National Grid has started work on a £50 million refurbishment of pylons in Devon and part of Cornwall to keep power flowing in the South West and beyond for decades to come.
The line of pylons, running between substations in Exeter and Landulph, was built in the 1960s. The wires carrying electricity that hang between them, along with other equipment, are approaching the end of their working life and need replacing.
Engineers will inspect the condition of over 300 pylons along the 100km route and replace equipment as necessary to hold the wires in place. There are no new...
A new Devon-based sunglasses company launches this month and is already drawing attention for its purpose-driven business model. Bird Sunglasses is a unique, stylish and thoughtful eyewear collection, and for every purchase, they distribute a solar light to families in Malawi, Zambia and Uganda through their 'Share Your Sun' partnership with Solar Aid.
598 million people in Africa alone have no access to electricity, relying on expensive and dangerous alternatives to light their homes. Many use homemade kerosene lamps which are a poor light source; emit toxic black smoke and eat up...
Over the last two years we have seen a dramatic shift in our energy supply services. Customers have been switching suppliers and new companies have been entering the market offering cheaper deals and better service.
New entrants to the energy market and a greater consumer focus being shifted to customer service, ethical supplies and trust; has reduced the market share of the big six from 100 per cent five years ago to 86 per cent at the end of 2016.
The future focus for consumers could very well include trusted local suppliers, a move away from the historic market providers...
The Greater Exeter area could be generating most of its own energy within 10 years, according to a new report.
Energy Independence 2025 sets out 10 key recommendations to help reduce energy consumption and boost clean energy generation across Exeter and its travel-to-work area.
It indicates that Devon’s capital is well placed to unlock a thriving energy sector and become a demonstrator for other cities around the world seeking to overcome their own energy supply challenges.
The report, authored by City Science, has been commissioned by Exeter City Futures to...
UK renters are missing out on savings worth over £1 billion collectively on their energy bills, because they didn’t know they could switch suppliers , had bills included in their rent, failed to discuss the matter with their landlord, or simply weren’t allowed to, according to new analysis from MoneySuperMarket.
The analysis looked at energy switching habits among renters , and shows almost half (49 per cent) of the nation’s renters were not given any information about their energy provider at the start of their tenancy. 12 per cent think their landlord is solely responsible for...
A pioneering new energy company, designed to deliver more efficient heat and power in Devon, has been announced.
The innovative company, called Dextco, will develop ground-breaking sustainable projects to provide environmentally-friendly energy to homes and businesses across the city and its surrounding area.
The company - whose founder members and shareholders comprise of The Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust (RD&E), the University of Exeter, Devon County Council, Exeter City Council and Teignbridge District Council – is the first specifically Exeter-based...
Cranbrook and Skypark has won two major industry awards for the low carbon district heating system which powers the new community and neighbouring business park.
It was a clean sweep for E.ON and project partners as the scheme won ‘Overall Project of the Year’ and the ‘Homes and Communities Project of the Year’ category at the prestigious Association for Decentralised Energy Awards (ADE Awards) held in London this week (23 November 2016).
The awards showcase innovation, best practice and achievement across combined heat and power, district heating and demand response and...
Exeter Community Energy has now started the installation at Exeter College, the city’s largest community solar power project. Solar panels are being installed on the roof of the Exeter College’s Technology Centre. When completed this 150 kWp installation will be the largest community energy project in Exeter and East Devon.
The panels will provide 140,000 kilowatt hours of electricity annually, enough to power 35 houses and will save the Technology Centre approx £150,000 over 20 years. The panels will reduce the carbon footprint of the College by 78 tonnes a year – the same amount...
Exeter Community Energy has been awarded £19,660 to repeat its success with community-owned solar energy by delivering a renewable heat project in Devon.
The money will be used to replicate the handfull of other community heat projects in the country; will be the first in the south west; and possibly the last Urban Community Energy Fund opportunity as a result of the government’s changing priorities.
Exeter Community Energy will be investigating different heat technologies for community buildings including schools and public sector buildings. Sites will benefit from savings...
A new renewable energy league table reveals which counties have the most solar panels installed across England and Wales. The South West comes out top, with Cornwall taking first place and Devon hot on its heels. The renewables industry is an important source of jobs, with more than 10,000 in the South West, including 2,800 in the solar sector. There are 120,000 people employed in the industry across England and Wales. The league table is published just after Plymouth’s largest solar array went online. Constructed on a former landfill site in Ernesettle, energy generated from the 4.1MW...
