As small-scale generators prepare for potentially big changes in their revenue from so-called ‘embedded benefits’, industrial and commercial customers who use backup generation to help provide demand response are also facing a financial challenge. Scottish Power has proposed tightening the…
News
Energy switchers hit six-year high amid spring price hikes
by Annabel Andrews •
Some 7.7 million gas or electricity switches took place in 2016, according to new data from Ofgem. This is 1.7 million more switches than the previous year, a rise of 28%. This means switching rates last year reached their highest…
News
Lords committee: hold competitive auctions for power generation capacity and make security of supply the priority
by New Power •
“Security of supply should be the first and most important consideration in energy policy,” the House of Lords Economic Affairs Committee says in its new report The Price of Power: Reforming the Electricity Market. The committee says “Intervention by successive governments…
News
Offshore Wind Accelerator launches £2.4m project to cut cost of deep water foundations
by Annabel Andrews •
The Carbon Trust’s Offshore Wind Accelerator has launched a new £2.4m project aiming to cut deep sea offshore wind costs by improving foundation design. The three-year project, called Improved Fatigue Life of Welded Jacket Connections (JaCo), aims to cut the cost of offshore…
News
Fossil generators’ system stability role could be fulfilled by renewables, says UKERC report
by New Power •
The ‘inertia’ that fossil fuel plants provide to the electricity system, which keeps the system in stable operation and allows it to ‘ride through’ disturbances, can largely be replicated by very fast response frequency control systems and synthetic inertia, according…
Flash update
Endurance turbine owners offered reassurance on spares and service after company goes into administration
by New Power •
Four authorised service providers for wind turbine manufacturer Endurance, which went into administration in December following the collapse of its Canadian parent company, have joined forces provide spare parts for owners. The four businesses, which between them manage over 76%…
Longread
Local authorities must be aware of ongoing cost of electric vehicle charge points, warns InstaVolt chief
by New Power •
Councils who bid for government grants to install electric vehicle charging points must be aware of the ‘sting in the tail’ of ongoing management costs, warns InstaVolt chief executive Tim Payne. In a wide ranging interview on electric vehicles with…
News
Energy suppliers offer unlimited use tariff and loyalty scheme to tempt customers
by Annabel Andrews •
Green Star Energy has launched a new ‘unlimited tariff’, as British Gas announced a new £100m customer reward programme. The new Green Star Unlimited 12M tariff, available only through comparison site comparethemarket.com until 5 March 2017, gives customers unlimited energy use…
News
Moyle interconnector at half power after subsea fault
by New Power •
The Moyle Interconnector, the 500MW electrical link between Northern Ireland and Scotland, is operating at a reduced capacity of 250MW. The fault occurred on Saturday 18 February when one cable tripped. Initial investigation has indicated that there is a cable…