A major green energy conference offering advice on the latest renewable technology is to be hosted in Liverpool.
The Green Power Forum (GPF) is a national green energy training and networking forum offering advice on the latest renewable technology. It will host its annual conference on 14 October at the LJMU Art and Design Centre in Liverpool.
The 2010 GPF programme includes speakers from The British Electrotechnical and Allied Manufacturers Association (BEAMA) and is sponsored by Groundwork Merseyside and the Liverpool Chamber of Commerce. Presentations will be held on government initiatives and funding, training and innovations, heat pumps, solar PV, smart grid and private and public sector case studies. A-meet-the-buyer section will also be held. The 2010 conference is CPD accredited.
GPF chairman, Mark McManus, said the conference will offer a comprehensive guide on the business case for going green. He commented: "The government is setting tough targets to ensure that we reach our target of producing 20 per cent of our energy from renewable sources by 2010. Drilling that down, 12 per cent of heat production must come from renewable sources and all new properties must be built to zero carbon standards by 2016. These are extremely ambitious targets when you consider that just 1.5 per cent of energy is generated by renewable sources today. GPF will fully explain the government targets and offers an introduction to the technologies which are available to businesses. Crucially, the programme will include advice on the new financial schemes, such as Feed-in Tariffs and Renewable Heat Incentives which are available to incentivise businesses."
McManus added: "The 2009 Green Power Forum attracted over 160 delegates from both the public and private sector from across the UK. There is a huge appetite for organisations to find out more about renewable technologies and the products which are most suited to their needs. This year's event will be relevant to facilities managers, energy managers, housing associations, architects, designers."
Rachel Scarisbrick, business services manager at Groundwork Merseyside said: "Increasing the level of knowledge and training in the renewable energy sector is of paramount importance to Groundwork Merseyside. The inaugural Green Power Forum was a huge success and the calibre of speakers and presentations was superb. Groundwork Merseyside is supporting the 2010 event because it will further knowledge and understanding of the renewable technologies available which can help organisations drive down their carbon emissions."
For further details on the event visit: www.greenpowerforum.org.uk

The GPF intends to launch a series of smaller events across the country. Its website www.greenpowerforum.org.uk will provide regular advice, updates and e-newsletters on all key issues addressed at the conference.

A new installer guide to the RHI and MCS accreditation is now available from Grant UK. The brochure has detailed information on the structured route to becoming MCS-approved as well as key contact information about the scheme.

To obtain your free copy, just call the Grant sales office on 01380 736920, or alternatively it can be downloaded from the website: www.grantuk.com

What does a small company do whose business generates a large quantity of pallets and other wood waste? Don't waste it by sending it to a dump is the answer. Green and Easy, based in Worcestershire, is a distributor of green products for the home and garden and took to the idea of using its wood waste usefully to heat its small warehouse.

The heat comes from a Fabbri wood burning heater, suitable for burning all types of dry wood and secondary waste wood, like broken pallets. The fuel chambers are constructed of high grade stainless steel for long life and the whole unit is robust and simple. The heater's flue can be fan assisted, which makes lighting easy, simple and short, with few restrictions on siting. Efficiency is high - around 83% - and heating starts 15 minutes after lighting. Euroheat, the Fabbri distributor for the UK and Ireland can advise on sizing and other technical issues.

Plumb Center is giving customers the chance to earn 200 eXtra points when they take the new Nissan NV200 for a test drive.
Recently awarded International Van of the Year 2010, the New Nissan NV200 is designed to be a versatile and adaptable compact van.
The offer of 200 eXtra points is open to Plumb Center customers who are registered members of the eXtra Reward Scheme prior to the test drive. Customers who register earn eXtra points every time they buy eligible products from Plumb Center and Parts Center. These points can then be converted to a whole host of rewards including vouchers from Thomas cook, M & S and Argos, merchandise and much more including trips to the races, activity days, rounds of golf and theatre tickets.
"This great offer is a way for us to say ‘thank you' to our customers by giving them additional eXtra points. So not only will they earn points every time they choose to buy the materials they need to get the job done from us but they will also earn valuable points by test driving this award-winning van." said Andrew Keating, commercial director, Plumb and Parts Center.
Once you have registered, eXtra points are automatically added to your account daily and you can go online anytime to check your balance.
Customers can register or redeem their points by calling the eXtra hotline on 0845 603 5290, online at www.eXtra.co.uk or in branch.

