Breeze bloc

A report is expected today which says communities are struggling to safeguard their ‘valued landscapes’ due to the rapid growth in wind turbine planning applications.

The Campaign to Protect Rural England says that in 2008 there were 1,224 30m or taller wind turbines either completed, in construction, or awaiting approval. By 2010 this had increased to 5,105 and at the start of 2012 the number was 9,816. Applications made by March this year brought the total to more than 12,000.

It goes on to say that wind turbines have the potential to damage landscapes and is calling for a locally accountable, strategically planned approach to onshore wind development.

The CPRE’s calls to government include the provision of more clarity about the total number of onshore wind turbines it expects to see built and where these might be located.

At the other end of the scale, a recent study conducted by Ipsos MORI for RenewableUK found 1,009 adults aged between 16 and 64 favourably inclined toward wind.

Around 67 per cent of those polled are said to be in favour of the use of wind power in the UK, with 28 per cent ‘strongly in favour’.

Those opposed to wind were described as a small but vocal anti-wind energy contingent who shouldn’t be allowed to derail the UK’s plans for renewable energy.

Still with energy and news that London is this week hosting the UK Energy Summit 2012.

The organisers say it will bring together policy makers, industry leaders, investors, regulators, and innovators to discuss how the UK’s vision for the energy sector is unfolding and what further actions are required to achieve a secure, low carbon economy.

The conference will consider the incentives required to unlock neccessary investment in infrastructure, and the main threats to the UK’s energy security as it decarbonizes. It will look also at the energy options available to Britain as it moves to meet its climate change targets, asking if nuclear has viable role.

Speakers include Alistair Buchanan, group chief executive, Ofgem; Keith Anderson, chief corporate officer, ScottishPower; Tom Delay, CEO, Carbon Trust; and Graham van’t Hoff, chairman, Shell UK.

Those of you with a passion for low carbon motoring will be pleased to know that EcoVelocity returns to London this week at the Excel Centre.

Like last year’s inaugral event, EcoVelocity will showcase low carbon automotive technology from the world’s leading car manufacturers and give visitors a chance to test drive certain vehicles.

Many low carbon vehicles incorporate batteries and fuel cells, which is the subject of a two day training seminar taking place in Chesterton on Wednesday and Thursday.

The seminar program, hosted by Accutronics and Shmuel De-Leon Energy, focuses on present and future needs of portable and stationary electrochemical energy sources, highlighting the latest technological developments designed to satisfy application requirements.

The organizers say that primary, rechargeable, reserve, commercial, industrial and military batteries, fuel cells, ultra capacitors system and their accessories will all be open to discussion.

They go onto say that the seminar program will review typical cycle life aspects of designing and manufacturing energy source solutions, including application energy requirements, power source electrical and mechanical design, acceptance tests, mass production, plus use and disposal.