Energy and Climate Change Minister Greg Barker last week presented to Parliament the same subsidy cut proposal to take effect from March 3 instead, which would solve the timing issue raised in court.

“Win, lose or draw today, important we move forward together, drive down costs and step up deployment,” Barker tweeted on Wednesday.

Unless the government decides to appeal again and succeeds in overturning the ruling, solar panel installers will see subsidies halved to 21 pence per kilowatt-hour from March 3 instead of December 12 for installations smaller than 4 kilowatts (kW)

The uptake has been much greater than anticipated, and in an effort to prevent state funds earmarked for renewable energy to run out early, the government proposed last October to drastically reduce the FIT rates.

Initially the carbon price, being called a carbon tax by its attackers, will apply only to the 500 worse polluters.  It is a bold move for a country which generates 80% of its energy from coal and which is one of the world’s largest coal exporters.

As with similar schemes in Europe, heavy polluters such as steelmakers, coal mines and power generators will be compensated through the transition. The scheme is wrapped in a number of other economic and tax reforms designed to soften the blow for Australian households and industry.

Forget the Sahara. Is Cornwall the new solar power capital? A solar goldrush may be just about to emerge as the Cornwall Council has issued a Public Tender Notice for a series of solar power plant plans. The Council says it has posted this notice to advertise its intention to establish a framework agreement for contractors to be appointed for the design, build, operation and maintenance of solar energy generation projects located within the UK regions of Cornwall, Plymouth and Devon.

The general scope of works will involve the design and construction of the entire solar energy generation system, including the associated works to ensure it is connected to the electricity grid and/or any consumer connections. The works will also include the operation and maintenance of the solar energy generation projects to ensure they are kept in working order and maintain their expected energy generation outputs.

The type and range of projects intended to be procured under this framework agreement will range from large-scale solar parks to smaller scale commercial and or domestic installations. The projects called-off under this framework will vary in terms of their electricity generation outputs from an estimated 0.01MW to 5MW.

The first project, named the Kernow Solar Park, to be procured under the Framework will be a ground-based photovoltaic installation, located within close proximity to Newquay Airport in Cornwall, capable of achieving a maximum 5MW output.

Full details of the solar energy generation projects framework agreement will be disseminated to the shortlisted tenderers as part of the Invitation to Tender stage.

In mid-November, Cornwall Council leader Alec Robertson wrote to Energy Minister, Greg Barker to reaffirm the area’s commitment to renewable energy generation. The letter describes the potential problems which could be caused by cutting the feed-in tariffs and also outlines the council’s argument for large-scale solar.

“As part of our ambitious and innovative approach to renewable energy we have developed separate and specific teams responsible for our regulatory function and the facilitation of Cornwall’s green ambitions,” said Robertson.

“It is the council’s belief that the development of ground-based solar PV will provide substantial opportunities to drive the market price down for PV in the UK.”

Starting in early 2011, the plant will have an annual production capacity of approximately 75 000 solar receivers. In a second step the plant’s capacity is to be increased to 140 000 per year.

“With the increase of our shares in Archimede we are further strengthening our cooperation with Angelantoni Industries,” said René Umlauft, CEO of the Siemens’ Renewable Energy Division. “Siemens already has the most comprehensive portfolio in the promising concentrated solar power business.

“We can provide about 70 percent of the components of a solar thermal power plant from a single source. If required, we can even supply complete solutions. The solar receivers of Archimede Solar Energy use molten salt as the heat transfer medium. This is a very promising technological option for solar thermal power plants and an ideal addition to our existing portfolio.”

A first commercial plant is currently under construction in Sicily. The Priolo Gargallo project will use 1500 solar receivers with molten salt as the heat transfer medium and is expected to go operational in summer 2010. The use of molten salt in the receivers can significantly increase the efficiency of solar thermal power plants.This share increase is part of Siemens’ strategy to successively expand its portfolio in the growth market for solar thermal energy. Siemens has long been supplying vital components for solar thermal power plants in the form of steam turbines, electrical and I&C systems and cooling systems.

With the highly-promising molten-salt receiver technology from Archimede Solar, and the proven thermal-oil-based receiver technology from Siemens Concentrated Solar Power Ltd. (formerly Solel Solar Systems), Siemens is now a supplier of a complete range of products for the solar thermal power industry.
“We intend to expand upon the success we now enjoy with our wind energy business to take in the solar power market and become the leading provider of solar thermal power plants. This is why we offer our customers on this market key technologies from a single source,” explains René Umlauft. Siemens estimates that the solar thermal power plant market will experience double digit annual growth up to 2015, reaching a volume of more than EUR10bn ($12.3bn).

