Sun Wind and Rain www.sunwindandrain.co.uk

Sun Wind and Rain Blog

2011-02-17T20:07:00.000Z

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

2010-11-15T20:47:00.001Z

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

2010-11-05T13:08:00.001Z

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

2010-11-04T09:42:00.001Z

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

Wind Turbine Installation at Sheringham Shoal

2010-08-03T18:15:00.001+01:00

Amplify’d from www.windenergyplanning.com

A specialised vessel is now installing wind turbine monopiles and transition pieces at Sheringham Shoal offshore wind farm off the UK north Norfolk coast.

The 317 megawatt (MW) wind farm is located between 17 and 22 km north of the town of Sheringham. Construction work began in March of this year and the wind farm is expected to be generating green electricity by the end of 2011.

The electricity export cable laying operation is programmed to begin in late August. The cable installation will begin at Weybourne Hope, west of the coastal town of Sheringham, and work will continue for around six weeks.

Wells harbour on the North Norfolk coast will be the operational base for the offshore wind farm. Once in operation, the wind turbines will need daily maintenance by teams of technicians travelling to and from the new outer harbour at Wells-next-the-Sea. It is proposed that these technicians, and the wind farm company’s management and administration, be based at a new office and storage facility at Egmere.

The Sheringham Shoal Offshore Wind Farm is owned equally by Statoil and Statkraft through the joint venture company Scira Offshore Energy Limited. Statoil is the operator for the project during the development phase. Scira will be the operator of the wind farm. To find out more visit the Statoil website.
Read more at www.windenergyplanning.com

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

Bill Gates on Energy

2010-03-06T16:22:00.000Z

Solar Host

2010-02-26T18:27:00.001Z

Sun Wind and Rain has gone completely solar, our website is now hosted by Solar Host.

Web Hosting uses a lot of power, what with the 24/7 servers, backup systems, redundant networks, backup power generators and a host of other power hungry devices. Solar host uses 100% renewable energy making our website as green as we can get it. If you want to know more about Solar host click on the link below and if you need email or hosting give them a call, we did.

Click here to go to Solar Host

Feed in Tariffs Latest

2010-02-10T03:04:00.000Z

The Structure of the feed in Tariffs.

The rates of generation tariff for the first two years of feed-in tariffs (April 2010 - March 2012) will be as follows. The rate will be indexed to the retail price index for the life of the tariff.

Hydro:
19.9p for installations up to 15kW;
17.8p for 15-100kW;
11p for 100kW-2MW;
4.5p for 2-5MW, paid for 20 years

Solar photovoltaic panels:
41.3p for installations of less than 4kW retrofitted onto an existing building (36.1p if it is on new build);
36.1p for 4-10kW;
31.4p for 10-100kW;
29.3p for 100kW-5MW and for stand alone systems, paid for 25 years.

Wind:
34.5p for installations with a capacity of less than 1.5kW;
26.7p for 1.5-15kW;
24.1p for 15-100kW;
18.8p for 100-500kW;
9.4p for 500kW-1.5MW;
4.5p for 1.5-5MW, paid for 20 years.

MicroCHP pilot:
10p per kW for micro combined heat and power installations. This will support up to 30,000 installations and will be reviewed when the 12,000th system has been installed. It will be paid for 10 years.

Existing microgenerators (under 50kW) who are currently accredited under the Renewables Obligation will automatically be transferred to the feed-in tariff and will be paid 9p per kWh, regardless of technology, until 31 March 2027.

Tax: In the 2009 Pre-Budget Report the Chancellor confirmed that household which use renewable technology to generate electricity mainly for their own use will not be subject to income tax on feed-in tariffs.

People who install any of the above systems before April 2010 are still be eligible for government grants such as the low carbon buildings programme (subject to funds lasting until then). You will automatically be transferred to the feed-in tariff once it comes in.

For more information from the EST on buy back tariffs click here.

North Norfolk District Council

2009-12-10T21:15:00.004Z

Please print,sign and send this in if you would like to see more wind turbines in North Norfolk.

Click here for a google doc version.

North Norfolk District Council
Case Officers Ian Thompson & Paul Took
Planning Service
Council Offices
Holt Road
Cromer
Norfolk
NR27 9EN

Re: Ingham Wind Turbines – Planning ref: 20091060

Dear Sirs,

I wish to SUPPORT this planning application because:

• Climate Change is the greatest threat facing our planet. We need
renewable technology solutions, such as this proposed wind farm, to
tackle Climate Change and Global Warming.

• The two turbines would provide electricity for around 3600 homes.

