Lack manpower to scupper ‘revolution’

10/03/2010 - Sunday Times says 60,000 heating engineers are interested in fitting renewable energy devices but are put off by the three-year certification process. The revolution to green the UK’s homes is being held back by a lack of qualified engineers who can fit renewable energy devices.Click here for full story

Solar Revolution

10/03/2010 - The case for solar and the impact of the solar revolution – Jeremy Leggett’s full case against George Monbiot’s anit-solar articles appears on Jeremy Leggett’s website.Click here for full story

Report calls for science boost

09/03/2010 - The profile of science in the UK must be raised to help diversify the economy and boost growth, a report endorsed by the Conservatives has urged. The report's author, entrepreneur Sir James Dyson, called for more support for science teachers and tax breaks for high-tech firms to conduct research.Click here for full story

New solar and wind developer

09/03/2010 - A new company has formed to partner with landowners, commercial property owners and managers, to build, own and operate wind and solar power generating assets on sites across the UK. Vigor Renewables has launched to take advantage of the new feed-in tariffs (FiT), which come into effect at the beginning of next month. Also known as the Clean Energy Cashback scheme, FiT guarantees an inflation-linked income for on-site renewable energy projects under five megawatts in size for a period of up to 25 years.Click here for full story

Feed-in time

09/03/2010 - Steven Harris from the Energy Saving Trust describes what he believes is the first step towards the nationwide take-up of domestic energy generation. Gordon Brown is doing it, the Tories are tweeting about it and, if the hype is to be believed, over the next few years we will all be investing massive amounts of money to lavish our homes with it.Click here for full story

Anaerobic digestion goes mobile

08/03/2010 - A mobile anaerobic digestion rig will be tested on a range of industrial effluents at a variety of food and drink manufacturing premises in Britain over the next few months. The mobile Clearfleau rig will first be moved to the site of an unnamed Somerset cheese maker for trials on whey during January and February before moving on to another site.Clearfleau director Richard Gueterbock said: “During 2010 Clearfleau is planning to undertake further on-site trials with a range of industrial effluents. These will include dairy products, effluent from food and drink processing plus brewery and distillery waste.”Click here for full story

The Smart Energy Show has now closed...

A big thank you to all our speakers, exhibitors and visitors

• Click here to download the 8-page Show Preview 
• Click here to see the first-rate conference programme, masterminded by the REA. The actual presentations are available to view here 
• The exhibition featured many companies active in this fast-developing field. Click here for the exhibitor list

Headline sponsors ...

Smart Energy is delighted to have two high profile headline sponsors: RES is one of the world's leading renewable energy developers, working across the globe to develop, construct and operate projects that contribute to the goal of a sustainable future. And "Partnerships for Renewables (PfR), a Carbon Trust Enterprise, works with the public sector to develop and manage onsite renewable energy projects and is currently working with over 100 Public Sector Bodies with a significant number of lead projects,” explains Tom Brinicombe, Head of Marketing and Communications, PfR. “Therefore we are pleased to encourage and support Smart Energy ’09 which has been set up to encourage both the public and private sector to look seriously at the range of advantages accrued by onsite renewable energy projects.    "The public sector is increasingly recognised as having a significant role to play in reducing carbon emissions and providing leadership at a local level. With a large renewables potential, public sector projects could make a significant contribution towards meetings the UK’s renewable energy targets, and Smart Energy will certainly help awareness of this challenge and of the opportunities. Smart Energy will be equally valuable to the private sector, and this is to be applauded. Our chief executive, Stephen Ainger will be speaking at Smart Energy ’09 and we are greatly looking forward to this new event, which we believe is set to grow in size and stature in future years."

 A view from The Eden Project: