Chester Chronicle - Low Carbon

Low Carbon: Prime Minister Gordon Brown impressed by energy inventions at Capenhurst

2009-11-11T15:22:18Z

PRIME Minister Gordon Brown visited Capenhurst to meet inventors who are developing the next generation of energy-saving technologies.

Mr Brown toured the world-renowned EA Technology and newly-established Energy Innovation Centre on Thursday morning, where he witnessed the cutting-edge technologies being fine-tuned for wide scale use within the global energy market.

He was accompanied by Treasury Minister Liam Byrne, and they sat down for a round table discussion with more than a dozen business leaders and leading energy figures where to talk about the economy and employment.

The Prime Minister said: "It is so inspiring to see all of the innovative products being developed by the teams at EA Technology and the companies based at the Energy Innovation Centre in Capenhurst, and to hear about the benefits these technologies can bring to the energy industry, in particular their contribution to tackling climate change."

Robert Davis, CEO of EA Technology, said: "We were absolutely delighted to welcome the Prime Minister to EA Technology and the Energy Innovation Centre. EA Technology is a success story we should all be celebrating.

"We're growing fast, creating dozens of jobs and selling our technologies around the world.

"We are leading the world in energy-related technologies here at Capenhurst, technologies that keep the lights on today and will also run the smart grids of tomorrow."

Denise Massey, director of the Energy Innovation Centre, said: "The Prime Minister left encouraged by our work in assisting small businesses to develop the next generation of energy products."

Low Carbon: South Cheshire's young recyclers spread 'reduce, re-use and recycle' message

2009-11-11T13:18:42Z

SOUTH Cheshire youngsters have teamed up with council chiefs to promote the environmental 'Reduce, Re-use and Recycle' message.

More than 200 Year 6 pupils from primary schools have received their Junior Recycling Officer certificates and recycling rucksacks.

Their year-long task is to promote the recycling message to classmates, teachers, family and friends through events, competitions, games and newsletters.

They've received advice on opportunities such as home recycling and composting.

The new recruits will battle it out for the Junior Recycling Officer of the Year award next summer after 12 months of enviro action.

Environmental portfolio holder Cllr David Brickhill said: "The need to recycle is high on everyone's agenda and raising awareness in the next generation can only put us in good stead for the future.

"The work of our junior recyclers is invaluable. Their ability to highlight the messages to a wide audience of friends, family and the local community in their term in office will prove to be tremendously effective."

Low Carbon: Buckley schools goes green to win Yellow Pages award

2009-11-10T15:31:54Z

YOUNGSTERS at a Buckley primary school went green to win a national competition run by Yellow Pages.

Mountain Lane Primary School pupils won a £1,000 cash prize after recycling 1,180 old Yellow Pages directories - more than any other school in Wales.

The school's eco committee will now decide how the money will be spent, said headteacher Iona Walker.

County Cllr Nancy Matthews said: "I want to congratulate all our young recyclers at Mountain Lane Primary School for their tremendous achievement in winning one of the top prizes in Wales - the first Flintshire school to do so.

"It is so encouraging to see the hard work of a new generation of recyclers winning this top accolade. Well done and keep up the good work."

-- Photo
A NEW LEAF: @ Pupils from the eco committee at Mountain Lane Primary School with - from left to right - Cllr Nancy Matthews, headteacher Iona Walker and eco committee coordinator Yvette Tonkinson. @

Low Carbon: Alyn and Deeside MP Mark Tami asks Flintshire residents to make a stand on climate change

2009-11-10T08:29:15Z

LABOUR MP for Alyn and Deeside, Mark Tami, is helping collect signatures for a petition calling on governments to dramatically cut carbon emissions.

Mr Tami joined churchgoers at the Rivertown Church in Shotton to collect names ahead of crucial talks in Copenhagen later this year.

The summit will see world leaders discuss a successor treaty to the Kyoto Protocol, which will commit countries to cutting damaged emissions.

Mr Tami said: "We need to commit the biggest polluters to binding targets so rises in global temperatures are minimised and the impact of climate change is reduced."

