Cumbrian Energy Revolution

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Other Sectors

The UK’s wildlife crisis – what you need to know

5 April 2022

This special video created by FoE group member Nigel Gilligan, West Cumbrian naturalist, shines a light on the true scale of wildlife depletion, masked by misleading government information. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_eDUATDndM

 

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Uncategorized

Future Landscapes Strategy

5 April 2022

Here’s our contribution to the Government’s strategy on the future of our landscapes, which closes on April 8th 2022. We draw on the expertise of two of our members, naturalist Nigel Gilligan and Fritz Groothues, campaigner against driving on green lanes – currently allowed for sport in otherwise tranquil parts of the National Park.

We argue that the climate crisis AND the biodiversity crisis should be given more weight in government proposals; that there should be better engagement with farmers to create workable Nature Recovery Strategies and that there must be a balance between wide access to the natural environment, and the protection of habitat & biodiversity.

https://consult.defra.gov.uk/future-landscapes-strategy/government-response-to-the-landscapes-review/consultation/my_response.pdf

Other Sectors

Electric Vehicles: Dundee

16 August 2019

Dundee is now at the vanguard of the switch to zero-carbon transport. It already boasts the largest number of electric minicabs anywhere in the UK (134 at the last count), a council-owned network of four solar-powered charging hubs capable of taking 78 cars at a time (with sites for another 60 being built) and the highest number of rapid chargers of any Scottish city. In a few days it will open a rooftop charging hub – solar-powered, of course – at a city-centre multistorey. Despite the Scottish government’s boasts about its charging network, Scotland’s drivers have been slow to take up electric vehicles. Official sales figures show that while Scotland has 8.5% of the UK’s population, only 5.8% of the UK’s ultra-low-emission cars are registered in Scotland. That’s 11,607, out of a total of 2.5m cars in Scotland. Meanwhile, bus use has been in long-term decline and CO2 emissions from transport continue to grow. Environment campaigners welcome the shift to electric vehicles, but John Lauder, the deputy chief executive of the sustainable travel charity Sustrans, said far greater effort was needed to cut overall private car use, not just to switch from fossil fuels. “Electric vehicles are not always carbon neutral, they will not tackle congestion in our towns and cities, they will not improve road safety and they will do nothing to deal with the obesity crisis facing Scotland,” he said. “We need to see a sizeable reduction in shorter urban journeys by car, and we have existing technologies that can be scaled up and rolled out in a far shorter timescale: walking and cycling.”

Guardian »

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Flexibility First

8 July 2019

UK Power Networks has contracted 18.2MW of grid balancing services in London and South East England, after holding one of the UK’s first major auctions to provide power flexibility through the use of battery storage, demand-side-response, and behind-the-meter generation technologies. The distribution network operator is the UK’s first to commit to a ‘Flexibility First’ approach aimed at more efficiently using generated energy as increasing levels of intermittent renewable power sources come on to the grid. The hope is that the approach can provide additional power capacity at lower cost and with lower emissions than compared to the traditional approach of building more power plants for grid reinforcement. After first announcing the auction in May, UK Power Networks announced late last week that it has now agreed contracts collectively worth £450,000 with four companies: Moixa, AMP Clean Energy, Limejump and Powervault. UK Power Networks teamed up with Piclo to identify areas best suited for provision of flexibility services, using the software designer’s smart energy platform to provide a “heat-map” for areas of network congestion and link them with grid flexibility service providers.

Business Green »

Other Sectors

Hydrogen-powered Buses

5 July 2019

A tender process has been launched as Aberdeen bids to build on its reputation as a centre of excellence for hydrogen and fuel cell technologies. The £100k study is jointly funded by Aberdeen City Council (with support from the EU’s Interreg Hytrec2 project), Opportunity North East and Scottish Enterprise. The study aims to develop a business case which will explore the development of a sustainable and commercial supply of hydrogen in the city, which can then be adopted by other Scottish cities in future years. The commitment of the three partners demonstrates the city’s ambitions to embrace the future of hydrogen. As part of the tender potential locations for a hydrogen hub will be identified in addition to outlining the strategic, economic, financial and commercial objectives whilst determining the opportunities to seek private investment in the hydrogen market. Aberdeen has one of Europe’s largest fleets of fuel cell buses, which has exceeded the million-mile mark, and the study will seek to develop the next phase and continue to strengthen the city’s reputation as a global energy innovator.

Aberdeen City Council »

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Balancing Renewables

6 June 2019

Smart Charging: parked EV batteries can save billions in grid balancing. 95% of a car’s time is spent parked. It’s why parked and plugged-in EVs could be the battery banks of the future, stabilising grids powered by wind and solar. More than 1bn EVs could be on the world’s road by 2050, their 14 TWh of EV batteries dwarfing the projected 9 TWh of stationary batteries, according to the IRENA report “Innovation Outlook: smart charging for electric vehicles”. Smart charging could therefore save billions of dollars in grid investments. Distribution system operator Stromnetz Hamburg is testing a smart charging system which, when fully implemented, could reduce grid investments by 90%. But there are specific challenges, including: slow charging (rather than fast) is better suited to grid balancing; “car sharing” reduces an EV’s grid availability; charging infrastructure at home and at the workplace is critical.

