Business Energy Roadshow is back

Business Energy Roadshow is back, London, Birmingham, Leeds and Haydock

- Get the views of top industry experts on gas/electricity prices and supplies, the Electricity Market Reform and other government initiatives for cutting carbon

- Network and compare notes with leading UK Fuels Buyers, Energy and Facilities Managers and tour the exhibition to get the latest on what’s new

- Join the debate on “Planning for Future Energy Change” and pinpoint the challenges ahead for large organisations.

The MEUC is the independent voice for business energy users now celebrating its 25^th anniversary. We’ve no axe to grind and over a thousand attendees came to our Spring and Autumn Roadshows last year with 85% rating the day fine or really good for them.

Welcome back to those who will join us again for our Sixth National Business Energy Roadshow. First-timers will be particularly welcome. But with lunch provided places are limited so please book now – simply follow the link below the programme for a day of instruction and information.

Leeds, The Royal Armouries: Tuesday March 6th

Haydock Park Lancashire: Wednesday March 7th

Birmingham, Hilton NEC Metropole: Tuesday, March 13th

London: Clothworkers Hall: Wednesday, March 14th

 

March 2012 Business Energy Roadshow Programme

Organised by the Major Energy Users’ Council in association with

The Chartered Institute of Purchasing & Supply and Water, Energy & Environment magazine

08:30   Registration, coffee and exhibition opens

09:30   Market Outlook Presentations – “Assessing The Prospects”

Gas Supplies for this Winter and Beyond

Power Supplies for this Winter and Beyond

Prospects for Business Energy Prices

Energy Markets Forum – Question and Answer Session

 

10:50   Coffee and networking exhibition

11:20   The Energy Skills And Initiatives Workshops

The popular three 30 minute workshops within delegate groups give the opportunity to get the latest on what’s new. Delegates     move   between syndicate rooms particiating in all three workshops.

12:50   Lunch and exhibition

13:45   Business Energy Debate – “Planning For Future Energy Change”

Keynote presentation “Meeting Our Future Energy Needs” followed by audience questions to the panel of industry experts. A full hour of cut and thrust!

14:45   Tea and networking exhibition

15:10   MEUC Insights-”Government Intervention & Regulatory Issues”

Market Reform and the Carbon Leakage Support Package

More Carbon Consultations – CRC Where to Next?

DECC’s Electricity Demand Reduction Consultation and Green Deal

MEUC’s Renewables Energy Strategy Group

MEUC’s Water Competition Action Group

Open Forum- “What Larger Energy Users Want from Government in 2012

16:00   Roadshow ends

Click here to book your place

Dispelling The Myths Around Energy Buying

A free webinar hosted by Energy Live News,
8th March 2012 – Register now

On Thursday March 8th at 10am, Sumit Bose of Energy Live News will host a webinar in which you can ask the questions you always wanted to ask about energy buying, to M&C Energy Group’s CEO Mark Dickinson.

The Energy Clinic is a truly interactive session, for you to gain a more in-depth understanding about how to buy energy more effectively.  The emphasis will be on interaction, rather than pushing information at you.

Why Should You Attend?

To quote Energy Live News, “Mark has been in the energy industry for many years, pioneering the science of energy risk management.  What he doesn’t know about energy buying is not worth knowing.”

This is your opportunity to ask Mark the questions you would like answers to:
1. Top tips for dealing with energy suppliers
2. Should or shouldn’t you use energy brokers or consultants?
3. Should you choose fixed price or flexible energy contracts?
4. Can you beat the energy markets?
You also have the chance to host this session alongside Energy Live News’ Editorial Director, Sumit Bose. Simply send us the question you would most like to ask Mark when you register – If we think it’s the best, you can put your question directly to Mark Dickinson on the day.

Register Now.

To attend simply register now via the M&C website.

Phill Connell, Marketing Manager

M&C Energy Group

0800 279 5500

Opportunities in the carbon economy

In 2012, the Carbon Economy continues to be relevant in the UK. Inflationary pressures caused by energy prices, alongside regulatory obligations, mean that good management of energy and its costs are more important than ever.This seminar by M&C Energy Group, a world leader in energy procurement and compliance services, will explain how Carbon and Compliance Opportunities can be used to your advantage, highlighting areas where your organisation can succeed by embracing the pressures upon it.

Attendees will also be introduced to M&C’s methods of Energy Purchasing Risk Management, learning how a systematic approach has already helped major energy users to achieve best-in-class results, and how this might apply to your own energy costs.

Finally, the benefits of effective Data Management will be discussed, including the important role that excellent Data Management plays in taking control of energy, to drive out the benefits that are available to expert energy users.

M&C’s independent experts will take you through these three important aspects of energy to help you to manage energy compliance, costs and consumption in your own organisation.

Register Now.

To attend register now at Edie.net

Automatic Monitoring & Targeting

Thursday 23 February 2012, Ricoh Arena, COVENTRY

Need to save energy and money?
Using accurate and timely metered data is essential to identifying and eliminating energy waste.  Automatic Monitoring and Targeting is the technology that incorporates Smart Meters and automatically delivers management information to those who can take action.

• Identify sources of energy waste

• Accurately report of energy and carbon use

• Check bills, correct and claim refunds

• Comply with legislation such as Building Regulations, reporting carbon footprint for CRCEES

• Automatically produce your Display Energy Certificates

The event comprises:

• aM&T Conference covering:
• Roll out of smart meters

• Achieving the benefits of Smart Metering using aM&T

• Smarter Markets and the Future of Metering

• Hosted Energy Clinics covering specific technologies and techniques

• The UK’s largest metering and aM&T Exhibition dedicated to and focused on all sectors of demand side energy use

• New product, system and services launches

Who should attend? All those with responsibility for:

• Managing energy use

• Policy and strategic approach to energy

• Designing building services for sustainability and low energy/carbon use

• Purchasing energy, energy related services, systems and product

There is no charge for 2 delegates attending from each organisation by providing contact details for sponsors and exhibitors [details on website].  Additional places £85+VAT per delegate.

Energy Services and Technology Association

PO Box 77, Benfleet, Essex SS7 5EX

T: 01268 569010 F: 01268 569737 E: info@esta.org.uk W: www.esta.org.uk

Delivering the New Energy Economy

Global Energy Guide

From bbc.co.uk

Introduction

Global demand for energy has risen inexorably in the last 150 years in step with industrial development and population growth. Hunger for energy is predicted to continue to rise, by at least 50% by 2030, as developing countries like China and India seek to fuel their rapid economic growth.

The lion’s share of global energy (about 80% at present) is supplied by coal, oil and gas – the ‘fossil fuels’ that formed long ago from the carbon-rich remains of dead plants and animals. However these are non-renewable sources that will one day be exhausted.

Concern has also grown in recent decades about environmental impact. Mainstream climate scientists warn greenhouse gas emissions, caused by burning fossil fuels and other human activities, must be substantially reduced to avoid dangerous climate change.

Pressure to replace fossil fuels has focused more attention on renewable sources – eg solar and wind. Non-polluting and enduring, they offer an attractive alternative for many. But they face challenges: Viable technologies are still developing and start-up costs tend to be high. Renewables (barring hydroelectric) are not expected to achieve a significant market share within the next 25 years.

FOSSIL FUELS

COAL: The fuel associated with the industrial revolution remains a key energy staple. Hard coal production worldwide has increased by 65% over the last quarter of a century. Proven reserves are abundant and estimated to last 164 years – considerably longer than oil or gas. Coal supplies over 24% of global primary energy needs, and is the largest single source of the world’s electricity (40%). However it also produces more greenhouse gas emissions for the energy it gives than any other major fuel.

OIL: Although known from early times, it was not used a fuel until recently. But since the development of the refining process and the start of commercial drilling some 150 years ago, it has come to assume a central place in the global economy. Apart from fuelling vehicles, aircraft and ships, and heating homes and businesses, it is also a source of raw material for plastics, chemicals, fertilizer and fabrics. It is used for 6.9% of electricity generation. Oil prices hit new highs in 2005 amid instability in areas where most oil is extracted, along with signs that supplies may be running down.

GAS: Natural gas is found in pockets on its own, or in oil or coal deposits. Environmentally, it burns more cleanly than oil and coal and produces less carbon dioxide, the principal greehouse gas, than either. Its contribution to the total primary energy demand is projected to rise to 25% by 2030. It is a major source for electricity generation and industrial production. Compressed and liquefied gas are also used as a vehicle fuel.

NUCLEAR

FISSION: Is the basis of current atomic energy production. It involves the decay of certain large atomic nuclei such as uranium-235, which releases a large amount of energy. Commercial nuclear reactors started up in the 1950s and now about 440 reactors supply over 15% of global electricity. Despite its promise of clean and abundant fuel, the nuclear industry has struggled with its image and public perceptions as a result of accidents (eg Chernobyl) and the task of dealing with radioactive waste. However, with conventional fossil fuel prices rising as reserves dwindle and increased pressure to tackle climate change, some countries are looking again at expanding nuclear power capacity.

FUSION: Works on the principle that energy can be released by forcing together light atomic nuclei rather than by splitting heavy ones. It is the process which powers stars. Some think nuclear fusion will provide a relatively safe, green alternative to fossil fuels, enabling the production of vast amounts of energy from abundant sources (water and lithium) without producing carbon dioxide. But although a new, international experimental fusion reactor is on the horizon, there are many major scientific and engineering hurdles to overcome before the technology can become commercially viable. A commercial reactor is not expected before 2045 or 2050 – if at all.

