latest news
12 October 2011 - The Energy Consortium (TEC) claims that changes made to the CRC Scheme post Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR) mean that proactive Carbon Managers are penalised twice; once because revenue recycling has been scrapped, and twice because allowances now have to be purchased for automated meter readings (AMR). TEC's Head of Carbon Advisory Service, Brian Hornsby said that pre-CSR there was some logic in the CRC Scheme’s approach to early action incentives. "Installing AMRs was market
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01 October 2011 - For many of our university Members, the year 2012 will mean an Olympic effort on their part as they play pivotal roles in researching, training, hosting and supporting the teams competing in the London Olympic Games. We wish them every success as we do the British athletes. For us, 2012 will see us revisiting the venues we selected for this year’s annual conference to stage more winning performances! Our northern event being held at the Royal Armouries in Leeds will take place on Wednesday
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09 September 2011 - With energy prices continuing to rise and the future of nuclear power being questioned globally, there's never been a better time to look seriously at renewable energy generation. And with the Welsh Assembly firmly behind it, now's the time to explore technology options and financial schemes available such as the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI). To give an overview of some of the technologies your university and college peers have adopted we've organised a special conference on Septem
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19 August 2011 - Last month we sent you details of the special conference we're hosting on September 28 at the Metropole Hotel in Llandrindod Wells on the theme of 'increasing renewable generation'. The topic itself has prompted widespread debate and strength of feeling throughout Wales in recent months and we recognize the need for organisations to secure future energy supplies but not at the expense of increased cost and administration or alienating local communities. The programme we've carefu
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29 July 2011 - Increasing renewables is too hot a topic for you to miss out on in Wales, particularly in light of the recent EMR White Paper on the Government's commitment to diversified technologies to secure future energy supplies. But which technology is best? In June, we held successful conferences in England outlining alternative renewable options - with case studies- and cost and planning implications. We wouldn't want you excluded from such impartial, valuable advice so we're hosting a speci
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20 May 2011 - At the beginning of this month the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change claimed that renewable technologies could supply 80% of global energy needs by 2050 as well as reduce greenhouse emissions by a third, provided governments step up policies to stimulate investment and enable industries to grow substantially. Currently, renewable energy accounts for 12.9% of global supply and a business-as-usual approach will not be enough to bring about change. The question is, in which technologies sho
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05 April 2011 - We have first hand experience to be shared at our summer conferences in Leeds and London by Lancaster University. Director of facilities, Mark Swindlehurst, will present the challenges the university faced on both the site and planning, while head of infrastructure, Mike Sheppard, will reflect on turbine selection and connection. Mark has a real interest in sustainability and, with over 35 years in the building industry, we can expect some real insight from Mike on the sort of issues you could e
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29 March 2011 - Recent developments globally have affected markets, so what are the prospects for the remainder of 2011 and what are the implications of the Government's electricity market reforms on future energy prices? The answers to these questions and more will be provided by Andrew Horstead from Utilyx who is our third guest speaker at both our Leeds and London conferences. Andrew has the unenviable responsibility of looking at future energy markets and is a regular media commentator on supply and dem
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25 March 2011 - UK energy prices saw surprising strength towards the end of 2010, extending gains that have seen power and gas prices rise progressively since March 2010. Over that period front month NBP gas prices jumped 120% while Summer-11 gas firmed 59% hitting levels not seen since May 2009. With gas the dominant fuel source in UK power generation, movements in gas have fed through to UK power and similarly, front month power gained 53%, while Summer-11 was 36% higher than levels seen last March, by the en
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22 March 2011 - With investment capital severely constrained in the public sector, what are the alternative options available for renewable generation? Book your place at our 2011 conference and hear David Povall CEO of RES Enterprises debate the options. RES Enterprises is one of the world's leading independent renewable energy developers. David has worked extensively across the world in the energy sector and latterly in developing sustainable buildings and will reflect on the different renewable technolog