Energy Post »

Other Sectors

Fife goes for Hydrogen

6 February 2017

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 »

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Renewables

Brighton’s Solar Buses

8 October 2016

The bright yellow Big Lemon buses are a familiar sight – and smell – on the roads of Brighton and Hove. For nine years the Community Interest Company has run all its vehicles on waste cooking oil from local restaurants, recycled into biodiesel, but now it wants to go one step further. The Big Lemon wants to install solar panels on the roof of its east Brighton depot, storing the energy in batteries and charging buses overnight. It is working with the Brighton Energy Cooperative (BEC) towards a vision of zero emissions bus services in every UK community by 2030, using Brighton as a pilot.

Guardian »

Other Sectors

Fife Hydrogen

23 May 2016

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 »

Other Sectors

A Community Utility

19 April 2016

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 »

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Latest News

  • Cumbria’s ‘Clean’ Energy Strategy?

    The Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership is consulting on its Clean Energy Strategy. It’s important for everyone in Cumbria concerned to protect our planet to take a look at this and respond. It closes on June 22nd 2022 Here’s the introduction to the response from W Cumbria & N Lakes Friends of the Earth. ‘Nuclear energy is not clean energy. Nuclear is the third highest carbon emitter after coal-fired and natural gas electricity generators. Life cycle emissions are 66 grams of carbon dioxide for every kilowatt-hour compared with 9 grams per kilowatt-hour for wind and 32 grams per kilowatt-hour for solar. “Valuing the greenhouse gas emissions from nuclear power”: A critical survey: Benjamin K. Sovacool Energy Policy 36 (2008) 2940– 2953 Summarised at https://journalistsresource.org/environment/nuclear-power-greenhouse-gases/ Furthermore, nuclear waste is the longest lasting waste we have created on this planet, and there is still no tested and operational GDF in the world. The NDA often describes its activities at Sellafield as ‘clean-up’: why is clean-up needed when they are, according to this strategy, clean in the first place? The idea that a strategy embracing nuclear is a secure investment is contradicted by all the facts familiar with nuclear projects: failures of investment; high risk due to out-of-control accidents such as Chernobyl & Fukushima; enormous cost and time overruns. There is nothing in this strategy to indicate how these existing realities will be dealt with other than vague words of support by government.’ Here is the consultation:https://wh1.snapsurveys.com/s.asp?k=165391843491 And here is the strategy: https://www.thecumbrialep.co.uk/resources/uploads/files/220530_CumbriaCoast_FINAL.pdf

  • Magnox Reprocessing to End July 2022

    Operations to end at Sellafield’s Magnox Reprocessing Plant. Sellafield’s Magnox plant will stop reprocessing in July 2022 and enter a new era of clean-up and decommissioning. It will mark the end of an operational journey that began in 1964. The plant has played a crucial role in UK energy generation. It received and reprocessed nearly 55,000 tonnes of spent (or used) nuclear fuel from power stations across the country, and Italy and Japan. That allowed the UK’s 11 Magnox power stations to keep low carbon electricity flowing to homes and businesses in England, Scotland, and Wales. The final Magnox station closed in 2015. Spent fuel from the UK’s current fleet of AGR nuclear power stations will continue to be sent for storage at Sellafield.   NDA 17th May 2022  

  • Cumbria Green Jobs and Young People

    Cumbria has a key role to play in tackling the climate and nature emergencies. But does the region have the skilled workforce to deliver the progress needed in the next decade? There is enormous potential for new jobs in energy efficiency, low-carbon heating, solar power, and offshore wind across the county as we transition to a low carbon economy. Investing in these sectors could bring huge social and economic benefits to both the local community and the climate. Based on analysis of a youth survey conducted between August – October 2021, we have produced a new report reflecting on the aspirations of young people in Cumbria and their interest in green job opportunities. For me and many young people who call Cumbria home there are many things to love about the place we come from – the landscape, the community, the culture. For all of these reasons, I would like to remain in Cumbria for as long as I can. But jobs, especially sustainable jobs, are currently in short supply. I will most likely have to leave Cumbria to access the job I want to do; yet many young people would choose to stay here, working with our communities or our land, if the jobs were available. The provision of green jobs in Cumbria is a necessity not only in order to provide young people with the secure and stable careers they want, but to provide the jobs we need in order to transition to a sustainable, green economy. Throughout my time in education, I was offered little information about the potential for green careers in the area. Young people need to be given chances to learn about the opportunities and apprenticeships available to them. The survey tells us that there is a clear appetite amongst young people to gain more understanding of green jobs opportunities in areas such as renewable energy, and agriculture, forestry and land management. Also, young people have high aspirations for future earnings, raising the question of whether these aspirations can be met locally. The climate crisis, and the scope of the action we need in order to tackle it, can often feel overwhelming. However, we can start to make a difference by taking local steps such as the ones recommended at the end of this report and providing green jobs and education opportunities to young people across Cumbria.  Isabella Bridgman, youth climate activist Access report here You can view videos of what green jobs and how they benefit our communities here

