundbreaking properties in Norfolk. Whatever your interest, there is much to inspire, discover and learn.

Tours at the properties are at set times and must be booked in advance through an online booking website or through the Energy Saving Trust Advice Centre. Bookings are taken over a six week period in August and September. Tours cost £3 per person or £5 for a couple (although CPRE members go free) and everyone can book at least three tours.
Read more at www.cprenorfolk.org.uk

See this Amp at http://amplify.com/u/a0et

MIT Researchers Develop Regenerative Solar Cells

2010-09-08T21:06:00.001+01:00

Amplify’d from www.getsolar.com

A research team at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) just developed a potentially revolutionary solar technology: solar cells that regenerate to limit sun damage. They got the idea from chloroplasts, the cells present in plant tissue where photosynthesis takes place. In case high school biology feels somewhat hazy, photosynthesis is the process by which plants convert the sun’s energy into sugars, a form of energy they can use. This process takes place in special cells within plants’ leaves called (wait for it…) chloroplasts!

Since chloroplasts are the only living cells capable of performing the same function as solar panels, this MIT team thought they were worth studying. One unique feature they found was chloroplasts’ ability to recycle important proteins, which kept the cells from wearing out. To mimic this, they developed molecules that can self-assemble and also interact with photons of sunlight to release electrons and create electricity.

These molecules organize themselves into formations creating functional solar cells, and their regenerative capabilities allow them to work at 40 percent efficiency. This already high efficiency level may actually increase as research progresses. “Biomimicry” and creative research may have just brought us a truly game-changing solar technology.
Read more at www.getsolar.com

See this Amp at http://amplify.com/u/9zfk

HSBC predicts low-carbon energy market will treble to $2.2tn by 2020

2010-09-07T08:26:00.001+01:00

Amplify’d from www.businessgreen.com

The global market for low-carbon energy firms will almost treble over the
next decade creating a market worth $2.2tn a year by 2020, according a major new
report from banking giant HSBC.

The research report maps out a number of scenarios for the world's emerging
low-carbon energy generation and energy efficiency industries and concludes that
despite current regulatory headwinds the sector is set to enjoy compound annual
growth rates of around 11 per cent over the next 10 years.

Speaking to BusinessGreen.com, report co-author Nick Robins said
there was a good chance that the projections could prove to be pessimistic. "We
just looked a low-carbon energy, we have not modelled the carbon market or the
adaptation agenda," he said. "The market could end up being a bit worse than we
suggest, but it has the potential to get a lot better as well."

The team behind the report mapped out four scenarios for the low-carbon
energy sector, including a worst-case scenario backlash in which governments
renege on green policy commitments and as a result the market only doubles to
$1.5tn by 2020; a Copenhagen scenario in which governments make good on
commitments made at last year's UN climate change summit in the Danish capital
and the market trebles to $2.2tn; and a green growth scenario in which
governments build on current pledges and the market swells to $2.2tn.
Read more at www.businessgreen.com

See this Amp at http://amplify.com/u/9vhk

Space Energy

2010-09-06T14:41:00.001+01:00

http://www.spaceenergy.com/s/Default.htm

See this Amp at http://amplify.com/u/9tmz

Win a Hybrid Car

2010-09-06T12:16:00.001+01:00

Amplify’d from competition.papermategreen.net

See more at competition.papermategreen.net

See this Amp at http://amplify.com/u/9tbb

Residential Planning Ballot

2010-09-03T14:49:00.001+01:00

Amplify’d from www.planningportal.gov.uk

Think tank urges residential planning by ballot

The Government has been urged to adopt a system of “community-controlled” planning with housing schemes allowed unless 50 per cent of those directly affected by the proposals object by a ballot.

Under these proposals from think tank Policy Exchange, developers would be free to offer financial incentives to households to back schemes as well as inducements to local residents in return for supporting development. This could involve paying for a park or a playing field.

According to the report: ‘Making housing affordable’, developers would have to take on board local concerns about the quality of new homes and would have to propose homes that local people approved of.

In the case of National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) existing planning rules would remain in force. In addition, a local authority would be able to designate up to 75 per cent of its existing undeveloped land as “off limit” to developers.