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16 March 2011 - Taking to the stage at our Leeds event on June 22 will be HEFCE's Senior Policy Advisor, Joanna Simpson, who orchestrated the organisation's sustainable development strategy and who's a regular Government advisor. This is the first of a series of news articles to alert you to the impressive speakers we've got lined up to talk at our summer conferences on increasing renewable generation. We're thrilled that the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) has agreed to
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22 February 2011 - HEFCE to headline The Energy Consortium’s twin events this summer on renewable generation When The Energy Consortium (TEC) address the issue of increasing renewable generation at its northern and southern conferences this June, it will be joined on the conference platform by keynote speakers from the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE). Also contributing to the debate will be specialist consultancy Inbuilt and Lancaster University. The conferences are being held on June 22
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12 November 2010 - David Oldham smiled; "We like to think of ourselves as leading edge not cutting edge; though a couple of times we have strayed into cutting edge territory". This was just one remark at the start of tour around Edge Hill University at which David is the Director responsible for Capital Developments; the tour had been organised as an information gathering exercise to support the forthcoming HEFCE/TEC Guide to Renewable Generation and Knowledge Hub. Edge Hill certainly has a reputation fo
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12 November 2010 - Our conferences next year will be held in two prestigious,historic venues; the Royal Armouries in Leeds and the Imperial War Museum in London. Delegates will get the dual opportunity of stepping back in time and touring the museums as well as looking to the future as we debate ‘Increasing Renewable Generation’ as our conference theme. By June 2011 we shall have the findings from the project we’re conducting with Harper Adams University College and the Universities of Lancaster,
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05 November 2010 - On 3 November, we held our inaugural, annual Flexible Focus Group meeting, which was attended by 20 delegates representing 10 of the 19 institutes currently running flexible gas/electric contracts. The objective of this meeting was to inform Members using flexible contracts of their performance to date, the strategies utilised, and strategic options that may be available for the future. The morning session consisted of presentations by TEC and Utilyx on a forward market review, the current and p
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01 November 2010 - TEC is delighted to report on its success in the last round of Higher Education Funding Council for England ("HEFCE") LGM funding grant applications. £50,000 has been awarded by the HEFCE and TEC has agreed matching funding. We are embarking on a major study for the education sector which we hope that, once completed, will prove to be an essential guide for best practice renewable generation and be a knowledge hub for renewable generation projects in the future. We shall build th
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08 September 2010 - With only six weeks to go before the results of the Government’s Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR) are due to be published, The Energy Consortium (TEC) is gearing up to help its public sector members meet the massive demands expected to be set. TEC will be primarily encouraging public bodies visiting the Energy Event to upskill and procure their energy through flexible contracts, just like their private peers. TEC currently purchases gas and electricity for more than 85% of the UK’
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12 July 2010 - OCG Action Note 15/10 12 July 2010 Issue 1. Some organisations that are not contracting authorities have either established or are attempting to establish arrangements described as frameworks agreements for use by contracting authorities across the public sector. These arrangements should not be used by contracting authorities - this PPN outlines the issues and risks for contracting authorities considering the use of these agreements. Dissemination 2. Please circulate this Procurement Policy Not
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06 July 2010 - Brian Hornsby, the former energy co-ordinator at Loughborough University and ex-tall ship sailor, has been appointed head of carbon advisory services at TEC and his task is to advise Members on their EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) submissions and registrations for the CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme. A retired chartered quantity surveyor, Brian has spent the past six years developing robust data collection and management systems at Loughborough University enabling it to better respond to Governm
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22 June 2010 - Today George Osborne unveiled what he described as an ''unavoidable'' but ''progressive'' budget characterised by a raft of spending cuts and tax increases. In terms of energy and climate change policy, the industry is likely to be disappointed by the absence of clarity on several issues including the proposed Carbon Floor price and the Renewable Heat Incentive. Following the Coalition Government’s decision to abolish the Infrastructure Planning Commission w
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