Staffordshire County Council’s economic prosperity and sustainable communities scrutiny and performance panel will hear on Thursday that the regional development agency is putting £248,054 into the renewable energy project. The total cost of the project is £407,910 and targets are to assist 80 businesses and support two new business start-ups.

A steering group is being set up with involvement from the county council, Shropshire County Council, Stafford Borough Council, Staffordshire Business Environment Network, Staffordshire Wildlife Trust, Cannock Chase District Council, South Staffordshire District Council, Southern Staffordshire Partnership, Keele University, Staffordshire University and Rodbaston College.

The project will build on the success of the Stafford Biomass Project which has seen the creation of a power station at Eccleshall using crops of miscanthus – elephant grass.

This project was started with funding five years ago from the old Stafford single regeneration budget programme.

The aim of the AWM-funded project is to establish Staffordshire and neighbouring Shropshire as UK leaders in renewable technology by developing a renewables business network, showcasing renewable technology and increasing investment in production of biomass fuel.

A Think Renewable Energy event is being staged by Staffordshire University on July 29 to raise awareness of use of the technology in the building industry.

More than 100 companies in the region have already expressed an interest about getting involved.

A corporate brand that can be used in all parts of the programme is to be created.g

In an endeavour to address the increasing and harmful impact of Indoor Air Pollution in India, Envirofit today announced the launch of a range of clean burning biomass cookstoves in the country. Designed by an international team of globally recognized scientists and engineers, the cookstoves reduce toxic emissions by as much as 80%, while using 50% less fuel and reducing cooking cycle time by 40%. The cookstoves have been developed as a result of a partnership between Envirofit and Shell Foundation (UK) initially launched in 2007 to engineer and deliver clean burning biomass stoves that are affordable and attractive to people who are impacted by Indoor Air Pollution (IAP).

“Biomass (wood, crop waste and animal dung) is likely to remain the primary cooking fuel for a large majority of rural Indian households for many years to come. Against this background and the alarming number of annual of indoor air pollution-related deaths worldover, we are committed to developing products that will make a significant contribution to healthier and cleaner living,” said Harish Anchan, General Manager of Envirofit India Pvt Ltd. “Through the stoves we have developed, we are providing women an opportunity to continue to cook as they would before, but in an environment that is less polluting and hazardous.” Envirofit is a US based non profit corporation that designs, manufactures and markets world-class engineered technology products to improve the quality of human life across the globe.

The Envirofit cookstoves burn traditional biomass fuels and are engineered to emit significantly less toxic emissions and use less fuel. Built of durable, high-quality material and engineered to address the unique cooking habits of Indian women, the Envirofit cookstoves are a result of over five years of research and testing in coordination with internationally recognized academic institutions such as Colorado State University. Available in 5 models and priced between Rs 500/ and Rs 2000/, the cookstoves are currently available in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu and will be introduced in other states across the country in a phased manner. They are aesthetically designed with high-quality materials and available in a range of colours with single pot and multipot cooking options. The stoves have already successfully undergone pilot testing in Chitradurga and Dharmapuri. Certified under the most stringent environmental testing conditions in the USA, the cookstoves are currently awaiting BIS certification.

“Although cooking habits in semi-urban and rural India are steeped in tradition and perpetuated by myths, the response to our stoves has been very strong as each stove has been developed based on extensive market research and local customer insights,” said Harish Anchan. “We are in discussion with financing institutions for low cost financing options to provide additional options for families to buy the stoves.” Envirofit cookstoves are now being made available in over 700 villages in Karnataka and 300 villages in Tamil Nadu through a multi-tier distribution strategy. Envirofit’s aim is to develop local and regional enterprises through the channel network so that the business becomes self sustaining. The current channel network in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu includes dealers, distributors, village entrepreneurs as well as not for profit organizations like MYRADA, the Tamil Nadu Foundation and the Cauvery Women’s Federation. Envirofit is targeting over 40 channel partners throughout the two states with roughly 600 outlets planned by the end of 2008. Significant business opportunities exist for local entrepreneurs, distributors, and retailers as Envirofit plans to increase its footprint across India by 2010.

