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England: private rented households 2021 | Statista

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The proportion of households occupied by private renters in England from 2000 to 2021 generally increased during this period, from a share of ten percent of households in 2000 to a share of 20.3 percent of households as of 2017.

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Solar panels will play a major role in future sustainable energy production but they work best when sunlight hits them directly. This can be a problem when sunlight is diffused by cloud cover or as the sun passes above throughout the day.

Many solar arrays actively rotate towards the sun to capture as much energy as possible. This makes them more expensive and complicated to build and maintain than those that remain stationary.

But moving solar panels may not be necessary in the future, because an engineering researcher has designed a device that can capture 90% of the light that falls on it - regardless of its angle or frequency - and concentrate it to be three times brighter.

The research has been published in Microsystems & Nanoengineering.

"It's a completely passive system - it doesn't need energy to track the source or have any moving parts," says first author Dr Nina Vaidya, who completed the research as a doctoral student at Standford University, US, and is now an assistant professor in astronautics and spacecraft engineering at the University of Southampton, UK.

"Without optical focus that moves positions or need for tracking systems, concentrating light becomes much simpler."

Graphical rendering of the AGILE concentrator array system. Credit: Vaidya & Solgaard, 2022. DOI:10.1038/s41378-022-00377-z

AGILE - Axially Graded Index Lens

The device is called AGILE, which stands for axially graded index lens, and it looks like an upside down glass pyramid with the point cut off.

It works a bit like a how a magnifying glass can focus sunlight into a smaller, brighter point on a sunny day. But a magnifying glass's focal point moves as the sun does, which isn't helpful when you want to concentrate sunlight to a specific area of a photovoltaic cell throughout the entire day.

With AGILE, light enters the wide, square top from all angles and is funnelled down to concentrate at the same position at the bottom - creating a brighter spot at the narrow base which sits on top of a photovoltaic cell.

"We wanted to create something that takes in light and concentrates it at the same position, even as the source changes direction," explains Vaidya. "We don't want to have to keep moving our detector or solar cell, or moving the system to face the source.

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Senior author Olav Solgaard, professor of electrical engineering at Stanford and Vaidya's doctoral adviser, says: "An ideal AGILE has, at the very front of it, the same refractive index as the air and it gradually gets higher - the light bends in a perfectly smooth curve.

"But in a practical situation, you're not going to have that ideal AGILE."

Instead, the prototype AGILE is made of what's known as a graded index material, which is comprised of different layers of glasses and polymers that bend light to different degrees. These layers change the incoming light's direction in steps until it comes in almost vertically towards the output.

Taking AGILE from theory to reality

One of the biggest challenges in creating the AGILE prototype was finding and creating the right commercially available materials which could let in a broad spectrum of light, allow it to pass through, and bend it increasingly towards the output - all while being compatible with each other.

Nina Vaidya measuring the experimental performance of optical concentrators under a solar simulator that acts as an artificial sun. Credit: Nina Vaidya

For instance, if one glass expanded in response to heat at a different rate than another, the whole device could crack. The materials also needed to be robust enough to be machined into shape and remain durable.

The sides of the prototypes are also mirrored to bounce any light going in the wrong direction back towards the base.

These AGILE devices could be installed in a layer on top of solar cells, replacing the existing encapsulation that protects solar arrays, and would even create more space for cooling and circuitry to run between the narrowing pyramids of the individual devices.

"To be able to use these new materials, these new fabrication techniques and this new AGILE concept to create better solar concentrators has been very rewarding," concludes Vaidya.

"Abundant and affordable clean energy is a vital part of addressing the urgent climate and sustainability challenges, and we need to catalyse engineering solutions to make that a reality."
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New device could help solar panels capture more sunlight

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Solar panels will play a major role in future sustainable energy production but they work best when sunlight hits them directly. This can be a problem when sunlight is diffused by cloud cover or as the sun passes above throughout the day. Many solar arrays actively rotate towards the sun to capture as much energy as possible.

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Value Propositions
Powering people/communities energy saving App.

Gain Creator.
Money saving.
Energy savings.
Knowledge/better understanding.
Motivation.
Connection.

Product & Service
App:
Concrete strategies for money-saving solutions.
Data collection.
Energy savings.
Information and education.
Motivation.

