Latest News
News and updates from Carbon Zero Consulting.
Department of Energy closes Low Carbon Buildings Programme
Carbon Zero Consulting can report that as part of the government’s drive for savings, the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) has today announced the closure of the Low Carbon Buildings Programme (LCBP) to new applications, effective from (06.00 am) Monday 24th May 2010.
Although the Feed-In-Tariff for renewable electricity, introduced on 1 April 2010, means that LCBP is no longer required for electrical microgeneration it was anticipated that support under LCBP funding would continue up until the proposed introduction in April 2011 of the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) for heat. However demand for grants has been unprecedented and DECC states it has very little unallocated funding remaining.
It is stated that by closing the programme now, all unallocated funds will contribute towards DECC’s overall savings.
Carbon Zero Consulting sees this as a short sighted blow to the confidence required for take up of renewable heat systems. However, the proposed RHI starting in April 2011 will be the major driver but we must see confirmation of RHI start date and tariff rates to give the industry the confidence it requires.
For more information about this closure or how Carbon Zero Consulting can help with your next project, call John Findlay on 0844 855 0115 or email him at (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Ground Source Heating and the Environment Agency
Carbon Zero Consulting Director John Findlay and Northern region manager Dr Phil Ham played a leading role in the recent Ground Source Heating conference hosted by the Environment Agency in Hatfield. The audience consisted of Environment Agency and professionals involved with the ground source industry. The Environment Agency has recently published a review of the potential growth in the ground source sector over the next 10 years. Their research suggests that some 8000 systems are in operation in the UK today. Depending on the growth model that is used, there will be between 300,000 and 1.2 million systems in use by 2020! This is massive growth by any measure.
The phrase of the day was the potential for entry of ‘Cowboy’ designers and installers into a new and rapidly growing sector. It was agreed that there is an urgent need to strengthen sector-wide design guidelines, standards and accreditation to maintain quality. Carbon Zero Consulting is actively involved with the Environment Agency in drafting guidelines and providing high level technical input to streamline the Environment Agency’s implementation of regulations.
For more information about GSH and the benefits for your business call John on 0844 855 0115 or reach by email at (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)