“There are an estimated 1.6 million deaths per year due to toxic indoor air pollution (IAP). We are proud to be partnered with Envirofit International to introduce clean-burning wood stove technology in India while employing the first market-based business model,” said Ajit Abraham, Shell Foundation India who supports the project as part of their Breathing Space Program. “The aim is to see 10 million stoves sold in five countries in the next five years.” Established by Shell Group in 2000 as an independent, UK registered charity, Shell Foundation’s mission is to develop, scale-up and promote enterprise-based solutions to the challenges arising from the impact of energy and globalization on poverty and the environment. The Breathing Space Program aims to achieve a significant longterm reduction in deaths related to IAP.

The company, which will change its name from Biofusion plc to Fusion IP plc, includes more than 20 portfolio companies in the fields of clean tech energy and renewables to engineering and medical technology.

This deal will increase their annual research pipeline spend from £121.6 million to approximately £168.8  million.

Commenting on today’s announcement, David Baynes, Chief Executive Officer of Biofusion, said “We are pleased to announce the expanded 10 year agreement with the University of Sheffield and the associated fundraising. The expanded and exclusive agreement with Sheffield gives Biofusion access to all of the university’s IP and especially the university’s world class research in areas such as energy, engineering and electronics.”

“Biofusion is a leading university IP commercialisation business operating amongst a very strong peer group and today’s news endorses our current business model and reflects positively on the relationship that we have already built with the University of Sheffield. We are confident that Biofusion will continue to expand its business model across additional universities in the future.”

The company’s Lightning GT is due for release later this year and the company claims it will “put British sports car innovation well and truly back on the map”.

The Lightning GT is designed to accommodate the latest battery and motor technology and reflect its 100% electric power and performance, the electric Lightning prototype is being hand-built by a small team of passionate British engineers, designers and collaborators.
Whilst the rest of the automotive world engages in the hybrid, hydrogen or electric debate, the Lightning Car Company firmly believes its 100% Electric Lightning GT will help kick start the market for performance EV’s.

The company maintains that “without a significant positive shift in perception, electric motoring will remain a huge compromise in the eyes of driving enthusiasts and therefore fail to impress the masses.”

With the build of the prototype well underway, we should see the real thing during the second half of 2008. The electric Lightning GT and Sports versions are now available to pre-order and deposits of £15,000 are being accepted.

The SolarStore harnesses the sun’s natural energy to warm domestic water and can heat up to three full tanks of water per day at temperatures close to 80°C.

For consumers in the UK, the SolarStore could provide a cheap source of domestic hot water; with an initial cost of under £100 per product, trial data has shown that the system will pay for itself in only 6 months. This compares favourably to conventional domestic solar hot water systems, which cost in the region of £2000-3000 and have payback times of around 10-20 years.

It is anticipated that the product could be beneficial in developing countries, where a reliable electricity supply can be a problem. Other applications for the SolarStore include hot water for camping and caravanning holidays or for hot water in remote locations.

When deflated, it is small enough to fit into a rucksack, yet SolarStore inflates to nearly 2m2 for maximum solar absorption. SolarStore works by allowing sunlight to pass through a clear outer layer to a black inner layer which holds the water. By a process of heat transfer, the water is then heated up. The surrounding air between the clear and black layers then acts as insulation to help keep the heat in.

Although the SolarStore is inflatable, the structure of the system is strong and robust and it is anchored down by the weight of 30 litres of water. It is manufactured from a heavy-duty polymer that is designed to protect against dirt and rain. SolarStore is an eco-friendly solution, which saves nearly 0.2 tonnes of CO2 emissions each year.

IDC is now seeking potential distributors for their inflatable solar panel.

Announcing the findings of the Gallagher Review this afternoon, Ms Kelly said there had been an increasing number of questions about indirect, less tangible affects from the production of biofuels.