Pain reliever.

Money savings.
Energy savings.
Knowledge.

Inspiration.

Gain
Money savings.
Energy Savings.
Education.
Support.
Motivation.

Customer Jobs.
Use the app regularly.
Collect the data.
Flow the steps.

Pain:
High energy cost.
Poor Term comfort.
Environmental impact.
Greenwashing.

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Powering communities energy-savings App!!!! 

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Powering communities energy-savings App!!!! 

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Changing energy consumption habits.
Community solar/Solar Gardens/ farms
Monitor energy usage via ecoflow app.
Domestic usage.

( Government funding energy spending - lowering the budget for innovation funding).

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Around 4.4 million households were privately rented in England in 2021.

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Around 4.4 million households were privately rented in England in 2021.

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Lower middle-class communities are disproportionately affected by the rising cost of inflation ( and the rising cost of utilities from nonrenewable sources).

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8.5 – 10 kWh per day - 3,760 kWh per year for electricity usage in UK's domestic houses.

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The East of England recorded the highest average household electricity consumption in Great Britain. In 2020, this added up to 4,369 kilowatt-hours per household. In comparison, households in the North East of England had the lowest average consumption, at 3,360 kilowatt-hours per household.

End user consumption

Despite continual annual declines in consumption, households have remained the largest electricity end-users in the UK since 2005. In 2020, amidst lockdown measures following the coronavirus outbreak, the gap between domestic and industrial consumption grew even wider. That year, domestic electricity consumption in the UK amounted to nearly 108 terawatt-hours, while industrial consumption recorded the lowest figure of the century, at some 88 terawatt-hours.

Electricity demand projected to grow

Electricity consumption in the UK has seen a dramatic decrease in the past two decades, at least partially related to increased efficiency in equipments and distribution. In 2020, consumption from all electricity suppliers in the UK stood at 288 terawatt-hours, a decline of roughly 20 percent when compared to 2005. Nevertheless, projections show that the UK's electricity consumption will grow by around 30 percent until 2040, to surpass 30 million tons of oil equivalent that year.

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GB: household electricity consumption by region | Statista

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The East of England recorded the highest average household electricity consumption in Great Britain. In 2020, this added up to 4,369 kilowatt-hours per household. In comparison, households in the North East of England had the lowest average consumption, at 3,360 kilowatt-hours per household.

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How to cash in with an eco-friendly makeover: Households are promised up to £10,000 to make their homes more energy-efficient

Green home grants' could save 650,000 households up to £300 on energy bills

Work may include insulation, double and triple glazing and eco heating systems

Lowest-income households will be able to claim full cost of work up to £10,000

Other homeowners should get two-thirds off the bill, of up to £5,000

Customers will have to get a quote for work from an accredited supplier

Households have been promised up to £10,000 in government cash to make their homes more energy-efficient.

The Green Home Grants are expected to save 600,000 households £300 on annual energy bills.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak is yet to announce details of the initiative, but experts say work could include loft and wall insulation, double and triple glazing, and eco-friendly heating systems.

The lowest-income households will be able to claim for the full cost of work up to £10,000.

Others should get at least two-thirds off the bill, but no more than £5,000 per household. A quote from an accredited supplier for the work must be obtained before applying.

Experts are hoping the scheme will be a better use of government money than the Green Deal launched in 2013 that promised solar panels, insulation and new eco-boilers at no upfront cost.

Many who signed up were left to pay off high-cost loans that outstripped any savings on energy bills. The multi-million pound scheme was abandoned after just two years.

Ahead of the new initiative, set to start in England in September, Money Mail pinpoints home improvements that could help you save on bills - even if you can't get the grant.

Begin at the top

Insulating your roof space is probably the most cost-effective measure. Loft insulation should last 40 years and pay for itself several times over.

Material such as wool or glass fibre is laid, which stops heat escaping through the roof.

Insulating a semi-detached house this way usually costs £300, according to the Energy Saving Trust, and could cut £160 annually from the average family's energy bills. Under the new scheme, it could cost only £100.

Fill in the gaps

About a third of heat lost in uninsulated homes escapes through the walls. Most properties built from the 1990s onwards should already have insulated walls.

However, homes built between the 1920s and 1990s may have cavity walls.