Low Carbon: Flint lifeboat station monitors energy

2009-11-06T12:48:35Z

FLINT lifeboat station is doing its bit for the environment, with the installation of an energy monitor.

The monitor, one of more than 200 distributed to Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) stations across the UK and Ireland, was donated by company Current Cost and will help staff to identify where energy is being wasted.

Jo Jones, environmental manager at the RNLI, said: "The RNLI is working towards balancing its lifesaving work with its environmental responsibility.

"The added benefit to this is the RNLI can potentially save money in the process, which is a huge incentive.

"Our aim is to change habits towards energy use across the charity to reduce consumption."

The monitors will show how much electricity is being used in the station at any one moment.

Martin Dix, founder and director of Current Cost, said: "I am immensely pleased that we can support the RNLI using our energy monitor.

"It's a device that will continually help them to save money, and of course reduce their environmental impact."

Envi energy monitors from Current Cost are available from www.currentcost.com priced at £39.95.

Bright future predicted for borough's Warm Front users according to Halton MP Derek Twigg

2009-11-05T14:01:00Z

HALTON MP Derek Twigg is urging green-minded residents to take full advantage of measures that could cut their energy bills by as much as £600 a year.

The call follows the success of the Warm Front scheme in tackling fuel poverty in Widnes and Runcorn.

Warm Front provides grants of up to £3,500 towards insulation and gas heating measures and £6,000 for oil heating to low income families, the elderly, and people with disabilities.

Support services company Eaga, which manages Warm Front on behalf of the Government, reported that the past year has seen a record number of applications, with 6,548 households in Halton benefiting from the scheme, via a range of energy efficiency measures including loft and cavity wall insulation, new heating systems and draughtproofing.

Mr Twigg said: "The Warm Front scheme helps people improve their homes' energy efficiency and is vital in helping increasing numbers of people who are finding energy bills a heavy burden.

"Policies which tackle climate change are crucial, so seeing Warm Front doing that while addressing the growing social issue of fuel poverty is very important to our communities."

Almost £7m has been invested by Warm Front in Halton to date.

To qualify for Warm Front residents must either own their own home or live in privately rented accommodation and should be in receipt of a qualifying benefit.

To find out more about the scheme and to see if they qualify, households are being urged to contact Warm Front on 0800 316 6014.

Low Carbon: Making most of renewable energy

2009-11-04T16:22:46Z

THE North West must cash in on a massive expansion of renewable energy on and off the UK's shores.

That's the message from Envirolink Northwest, the UK's largest renewable energy conference, which took place in Liverpool last week.

Chief executive Nick Storer said: "The North West has the capability to support the low carbon supply chain. Companies within the region have the skills and know-how to lead the UK in renewable energy.

"Add to that the fact we're on the Irish Sea - a fantastic opportunity for offshore wind farms and ultimately tidal generation devices - and then the North West is the obvious location for developers and other key service providers in the renewable energy industry."

Low Carbon: Master composters wanted at Cheshire East Council

2009-11-04T12:19:35Z

CHESHIRE East Council is recruiting volunteers to join its Master Composter scheme.

The initiative, which promotes the benefits of home composting to local householders, offers free full training to volunteers who can then speak on an individual and group basis to householders.

Volunteers would also be asked to take part in promoting the benefits of home composting at local events and write articles for the local media.

Cheshire East portfolio holder for environmental services Cllr David Brickhill said: "Not only does growing your own fruit and vegetables provide financial benefits for families, but it's a great way to get the family active and spending time together.

"The Master Composter programme is a great way to learn new skills and meet new people whilst helping to promote composting and recycling messages."

For more details or to apply for the scheme phone 0300 123 55 00 or visit www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/ composting.

Applications must be received by November 20, and volunteers must attend a free two-day training course on Saturday and Sunday, November 28-29 at Crewe Hall Hotel.

Low Carbon: Shropshire's Low Carbon Communities Project

2009-11-03T11:37:32Z

The Low Carbon Communities project was set up in 2007 to reduce carbon dioxide emissions within three communities in Shropshire.

The project is based in Ellesmere, Cleobury Mortimer and the "Floodplain Community" - a collection of small villages and farmsteads near to Oswestry.