• Wind power is clean. It doesn't produce emissions of acid rain gases, carbon dioxide or particulate matter.

• Wind power is truly sustainable. Oil, coal, gas and uranium all eventually run out.

• Wind power works! Several European countries already generate around
20% of their electricity from wind power. The UK needs to catch up.

• The UK wind power industry will create thousands of jobs. Many
engineering skills used in the declining UK oil and gas industry are
transferable to the growing wind power industry.

• It helps reduce the need for new expensive nuclear power stations
that leave a toxic legacy of radioactive waste that remains dangerous
for tens of thousands of years.

• The UK has the best wind resource in Europe. This proposal exploits that resource.

• Wind power is popular with around 80% of the public in support.

• It is often claimed that wind farms damage tourism when in fact they often act as tourist attractions.

• Wind power is part of our clean, green energy future.

Yours sincerely,

………………………………………………..

LifeBlock

2009-12-06T20:47:00.000Z

LifeBlock, a bio-composite masonry building block, is an innovation on an ancient European building system dating back 1,200 years.

LifeBlock is a carbon-negative building material manufactured using industrial hemp core-fiber and a specialty MgO eco-cement as a binder. The industrial-hemp plant is grown without pesticides and has been used to make building materials for thousands of years; our MgO binder is the same cement used to build the great wall of China. LifeBlock as a whole is completely non-toxic and bio-compatible.

For more info click here.

Gordon Brown on global ethic vs national interest

2009-12-06T11:17:00.000Z

Solar Botanic COP15 Copenhagen

2009-12-02T18:42:00.000Z

TED Cradle to Cradle

2009-11-14T08:58:00.002Z

Mobile Renewable Energy

2009-11-01T21:23:00.004Z

PM hails EU Council “breakthrough” on climate change

2009-10-30T19:38:00.002Z

The Prime Minister is optimistic a deal on climate change can be reached at Copenhagen in December after a “breakthrough” during talks at the EU Council.

Gordon Brown said three conditional offers will come from Europe: the provision of long-term finance for developing countries; public finance will be made available; and a fast-track scheme to allow countries to participate immediately after the Copenhagen discussions.

The agreement is conditional on other countries agreeing to contribute their share during the UN climate change conference in Copenhagen.

Halve your energy bills: win a 15k home refurb from 10:10

2009-10-12T16:24:00.004+01:00

Would you like a £15,000 eco-makeover of your home?
This weekend the Grand Designs Great British Refurb campaign joined forces with the 10:10 Campaign to launch a competition where one lucky winner will win an eco-makeover of their home to the value of at least £15,000!

You can enter by visiting The Home of the Future website.

2009-09-16T21:02:00.004+01:00

Sun Wind and Rain have joined the 10:10 campaign

Why 10%? Why 2010?

With climate change, everyone talks about long-term targets: Britain’s committed to an 80% cut by 2050, and at least 34% by 2020. But scientists say it won’t be possible to meet these targets without the right action now – and that means cuts of around 10% in the very near future.
For most people and organisations 10% is ambitious but achievable. It’s the low hanging fruit: eliminating waste, increasing efficiency, that sort of thing.

For more information on 10:10 click here.

Feed in Tariff for the UK

2009-08-12T09:18:00.006+01:00

FEED IN TARIFF 15th July 2009

The UK Government has now announced feed in tariffs for small wind turbines and photovoltaic solar panels:
36.5p/kWh for small solar photovoltaic systems up to 4kW, and 28p/kWh for systems up to 10kW.
23.0p/kWh for small wind turbines between 1.5kW and 15kW.

These tariffs will replace the current ROC system. Payments will begin on 1st April 2010, but all small wind and solar systems commissioned from now on will be eligible for both LCBP grants and the new feed in tariff.

Read more information on the tariffs click here.

Eco-button

2009-08-04T22:03:00.005+01:00

This simple little button could save you money and increase awareness on how much energy your computer uses.

How does the ecobutton™ work?

The ecobutton™ acts as a strong visual reminder and prompt for you to save electricity each time your computer is going to be left idle.

The ecobutton™ is illuminated and sits on your table/desk top next to your keyboard. It connects to your computer via a USB cable. Each time you take a short or long break, a phone call, go for a meeting etc. you simply press the ecobutton™ and your computer is put into the most efficient energy saving mode available - we call this 'ecomode'.

People generally do not like turning off their computers due to the time it often takes to restart (particularly when hibernate is used). However, with ecobutton™ by simply pressing any key on your keyboard (some computers require a momentary press of the power button) your computer instantly returns to where you left off.

