Scientists mimic human bone to make solar cells safer for the environment
Scientists at The University of Manchester report to have found a way to boost the uptake of solar technology by increasing the environmental safety of perovskite solar cells.
Perovskite solar cells have attracted interest because, unlike silicon solar cells, they can be mass produced through roll-to-roll processing.
Additionally, they are light and colourful, with the versatility to be used in non-traditional...
New directory to promote British water expertise globally
The UK Water Partnership (UKWP) is developing a new UK water Capabilities Directory to support the Department for International Trade (DIT) in promoting British expertise.
The first of its kind, the ‘UK Water Capabilities Directory’ will be used to link British companies to international business leads. Firms will be categorised by key areas of expertise and the geographies in which...
Industry associations call on the Government ‘to fix’ Green Homes Grants scheme
Industry associations are calling for four-point plan to fix Green Homes Grants scheme after one in three responders of a cross-industry survey say payment delays are threatening viability of their business.
The survey, by the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS), Solar Energy UK, Renewable Energy Assurance Ltd (REAL) and the Home Insulation and Energy Systems Quality Assured Contractors Scheme (HIES), was...
Consultation launched on the future of Non-Domestic RHI in Northern Ireland
A new consultation examines options for the future of the Non-Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) Scheme in Northern Ireland, including its potential closure.
The Non-Domestic RHI Scheme was suspended to new applicants on 29 February 2016 in Northern Ireland following budgetary concerns.
It currently remains operational for accredited installations, with tariffs supporting generation of renewable heat for a period of 20...
Input sought to develop a successor to the Low Carbon Infrastructure Transition Programme
A new Call for Evidence seeks input on actions to modify and enhance the range of support mechanisms currently provided by the Scottish Government through the Low Carbon Infrastructure Transition Programme.
Low Carbon Infrastructure Transition Programme (LCITP) was launched by the Scottish Government in partnership with Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Scottish Futures Trust and sector specialists in March...
UK’s first hydrogen houses offer first glimpse of hydrogen technology in homes
The UK’s first homes featuring household appliances fuelled entirely by hydrogen are to be built at Northern Gas Networks’ site in Low Thornley, Gateshead.
The hydrogen houses, which will be using 100% hydrogen for domestic heating and cooking in appliances including boilers, hobs, cookers and fires, are not intended to be habitable, but to showcase the use of these applications...
Consultation seeks views on further policy design proposals of the Clean Heat Grant
Following the Future support for low carbon heat consultation, the government is seeking further views on certain areas of Clean Heat Grant scheme design.
Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) will confirm the final scheme design later this year in the government response to the original consultation.
The proposals covered are:
Minimum insulation requirements
Biomass eligibility and ‘hard to treat’...
Consultation seeks to revamp consumer experience of public EV chargepoints
The Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV) is seeking views on ways to improve electric vehicle drivers' consumer experience at public chargepoints.
This consultation covers all publicly available chargepoints in the UK, including those in the devolved nations, featuring proposals that seek to ensure the growth of electric vehicles can take place at the pace required to hit the government's...
New Centre for Greening Finance and Investment to open in Leeds and London
The new UK Centre for Greening Finance and Investment will begin in April 2021, with physical hubs in Leeds and London, Energy Minister Anne-Marie Trevelyan has announced.
These research hubs will be led by a partnership with a number of UK institutions, including University of Oxford, the University of Leeds and Imperial College London, providing data and analytics to financial...
‘A sense-maker in chief’ – New survey examines the role of Chief Sustainability Officers
The Chief Sustainability Officer is emerging as a 'sense-maker in chief', according to a global survey on the role in addressing the environmental, social and governance (ESG) imperative.
Respondents to the survey, by Institute of International Finance (IIF) and Deloitte UK, also believed that the role will grow in prominence over the next two years as sustainability continues to be 'a critical...
