Category Archives: Energy
Coal & the Question of Carbon Capture & Storage
A member of the Policy Team yesterday attended a meeting of the Parliamentary and Scientific Committee to discuss the vexed question of coal-fired energy generation and ‘Carbon Capture & Storage’ (CCS). The Conservative Shadow Energy Minister, Charles Hendry, gave a … Continue reading
China is going green
China believes it can meet European targets on renewable energy by producing 20% of its energy needs through wind and solar power. Whereas Japan is aiming for 15% in the same time frame, a target that environmentalists call “appalling” yet … Continue reading
RSPB Supports Plans to Build More Wind Turbines
The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds has called for a significant increase in the number of wind farms in the UK, after a new study found far more turbines could be built onshore without harming wildlife. The RSPB … Continue reading
Geo-engineering: not a catch-all solution to climate change
New research from scientists at the University of East Anglia suggests that large-scale geo-engineering projects are not a viable alternative to carbon reduction strategies in the fight against global warming. However, the researchers conclude that certain geo-engineering schemes could compliment … Continue reading
Shortlisted Projects for Severn Estuary Unveiled
The Government has announced a proposed shortlist of schemes to generate renewable energy form the tides of the Severn estuary. The shortlist is comprised of various barrage and lagoon projects. The Severn has a tidal range of 14m, making it … Continue reading
Shortlist of Severn Estuary Plans to be Announced
A shortlist of proposed schemes to generate renewable energy form the Severn estuary will be announced by the Government later today. Over the past six months, the Department of Energy and Climate Change have examined 10 projects for converting the … Continue reading
Wales’ Largest Wind Farm Approved
The Welsh Government yesterday granted assent for the development of Wales’ largest wind farm – and the second largest in the world – off the North coast of the country. When complete, in 2014, and fully operational, the wind turbines … Continue reading
Patagonian Fungus Diesel: An Alternative Biofuel?
Scientists have recently discovered that a tree fungus Gliocladium roseum, produces compounds of long-chain hydrocarbons very similar in structure to commercial diesel. The lead scientist of the research, Gary Strobel, from Montana State University said: “This is the only organism … Continue reading
Windfarm Bird Impacts Overestimated
New research published in the British Ecological Society’s Journal of Applied Ecology suggests the impact of wind farms on farmland birds is less serious than previously thought. Dr Mark Whittingham and co-authors focused their study on farmland birds overwintering in … Continue reading
Environment Agency Calls for Mandatory Carbon Capture and Storage
The Environment Agency has called for a halt to Government plans to build a new generation of coal-fired power stations, unless these incorporate carbon capture and storage technology (CCS). Chris Smith, the new Chair of the Environment Agency has commented … Continue reading