There's also an additional bonus as each time your computer is put into 'ecomode' the clever ecobutton™ software records how many carbon units and how much power and money you have saved by using the ecobutton™.

Over time this can add up to quite a lot (especially if you have many computers running in an office) and you can use this data to help reduce your carbon footprint as well as your energy bills.

Climate Change: Global Poll

2009-07-30T19:34:00.001+01:00

Publics Want More Government Action on Climate Change: Global Poll

A new WorldPublicOpinion.org poll of 19 nations from around the world finds that majorities in 15 think their government should put a higher priority on addressing climate change than it does now. This includes the largest greenhouse gas emitters: China (62% want more action), the US (52%), and Russia (56%).

In all but three nations most people think their government should give climate change a relatively high priority (6-10 on a 0-10 scale: on average 7.33). However in only four nations do most people think that is what their government is doing.

More here.

Cheaper water bills to come

2009-07-27T17:49:00.002+01:00

Ofwat cuts investment programmes

Periodic price review for 2010-2015 slashes water companies' investment plans by 14%

27-Jul-09

Ofwat's five-year pricing plan will heavily curtail water companies' investment progammes, with the companies' £24.2 billion spending plans cut to £20.8 billion, it was announced last week. With a general election due by May, the regulator bowed to political pressure to put the interests of consumers first and reduce household water bills.

British Gas Energy Fund

2009-07-18T22:54:00.006+01:00

British Gas launches £2 million community energy fund

British Gas is calling for entries following their launch of an energy fund of £2 million in the search for Britain's most innovative green communities.

The launch of the fund is part of the utilities giant's national Green Streets campaign. British Gas aims to support a growing grassroots movement of people who want to bring a new lease of life to their community with ambitious energy projects, but need help to get their plans off the ground.

Community groups working on local renewable energy projects - including solar, wind or hydro power to biomass, ground-source and air-source heat pumps - can compete for a share of the money.

Projects will be judged according to their potential for energy efficiency savings across the entire community, local renewable power generation, and ability to engage an entire community through education in local schools and mobilising the support of other local residents.

Champions of projects shortlisted will be asked to pitch for funding in community selection meetings. Around a dozen finalists will receive a share of the £2m funding.

How to apply

Interested energy projects should apply by 31 August 2009 through the British Gas website.

Britain Kicks Off Low Carbon Industrial Strategy to Ensure Green Job Creation

2009-07-18T13:20:00.002+01:00

The Low Carbon Industrial Strategy, launched today, sets out the action the Government is taking to ensure that British businesses and workers are equipped to maximise the economic opportunities and minimise the costs of the transition to a low carbon economy.

The strategy follows from Building Britain’s Future: New Industry, New Jobs, and sets out how the Government aims to ensure that the transition to low carbon is a source of quality jobs and business savings in Britain: from our rapidly developing civil nuclear industry and renewable energy sector, to energy saving in our smallest SMEs.

The strategy identifies a range of low carbon sectors with potential for job creation and growth. These include: wave and tidal power; civil nuclear power; offshore wind; and ultra-low carbon vehicles. It also sets out the Government’s strategy for removing barriers that are blocking the development of Britain’s full potential in these areas.

Britain Kicks Off Low Carbon Industrial Strategy to Ensure Green Job Creation

Desert Power

2009-07-18T13:14:00.003+01:00

I found this fascinating quote today:

One of the most ambigious renewable energy projects has had a sound start in Munich this week: Destertec. Within the next three years there are to be concrete plans for solar thermal plants in North Africa, the initiators, twelve major companies, said. Whilst there is still technical research to be done, the main objective now is the financing of the giant project that is to deliver up to 15% of European electricity demand within about 30 years, as well as to cover local demand. The investment will be around 400 bn. Euro until 2050.reegle.info, reegle Blog

You should read the whole article.

350

2009-07-02T21:32:00.003+01:00

350.org is an international campaign dedicated to building a movement to unite the world
around solutions to the climate crisis--the solutions that justice demand.

Our mission is to inspire the world to rise to the challenge of the climate crisis--to create a new sense of urgency and of possibility for our planet.

Our focus is on the number 350--as in parts per million, the level scientists have identified as the safe upper limit for CO2 in our atmosphere. But 350 is more than a number--it's a symbol of where we need to head as a planet.
To tackle climate change we need to move quickly, and we need to act in unison--and 2009 will be an absolutely crucial year. This December, world leaders will meet in Copenhagen, Denmark to craft a new global treaty on cutting emissions. The problem is, the treaty currently on the table doesn't meet the severity of the climate crisis--it doesn't pass the 350 test.