Cavity wall insulation is installed by drilling holes in the outside walls before materials, such as mineral wool, are injected through them. It costs about £475, or £158 with a grant, and can save £165 a year on bills.

Boil costs down

Traditional gas boilers could soon be banned under plans to tackle climate change. Experts recommend homes are fitted with a heat pump instead.

The systems absorb heat from outside and transfer it into water. It can cost £9,000-£11,000, or £3,000-£3,667 with a grant. Yet a heat pump could take £690 off an annual energy bill.

Meanwhile, a modern - and more energy efficient - gas boiler could cost £2,300, or £766 with a grant. The most efficient boilers can save you £110 a year.

Installing double-glazed windows throughout your home could cost £4,250, or £1,417 if you're eligible for a grant. However, they can wipe £85 off your annual energy bill.

Double glazing not only traps heat in homes, but also keeps noise out. Windows can also be triple glazed.

Swap to solar

Solar panels, which cost £4,800 to install on average, capture the sun's energy and convert it into electricity.

They allow you to generate renewable energy, but how much depends on where you live, the angle of your roof and the amount of sunlight it gets.

Savings can vary widely. but a homeowner in London could knock between £100 and £240 a year off their bills. Panel owners can also make money by selling excess energy to their supplier.

For a more accurate savings estimate for your own home, visit www.pvfitcalculator.energy savingtrust.org.uk

Small savings

You don't have to pay for costly home renovations to save cash and be more eco-friendly.

Replacing a traditional halogen light bulb with an LED light will cost £6 - but should save you about £2 a year.

If you don't have the cash for insulation, you could buy a hot water tank jacket for £15 and save in the region of £20 a year.

You could also spend about £19 on a chimney draught excluder and cut £15 off your annual bills.

f.parker@dailymail.co.uk

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Households promised up to £10,000 to make homes more energy-efficient

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Green home grants' could save 650,000 households up to £300 on energy bills Work may include insulation, double and triple glazing and eco heating systems Lowest-income households will be able to claim full cost of work up to £10,000 Other homeowners should get two-thirds off the bill, of up to £5,000 Customers will have to get a quote for work from an accredited supplier Households have been promised up to £10,000 in government cash to make their homes more energy-efficient.

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Energy crisis. Climate crisis. One solution?

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UK homes lose heat more quickly than those in Europe (Photo: Matt Cardy/Getty)

British homes "leak" heat up to three times more quickly than more energy-efficient homes on the continent, a survey suggests.

Data from 80,000 smart thermostats across Europe were studied to measure how quickly homes in different countries cooled once heating was turned off. The starting temperature in all houses was 20°C, and the outside temperature was zero.

Within the space of five hours, the temperature of the average British home dropped by 3°C, compared with just 1°C in Germany, 1.5°C in Italy, and 2.5°C in France, research by the smart thermostat company Tado found. The heat leakage from UK homes means that more energy is needed to keep properties warm in winter, pushing up greenhouse gas emissions.

Only Belgium neared Britain's temperature drop, with its homes losing on average 2.9°C of warmth, the survey revealed.

Pre-War housing

Christian Deilmann, the co-founder and chief product officer of Tado, blamed the results on Britain's old and draughty housing.

"When there is a high temperature loss over the course of five hours this means that the insulation is not very good," he told i. "In Germany, housing was really destroyed in the Second World War, and it was rebuilt. This was a chance to build with thicker walls and more insulation. Whereas the UK has really beautiful old buildings which have a long history and back in the day materials were just not as advanced as they are today."

Britain has the oldest housing stock of all EU member states, with 38 per cent of homes built before 1946. Less than two per cent of homes score top in the energy efficiency rankings.

Germany and Sweden, by contrast, have just 24 per cent of their housing stock dating back to pre-1946.

Emissions impact

Gas boilers and other heating systems are responsible for about 10 per cent of UK carbon emissions, and experts agree a major programme of home upgrades will be needed if the country is to hit its target of net zero emissions by 2050.

In other European nations, governments help homeowners to pay for the cost of extra insulation, but the UK's flagship energy efficiency scheme, the Green Deal, was axed in 2015.

