2007-03-20
The Energy White Paper is in danger of missing a chance for affordable, low carbon heating, say experts Applied Energy Products; despite the fanfare of the climate change bill.
|
| Richard Scott of AEP Ltd |
|
“We support the Government’s drive towards zero carbon homes by 2016 and
welcome the climate change bill; setting the world’s first legally binding
targets for carbon reduction,” said Richard Scott for the company, but added
“Unless the Energy White Paper recognises the falling carbon content of
electricity, now legally mandated by the climate change bill, it will be
developing plans for the future, based on the power generation of the
past.”
Tony Blair may hail the climate bill “revolutionary” but unless
the practicalities filter down to future-proofed building regulations, homes
across the country will miss the opportunity for affordable, low carbon
heating.
The climate change bill places a statutory obligation on UK governments to
cut carbon emissions by 60 percent by 2050, with an interim cut of 26-32 percent
by 2020. Ministers will be required to set five-year carbon budgets, which are
intended to give business greater planning certainty. The Energy Bill needs to
provide that same certainty.
“The only long term sustainable energy
source is electricity. Oil, coal and gas are finite fossil fuels; found in
places increasingly difficult to reach. The vital growth in electricity
generation from zero carbon sources, like wind, wave, biomass and nuclear power
must be fully reflected in the Energy Bill with a set of progressively lowering
carbon content of electricity milestones”, added Mr Scott.
Building
regulations currently base their assumptions on outdated perceptions of modern
electric heating and an inaccurate carbon-content for central electricity
generation. Massive investments in Renewables, clean coal, the latest IGCC gas
power stations, nuclear generation and carbon capture is radically
de-carbonising central electricity generation. Imperial College - London has
reported that the carbon content of grid electricity can be reduced to just
0.2kg/CO2/kWh - a 50% reduction in the next 15 years.
Unless that projected fall is included within the Energy Bill, building
regulations for heating homes will be based on inaccurate
assumptions.
“In well insulated, low occupancy homes, building
regulations should not exclusively push slow responding gas systems. With the
carbon content of electricity falling, the instantly controllable heat of
electric systems reduces carbon emissions and cost of ownership, improves
security of energy supplies and offers greater comfort levels to the
householder.”
“The opportunity for the Energy White Paper is to recognise
that the falling carbon content of electricity must change the way we heat our
homes; we cannot rely on tired misconceptions. The need to reduce carbon
emissions and improve energy security requires low carbon heating solutions that
utilise low carbon central electricity generation with modern electric heating,
combined with ventilation incorporating heat-recovery, solar thermal hot water,
geothermal heat-pumps and micro-wind power. See www.applied-energy.com
|
Related contacts
|
Applied Energy Products Ltd,
Morley Way,
Peterborough
PE2 9JJ
Tel: 01733 456789
Fax: 01733 310606
|
Contact AEP Ltd
|
| For latest electrical industry news, register for Voltimum's free newsletter. |
|
|
Source: Applied Energy Products Ltd |
|
Back