In order to unite the public, media, and our political leaders behind the 350 goal, we're harnessing the power of the internet to coordinate a planetary day of action on October 24, 2009. We hope to have actions at hundreds of iconic places around the world - from the Taj Mahal to the Great Barrier Reef to your community - and clear message to world leaders: the solutions to climate change must be equitable, they must be grounded in science, and they must meet the scale of the crisis.

If an international grassroots movement holds our leaders accountable to the latest climate science, we can start the global transformation we so desperately need.

Muvbox

2009-06-27T11:20:00.005+01:00

I like this idea a lot, click here for more information.

Offshore Wind Becomes a Priority for the Obama Administration

2009-06-27T08:34:00.001+01:00

Calling it a major step forward in President Obama’s new energy frontier, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar, joined by New Jersey Gov. Jon S. Corzine, today issued five exploratory leases for renewable wind energy production on the Outer Continental Shelf offshore New Jersey and Delaware.

“We are entering a new day for energy production in the United States – a time of clean energy from renewable domestic sources on our Outer Continental Shelf,” Secretary Salazar said. “Other nations have been using offshore wind energy for more than a decade. We made the development of offshore wind energy a top priority for Interior. The technology is proven, effective and available and can create new jobs for Americans while reducing our expensive and dangerous dependence on foreign oil.”

Read full story here.

Gulf prepares to lead global economic recovery

2009-06-26T19:59:00.004+01:00

There are signs that the economic shock in the Gulf is coming to an end and the region will start leading the international recovery.

There's never been a worse time to be an economist. Most failed to forecast the scale of the downturn that began in the summer of 2008.

They are cautious about talking too soon about recovery. Some are even making us gloomier. On 21 June, the World Bank announced that it believed that the global economy would contract by almost 3 per cent in real terms in 2009. This compares with its previous forecast, made in March, that the downturn would be 1.7 per cent. If the latest one is accurate, 2009 will indisputably go down as the worst year, in terms of growth, since 1945. And the World Bank says the recovery, which it said could start at the end of the year, will be "much less vigorous than normal" because of the finance industry's limited capacity to lend.

For full story click here.

Deepdale Backpackers Hostel

2009-06-25T22:32:00.003+01:00

Escape the beaten track and the smog of the big city to this wonderfully chilled out independent backpackers hostel in the heart of Burnham Deepdale on the north Norfolk coast. This beautiful village is by the sea in an ‘Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty’*. Open All Year, for Spring, Summer, Autumn or Winter accommodation.

The north Norfolk coast is a backpackers paradise offering watersports and outdoor activities of every sort, beautiful beaches and historical buildings, so you can be as active as you want. Of course you might just like to chill out and relax in our award winning backpackers hostel or try one of our superb local pubs serving local beers and excellent seafood! The village is famous for it’s mussels. Click here for more information on local activities and attractions .

Al Gore warns on latest climate trends

2009-06-23T20:25:00.000+01:00

2009-06-23T20:06:00.004+01:00

Desert solar takes leap forward
Regular readers of this blog will be familiar with the concept of harnessing huge amounts of power in the Sahara and connecting it to Europe’s electricity grid. Now the idea is taking its first step towards reality. A consortium of German investors led by Siemens AG (also turbine manufacturers) is looking to raise €400 billion to invest in the infrastructure that could provide 15% of Europe’s electricity by 2050. A Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) farm that would cover 50 square miles of Sahara desert could provide a constant source of clean energy and be transported to Europe through the new technology of highly efficient power lines.

"We want to start an initiative that would present concrete plans in two to three years time," said Torsten Jeworrek, the head of the consortium. They’re anticipating that 2 Gigawatts of electricity could be generated from Tunisia within five years, with the right political support.

It’s an exciting step forward for a project that could revolutionise our energy grid and might alter the balance of the world economy. No doubt there’ll be many obstacles to overcome, but it’s great to see the idea being taken seriously.

More info on this here.

YouGen » Blog » UK renewables lag behind Europe

2009-06-22T23:04:00.003+01:00

I’ve got good news and bad about the UK’s efforts at introducing renewable energy. For all the Government talk, you’d think that we’re doing quite well at generating heat and power from renewable sources. But, no, we’re not. In fact, if we compare ourselves with other European countries, only Luxembourg and Malta generate less. And that’s despite the much heralded excellent wind resource we have.