Marches Energy Agency, in partnership with Shropshire County Council, guide community members through tailored energy saving plans, drawn up on an individual basis for households, businesses and community buildings. Plans involve the installation of energy efficiency measures and small scale renewable technology.

Funding for the project comes from a number of sources, including Central Government, Advantage West Midlands and MEA themselves. The pilot scheme is vital to the discovery of how individual communities can help the UK reduce its CO2 emissions by 60% by 2050.

In order to achieve significant CO2 reductions within Ellesmere, Cleobury Mortimer and The "Floodplain Community" MEA and Shropshire County Council work closely with members of the three areas to indentify potential for energy saving. Working with households, businesses and community buildings the project indentifies potential for the installation of Low Energy Lighting, Insulation and small scale renewable energy.

To find out more about the project click here

Low Carbon: Acal Energy, Heath Business and Technical Park, Runcorn, announces record peak power for Flowcath hydrogen fuel cell

2009-10-31T11:55:38Z

A RUNCORN firm has announced record levels of energy output in laboratory tests on an experimental fuel cell.

Acal Energy, based at Heath Business and Technical Park, said tests have produced 1.5kilowatts of peak power for the hydrogen-fuelled device.

Dr S B Cha, Acal Energy chief executive officer, said: "It is achieving significantly higher levels of power output than originally designed. This is further credit to our very talented team of engineers and scientists.

"We remain confident that Flowcath will enable clean fuel cells to succeed internal combustion engines in many applications".

Low Carbon: Prithvi Datta, of Castlefields, Runcorn, visits Prasanthi Nilayam, Andhra Pradesh, in India, to promote green energy

2009-10-30T11:47:46Z

AN INVENTOR from Runcorn has visited an Indian holy site to promote his green ideas to businessmen writes Oliver Clay.

Last week Prithvi Datta, a retired refrigeration engineer from Castlefields, and his son arrived in Prasanthi Nilayam - a remote village in the southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, to gather support for his carbon-cutting ideas.

While in the holy village, also known as Place of Peace, Mr Datta will propose a 'solar dome' invention to a team of social entrepreneurs from around the world.

Mr Datta, who tests some of his inventions at his son's Xpress laundry business in Widnes, said his Evergreen Model 18 Regenerative Energy System combines solar, greenhouse and chimney effects.

Mr Datta hopes private and public bodies will back the project and a working prototype near Prasanthi Nilayam.

He said the solar dome is more efficient and affordable than wind turbines or solar panels used alone.

He said that with patents in place, he hopes the technology will be exported around the world.

The trip to the holy village kicks off a five month tour for Mr Datta.

The majority of the tour will be spent in India, where he is advising the West Bengal Regeneration Energy Development Agency on green energy. He will also visit Canada.
Mr Datta said: "With blessing from Sri Sathya Sai Baba, the proposed dome will offer nine to 18 kilowatts of usable regenerative electrical power for a longer part of the year, than individual solar or wind turbine system.

"With His Grace a great reduction in carbon emissions and burning fossil fuels will be possible when the power is not used from the national grid or standby generators.
"My family are happy that I am able to make a small contribution to others and the environment."

The picture shows Prithvi Datta, seen here with his wife Seemmti Ganguli, has visited an Indian holy site to promote his solar dome project.

Low Carbon: Mold branch of Tesco to be home to new Johnson Cleaners eco-friendly dry cleaning store

2009-10-30T10:19:39Z

AN ECO-FRIENDLY dry cleaning initiative is to be launched in Mold's branch of Tesco today.

Delyn MP David Hanson will officially launch the Johnson Cleaners idea, which sees new technology used to provide a more environmentally-friendly way of making laundry clean.

The 'GreenEarth' dry cleaning store involved a £125,000 investment, and newly recruited branch manager Barbara Roberts gave details of the new site.

She said: "We're really excited to be the first Johnson Cleaners to open inside a Tesco superstore and honoured Mr Hanson will be cutting the green ribbon for us.

"We have a great team on board, all of whom have been fully trained in the latest GreenEarth cleaning techniques, and we look forward to many years of successful business ahead."