  • Russian Coal

    Despite the claims made by its supporters, opening the proposed Cumbrian mine would not end our dependency on foreign coal. West Cumbria Mining make it clear that their product would replace coal from the US, not from Russia. Steelmakers use a blend of different coals, the majority of which would still need to be imported, even if the coal mine was opened. In addition to this, one of the only two potential UK customers for Cumbrian coal – British Steel in Scunthorpe – has said that they may not be able to use it because of its high sulphur content. The best way to reduce the UK steel industry’s dependence on imported coal would be for it to turn to green steel, made without the use of coal. That’s already happening in the rest of Europe and is what the UK steel industry needs to be competitive in the 21st century.

  • May 5th election: Questions for candidates

    West Cumbria & North Lakes FoE and Climate Emergency West Cumbria have today (Friday 15th April) sent out 6 questions on the climate crisis and the  energy crisis to candidates for the Cumberland election on May 5th. A summary of the responses will be published prior to polling day. If you meet your candidate you might want to ask them too. The questions are: 1. Have you been helping the County to achieve its net zero-carbon emissions by 2037 through the Zero Carbon Cumbria Partnership? If so please provide details 2. What will be the chief challenges for the new structure in Cumberland in pursuing this path? 3. What do you as a Councillor hope to contribute to achieving the goal of zero carbon in the following main sectors? waste / energy / land-use / housing / transport 4. What energy mix you think is most suitable for Cumberland? 5. What other steps should Cumberland take to mitigate the energy crisis? 6. Do you know of any climate protecting projects elsewhere, either in the UK or internationally, that Cumberland could draw on to our benefit? Please provide details.  

Cumbrian Energy Plans

There is huge potential to create ‘green’ jobs in Cumbria – employment opportunities that are good for both people and the environment. New research carried out for CAfS shows that the county could benefit from 9,000 new jobs in industries ranging from renewable energy and construction to transport. The findings are shared in their report The Potential for Green Jobs in Cumbria. Published on Friday 12 March 2021, the report will contribute to the crucial opportunity we have to plan for an economic recovery of Cumbria that accelerates the transition to a cleaner, net-zero emissions local economy after the devastating impacts of Covid-19. The report, supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery, shows that: there are more than 1300 opportunities for green apprenticeship creation over 3 years in Cumbria, spread across the boroughs: Allerdale – 260; Copeland – 160; Barrow – 300; Carlisle – 350; Eden – 80; South Lakes - 160.

Cumbria is one place that could really benefit from a green recovery plan. A better route to economic prosperity after Covid-19 is urgently needed, one that is anchored in the industries of the future, rather than those of the past. A green recovery plan could be built around four key pillars: Cumbria’s rich potential for green economic development; Economic renewal through local net zero plans; Community participation in plans; Investment to make it happen.

Research by Friends of the Earth has revealed that creating 250,000 green apprenticeships leading to jobs including in renewable energy, woodland creation, and peatland restoration, would help address the crises in youth unemployment (that could cost today's unemployed young people £39bn in future earnings), and climate breakdown. Released in March 2021 the report “An emergency plan on green jobs for young people – why and how?” (by Transition Economics for Friends of the Earth) lays bare the scarring economic impact of youth unemployment from Covid-19 on individuals, local authorities, and the overall country. But the research also shows the huge potential for fighting the climate crisis with green jobs country-wide if apprenticeships are given proper government support.

Cumbria Renewable Energy and Capacity Deployment Study  A report by sustainable economic and social development consultants, SQW for Cumbria County Council published in August 2011 giving a detailed assessment of the renewable resources available.

The Scope for Renewable Energy in Cumbria  is a report published by the precursor body to Britain’s Energy Coast - Cumbria Vision in 2009. This envisioned the creation of almost 8,000 by 2050 from developing renewable energy.

The West Cumbria Economic Blueprint is the plan put forward in June 2012 by Britain’s Energy Coast, a public/private partnership made up of local authorities and nuclear groups in the area.

A Sustainable Energy Agency for Cumbria: Business Plan and  Annexes and Supporting Information - commissioned by Cumbria Vision and the North West Development Agency in 2009. A detailed plan for an Energy Agency to promote low-carbon distributed energy and energy efficiency. Cumbria has a huge renewable potential, and a number of leading renewable energy companies including  Gilkes and Energy4All. Despite this, it is not as effective as other areas in accessing funding and support for sustainable energy. Unfortunately the idea of the Agency was never taken forward.

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