She said the government would “amend rather than abandon” its policy to encourage the use of biofuels through a rising target, warning that an uncontrolled biofuels sector could impact on food prices and the destruction of the rainforest.

She recommended a “cautious approach”, saying there would be a consultation on reducing existing targets from an annual 1% increase, to a level where it would reach only 5% by 2013/14.

Ms Kelly said there would now be a consultation on the matter, and a consultation on the 2013/14 review in 2011/12. However, she said that there would not be a moratorium on biofuels, that doing so would hamper investment in clean biofuels technology.

“The report confirmed that biofuels can play a role in tackling climate change,” she insisted, “and I quote: ‘there is a future for a sustainable biofuels industry’.”

The Secretary of State went on to say that the Gallagher review considered a real need for caution with the European target of 10% renewable energy in transport fuels by 2020. She said the Gallagher report suggested a target in the region of 5-8% by 2020 would be more appropriate.

The Gallagher report said the 10% target could still be appropriate if it is accompanied by tough sustainability criteria, and Ms Kelly promised a “rigorous” review of such rules. But, she said later in the debate that the government will be pushing for a “conditional rather than binding” EU target for 2020 - conditional on the availability of biofuels that do not have indirect effects.

“It’s more of a symbolic gesture,” said the source, who asked not to be identified. “It’s very difficult to power much more than that with solar energy.”

Toyota is due to launch the third-generation Prius next year.

Big automakers are all racing to come up with alternative solutions to using fossil fuels to appear ecologically conscious and to lure consumers looking to save money at the pump.

But solar power is not seen as a viable solution to power cars. Solar panels are expensive due to rising silicon prices and storing energy is difficult, the source said. It was unknown how much the solar panels on the new Prius cars would cost, or how many solar-mounted versions Toyota would build.

Toyota has struggled to keep up with demand for the Prius as soaring gasoline prices put consumers off of gas-guzzling sport utility vehicles and pickup trucks. Rival Honda Motor Co will also step up its hybrid push with a new, low-cost model early next year, followed by several other gasoline-electric cars.

Automakers have teamed up with battery makers to develop and produce lithium-ion batteries to store more energy in smaller packages to extend cruising distances.

Solazyme announced today that SoladieselRD^TM , a microalgae-derived renewable diesel, has passed American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) D-975 specifications. The company claims that SoladieselRD^TM is the first algal-based renewable bio diesel to meet these standards.

In a 100% blend, SoladieselRD^TM has been road tested in a factory standard 2005 Jeep Liberty diesel. The fuel’s chemical composition is identical to that of standard petroleum based diesel, and SoladieselRD^TM is fully compatible with the existing transportation fuel infrastructure. Having fewer particulate emissions, SoladieselRD^TM also has a more desirable environmental footprint than standard petro-diesel. In addition, it meets the new ASTM ultra low sulfur diesel (ULSD) standards.

“This now marks the production of our second fuel that meets current U.S. fuel specifications and is an important validation of our proprietary process using microalgae to produce renewable fuels,” said Jonathan Wolfson, chief executive officer of Solazyme. “Solazyme’s leadership in the green fuels space will continue to grow as we now execute on our strategy for commercial launch.”

The only advanced biofuels company producing at scale, Solazyme implements a unique microbial fermentation process that allows algae to produce oil in massive vessels quickly, efficiently and without sunlight. The process can utilize many forms of non-food feedstocks, including waste glycerol and many cellulosic materials including wood chips, corn stover and switchgrass. The resulting oils can be leveraged across a wide variety of industries and applications, including fuels, edible oils and chemicals and are completely biodegradable, nontoxic and safe.

There is much debate in Australia about the impact this will have on the cost of petrol, which is already pushing A$1.70 per litre. This may not seem like much to Europeans but in Australia it is already causing major jitters in the economy. Especially amongt the freight and transport companies.

Without strong and early action by Australia and all major economies we are likely to face severe and costly impacts on Australia’s prosperity and enjoyment of life, according to the Garnaut Climate Change Review’s Draft Report,
released today.