Paul Ogle, managing director of Johnson Cleaners, said: "The launch of our Mold branch at Tesco represents a new demand for cleaning services in convenient locations, where customers can drop off their dry cleaning at the same time as they do their shopping."

Carol Abbot celebrates the launch of Johnson Cleaners' green initiative for the Mold branch of Tesco.

Low Carbon: Runcorn, Widnes and Daresbury recycling reward scheme launched in Lynton Crescent, by RecycleBank and Halton Borough Council

2009-10-29T11:44:07Z

THE first recycling voucher scheme in the North of England has been launched in Halton writes Oliver Clay.

Under a pilot scheme, residents can score points according to the amount of waste they put in their blue recycling bins.

These points can be swapped for vouchers to be used at shops, restaurants, and other outlets.

More than 100 retailers have signed up to accept vouchers including British Gas, Cineworld, Costcutter, and Halton based-firms BeOffee and Lullaby NurseryWare.

Organisers estimate that homes on average could save more than £135 each year.

The pilot is currently open to more than 10,000 homes in seven pilot areas - Heath, Grange, Halton Castle, Daresbury, Broadheath, Hough Green and Halton View.
Residents must activate an 'account' online or by phone to take part.

Sue Igoe, RecycleBank UK managing director, said: "We have helped to increase recycling rates anywhere from 30-80% in the communities we service.

"RecycleBank has demonstrated that when financial incentives are aligned with smart environmental actions, people make the better environmental choice."

Cllr Phil Harris, Halton Borough Council executive board member for recycling, added: "We want to reward our residents for their recycling efforts and maximise participation in the borough.

"It is in everyone's interest to decrease the amount of waste sent to landfill sites and our overall goal is to increase recycling in an easy and convenient way for households."

For more information visit www.recyclebank.com or call 0800 077 6009.

The picture shows Sue Igoe, RecycleBank UK managing director, Cllr Phil Harris, Thomas Viggers, of Widnes, and Cllr Tony McDermott, leader of Halton Borough Council.

Low Carbon: Climate change protesters gathered in Mold to mark the countdown to the Copenhagen climate change conference

2009-10-27T10:02:52Z

MOLD residents came together to support Catholic aid agency CAFOD at their '50 days to Copenhagen' stall at Mold Market.

The stall was aimed at marking the run up to the UN international Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen.

Delyn MP David Hanson joined the group in their 'wake up call' at 11am when alarm clocks and horns were sounded to emphasise the countdown. More than 180 people signed a petition, as well as Christian Aid and CAFOD cards, which will be given to Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

The Christian Aid cards stated that the UK should sign up to obligations that commit us, along with other richer countries to: achieve at least an 80 per cent cut in domestic carbon emissions by 2050; and in assisting and helping to pay for developing countries to reduce their emissions, develop cleanly and adapt to climate change.

Joyce Elcocks, who organised the Mold stall, said: "I was very pleased so many organisations, such as local church groups, Cittaslow Mold, the Labour Party and Flintshire Friends of the Earth, got involved, it shows the level of commitment there is in Flintshire." to working together and making an impact on the make or break deal on climate change at Copenhagen.

"As Ed Miliband, Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change said, the days are gone when world leaders simply locked themselves in a room and put together a deal.
"We live at a time when voices of people outside the room exert pressure and make a real difference.

"Every additional voice adds to the pressure for the deal that future generations need

The picture shows Wayne Simmonds and Vicki Kinnear with Delyn MP David Hanson.

Low Carbon: MP Mark Tami has backed the 10:10 campaign to help reduce carbon emissions

2009-10-26T12:57:47Z

ALYN and Deeside MP Mark Tami has joined the campaign to reduce damaging emissions.

Mr Tami is backing the 10:10 campaign, encouraging people and businesses to cut emissions by 10% by next year.

"The 10:10 campaign offers realistic methods of reducing emissions, thereby helping the environment," said Mr Tami.

"This Government has created the first Climate Change legislation anywhere in the world and we will be leading discussions on how to reduce emissions.

"People can join the campaign by visiting www.10:10uk.org"

Mr Tami has joined the 10:10 campaign ahead of crucial talks later this year in Copenhagen, where world leaders will discuss a treaty to replace the Kyoto Protocol.