NEWS
NEW ELECTRIC VAN CONTINUES UNI’S COMMITMENT TO CARBON REDUCTIONS
renault Kangoo Ze, along with a larger model, the Ze maxi, the University’s Facilities and Estates (F&E) department has expanded their fleet with the addition of a second Ze maxi. The latest electric van, which was part-funded to the tune of £4,000 by the office of low emissions Vehicles (oleV) Plug-in Van grant scheme from the Government, compliments eight electric vehicle charging points across the University’s estate. The first charging point, installed a year ago, has been followed by the introduction of further charging points at the Luton and Bedford campuses and at the University’s Putteridge Bury Conference Centre. These have been installed with the assistance of a 75 per cent grant from the oleV. the charging points, which can replenish two electric vehicles at once, are also available for use by students and staff. Vice chancellor bill rammell, said: “this is a positive move and further underlines our commitment to a ‘green’ philosophy at the University of Bedfordshire. The new van and charging points are a great initiative to reduce our carbon footprint but it’s also vital for the University to help us continue moving up the Universities Green League table. We currently hold a First Class Award – reserved for the most environmentally sustainable universities. Sustainability is one of the factors that potential students consider when choosing a university and it’s positive that we are reducing our carbon emissions.” Each electric van is capable of completing 80 miles on a single
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he University of Bedfordshire has moved to further reduce its carbon footprint with the purchase of a third electrically powered van. Following the purchase last year of both a
charge; while they possess a fuel consumption of a meagre 2.8 pence per mile compared to an average 30 pence per mile for the diesel powered vans they have replaced. The University’s Head of Environmental Sustainability, Adam Higgin, added: “The electric vans are used on a daily basis by F&E staff and have accumulated a combined total of almost 9,000 miles between them since 2012. “There is now a plan in place to buy a new electric van dedicated for the Putteridge bury conference centre in may 2014. the vehicle will have a range of up to 130 miles and a full charge will take less than four hours, instead of the current eight.”
http://www.beds.ac.uk/news
CARBON TRUST CALLS ON LOCAL AUTHORITIES TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF GOVERNMENT FUNDING The Carbon Trust is urging local authorities to take advantage of government financial support available for developing heat networks. These can help to decrease the impact of energy cost increases, create new revenue streams, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, address social issues such as fuel poverty, and encourage local development.
Grants are being offered to English and Welsh local authorities by the Department of Energy and Climate Change, through its Heat Networks Delivery Unit (HNDU). The purpose of the funding is to develop self-sustaining heat network
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projects that are already strong enough to attract a range of finance options, including commercial investment. The first funding round closes on 15 November 2013, although five more funding rounds will follow over the next 18 months. Funding from HNDU is available for up to two-thirds of the project development costs for heat networks, and can be used to meet the costs of specialist consultants developing technical proposals and financial evaluations.
The Carbon Trust is already providing support in project management and governance to a number of local authorities developing heat networks, including Bristol City Council and Leeds City Council. HNDU has recognised that project management and governance
Public sector sustainability • Volume 3 issue 9
can be a challenge for local authorities that do not have experience in developing heat networks, so this funding is designed to overcome that barrier. HNDU funding can enable other local authorities to access assistance from the Carbon Trust. Support is also available from the Carbon Trust for local authorities at earlier stages of development, in order to bring a project to a point where it is eligible for HNDU funding.
Eligible projects include new heating and cooling networks, as well as the expansion of existing networks. The criteria for assessing projects includes the potential for commercial development, the reduction of carbon emissions and energy use, whether it supports wider low carbon and growth agendas, and whether there is a demonstrable commitment to robust project management
In particularly HNDU wants to fund projects that use renewable, sustainable or recoverable heat sources, which can complement more traditional sources such as combined heat and power using natural gas. Helen Andrews Tipper,
Public sector manager at the Carbon Trust, commented: “Local authorities are the key to unlocking the potential for local energy generation and heat networks in the UK. As wholesale energy prices continue to rise then the case for investing in efficient heat networks becomes increasingly compelling. Through taking advantage of HNDU funding local authorities will be able to put in place projects that can save them money, cut their emissions and develop local areas.”
www.carbontrust.com
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