Let me put this bad news into context. Sweden leads Europe - 40.8% of its energy came from renewable sources in 2005. Austria was at 23%, Spain at 7.6% and Germany at 5.9%. The UK languished at 1.3%. That’s an increase from 1% in 1995. If we only increased it by that tiny amount in 10 years, we’ve got a bit of a challenge to meet our commitment to getting 15% of our energy from renewables by 2020.

Actually we have upped the pace a little. A spokesperson for the Department of Energy and Climate Change told the Guardian that between 2005 and now the proportion has risen to "about 1.8%". Does that include all the hot air from politicians I wonder?

Before we totally despair of all politicians, there is some good news on the renewables front too. An early day motion supporting significant investment in solar electricity (PV) has got the support of more MPs than any other motion introduced in this parliament. As I write 258 MPs have signed. You can check here to see if yours is on the list

YouGen » Blog » UK renewables lag behind Europe

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Wind Week 2009

2009-06-22T22:17:00.003+01:00

Britain needs more sources of renewable energy deployed in as short a time as possible.

The arguments are compelling: energy security, fight against climate change, the need to drive down the costs of electricity… and last but not least – economic opportunity: jobs, investments and the chance to claim our place as a nation setting an agenda when it comes to renewable energy.

If you want to see more wind, wave and tidal energy in the UK please sign this petition.

Instant Sandbags

2009-06-22T17:35:00.004+01:00

Sun Wind and Rain has recently become agents for Instant Sandbags covering Norfolk, watch this video to find out how using an emergency sandbag is easy and can prove an important flood defence in an area where flooding is a threat. Flood alerts may not give you sufficient warning, but an instant sandbag can be stored easily, so you are ready to defend your home or business.

One in six UK homes at risk of flood...

2009-06-21T12:50:00.012+01:00

£20bn needs to be invested in flood defences to protect properties from
rising sea levels and severe rainstorms, Environment Agency warns.

One in six homes in England is at risk of flooding, the Environment Agency warned today.

And with climate change likely to raise the risk of flooding through rising
sea levels and more rainstorms, £20bn needs to be invested in flood
defences to protect properties in the next 25 years, the agency said.

As many as 5.2m properties are already at risk of flooding, with 2.4m
threatened by rivers and the sea, and a further 2.8 million at risk
from surface water flooding from overflowing drains.

Thousands of health centres and doctors' surgeries, schools and miles of railways
and roads are also at risk, according to the agency's Flooding In England report.

Almost half a million homes, offices, factories and warehouses are at a
significant risk of flooding from rivers or sea, with a greater than
one in 75 chance of being flooded in any year.

The highest number of properties at significant risk are in the south-east of England,
where 111,356 are threatened with flooding.

Boston, Lincolnshire, has the greatest number of properties at high risk – 23,700 – of any local authority.

According to the latest analysis of the impacts of climate change on the UK released this week, the risk of flooding is set to increase due to rising sea levels, more rapid coastal erosion and increasingly severe and frequent rainstorms.

Without an increase in investment in flood defences, an extra 350,000
properties, including 280,000 more homes, will face a significant risk
of flooding by 2035, bringing the total to 840,000 under threat, the EA
said.

Approximately £150m each year will be needed just to address the risk of surface water flooding, which caused some of the problems in the devastating 2007 floods, the agency said.

In the floods two years ago, which hit parts of Yorkshire, the Midlands and the south-west ofEngland, 13 adults died as well as two premature twins, while 55,000 properties were flooded and thousands had to be rescued from the flood waters.

The Environment Agency said more than 430,000 people in flood risk areas had signed up to its free warning service, which provides alerts by text message, telephone or email, and urged those who have not subscribed to join.

In April, the Environment Agency and Met Office opened a new £10m Flood Forecasting Centre to provide earlier and more accurate flood warnings.

English regions ranked in order of the number of properties at significant risk of flooding:

South-east England: 111,356

South-west: 86,178

East Midlands: 81,096

Yorkshire and Humber: 65,380

Greater London: 40,412

East of England: 33,050

North-west: 28,941

West Midlands: 19,173

North-east: 19,167

Total: 484,753

Top 10 local authorities with the highest number of properties in areas with a significant chance of flooding:

Boston district: 23,700

North Somerset: 20,415

East Lindsey district: 14,949

Windsor and Maidenhead: 11,477

Kingston upon Hull: 9,825

Shepway district: 9,065

Sedgemoor district: 8,092

East Riding of Yorkshire: 7,513

Runnymede district: 7,007

Warrington: 6,533

via Environment news, comment and analysis | guardian.co.uk by on 19/06/09

Solar Botanic Secures funding

2009-06-12T08:34:00.000+01:00

SolarBotanic Secures R & D Funding from California Based Renewable Energy Company

SolarBotanic has inked a major joint-venture deal with the renewable energy company GREENgENERGY, Inc. to fund the R & D phase for the company's patented energy harvesting artificial trees. The potential market for SolarBotanic's trees is virtually unlimited and it involves integrating a vast array of brilliant and cutting-edge technologies, said Craig Etchegoyen of GREENgENERGY. Mr. Etchegoyen, founder of digital security firm Uniloc USA, is recognized as a leader in developing technology-based IP.