Anyone wanting to understand how an air source heat pump can help reduce their fuel bills and carbon emissions need look no further than YouTube, as Mitsubishi Electric has released a movie explaining how its Ecodan system works.
The short, animated film at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UeVJS_SK2fg shows how easy the unit is to install, and how it can work with both radiator systems and underfloor heating, as well as supply all of the hot water the home needs. Ecodan is ideal for retro-fit and can also help a well-insulated new house achieve Level 4 of the Code for Sustainable Homes.
"With everyone worrying about rising fuel prices, Ecodan can immediately help cut fuel bills by about a third over traditional gas boilers," explains John Kellett, general manager of the heating systems division.
As the system harvests free, renewable energy from outdoor air so for every 1kW of electricity it consumes, the home receives at least 3kW of heating energy.

Pioneering green energy specialist Farmgen's own branded supply arm has revealed it has signed up its first major customer.
The Villa, based in Wrea Green, near Preston, Lancashire, will use carbon-neutral electricity, created by a local farm-based Anaerobic Digestion (AD) power plant.
The switch to Farmgen Energy is part of the new team at The Villa's commitment to building links with local producers and suppliers to champion locally-sourced produce and to help minimise the restaurant's carbon footprint.
Farmgen Energy was set up earlier this year to sell power generated from its Anaerobic Digestion plants to rural businesses and communities. It is already finalising a deal involving 2,000 farms in Cumbria.
The ambitious move followed Farmgen's announcement of its £30 million investment to create the biggest AD ‘energy farming' expansion programme in the UK.
The first of Farmgen's plants is set to come on stream later this year. Work to create the £2.5 million AD plant at Carr Farm, Warton, near Preston, is underway.
It will provide the electricity for The Villa, as soon as the site is up and running. Until then Farmgen Energy will use electricity from other renewable sources.
Lancashire-based Farmgen is also set to start work shortly on a sister plant on a farm near Silloth in Cumbria, as part of its national roll out of ‘energy farming'. The new AD plants will all use crops from fields surrounding the farms, where they are based, to create ‘biogas', which is then burned to generate electricity.
Farmgen says its new supply arm will end its customers' reliance on the energy supply giants. They will also be supporting the local rural economy and will be using energy from sustainable sources.
Ed Cattigan, chief operating officer of Farmgen, said: "The deal we have signed with The Villa marks a major milestone for our fast-growing company and indicates the appetite that exists for locally-produced ‘green energy'.
"This really is what our AD operations are all about, providing locally-produced power, created by local crops, to a local business that has been rescued by a farming family and is providing valuable rural jobs."
He added: "Our message to the rural community is that we are converting farm produce into energy that they can use.
"Our customers are supporting local energy generation and the farming sector by buying our energy, which is produced from sustainable local sources."
The Villa, which was formerly owned by Mercury Inns, who went into administration last year, has been sold for an undisclosed sum with planning permission for extended function facilities.
Following the sale Stewart McIntosh, general manager at The Villa, is now building a solid team to move the business forward and put if firmly back on the map. Jobs have been secured and will increase as plans for the hotel are unfolded.
He said: "We are delighted to have signed this deal with Farmgen Energy. It is very important to us that The Villa's operation is as environmentally-friendly as it can possibly be.
"When the new team took over the hotel we spoke of our real commitment to working with local suppliers and this agreement highlights that and also our determination to support Lancashire's producers and the rural economy."
The Villa, a much-loved local landmark, is a 25-bedroom hotel, which started life as a 19th-century gentleman's residence. The new owners have announced plans to develop the business and also increase its role as a popular wedding venue.
Farmgen is currently spearheading a farm-based renewable energy revolution, with planning applications being prepared for more plants in Lancashire, Cumbria and Staffordshire, as well as other sites which are already being lined up across the UK.