The authors of the report said that if councils wanted to build social homes they could grant themselves planning permission so long as they won the support of those directly impacted. Funding would come from central Government bonds. Councils, though, would no longer be able to require developers to include social housing as part of their developments.
Read more at www.planningportal.gov.uk

See this Amp at http://amplify.com/u/9npz

Chemical Free Kids – Raising Healthy Children in a Toxic World

2010-08-27T18:30:00.001+01:00

http://www.chemicalfreeparenting.com/index.htm

See this Amp at http://amplify.com/u/9be2

Norfolk rock reefs could be the answer to coastal erosion - Norfolk News - EDP24

2010-08-27T09:52:00.001+01:00

URL: http://www.edp24.co.uk/content/edp24/news/commentary/st...

See this Amp at http://amplify.com/u/9anq

GE: Ecomagination Challenge

2010-08-24T16:39:00.001+01:00

URL: http://challenge.ecomagination.com/ideas

GE’s Ecomagination Challenge is a $200 million call to action for businesses, entrepreneurs, innovators, and students to share their best ideas and come together to take on one of the world’s toughest challenges – building the next-generation power grid to meet the needs of the 21st centur

See this Amp at http://amplify.com/u/958y

Villagers vote against wind farm in poll - Norfolk News - EDP24

2010-08-23T18:47:00.001+01:00

URL: http://www.edp24.co.uk/content/edp24/news/commentary/st...

See this Amp at http://amplify.com/u/93nn

Prize fund of £25,000 announced for best geography ideas

2010-08-23T15:02:00.001+01:00

Amplify’d from www.bitc.org.uk

GeoVation, the geography innovation awards programme now in its second year, has announced a prize fund of £25,000 to support the development of winning ideas.

This year the Ordnance Survey-backed initiative is asking entrepreneurs, developers and community groups to focus their efforts on using geography to address three distinct challenges.

The first is around the question “How can Britain feed itself?”, where geography could play a vital role in helping connect people to farming and locally produced and sustainable sources of food. Among the ideas already submitted are the building of urban rooftop allotments and the creation of the “real” Farmville, where people could share and buy real produce.

Chris Parker, one of the programme organisers, comments: “GeoVation this year is all about investing in areas where we think geography can play a positive role in enabling change.

“We believe that geography can help producers and consumers work together in ways that have not been possible before and we’re offering seed funding to help make that happen.”
Read more at www.bitc.org.uk

See this Amp at http://amplify.com/u/93bg

Earth's Energy Balance

2010-08-16T10:51:00.001+01:00

Amplify’d from www.hydrogenambassadors.com

The earth energy balance represents the balance between incoming energy from the Sun Sand thermal (longwave) and reflected (shortwave) energy from the Earth. The energy released from the Sun in one hour would be adequate to cover the energy needs of the entire world population for one year. However, when the radiation reaches the Earth, most of it is reflected back to space by the atmosphere, some of it is absorbed by the atmosphere and at the Earth's surface etc. Only 0,005% of the 5,6 • 10²⁴J emitted by the sun per year is converted into mechanical energy by humans.

See more at www.hydrogenambassadors.com

See this Amp at http://amplify.com/u/8qfb

Government Criticised for ‘Breaking the Law’ on Renewable Energy & Heat

2010-08-10T20:23:00.001+01:00

Amplify’d from www.windenergyplanning.com

The UK Micropower Council has criticised the UK government for ‘breaking the law on renewables’. The organisation called on David Cameron to stand by his pledge to be the ‘greenest government ever’.

In a newly published report the Micropower Council claims Local Government Department Ministers have broken the law by failing to comply with an Act of Parliament requiring the implementation of Permitted Development rights for air source heat pumps and micro wind turbines. The organisation says that the Treasury is blocking the wishes of Energy and Climate Change Ministers Chris Huhne and Greg Barker to introduce a key policy that will encourage millions of people to install renewable heating or hot water.

