News archive - Week ending 10th August 2007

Hydrogen-Powered Energy Centre Planned

Plans have been submitted to Fife Council for a hydrogen-powered renewable energy research centre in the Methil area. If approved, it will house the plant rooms for the hydrogen office building, as well as an innovative renewable energy system.

The planning application was submitted to Fife Council by Scottish Enterprise Fife in a partnership including Alsherra Investments and the Hydrogen Office Ltd.

The Energy Centre is one of a number of potential projects earmarked for the emerging energy hub at Methil. It will be one of the world's first fully integrated alternative energy projects combining well proven renewable energy technologies (wind and geothermal source heat pumps) with hydrogen and fuel cell energy storage technologies. The project will use surplus renewable electricity to convert tap water into hydrogen, a sustainable means of storing energy that has important environmental and economic benefits.
The quantities of hydrogen stored by the project will be small; comparable in energy terms to the petrol carried by three family cars. The submission of planning documents comes after a series of project briefing sessions held with local residents, councillors and local MSP, Tricia Marwick.

£18m MBT Waste Plant Proposed

A planning application for a mechanical biological treatment (MBT) centre near Polmont has been submitted to Falkirk Council and could reduce the amount of rubbish sent to landfill. It is thought the £18m facility could be the first in Europe to use water to separate out material for recycling. Remaining waste would be processed with enzymes to produce renewable energy and soil treatment products. If permission is granted the plant could be in operation in 2009; handling 70,000 tonnes of waste a year.

Avondale Environmental Ltd already has planning permission for a recycling centre and has applied for a variation to construct the MBT plant. It would be developed by Manchester-based Oaktech Environmental Ltd, which has already built a similar plant in Tel Aviv.

Moray Art Centre's 'Green' Car park

A self-sustainable arts centre in Scotland is planning to further boost its green credentials by developing an environmentally-friendly car park. The Moray Art Centre in Findhorn is building a car park which will include solar photovoltaic roof panels and creeping plants.

Project Director Randy Klinger said that the Centre had formerly benefited from passive solar energy and geothermal heating but was missing out on being able to produce its own electricity sustainably. The plans, which will cost £71,000, include the installation of rainwater-collecting butts, the provision of air-pumps for bicycles, a charging point for electric cars and special recycling bins.

Councils Plan New Generation of Waste Incinerators

Councils across Scotland are believed to be considering incinerators that will provide a valuable source of energy and reduce the amount of rubbish going to landfill sites.

Under European law, councils must find alternatives to landfill or risk very significant fines. Rubbish going into landfill rots down and produces methane. In the past there have been health fears and strong public opposition surrounding the idea of dealing with the landfill problem by burning waste instead. Campaigners have criticised the present move, which they say would create toxic ash. However, according to the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), new technology means today's incinerators bear no relation to those of the past. In 1990 55% of dioxins in the UK came from incineration, now the figure is 0.2%.

The Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (Cosla) believes energy from waste or incineration is a safe, tried and tested way to deal with rubbish that cannot be recycled. It is commonly used across Europe. Cosla hopes the huge amounts of energy produced by the incinerators could be used to heat homes and public buildings.

A facility on Shetland takes in waste from oil rigs and produces enough energy to supply hot water to 700 homes and 90 businesses, including a hospital and leisure centre. The Shetland plant is one of two municipal waste incinerators in Scotland, the other operating in Dundee.

Glasgow's Eco-Friendly Campaign

An eco-friendly campaign group has been set up following the release of figures which highlight that up to 80 per cent of homes in towns such as Giffnock, Newton Mearns and Clarkston have a car, with more than a third having at least two vehicles. In addition 66 per cent of residents never travel by public transport.

Launching next month, the East Renfrewshire Climate Change Partnership will work with businesses, community groups and schools to increase environmental awareness.

EAS EnergySavers Awards 2007

Energy-saving projects could win £1,500 and gain recognition for their achievements in the EAS EnergySavers Award 2007. Organised by the fuel poverty charity Energy Action Scotland and supported by eaga, entry is open to community-based projects in Scotland. The competition aims to recognise excellence in local energy-saving initiatives, particularly those aimed at low income households.

Norman Kerr, Director, Energy Action Scotland said: "There are many initiatives working at a local level to tackle fuel poverty and improve energy efficiency in homes. The EAS EnergySavers Award aims to highlight their success so that others might also be encouraged to develop their own projects."

Entry information is available from Energy Action Scotland, www.eas.org.uk