London, UK (PRWEB) June 9, 2009 -- The company is very excited about the relationship with their American partners. They bring an expertise in financing and technical know-how that compliments SolarBotanic's existing board perfectly, stated a spokesperson for SolarBotanic Ltd. Their experience in one of the world's largest Energy-markets places the company in a very strategic position as it looks to expand in Europe, Asia and the Middle East, he added. SolarBotanic is in discussions with several very large technology firms and expects to have its first prototype tree in approximately 12 months.

The company's mission is to produce a cost-effective renewable energy solution that is easily implemented,carbon neutral, aesthetically appealing and community scalable.

To accomplish this goal, SolarBotanic (SB) has developed an innovative and efficient energy solution by combining bio-mimicry and nano technologies in unique, Patented, artificial trees.

To harness the power of the Sun and Wind, these artificial trees and plant structures are designed to utilize three major types of nano-technologies: photovoltaics, thermovoltaics and piezovoltaic, the result is a commercially viable alternative and/or supplement to other energy generating technologies.

Few sources of power fit the "renewable" bill better than wind and electromagnetic radiation from the Sun. Sunlight, wind and thermal (infrared) radiation is plentiful (supplies should last at least 5 billion years), emits no pollution and enough of this natural energy reaches the planet's surface in one hour (approximately 1,000watts/second/m2) to provide 100% of the world's energy needs for one year.

There are many exciting opportunities in the adaptation of solar, wind and thermal power. Large solar-arrays and wind-turbine farms are being developed in places that show the most geo-optimal concentrations of sunlight and wind, however, like all traditional power generation, none of these are likely to be the single "magic bullet" technology that will solve the entire world's energy demands. For one, they are usually extremely capitally intensive. They require large property acquisitions (trading one non-renewable resource like oil for another--land), and to date have not achieved grid parity. SOLARBOTANIC offers a piece of the energy solution that supplements, rather than competes with, these large-scale efforts.

Carbon Neutrality. The Kyoto Accords established targets for the global reduction of harmful green house gasses. There are many ways to achieve this goal. One approach is to produce things using less energy,and the other is to re-form waste into new products to minimize new GHG creation. Companies that do a particularly good job of reducing emissions can sell this value through Verified Emissions Reductions "VERs" and Reduced Emissions Credits "RECs". SolarBotanic trees will be manufactured from recycled and non-petroleum based materials.

Though the primary driver of the trees are the nanoleaves, the trunk can be designed for far greater purposes than merely holding up the canopy. Besides covering it's surface with PV or sound absorption materials, it houses the electrical converter units and filters which are designed to intake harmful GHGs and output clean air (just like real trees do to some extent). We believe that companies that generate a portion of their power from utilizing our trees will be able to create certifiable carbon credits that can be sold on the open market.

€18.85 million investment to develop wind farms in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania

2009-06-10T18:35:00.002+01:00

I found this fascinating quote today:

The EBRD is providing an equity investment of €18.85 million to Freenergy AS, a leading Estonian investor in renewable energy in eastern Europe, to boost the volumes of green energy generated in the Baltic states.reegle Blog

Earthdrive

2009-06-08T09:34:00.007+01:00

Designed with Recycled Material

The ATP EarthDrive™ is the world's first recyclable USB Drive, appropriately named the EarthDrive™. With years of product development and extensive research, the EarthDrive™ is designed and built using the maximum amount of biodegradable materials (PLA), resulting in a fully recyclable product. PLA (Polylactic acid) is a biodegradable polyester derived from renewable resources, such as corn.

American Forests Partnership
In partnership with the American Forests, a portion of all EarthDrive product sales will go towards the planting of trees.

Waterproof for all Conditions
In addition to being one of the most durable USB drives in the world, the EarthDrive is also one of the most versatile. Built with ATP’s SIP technology, all vital flash components are completely encapsulated allowing for shock proof, waterproof, and dust proof durability.

Security Protection
The EarthDrive's built in security software allows for password protection of private data.

