Energy and Climate Change Facts
In Hertfordshire in 2009, an estimated 2,070 GWh of electricity were consumed in the residential sector, a reduction of 8% on 2005 levels - decc.gov.uk
In Hertfordshire in 2009, an estimated 6918 GWh of gas were consumed in the residential sector, a reduction of 14% on 2005 levels - decc.gov.uk
In 2009, the household sector consumed 28.5% of all fuel consumed in the UK. Only the transport sector consumed more - Digest of UK Energy Statistics, 2010.
The ‘Herts and Essex Energy Partnership (HEEP)’ offers discounted insulation and low carbon technologies to householders. Contact HEEP via their website or on 0800 980 6026.
The Climate Change Act makes the UK the first country in the world to set legally binding targets for the reduction of carbon emissions.
The 2010 Hertfordshire Renewable and Low Carbon Energy Technical Study identified numerous localities where low carbon technologies could be used to meet the County’s targets.
The Climate Change Levy is a tax on the use of fossil fuels in the non-domestic sector and forms a key part of the UK Government’s Climate Change programme. Energy from renewables and approved Combined Heat and Power schemes is exempt from the Levy.
Hertfordshire’s forecast population growth over the 25 years from 2006 to 2031 is 195,100 a percentage increase of 18.4 (ONS 2008). That means electricity and gas consumption are also set to increase, making renewable energy generation more important.
The 2007 Calcutt Review of Housebuilding Delivery, published in late 2007, proposed a zero carbon timeline for homes: 25% less CO2 from 2010, 44% less from 2013 and ‘zero carbon’ from 2016.
Hertfordshire County Council and several local authorities purchase green electricity from renewable sources for their public buildings. The use of Combined Heat and Power generation is reducing the county’s CO2 emissions. An example is the Letchworth Leisure Centre in North Hertfordshire.
Turning electrical equipment off at the mains rather than using the standby mode makes a difference - 8% of household energy is used by appliances on standby.
The Community Sustainable Energy Programme (CSEP) offers funding to not for profit organisations, such as community groups, charities, schools, colleges and faith groups, to install energy saving measures and renewable energy technologies.
Turning down the thermostat by 1C can save 10% of a household energy bill whilst not negatively affecting the comfort of occupants.
The energy consumed each year by UK commerce and industry releases about 60 million tonnes of carbon into the atmosphere.
The Climate Change Act aims to reduce carbon dioxide emissions through domestic and international action to 26-32% below 1990 levels by 2020, and at least 60% by 2050.
Nuclear power stations provided 23% of UK’s electricity in 2003. By 2010, a third will be at the end of their operating lives. (news.bbc.co.uk)
Financial incentives for reducing energy consumption and generating renewable energy are continually emerging. These include the CRC-EES, Green Deal, FiT and RHI.