To support customers who want to make the change from bottles to bags, 500 Sainsbury’s stores across the UK will be giving away JUGIT (TM) containers on Saturday 15 May. The reusable JUGIT (TM) containers are used to hold a milk bag and contain a spike that pierces the bag, forms a no-leak seal, and delivers milk through the spout. Currently available in semi-skimmed 2pt packs, the milk bags costs six pence less than a standard 2pt bottle of milk. The success of the bag and JUGIT (TM) is such that the company is now looking at the possibility of rolling it out further across its milk ranges.

“After the recession, after people’s faith in politics has been trampled into the mud after the expenses scandal, it was not the best time to ask people to take a risk and put their faith in politics, but that is what the people of Brighton Pavilion have done. The word historic fits the bill.”

The 49-year-old former MEP has always been the bookies favourite but after neighbouring seats in Hove and Kemptown went to the Tories it looked like all was lost.

The Green campaign was supported by celebrities including Joanna Lumley, Greta Scacchi, best-selling author Philip Pullman and comedian Alistair McGowan.

The 2010 Bridgestone Eco-Rally will take place on Wednesday 7th July. The rally is a convoy of low and zero emission vehicles which travel the famous Veteran Car Run in reverse, driving from Brighton’s sea front to central London. The rally will join a green transport exhibition at the finish line which is free to attend.

Both elements of the event are once again organised by Revolve, whose founders are committed to accelerating the market for zero emission transport.

Steven Glaser from Revolve said; “For the past three years, the Eco-Rally has received lots of attention from the media and well-known supporters and partners. To have a major sponsor such as Bridgestone on-board with their F1 contacts adds a new twist to what is already a unique and innovative event.

“It really shows the British public that industry is developing green alternatives to conventional transport and we are confident that the new breed of eco vehicles can live up to the expectations of the F1 drivers.”

Previous Eco-Rallies pioneered the demonstration of hydrogen-powered vehicles and featured an extensive range of other alternative-fuel vehicles capable of driving much further than the average journey with little or no emissions from the tailpipe. Previous participants include award-winning vehicles from the likes of BMW, Honda, Ford, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Lotus, Tesla and Volvo.

This year’s Bridgestone Eco-Rally will showcase the very latest concepts and low emission technology for the masses, highlighting vehicles eligible for the Government’s forthcoming plug-in car grant.

Andy Dingley from Bridgestone said; “Bridgestone is delighted to be involved with this year’s Eco-Rally. It is a fantastic event which showcases the vehicles of the future and really shows off the versatility of the different, environmentally-friendly fuels out there.
“Climate change is not something any of us should take lightly. Bridgestone is committed to reducing the impact of motoring on the environment through the Make Cars Green initiative and to helping ensure a healthy environment for current and future generations. The Bridgestone Eco-Rally fits perfectly with our policies and ideals.”
Motorsport is the catalyst for many of today’s CleanTech products including kinetic energy recovery systems, carbon-fibre wind-turbine blades and low rolling-resistance tyres.

Confirmed partners and supporters so far for the Bridgestone Eco-Rally 2010 include Imperial College London, the Royal College of Art, Brighton and Hove Council, the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, Camden Council and Westminster Council.
For more information about the annual Eco-Rally, visit www.eco-rally.org.

CCS is a rapidly developing sector and involves the capture of CO2 from major emissions sources such as coal and gas fired power generation facilities, LNG and gas processing plants. The resulting CO2 is safely transported and permanently stored deep underground in depleted gas reservoirs or saline aquifers.

As part of the Petrofac group, CO2DeepStore will accelerate its plans for growth and development, while the acquisition represents Petrofac’s first step into the low carbon energy sector. There are many synergies between the CO2 transport and storage business and Petrofac’s Offshore Engineering & Operations and Energy Developments businesses. The combination of the two organisations establishes a leading development capability for CO2 storage projects, providing a complete storage service for power generators and other CO2 emitters.

Robin Pinchbeck, Petrofac’s group director, strategy and corporate development, commented: “The storage of CO2 is an important part of the emerging low carbon energy mix and we are excited about the potential opportunities for our group in this sector. We are very pleased to welcome Alan and his team to Petrofac and look forward to working with them to progress our plans.”

Alan James, managing director, CO2DeepStore said: “The combination of Petrofac’s financial strength and development capability together with our specialist knowledge and experience will help to position CO2DeepStore as the leading CO2 storage project developer in this new sector servicing the requirements of the major emitters who are establishing CCS projects.”

Energyflo Construction Technologies Limited produces the world’s first dynamic insulation and filtration product, the Energyflo cell, which makes it easier and cheaper for developers to comply with new carbon reduction regulations. The investment, of £0.75m from SSEF II and £0.75m from the Scottish Enterprise’s Scottish Co-Investment Fund, will support the large-scale commercialisation of the Energyflo cell and the development of new products and markets.