ATP Part Numbers	AF1GUFE1BK, AF2GUFE1BK, AF4GUFE1BK, AF8GUFE1BK
Capacities	1GB to 8GB
Connectivity	High Speed USB1.1 / 2.0 compliant
Indicator	LED Light Indicator
Preloaded Software	Drive Partitioning, Password Protection
Data Retention	10 years
Length	35.7mm +/- 0.20mm
Width	23.3mm +/- 0.10mm
Thickness	10.31mm +/- 0.20mm

Construction Management Services

2009-06-07T16:28:00.003+01:00

An introduction to Construction Management Services.

Voltaic Solar Bags

2009-05-26T22:19:00.007+01:00

The Voltaic solar bags are solar chargers designed to charge virtually all handheld electronics.

Voltaic bags use fabrics made from recycled PET i.e. soda bottles. Voltaic worked extensively with suppliers to develop these fabrics, since they were not previously available. Recycled PET fabric is light weight, extremely durable, UV resistant and water resistant. It even looks better than the nylon it replaced. Most importantly, it uses significantly less energy to produce and creates demand for recycled materials.

Check them out at The Sun Wind and Rain Eco Store

Sign Up

2009-05-16T19:58:00.006+01:00

In 2010 the UK government will set up a
Feed-in Tariff to help promote solar power
and reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

The Feed-in Tariff will help reduce global
warming, boost UK clean-tech jobs and
reward people for installing solar power...

A Feed-in Tariff (FIT) provides a long-term financial incentive for people to invest in renewable energy. Under a FIT system electricity companies are obligated by governments to buy renewable electricity at above market rates.

We Support Solar is a network of companies, NGOs and individuals who want solar power to be an important part of the renewable energy mix in the UK.

Click here to Sign Up

MP's expenses

2009-05-13T21:10:00.005+01:00

MPs' expenses: The Telegraph's investigation, The Expenses Files, into how politicians - from Gordon Brown and his Cabinet to backbenchers of all parties - exploit the system of parliamentary allowances to subsidise their lifestyles and multiple homes.

If they cannot afford to get into parliament maybe they should use Skype!

Solar Botanic

2009-05-08T21:12:00.002+01:00

SolarBotanic will introduce artificial trees that make use of renewable energy from the sun and wind, they are an efficient clean and environmentally sound means of collecting solar radiation and wind energy.

Using cutting edge materials and proven technology to harvest energy from the sun and wind, the company has been granted patents and has patents pending covering Biomimicry, Nanoleaf Technology,Energy transfer materials and process, and has moved past proof of concept criteria as required by investor groups. Solar Botanic has received approaches from different Government bodies who will provide advanced Research and Development facilities and interested investor groups. The company is now looking to select final business partners for investment, R&D, manufacturing, distribution and marketing from organisations with relevant specialist knowledge and sector understanding.

World Environment Day 5th June 2009

2009-05-07T21:11:00.002+01:00

World Environment Day (WED) was established by the UN General Assembly in 1972 to mark the opening of the Stockholm Conference on the Human Environment.

Commemorated yearly on 5 June, WED is one of the principal vehicles through which the United Nations stimulates worldwide awareness of the environment and enhances political attention and action. The day's agenda is to:

Give a human face to environmental issues;
Empower people to become active agents of sustainable and equitable development;
Promote an understanding that communities are pivotal to changing attitudes towards environmental issues;
Advocate partnership which will ensure all nations and peoples enjoy a safer and more prosperous future.

The theme for WED 2009 is 'Your Planet Needs You-UNite to Combat Climate Change'. It reflects the urgency for nations to agree on a new deal at the crucial climate convention meeting in Copenhagen some 180 days later in the year, and the links with overcoming poverty and improved management of forests.

Great British Refurb Campaign

2009-05-06T14:34:00.005+01:00

Check out Grand Designs great British Refurb Campaign web site.

Great British Refurb Campaign

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Biowaste

2009-05-05T09:45:00.003+01:00

Biowaste plans get £300m Government cash boost

Food and garden waste will be dealt with in a more sustainable manner in three parts of England after Government agreed to plough over £300m into the projects. Defra will provide Private Finance Initiative (PFI) credits for three projects that will all divert biodegradable municipal waste (BMW) from landfill.

The projects are:
Hertfordshire County Council: £115.3 to divert up to 170,000 tonnes of biodegradable waste per year;

Norfolk County Council: £91 to divert up to 70,000 tonnes per year by 2020;

The South London Waste Partnership: £112.9 to divert up to 102,600 tonnes per year.