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Draughty British homes lose heat more quickly than those in Europe

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British homes "leak" heat up to three times more quickly than more energy-efficient homes on the continent, a survey suggests. Data from 80,000 smart thermostats across Europe were studied to measure how quickly homes in different countries cooled once heating was turned off. The starting temperature in all houses was 20°C, and the outside temperature was zero.

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https://www.carbonbrief.org/a-detailed-look-at-why-uk-homes-are-using-less-energy/

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The cost of living is at its highest level in a decade, with household energy bills being the largest expense.

Choosing the most energy efficient household appliance for needs can help you save energy - and money - on your bills, but some common household items are more energy guzzling than others.

Here, we find out which are the biggest users of electricity in the home and offer some tips on how to use them as efficiently as possible to help you reduce your energy bill.

01

Wet appliances

Washing machines, dishwashers and tumble dryers account for 14% of a typical energy bill, taking the top spot in our list. The power needed to heat the water that they use pushes up consumption, making them energy-hungry household appliances.

Actively choosing to wash clothes at a lower temperature can help reduce your energy consumption and try to avoid washing half loads to save water. The same advice goes for you dishwasher: use the Eco setting if it has one and try to wait until it's full to set it off. We've got more tips in our blog on being energy efficient when using your washing machine.

02

Cold appliances

Fridges and freezers also account for around 13% of the average household's energy bill. By their very nature, these appliances need to stay on all the time, so they're continually drawing power to maintain a constant temperature.

They're also among the longest lasting appliances in our home. The typical fridge-freezer has a lifespan of 17 years!

Since they'll be on 24 hours a day, and could last you 17 years, there's a huge benefit to investing in an energy efficient one. The next time you're buying a new fridge or freezer, consider the smallest that meets your needs, as well as the highest rated one you can afford.

03

Consumer electronics

Today, we are far more reliant on consumer electronics - from laptops to TVs to game consoles - so it should come as no surprise that they take third place, accounting for around 6% of your energy bill.

Some of the oldest advice remains relevant: remember to turn your devices off standby where possible.

If it's time for a new TV, look for the most energy efficient one you can afford, or choose a smaller screen size to save on running costs. We have more advice on choosing home appliances, including top things to look out for to reduce your energy bills.

04

Lighting

Coming in just behind your electronics, lighting takes up around 5% of an average home's total energy bill. You can reduce the amount of energy you use by replacing halogen bulbs with LEDs.

LEDs come in a range of shades from cool to warm, allowing you to create the lighting effect that you want for your home. If the average household replaced all bulbs with LEDs, it would cost about £160 and save around £65 a year on bills.

Another tip: turn your lights off when you're not using them or when you leave a room. This will save you around £25 a year on your annual energy bills.

05

Cooking

Are your cooking habits costing you too much in your energy bills? Around 4% of your energy bill is spent on powering kitchen appliances, including the hob, oven, kettle and microwave.

Microwaves are more efficient than ovens at cooking, as they only heat the food and not the air space inside. And try to avoid overfilling the kettle and save yourself £13 a year on your electricity bill.

Check out our quick tips page to see how much you could save on your energy bills.

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Top five energy consuming home appliances

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We find out which are the biggest users of electricity in the home and offer some tips on how to use them as efficiently as possible.

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8.1.5

Energy use in the home

Energy use in the home is a significant contributor to UK greenhouse gas emissions at around 14% of the total.[144] While the majority of emissions relate to home heating and hot water, there are also significant emissions produced through the use of products sold by retailers. Key hotspots for greenhouse gas emissions for the use of retail products in homes includes:

Cooking: Water, gas and electricity used for cooking food.

Refrigeration: Electricity consumed to refrigerate fresh or frozen foods.

Washing: Electricity, gas and water consumed for washing and drying of clothes and for personal hygiene.

Lighting: The use of lighting in the home including directional and non-directional appliances.

Use of electrical appliances: The electricity consumed by household appliances including computing devices and mobile phones.

Figure 8.1g: Emissions resulting from use of products at home
[145]

Routes to decarbonising energy use in homes

Ultimately, decarbonising the energy use in homes will rely on the decarbonisation of the UK energy system. The switch to renewable electricity for powering and heating homes will need to be supported by improvements to home energy efficiency including improving insulation and smart metering.

