http://www.bwea.com/small/ en Copyright 2008 Fri, 03 Oct 2008 10:16:55 +0000 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/ http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss First BWEA Small Systems Report points to spectacular sector growth - but planning still an issue BWEA, UK's leading renewable energy trade association, identified very strong annual growth for small wind turbines in terms of units installed, with the Government being urged to streamline planning and come out with much stronger backing for the burgeoning sector. The first BWEA Small Wind Systems UK Market Report, published this week, projects that 3 previous years of interrupted growth will continue through 2008 and into 2009, with the UK retaining the mantle of world leader in small systems technology. However, the 80% growth is driven not just by technological improvements, but also by realisation that there are huge energy savings to be made by deploying small turbines. Alex Murley, BWEA Small Systems Manager said: "With large economic and export opportunities at stake, the UK is in an ideal position to support a strong manufacturing industry in a fast growing global sector, with the potential of delivering tens of thousands of UK based jobs." At the same time, there was continuing consternation at the Governments lack of clear guidance to local planning authorities, which would assist those who wish to generate their own renewable energy. In 2006 as part of the Micro-generation Strategy published by the DTI (now DBERR) there was a commitment to address planning as a barrier to deployment. "Two years after Government promised to tackle this issue, industry, local authorities and consumers are still waiting for detailed planning guidance and Permitted Development Rights to be issued," said Murley. BWEA has on its part engaged local councillors and planning officials through a series of 9 seminars in 12 UK regions, on the subject of wind energy deployment. More than 1000 officials attended over the last 3 months. Contact Alex Murley, BWEA Small Systems Manager, 0207 288 8372 / 07772 640 141 or alex@bwea.com Nick Medic, BWEA Communications Manager, 0207 689 1935 / 07977 019 933 or nick@bwea.com Notes to editors: 1. The British Wind Energy Association is the trade and professional body for the UK wind and marine renewables industries. Formed in 1978, and with 431 corporate members, BWEA is the leading renewable energy trade association in the UK. 2. BWEA Small Wind Systems UK Market Report 2008 can be seen here: www.bwea.com/pdf/small/BWEA_SWS_UK_Market_Report_2008.pdf 3. Small wind systems are those with a rating under 50kW, and can be either building mounted or free standing. Case studies show that, given good wind resources, a small wind turbine with a power rating of 11kW and a life cycle of 20 years can pay for itself in 5 years. 4. General Permitted Development Order is a legal instrument which allows micro-generation technologies to be deployed without planning consent, should specific criteria be met. ]]> http://www.bwea.com/media/news/articles/small_wind_systems_80_annual_g.html http://www.bwea.com/media/news/articles/small_wind_systems_80_annual_g.html Small Systems Fri, 19 Sep 2008 13:25:16 +0000 For more information call: Charles Anglin, BWEA Director of Communications, 020 7689 1966 / 0774 002 3641 or charles@bwea.com NOTES TO EDITORS

• The British Wind Energy Association is the trade and professional body for the UK wind and marine renewables industries. Formed in 1978, and with over 400 corporate members, BWEA is the leading renewable energy trade association in the UK. Wind has been the world's fastest growing renewable energy source for the last seven years, and this trend is expected to continue with falling costs of wind energy and the urgent international need to tackle CO2 emissions to prevent climate change.
• In accordance with 2007 market share figures taken from BWEA small wind systems UK market report 2008, and Energy Saving Trust Capacitor factors for micro- and small-wind turbines, 1.5 tWh would equate to approximately 2 million micro- and small-wind installations.
• In 2007, approximately 3500 micro- and small-wind turbines were deployed with the UK, an 80% increase on 2006 annual deployment figures.
• 41.3tWh of electricity equate to 8% of UK annual electricity demand, http://www.berr.gov.uk/files/file46983.pdf.
• BWEA Small Systems Webpage: www.bwea.com/small
• Carbon Report: http://www.carbontrust.co.uk/News/presscentre/Small-Scale-Wind-Energy.htm

]]> http://www.bwea.com/media/news/articles/millions_of_consumers_waiting.html http://www.bwea.com/media/news/articles/millions_of_consumers_waiting.html Small Systems Fri, 08 Aug 2008 15:21:10 +0000 Join BWEA and be part of your industry! BWEA has introduced a new Memberships stream for Small Systems Installers and Consultants. BWEA is the leading business organisation for the UK micro- and small-wind industry and welcomes closer participation with any individual or organisation interested in becoming more involved with industry, or simply in accessing the latest news and publications for this fast expanding sector. Current BWEA Small Systems membership includes all major small wind turbine manufacturers, installers, distributors, test and certification bodies, academic institutions and utility companies. BWEA background:

• BWEA acts as a central point of information for our membership;
• BWEA promotes micro- and small-wind to national media and the British public;
• BWEA promotes industry interests through lobbying the UK Government and devolved powers;
• BWEA researches and finds solution to current policy and technical issues through numerous industry working groups;
• BWEA owns and operates the BWEA Small Wind Turbine Performance and Safety Standard;
• BWEA has a professional staff of over 20 at our Islington offices tackling renewable energy policy, communication of the industry view, events, parliamentary affairs, health and safety, and technical issues.