“The Conservative Party was a staunch supporter of these two key policies when in opposition, and if they are not seen through without any further delay, the Greenest Government Ever will have ended its first Parliamentary term with a microgeneration industry in crisis” said Sowden.
Read more at www.windenergyplanning.com

See this Amp at http://amplify.com/u/8je6

Green Data Centre Report

2010-08-07T11:28:00.001+01:00

Amplify’d from www.thegreenitreview.com

The green data centre market - $40bn by 2015

In the past the main concerns in running a data centre were availability, performance, security and resilience and these still are important. Increasingly, though, these aspects need to be delivered within new constraints on resources and under new demands in terms of the services provided. Consequently data centres will become more energy-efficient, more dynamic - to have the flexibility to adapt to new business needs and technologies - and virtualised, to ensure optimal use of resources.

The report forecasts that the revenue from green data centres will exceed $40bn worldwide by 2015. North America and Europe will lead the way in the short term, but the Asian market will catch up quickly as its data centre capacity grows.

See more at www.thegreenitreview.com

See this Amp at http://amplify.com/u/8fps

Sun Wind and Rain www.sunwindandrain.co.uk

Sun Wind and Rain Blog

Fish Fight - Half of all fish caught in the North Sea is thrown back overboard dead

Devon Eco town gains approval

Defra vows to help farmers prune greenhouse gases

Multimillion-pound research programme to identify low-carbon farming
techniques

Local authorities urged to raise revenue from green energy projects

Councils ready to usher in 'brave new world' of renewable energy, but Local
Government Association warns members will need funding to drive renewables
revolution

Germany Unveils Bold Energy Plans

10:10 Car Share

Welcome to the 10:10 liftshare scheme

UK cuts ribbon on world's largest offshore wind farm

Chateau Adventure

New UK Wind Energy Record Set

Ecover - Years Supply Competition

GREEN BUILDINGS IN NORFOLK 2010 - BOOKING NOW

MIT Researchers Develop Regenerative Solar Cells

HSBC predicts low-carbon energy market will treble to $2.2tn by 2020

Space Energy

Win a Hybrid Car

Residential Planning Ballot

Think tank urges residential planning by ballot

Chemical Free Kids – Raising Healthy Children in a Toxic World

Norfolk rock reefs could be the answer to coastal erosion - Norfolk News - EDP24

GE: Ecomagination Challenge

Villagers vote against wind farm in poll - Norfolk News - EDP24

Prize fund of £25,000 announced for best geography ideas

Earth's Energy Balance

Government Criticised for ‘Breaking the Law’ on Renewable Energy & Heat

Green Data Centre Report

The green data centre market - $40bn by 2015

Sun Wind and Rain www.sunwindandrain.co.uk

Sun Wind and Rain Blog

Fish Fight - Half of all fish caught in the North Sea is thrown back overboard dead

Devon Eco town gains approval

Defra vows to help farmers prune greenhouse gases

Multimillion-pound research programme to identify low-carbon farmingtechniques

Local authorities urged to raise revenue from green energy projects

Councils ready to usher in 'brave new world' of renewable energy, but LocalGovernment Association warns members will need funding to drive renewablesrevolution

Germany Unveils Bold Energy Plans

10:10 Car Share

Welcome to the 10:10 liftshare scheme

UK cuts ribbon on world's largest offshore wind farm

Chateau Adventure

New UK Wind Energy Record Set

Ecover - Years Supply Competition

GREEN BUILDINGS IN NORFOLK 2010 - BOOKING NOW

MIT Researchers Develop Regenerative Solar Cells

HSBC predicts low-carbon energy market will treble to $2.2tn by 2020

Space Energy

Win a Hybrid Car

Residential Planning Ballot

Think tank urges residential planning by ballot

Chemical Free Kids – Raising Healthy Children in a Toxic World

Norfolk rock reefs could be the answer to coastal erosion - Norfolk News - EDP24

GE: Ecomagination Challenge

Villagers vote against wind farm in poll - Norfolk News - EDP24

Prize fund of £25,000 announced for best geography ideas

Earth's Energy Balance

Government Criticised for ‘Breaking the Law’ on Renewable Energy & Heat

Green Data Centre Report

The green data centre market - $40bn by 2015

Multimillion-pound research programme to identify low-carbon farming
techniques

Councils ready to usher in 'brave new world' of renewable energy, but Local
Government Association warns members will need funding to drive renewables
revolution