Husqvarna 64

2009-04-29T10:13:00.003+01:00

If you are thinking of buying a new lawnmower then consider a manual mower, save yourself some money and get fit at the same time. I have been looking for myself and the best I have found is the Husqvarna 64. No fuel to buy for the mower, just a drink for the operator when they are done.

If there are any manual lawn mowers out there that you think are better please let me know.

Britains only wind turbine plant to close

2009-04-28T19:46:00.006+01:00

Vestas is to shut down its Isle of Wight factory in the face of collapsing demand from a wind-farming industry hobbled by the recession and red tape

The UK's only wind turbine manufacturing plant is to close, dealing a humiliating blow to the government's promise to support low-carbon industries.

Vestas, the world's biggest wind energy group, said today that it would close its Isle of Wight facility, which employs about 700 people and makes blades for wind farms in the US.

Zero's Electric Motorcycle

2009-04-25T21:08:00.002+01:00

If I was aloud to have a motorcycle for getting about day to day this would be it.

The Zero S is a high performance supermoto motorcycle that is revolutionary because it is fully electric. Imagine instant torque and power from a standstill. Imagine smooth acceleration as you race out of turns. Then, imagine never needing to stop at the gas station.

Developed to aggressively take on urban environments and encourage the occasional detour, the Zero S integrates revolutionary technology with innovative motorcycle design. Using Zero Motorcycles’ proprietary Z-Force power pack and aircraft grade alloy frame, the Zero S features an industry leading power-to-weight ratio that increases its range and maneuverability.

Instant acceleration and a lightweight design enable the Zero S to take on any city street, hill or obstacle. Whether accelerating onto the highway or out of the turns, the Zero S is designed for performance.

Good Energy

2009-04-25T19:37:00.003+01:00

Good Energy have increased the rate they pay their customers for generating electriclty. This is the way all energy companies should be heading and with the prospect of feed in tariffs for the UK can only be good news for everyone.

Good Energy HomeGen customer AJ Snell said: "I installed my solar PV panels knowing they were a long-term investment and the real incentives were to cut my carbon footprint and become more self sufficient. Now I'm getting 15p for every unit of electricity I generate it will reduce my electricity bills and payback period even more."

Jora JK125 JK270

2009-04-22T22:01:00.010+01:00

Rotational Composter

The Joraform style of composters are revolutionary, we have had one for over a year now and we have reduced our waste to the wheelie bin by half. The best thing is the compost is ready to go back onto the garden in about four to eight weeks, all you need is some sawdust or wood pellets to help the process and you get back lovely free compost for the garden.

Click here to see them in action.

Earthday Deepdale

2009-04-22T21:09:00.001+01:00

Sun Wind and Rain took part in the Earthday event held at Deepdale eco-friendly backpackers hostel today, a great day out with lots of visitors looking to green up their homes and businesses.

Have you been at any events for Earthday? If so let us know what you have been up to.

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

Wind Turbine Installation at Sheringham Shoal

Bill Gates on Energy

Solar Host

Feed in Tariffs Latest

North Norfolk District Council

LifeBlock

Gordon Brown on global ethic vs national interest

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PM hails EU Council “breakthrough” on climate change

Halve your energy bills: win a 15k home refurb from 10:10

Feed in Tariff for the UK

Eco-button

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Publics Want More Government Action on Climate Change: Global Poll

Cheaper water bills to come

Ofwat cuts investment programmes

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British Gas launches £2 million community energy fund

How to apply

Britain Kicks Off Low Carbon Industrial Strategy to Ensure Green Job Creation

Desert Power

350

Muvbox

Offshore Wind Becomes a Priority for the Obama Administration

Gulf prepares to lead global economic recovery

There are signs that the economic shock in the Gulf is coming to an end and the region will start leading the international recovery.

Deepdale Backpackers Hostel

Al Gore warns on latest climate trends

YouGen » Blog » UK renewables lag behind Europe

Wind Week 2009

Instant Sandbags

One in six UK homes at risk of flood...

Solar Botanic Secures funding

SolarBotanic Secures R & D Funding from California Based Renewable Energy Company

€18.85 million investment to develop wind farms in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania

Earthdrive

Construction Management Services

Voltaic Solar Bags

Sign Up

MP's expenses

MPs' expenses: The Telegraph's investigation, The Expenses Files, into how politicians - from Gordon Brown and his Cabinet to backbenchers of all parties - exploit the system of parliamentary allowances to subsidise their lifestyles and multiple homes.

Solar Botanic

World Environment Day 5th June 2009

Great British Refurb Campaign

Biowaste

Husqvarna 64

Britains only wind turbine plant to close

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