OTHER

HYDROPOWER Is the leading source of renewable energy. It relies on rainfall (and snowmelt) that drains into rivers and flows to dams downstream. There water is channelled to turn a turbine, producing energy in a generator – the amount being determined by the flow or drop of the water. Once a dam is built, hydropower is a very cheap source of energy – with added advantages of no carbon dioxide emissions, or vulnerability to fuel price. But it can attract criticism over its impact on the local environment and communities. In 2003, hydropower produced almost 16% of electricity generated worldwide. One country, Norway, produces almost 99% of its domestic electricity from hydro stations.

WIND Wind power is currently the second most successful renewable source after hydroelectric, although it is more expensive per unit of electricity produced than fossil fuels. The tower-mounted three-blade turbines, typically tens of metres in diameter, are emission-free and quick to install. They can be used onshore or offshore, but production fluctuates according to wind. And critics complain of their obtrusiveness in the landscape. Europe leads the way in wind power.

SUN: An emission-free and renewable energy source that can be harnessed when photovoltaic cells (PVs) convert sunlight directly into electricity. PV panels can be spotted on house and business roofs in many countries. And on a larger scale, systems supplying whole communities have also been built or are planned in a number of countries including Germany and the US.

Solar is possibly the most expensive form of renewable energy, and is rarely economical except for localised generation. But costs are coming down and once installed the energy source is free. An alternative approach uses solar radiation to heat water directly.

WAVE AND TIDAL POWER: The oceans contain large amounts of untapped energy. Wave and tidal power technologies are comparatively new and largely unexplored compared with efforts to harness solar and wind energy. Development costs are high, meaning they are unlikely to be able to compete economically with conventional power sources in the near future.

The total power of waves breaking on the world’s coastlines is put at 2 to 3 million megawatts, according to the US energy department. Areas considered rich in tidal and wave power include: the western coasts of Scotland, northern Canada, southern Africa, Australia, and the north-east and north-west coasts of the US.

BIOMASS: A broad term covering organic non-fossil material of biological origin which constitutes a renewable energy source. This plant-derived material can be converted into fuels, chemicals, materials and power. Some types are being taken up more actively by industry – eg biofuels made from grain, sugar or vegetable oil – and gradually more cars are being produced worldwide that can run on biofuels or a mix of fuels.

GEOTHERMAL: Geothermal energy uses the heat in the Earth’s core – either from rocks and water near the surface or through drilling deep wells. It accounts for only 0.4% of global generating capacity. Hot geothermal water is piped directly into buildings in Iceland to provide heating. Geothermal energy is widely used (directly and indirectly) in several other countries including the US, Philippines, Italy, Mexico, Indonesia, Japan and New Zealand.

HYDROGEN: Although not a primary energy source, hydrogen is thought to hold great promise for the future. A carrier of energy, the gas is abundant and non-polluting. However at the moment it takes a lot of electricity to make – either from water or fossil fuels. It is also hard to store and transport.

OCEAN ENERGY: Can potentially generate electricity by using the temperature difference between deep ocean water and surface water which has been warmed by the Sun. One estimate says less than 0.1% of the oceans’ solar energy would supply more than 20 times the daily energy consumption of the US. But using this technology lies a long way ahead.

Ofgem set to enforce standardised simple energy bills

Energy regulator Ofgem is paving the way to develop an enforceable standardised format for utility bills as part of a wider push for a “radical” reform of the industry.
Ofgem is stepping up its efforts to ensure bills are transparent to consumers by undertaking a market research programme to identify “best practice” language and formats to support enhanced clarity and engagement.

The research project is set to form new rules for billing, which will identify the key words or phrases for companies to use or avoid in energy bills, annual statements and price rise notifications.

An Ofgem spokesman says: “We need to help energy customers engage more with the energy market because many find it confusing to pick out a good deal. This project could lead to a possible standardisation of the language suppliers can use.”

Ofgem claimed earlier this year, when it launched its retail market review, that consumers were “bamboozled” by the complex tariffs on communications from their energy companies. It claims the number of tariffs in the market has increased from 180 in 2008 to about 400 in 2011.

It is hoped that simpler tariffs will expose the “Big Six” energy companies’ expensive prices to the consumer, which will allow them to make more informed decisions when choosing a supplier – potentially allowing smaller companies to be competitive in the market.

Ofgem will publish the full proposals for its energy market overhaul in 2012. The Big Six can then decide whether to accept Ofgem’s proposals or appeal some or all of the reforms to the Competition Commission.

The proposals are already supported by Consumer Focus, Which?, Age UK, uSwitch, the Citizens Advice Bureau and small energy suppliers.