Renewable Energy News from Hull & Humber

Region’s renewable energy companies showcased

Some of the region's companies joined forces to showcase renewable energy projects in the Yorkshire Post last month. Taking part was Humber Chemical Focus and Hull Forward, alongside ABB Engineering Services, Bioscience for Business, Renewable Energy Growers and Vivergo Fuels.

Click here to view the Yorkshire Post e-book

Opportunities in Brazil for energy and environment companies

The Brazilian Government is making very significant investments in energy and logistics infrastructure. The current 5 year plan is to produce an additional 38,000MW of electricity, which has a market value of £365bn. There is a requirement for expertise to support the build of the new energy infrastructure and asset management. Furthermore, Brazil is the 2nd largest user of renewable energy, with opportunities for new technologies and carbon finance.

In addition, opportunities exist for UK companies offering laboratory products, services and cleaner technology, especially in water provision, water waste treatment, air pollution technology and waste management.

Find out more about opportunities in one of the world's fastest growing economies by joining experts at World Trade Centre Hull & Humber on 21^st September, 2-5pm. For event details click here.

Shallow water tidal device delivers predictable, low cost, renewable energy in the Humber

The first fully predictable electricity generated by tidal power in shallow waters is now coming ashore on the banks of the Humber. The 100kW Humber prototype system is demonstrating that predictable energy can be produced close to shore where it is needed, reducing massively the investment required to install, connect and maintain devices compared to those in remote locations.

Pulse chief executive Bob Smith says "Pulse's first device has opened up shallow water resources close to shore for direct connection to end users. Our next device will be much larger, providing power for around 1,000 homes. It will be able to operate in a wide range of water depths, but we will focus initially on the shallow sites since they offer lower cost and are less complex. We are currently negotiating the location for our first full-scale project, which will begin operation in 2012"

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To view interview with Pulse Tidal Director, Mark Paish, click here

Construction of Vivergo Fuels plant gathering pace

Construction of the Vivergo Fuels biorefinery plant at Saltend is gathering pace and remains on schedule for commissioning at the end of summer 2010. During construction, it will create 400-500 jobs and once operational will employ 70-80 people. As part of the construction work, Scunthorpe-based Clugston Group has been appointed the civil engineering package contractor. 

In additon, close links have been forged with grain marketing business Frontier, to procure wheat from across the North-East and with animal nutrition company KWTrident, to market the high protein animal feeds that will result from the production process.

For more information on Vivergo Fuels click here

Drax seek to employ local workers

The bulk of the workforce employed to build the new Drax biomass plant near Immingham will be sought locally. That is the intention from Drax, which will create up to 850 jobs and contract opportunities during the construction period when scheduled to begin in 2012.  Employment opportunities will be advertised in the local and wider media and applicants will be interviewed and selected based on their skills, qualifications, experience and suitability for the role.

Drax Group secured rights to a site at the Port of Immingham earlier this year for one of its proposed 300MW biomass-fired generation plants in the UK. Once operational, it will create up to 150 local jobs through direct and contract employment.

Earlier this year, local civil engineering firm C Spencer was awarded an £18m design and build contract to supply rail unloading equipment and biomass storage and handling systems. The new facilities will feed the direct injection biomass co-firing systems currently being installed at the existing power station.

Future Energy Yorkshire to create biomass exchange

Converting boilers to use biomass as a feedstock and an experimental trading platform for the fuel are to be developed by Future Energy Yorkshire.

The research and the trading platform will form part of a £5m Woodfuel Infrastructure Programme which aims to assist woodfuel projects and will include a number of grant schemes for businesses in the biomass supply chain.

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Offshore & Onshore Wind Farm Opportunities

VEN Management, a subsidy of Yorkshire Forward, is creating a supplier database of regional companies that have an interest in the offshore wind turbine market. This will be made available to wind farm developers and manufacturers when looking for operations and maintenance suppliers. With significant developments planned, such as the Humber Gateway offshore wind farm and many onshore developments, there are many opportunities for regional businesses.

Potential suppliers of interest are those who can perform the following tasks:

• Operation and Maintenance (onshore & offshore)
• Electrical (Lighting, cabling etc)
• Infrastructure (Coatings, erection systems, welding equipment etc)
• Ports and Portside Services
• Support Services (Health & Safety equipment, fire protection systems etc)
• Consultancy
• Services (Legal, recruitment, environmental impact etc)

If you fit in one of these categories, please visit the Yorkshire and Humber Wind Website and complete the questionnaire.

Spotlight on: Point Engineering

"The fact that Pelamis Wave Power chose to work with us is testament to our specific skills in the design and manufacture of watertight closures and also demonstrates the strength of expertise and knowledge on offer in the Hull area."

Jonathan Rollison, Sales & Finance Director, Point Engineering (Hull) Ltd

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