There are, however, a number of actions that will reduce energy consumption and emissions:

Cooking: Shifting cooking to electrical appliances that can be powered by renewable fuel.

Refrigeration: Ensuring that the highest efficiency refrigerators are used.

Washing: Switching to low temperature washing of clothes, increased air-drying of clothes, reducing the frequency and lengths of showers and baths.

Use of electrical appliances: Improving efficiency of appliances, ensuring that unused appliances are switched off.

Lighting: Shifting to lower energy lighting systems including LED light bulbs.

[144] UK Housing: Fit for the future? (2019) Committee on Climate Change
[145] Data extracted from Energy consumption in the UK: End Use & Final energy consumption tables - BEIS

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Energy use in the home is a significant contributor to UK greenhouse gas emissions at around 14% of the total. [144] While the majority of emissions relate to home heating and hot water, there are also significant emissions produced through the use of products sold by retailers.

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The Simplicity of Saving Energy | Braden Hoefer | TEDxClearBrookHighSchool

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1. Behaviour change programmes can be effective in encouraging people to use less energy in their home

2. Baseline consumption or pre-intervention behaviours and household characteristics have been shown to influence the levels of savings that can be achieved.

3. Team-based approaches, which use peer support (and pressure) as a way to encourage changes in behaviour, have led to energy savings and behaviour change in a number of programmes.

4. There is not one single motivating factor that drives individuals to take up energy-saving behaviours.

5. Some, but not all, behaviour change programmes lead to durable energy reductions.

6. The evidence shows that education programmes provided at the same time as the adoption of new technology and one-off modifications can act as a stimulus for changing habitual* behaviours.

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Whether you're looking to save some money or save the planet, changing your daily energy usage habits is the perfect place to start. The electricity we use to power our homes every day can have a much bigger impact on the health of our planet than most of us realize. Luckily, with just a few simple habit changes, you can make a big impact. Here are 15 habits that will help you improve your home's energy efficiency every day.

1. Draw the blinds during the day.

Keep the hot sun from turning your home into a greenhouse by using the blinds on your windows to stop the heat from coming into your home and keep the cool air in.

2. Set your thermostat to 85 when you're out and 78 when you're in.

During hot summer days while you are out and about, try keeping your thermostat set to 85 degrees. When you're hanging out at home, 78 degrees is the optimal temperature for comfort and energy efficiency.

3. Run your ceiling fans clockwise.

Instead of using an air conditioner, try running your ceiling fans clockwise when it's hot to pull warm air up and push cool air down. To save some extra power, remember to turn all ceiling fans off when you leave your home.

4. Nix the game console for viewing entertainment.

If you're a streaming video fan, be sure not to watch those movies using your video game console. They use 45 times the amount of electricity that a smart TV does - and that adds up fast (for the environment and your wallet).

5. Load up your washer.

Only use your washing machine when you have a full load. Small loads waste water and precious energy.

6. Air dry your clothing.

Whenever possible, air dry your clothes. Not only will you save energy, but the fabric will last longer and look crisper.

7. Cut that dish drying cycle short.

Let your dishes air dry instead of using the drying cycle on your dishwasher. You can do this by simply turning it off before it starts. Believe it or not, this simple change has the potential to save you hundreds of dollars a year.

8. Turn "sleep mode" on.

Screensavers on your computer can cost you in energy over time. Turn on the sleep mode instead.

9. Limit your use of portable heaters.

One portable heater can cost almost 20 cents an hour to run. The cost of using one for 8 hours a day everyday can cost you close to $50 a month. And there's nothing efficient about that.

10. Watch your refrigerator temperature.

The optimal temperature to keep your fridge at is between 30 and 42 degrees Fahrenheit. Keeping it any lower will waste unneccessary energy.

11. Unplug your battery charger.

Have a battery charger for your phone, tablet, or computer? Remember to unplug it when you're not charging these items, or when the batters are fully charged. This will do wonders for the life of your battery and save a lot of energy.

12. Open your blinds and curtains on cold days.

In the winter time, the sun is your best friend. If you find yourself feeling tempted to grab a heater on a cold, try throwing open your blinds first to let the sun rays heat the interior of your house. It can make a bigger difference than you'd think.

