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THAMES Water has recovered more than £450,000 in the last three years from contractors, landowners and other third parties who illegally took water from hydrants. With climate change and population growth putting a strain on water resources, the UK’s largest water company has clamped down on those using water but not paying for it. More than 200 separate offences were uncovered,...

HAVING more women on a company’s board of directors can improve both financial performance and renewable energy consumption, according to a new study published by De Montfort University Leicester. Researchers analysed data for 1,491 USA-based businesses to identify patterns between the number of women directors on a company board and the firm’s level of renewable energy consumption. They found that increasing...

EIT InnoEnergy, the innovation engine for sustainable energy across Europe, has mobilised €7.3 million in additional funding from the European Institute of Innovation & Technology (EIT) to support energy innovators through COVID-19. Up to 24 of 'Europe’s most game-changing start-ups' are benefiting from the funding to maintain existing operations or capitalise on emerging opportunities. The funding directly contributes to the European...

KIWI Power has today commissioned the final 5MW of battery storage of UK’s largest council-owned battery storage site. The additional £2.5m investment brings South Somerset District Council’s (SSDC) Fideoak Mill site in Taunton to total capacity of 30MW. Kiwi Power’s proprietary hardware, Fruit, was installed on all 22 battery units so that the site can provide grid balancing services to National...

RESEARCHERS at the Institute of Advanced Automotive Propulsion Systems (IAAPS) will work alongside British luxury carmaker Bentley Motors on a three-year research study that promises to transform electric vehicle powertrains. IAAPS experts will work with a nine-strong consortium to lead the development of fully integrated, recyclable e-axle that will support electric vehicle architectures. The work will assist in realising Bentley’s ambition to...

RESEARCH and innovation projects across the UK addressing urgent challenges such as climate change and low carbon heating will receive up to £50,000 each of government funding. The 17 projects, running from Glasgow and Belfast, through to Nottingham and parts of Cornwall include heating homes and businesses in Glasgow using energy from disused mines, developing new green transport products at...

OFWAT has established a permanent presence in Wales for the first time by appointing its first ever Head of Wales. From 1 September, Bethan Evans will help ensure that Ofwat is participating in Welsh policy discussions and will focus on making the best use of the expertise of the local stakeholders to aid a regulatory approach that reflects specific circumstances...

ASOS has announced the company has set up new commitments required for the third party brand partners that manufacture in the UK. The announcement comes after the online retailing giant removed products by boohoo after the company faced allegations of poor pay and working conditions at their Leicester factory last month. Nick Beighton, ASOS CEO, commented on the announcement: “When we...

SCOTTISH Water’s compliance with the stringent standards for drinking water remains high at 99.92%, the latest Water Quality Regulator (DWQR) for Scotland’s annual report reveals. The DWQR is independent of Scottish Ministers and ensures that the drinking water quality duties imposed on Scottish Water are complied with. DWQR reviews water quality data from samples taken by Scottish Water and undertakes targeted...

FUNDING to help communities in urban and deprived areas plan their local neighbourhoods will almost double, Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick has announced. From today, Government grants to individual neighbourhood planning groups in both urban and deprived areas will increase to £18,000. This follows funding increasing from £9,000 to £10,000 in May to help with the effects of coronavirus. Mr Jenrick commented on...