Speaking at the National Press Club in Canberra, Professor Ross Garnaut said that by 2050, unmitigated climate change on middle of the road outcomes would mean major declines in agricultural production across much of the country, including a 50 per cent reduction in irrigated agriculture in the Murray-Darling Basin. By 2100, irrigated agriculture in the Murray Darling Basinwould decline by 92 per cent.

Early economic modelling results of readily measurable unmitigated climate change for middle of the road outcomes on temperatures and decline in rainfall – indicate that climate change would wipe off around 4.8 per cent of Australia’s projected GDP, around 5.4 per cent of projected householdconsumption, and 7.8 per cent from real wages by 2100.

“These readily measurable costs are only part of the story. There are also conventional economic effects that are not currently measurable, the possibility of much larger costs from extreme outcomes, and costs that aren’t manifested through markets,” said Professor Garnaut. The full economic modelling results, to be released in a Supplementary Draft Report in August, will help complete the picture for Australians, by comparing the costs and benefits of climate change mitigation. This will inform the Review’s consideration of emission reduction trajectories and targets. The Final Report will be released in September.

Professor Garnaut said that the climate change impacts would be significantly reduced with strong global mitigation.

Australia needs to play its full part in the international effort if global mitigation is to have a chance. The first step is to take action as part of the developed world, with a view to bringing in developing countries – first of all China – on the earliest possible timetable,” he said. Australia would be hurt more than other developed countries by unmitigated climate change, and we therefore have an interest in encouraging the strongest feasible global effort.

We are running out of time for effective global action, and it is important that we play our full part in nurturing the remaining chance. “We will delude ourselves should we choose to take small actions that create an appearance of action, but which do not solve the problem. Such an approach would risk the integrity of our market economy and political processes to no good effect,” said Professor Garnaut.

Australians are well placed to deal with the challenges of this major economic reform. As with all economic reform, mitigation policy must be forward-looking. Policy interventions and the use of public and private resources should focus on improving future economic prospects rather than reacting to past decisions”, said Professor Garnaut. The Draft Report provides the Review’s suggestions on the design of the emissions trading scheme (ETS). Professor Garnaut reiterated his support for the ETS to cover as many sectors as practicable. “The more sectors included in the ETS, the more efficiently costs will be shared across the economy. Transport should be included,” said Professor Garnaut.

The Draft Report advocates the full auctioning of emissions permits and the return of all revenue to households and business. The cost to consumers of rising energy and petrol prices, can be balanced through payments to households, while preserving price incentives to reduce emissions,” he said.

The Report proposes that half the proceeds from the sale of all permits is allocated to households, around 30 per cent provided for structural adjustment needs for business (including any payments to (TEEIIs), and the remaining 20 per cent allocated to research and development and the commercialisation of new technologies.

The proceeds from the ETS should be allocated for purposes that will help Australia adjust to a low emissions future,” said Professor Garnaut. A massive increase – reaching $3 billion per annum – is required in Australia’s commitment to low emissions technology research, development and commercialisation,” he said.

The Draft Report states that it would be in Australia’s interest to find out as soon as possible whether there can be a low-emissions future for coal, and to support rapid deployment of commercially promising technologies. This follows from Australia’s role as the world’s largest exporter of coal and the central place of coal in growth in emissions from Asian developing countries.

Australia has the opportunity to play a leadership role in funding and co-ordinating a major global effort to develop and deploy carbon capture and storage technologies, and to transfer those technologies to developing countries,” said Professor Garnaut. Additional mitigation policies should only be undertaken where they will lower the overall cost to the economy, by correcting market failures,” he said.

Professor Garnaut said that he supported the phase-out of the Mandatory Renewable Energy Target, once the unconstrained ETS was fully operational. The Review’s first aim is to lay out the issues for policy choice in a transparent way. We will have one our job if Australian governments and the community make their choices in full knowledge of the consequences of their decisions,” said Professor Garnaut.