13. Get rid of pans with loose fitting lids.

Tight fitting lids on pots and pans can greatly reduce the energy needed to cook a meal. Make sure yours fit properly to cut heat loss, as this will save energy and reduce your cooking time so you can enjoy your favorite meals sooner.

14. Washing your clothes in cold water instead of hot water.

This simple change can add up to big time energy and money savings over time.

15. Make the most of your microwave.

Microwaves use up to 80% less energy that their stove counterparts. So instead of using the stove to reheat your leftovers, give your microwave its time to shine.

What is the most energy-efficient form of heating?

About 30% of your utilities cover heating your home, making high-efficiency heating systems a smart buy. Heat pumps are usually the most high-efficiency method of heating a home, but this depends on location. They function by catching heat and transporting it from one location to another. For example, you can extract heat from your home in the summer to offer cooling and bring in subterranean heat into the home to provide heating in the winter.

Heat pumps can be incredibly efficient, producing up to four times the energy it consumes. As a result, heat pumps are a wonderful choice for a moderate climate. Because of their exceptional efficiency, they utilize less electricity while providing adequate heating.

Heat pumps are very safe to use, as they do not emit dangerous chemicals like carbon monoxide. Additionally, heat pumps are also very environmentally friendly. They do not emit exhaust fumes that are harmful to the environment since they do not burn fossil fuels to generate heat.

Using a heat pump can raise your electric bill but will subsequently lower your gas bill. As with all appliances, look for the Energy Star certification as these products use less energy in general. The goal of heat pumps is to generate the most heat with the least amount of fuel, and heat pumps are currently the best option.

What are the most energy-efficient heating and cooling systems?

As mentioned, heat pumps are effective for heating and cooling, and with their ability to extract temperatures without having to create them themselves, they are currently the most efficient heating and cooling system. Geothermal heat pump systems run at lower rates for longer periods, ensuring that the home is constantly comfortable throughout the year.

Is electric heat efficient?

Heating can be either inefficient or high efficient, depending on the product or method. In the case of electric heaters, they are incredibly efficient. For example, electric resistance heating, like electric furnaces, is the form of heating that turns electricity into heat. In the sense that all incoming electric energy is transformed to heat, electric resistance heating is 100% energy-efficient. Although, most of the electricity is generated by coal, gas, or oil generators, which convert only around 30% of the energy from the fuel into electricity. Electric heat is frequently more expensive than heat produced using combustion equipment due to electricity generating and transmission losses.

Heat pumps are better for electric resistance heating if electricity is the only option and can lower the electricity by half compared to resistance heating. There may be certain exceptions, such as in locations where the cost of heating with electric resistance is negligible. If it is not feasible to extend the existing heating system, electric resistance heating may be a viable option.

What is the most energy-efficient method of cooking?

When choosing a new stovetop, most individuals have a strong preference for gas, electric, or induction. This is frequently based on familiarity rather than what is energy efficient. Whenever you read about energy-efficient cooking solutions, the debate over gas vs. electric constantly arises.

The difference in energy use is rather small, especially now that induction cooking has brought electricity up to speed with gas. Whenever possible, use smaller appliances like toaster ovens to reduce energy usage from larger appliances.

Natural gas, a fossil fuel, can pollute the environment, but electricity comes from coal, making them very similar. Furthermore, gas creates ambient heat, increasing the electricity usage of air conditioners. If you are willing to source your electricity from solar panels to your stove, electricity could be a much better option.

Moreover, because hot air is continuously circulated in convection ovens, they are more energy-efficient than conventional ovens, allowing you to reduce cooking temperatures and times. A convection oven is expected to consume 20% less energy than traditional ovens. If you add a self-cleaning model with substantially more insulation, you've got yourself a fairly efficient cooking machine.

What cooking appliance uses the least electricity?

You may be surprised to know the microwave is the most efficient way to heat or cook food because it speeds up the cooking process and reduces the need for excessive gas or electricity. In addition, there's no waiting for the microwave to warm up - it reaches temperature almost instantly, and food cooks in a fraction of the time. As a result, microwaves consistently outperform ovens when heating food.

Slow cookers are also energy-efficient because they use less wattage. Smaller appliances like air fryers are often highly energy-efficient because they use less electricity and cook food faster. Even convection ovens use less energy and reduce the heat that requires air conditioning to cool down. Again, if you're are looking for energy efficiency, choose as small of an appliance as possible for your cooking needs.