The following links provide more information:

• BWEA Membership
• Benefits of BWEA membership
• BWEA Membership fees
• Current BWEA Small Systems Membership
• Current BWEA Small Systems Installer and Consultants Membership (to follow)

]]> http://www.bwea.com/small/articles/new_bwea_membership_stream_for.html http://www.bwea.com/small/articles/new_bwea_membership_stream_for.html Small Systems Tue, 29 Apr 2008 10:32:12 +0000 Notes to Editors

• BWEA is the trade and professional body for the UK wind and marine renewables industries. Formed in 1978, and with over 380 corporate members, BWEA is the leading renewable energy trade association in the UK. Wind has been the world's fastest growing renewable energy source for the last seven years, and this trend is expected to continue with falling costs of wind energy and the urgent international need to tackle CO2 emissions to prevent climate change;
• Micro- and small-wind is the only microgeneration industry in which the UK leads the world. None the less micro- and small-wind is still an emerging technology and thus still requires the necessary government support so to capitalise on current potential;
• Phase I of LCBP provides grants to householders of up to £2,500 per property towards the cost of installing a certified product by a certified installer. From April 1st new applications are being invited until June 2010 or until there are no more funds available whichever is the sooner, with the scheme to close in March 2011. Information on the household phase of the LCBP is available from the website at http://www.lowcarbonbuildings.org.uk, or from the helpline on 0800 915 0990.
• Phase II of LCBP provides grants for the installation of microgeneration technologies to public sector buildings (including schools, hospitals, housing associations and local authorities) and charitable bodies. From April 1st grant caps will be increased to 50% across all technologies, bringing them in line with the funding available for solar PV funding. Grants of up to £1m are available per eligible site. Information on phase II of the LCBP is available from the website at http://www.lowcarbonbuildingsphase2.org.uk, or from the helpline on 08704 23 23 13

Charles Anglin, BWEA Director of Communications, on 0207 689 1966/0797 348 1907 or charles@bwea.com Nick Medic, BWEA Communications Manager, on 0207 689 1935 / 0797 701 9933 or nick@bwea.com]]> http://www.bwea.com/media/news/articles/wind_industry_frustration_at_g.html http://www.bwea.com/media/news/articles/wind_industry_frustration_at_g.html Small Systems Fri, 04 Apr 2008 10:24:35 +0000 http://www.bwea.com/small/articles/bwea_meets_with_scottish_gover.html http://www.bwea.com/small/articles/bwea_meets_with_scottish_gover.html Small Systems Mon, 31 Mar 2008 10:22:11 +0000

Charles Anglin, BWEA Director of Communications, on 020 7689 1966 / 07956 859 749 or charles@bwea.com

Nick Medic, BWEA Communications Manager, on 020 7689 1935 / 07977 019 933 or nick@bwea.co.uk

]]> http://www.bwea.com/media/news/articles/wind_industry_adopts_new_stand.html http://www.bwea.com/media/news/articles/wind_industry_adopts_new_stand.html Small Systems Wed, 19 Mar 2008 10:20:17 +0000 New regulations to be introduced to relax planning rules for small & micro wind projects BWEA the trade association representing the UK's micro and small wind industry today welcomed the Govt's decision to relax planning rules for onsite household & business wind turbines. The Govt plans to allow householders & businesses to install wind turbines with a diameter of up to 2m, without having to get planning permission from local councils. Alex Murley BWEA Small Systems Manager said "Planning is one of the major blockages to providing onsite renewables for homes and business" he added "thousands of applications are stuck in the planning process, this reform will make it much easier for consumers to supply their own clean, green energy." The Govt is introducing a new regulation as part of its reform of the planning system, the General Permitted Development Order (GPDO), to relax planning red tape for local renewable energy. Micro wind has passed the first stage of being included in the new guidance having won UK Government approval from DCLG, it now has to be referred to the EU for final ratification before coming into force in the Autumn, along with approvals for air-source heat pumps. Notes to Editors

• The British Wind Energy Association is the trade and professional body for the UK wind and marine renewables industries. Formed in 1978, and with over 310 corporate members, BWEA is the leading renewable energy trade association in the UK. Wind has been the world's fastest growing renewable energy source for the last seven years, and this trend is expected to continue with falling costs of wind energy and the urgent international need to tackle CO2 emissions to prevent climate change
• Micro- and Small-wind is still an emerging technology and thus still requires the necessary government support so to capitalize on current potential, none the less Micro- and Small-Wind is the only microgeneration industry in which the UK leads the world.
• The micro & small wind industry has worked with Government DCLG, BERR, DEFRA, to deliver the new GPDO proposals for wind.
• Micro & small wind systems are defined as though capable of generating 50kw or less of energy.

]]> http://www.bwea.com/media/news/articles/govt_gives_green_light_to_micr.html http://www.bwea.com/media/news/articles/govt_gives_green_light_to_micr.html Small Systems Sat, 08 Mar 2008 14:16:36 +0000 http://www.bwea.com/small/articles/govt_gives_green_light_to_micr.html http://www.bwea.com/small/articles/govt_gives_green_light_to_micr.html Small Systems Sat, 08 Mar 2008 10:13:27 +0000