FIFE-based Living Solutions (LS) are going all out this week to increase their ‘green energy footprint’, as they take delivery of their new hybrid Renault Kangoo van, supplied by local company – Bright Green Hydrogen (BGH). The Levenmouth Community Energy Project – led by BGH in Methil, Fife – is a collaborative initiative supported by Fife Council and Toshiba. Begins a spokesperson: “This new industry development involves the facility being created into the world’s foremost demonstrator of hydrogen derived from renewable turbine and solar resources. “It is the first project of its kind in Scotland to use green hydrogen to fuel a fleet of hybrid/electric vans to the road.” This new vehicle will add to Living Solutions’ green credentials, as they are already working to create an eco-friendly zero emissions tree-surgery service – as they ramp up their contracting business.

All Media Scotland »

Two dual-fuel bin lorries which have the ability to run on both hydrogen and diesel have been delivered to Fife council in Scotland. Converted to run on both fuels by Liverpool-based low emission vehicle specialist ULEMCo, the two Heil Farid vehicles are designed to produce lower carbon and air pollution emissions reducing their environmental impact in densely populated urban areas. The work is part of the council’s Levenmouth Community Energy Project, which was last year awarded £4.3m through the the Scottish Government’s Local Energy Challenge Fund and will see the area become home to up to 25 hydrogen dual-fuel vehicles. The project will also see the conversion of five Ford Transit vans and 10 Renault HyKangoo vans to hybrid electric and hydrogen fuel cell operation, as well as the installation of hydrogen refuelling points in Methil and Fife council’s depot at Bankhead, Glenrothes.

Business Green »

Community energy group Mongoose Energy intends to launch its energy supply business before the end of the year after plans accelerated in recent months. Solar Power Portal reported in December that Mongoose was preparing a supply business for late 2016, however the company this morning revealed fresh details of their plans. A senior management team is currently being assembled and will be revealed later this quarter, while launch tariffs will be announced in Q3 2016 prior to a full launch later this year. When open for business, Mongoose is expected to become the first energy supplier majority owned by community energy groups and Jan-Willem Bode, chief executive at Mongoose Energy, said the project had “the potential to transform the nature of energy ownership”.

Solar Power Portal »

The cities of Nottingham, Bristol, Milton Keynes and London are set to welcome an array of green vehicle technologies and innovations after winning a share of a new £40m fund from the Government to support the uptake of electric vehicles (EVs) across the UK. London has been awarded £13m to create the ‘Neighbourhoods of the future’ which prioritises EV travel over conventional methods in certain London boroughs. EV charging streetlights in Hackney and a low-emission zone parking and traffic priority in Harrow are among the green innovations to be rolled out through the new funding. Meanwhile, Westminster City Council – which already provides free EV parking as a way of incentivising uptake – aims to promote the sale of 70,000 EVs by 2020. This target will be increased to 250,000 by 2025. The former European Green Capital, Bristol, will receive £7m to give EVs access to three carpool lanes as well as installing more than 80 rapid and fast charging areas. A scheme offering people a monthly lease of a plug-in car is also on offer.

Edie »

A Scottish community energy project is on track to become one of Europe’s largest fleets of hydrogen-powered vehicles after the scheme’s lead partner announced the order of 15 such vehicles. Bright Green Hydrogen has invested in 10 Renault HyKangoo vans. The Levenmouth project – which secured £4 million from the Scottish Government’s Local Energy Fund – aims to position Levenmouth as a global leader in clean energy through developing the Hydrogen Office Project in Methil into a world-class demonstrator of hydrogen applications, generated from renewable sources.

Scottish Energy News »

Tesla, the maker of luxury electric cars, has unveiled a series of batteries that will allow homes and businesses to store renewable energy, as it attempts to solve a major challenge facing the transition to the low carbon economy. Elon Musk, Tesla’s founder and chief executive, made the much anticipated announcement last night, confirming the new modular Powerwall system would sell at $3,000 (£1,954) for a 7kWh battery, rising to $3,500 for a 10kWh unit. Deliveries are expected to start in late summer in the US. Catherine Mitchell, professor of energy policy at the University of Exeter, called the announcement “a nail in the coffin” for conventional utilities.

Business Green »

“It’s a fantastic idea, I say – powering a bus with poo, who’d have thought?” The soft West Country burr belongs to Maisie, a 30-year-old nurse travelling with her toddler, Josh, and three bags of shopping. Squirming out of his mother’s grasp, Josh presses his face to the window as we pass rows of Georgian terraces and graffiti-speckled tower blocks. This is Bristol, and while the surroundings are typical of many British cities, our 41-seater bus is unique. Not due to its sleek design or humorous exterior – though it’s certainly turning heads as we drive past the harbourside – but because the aptly named No 2 bus doesn’t use electricity or oil: it runs entirely on human faeces.

Guardian »