May’s electoral fiasco has thrust into unlikely prominence the politician at the centre of Northern Ireland’s ‘cash for ash’ debacle. Prime minister May’s parliamentary survival currently depends on the support of the ten Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) MPs who are…
News
The post-subsidy future? Energy industry considers corporate PPAs
by Annabel Andrews •
With subsidies disappearing, it’s been suggested that corporate PPAs signed directly between renewable energy plants and end users could keep the wind and solar pipeline moving. Three recent New Power interviewees weigh in… Dan Wells, partner, Foresight: “For unsubsidised…
News
UK offshore wind could hit 25GW capacity by 2030, says WindEurope
by Annabel Andrews •
A report published today shows that the UK can expand its world-beating offshore wind capacity to almost five times its current level by 2030, and that the nation has the most economically attractive offshore wind resources in Europe. The new…
News
Opinion: Europe needs practical strategies to reduce congestion problems in networks
by Annabel Andrews •
Data management between transmission and distribution network operators is the key to effective and secure functioning of the grid and increasing competition, says Eurelectric chief executive Christian Ruby With the energy transition, the customer moves centre stage. Active customers, increasing…
News
Renault and Powervault latest to trial spent electric vehicle (EV) batteries in home storage units
by Annabel Andrews •
Renault, Powervault and M&S Energy have teamed up to trial a home stationary energy battery storage system based on second life electric vehicle batteries. Powervault will install 50 trial units, powered by Renault’s second life batteries, in the homes of customers…
News
Distributed generators say Ofgem Triad decision is ‘too soon’ after election, call for delay
by New Power •
A group of companies developing and operating distributed generation has called on Ofgem to delay its decision on making dramatic reductions in ‘embedded benefits’ for small-scale power plants. The decision is earmarked for 15 June. The Flexible Generation Group says…
News
Data show rising contribution from embedded generation
by New Power •
Generation from plants connected to local distribution networks and invisible to the System Operator, National Grid, grew by 6% in the year to Q1 2017, according to ElectraLink. The company said that much of the growth had come from renewable…
News
Ofgem rejects claim for compensation from two Oftos after cable defect outages
by New Power •
Ofgem has rejected two claims for compensation for outages in subsea cables connecting offshore wind farms. Gwynt y Mor Ofto had claimed £10.3 million and Thanet Ofto Ltd had claimed £11.7 million. In both cases the cause of the outage…
News
‘Essentially manual’ balancing system takes the strain as National Grid’s new dispatch software is delayed until 2018
by New Power •
Full introduction of a new electricity balancing system that will let National Grid make better use of demand-side response, small generators and new flexibility options has been delayed until at least 2018. When the software procurement was competed in 2010…