How much money do energy-efficient washers and dryers save?

High-efficiency washers conserve energy by reducing hot water use. The less water in use, the quicker the washer can heat the water for cleaning. Older washers typically used too much water to wash a single load, but energy-efficient options can use much less water and can save you over a couple of hundred dollars a year, depending on your model and usage. In addition, you can save more energy by using cold water as the machine has to use energy to heat water and choosing a machine that weighs clothing to determine the right amount of water. Also, use the highest spin cycle possible to further reduce water usage and lessen the energy usage for the dryer.

As for dryers, however, they have yet to become highly efficient and often consume more energy than any other appliance in the home. A dryer with a dry sensor can save some energy as it will stop drying when the clothes are dry. Energy-efficiency rated dryers with smart features can reduce energy by up to 20%.

What is the most energy-efficient washer and dryer?

The most energy-efficient washer and dryer are the options with the Energy Star certification. Consider getting front load machines to circulate air and heat better, allowing for more efficiency. Also, look for the HE symbol on washers and dryers, which stands for 'High-Efficiency', as these are made to consume less energy to wash and dry.

Are high-efficiency washers better than regular washers?

Yes, a new high-efficiency washer will save you so much money in the long run that it'll be like getting the matching dryer for free. High-efficiency washers are less expensive to run since they use less water, energy, and detergent. Most high-efficiency washers are front-loaders, which consume roughly half as much as a regular washer.

The water savings are mostly attributable to the design of high-efficiency washers: high-efficiency units use a minimal amount of water that sits in the bottom of the tub rather than filling a large internal tub to the high-water mark. A high-efficiency washer then tumbles its contents horizontally rather than grinding them through an agitating motion to clean them - instead, the load is washed and rinsed as it spins through the water.

You'll save money on your utility costs if you use less water and energy. In fact, according to a report from the U.S. Department of Energy, a high-efficiency washer will have one-third the operational costs of a top-loading washer. Overall, high-efficiency washers are worth the upfront cost.

How can electronics save energy?

Unplugging goods when not in use is the easiest way to eliminate power losses. When your portable devices aren't being charged, you can unplug the chargers to reduce wasted energy. When you connect electronics to a power strip with an on/off switch, you can cut off all electricity to the devices with one flip of the switch.

Devices like power meters that can correctly measure power use even at very low power levels are now available at reasonable prices. These devices can assist you in identifying the primary culprits in your home's electronics collection as well as cost-cutting alternatives. Knowing what electronics are using the most energy can help you reduce the amount of energy your home consumes.

What are some energy-efficient devices?

Look for Energy Star electronics for your office or use laptops and tablets as they do not need to charge overnight. Always use energy-saving modes on electronics that need to stay plugged into an outlet and look for options with programmable settings, smart sockets, and eco chargers. For more information, visit our page dedicated to the best shopping tips for buying energy-efficient appliances.

Using Energy Star appliances is a great start to becoming more energy-efficient. Not only are they effective, but they are easy to implement. If you're looking for another easy way to improve your energy habits, then consider switching to Inspire. With a 100% clean energy supply plan for your home, and it only takes a few minutes.

To get started, visit our homepage and enter your address and/or ZIP Code. If Inspire's clean energy supply plans are available in your area, you can proceed with linking your utility and discover the beginning of consistent and predictable monthly energy bills.
Access clean energy for one flat monthly price-subscribe today.

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15 Habits to Improve Energy Efficiency Daily | Inspire Clean Energy

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Whether you're looking to save some money or save the planet, changing your daily energy usage habits is the perfect place to start. The electricity we use to power our homes every day can have a much bigger impact on the health of our planet than most of us realize.

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Creating a campaign for the Good energy habits movement.  

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Creating a campaign for the Good energy habits movement.  

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To support the most in need -generating points in the households and businesses .

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Energy saving turns into the game.

Setting up the goals.  And getting hipped by saving more and more money by changing habits and implementing new strategies.

(Getting points from the gov for achievements).

https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/hub/quick-tips-to-save-energy/

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1. Identify your current energy consumption habits

2. Determine the impact your habits are having

3. Eliminate obstacles and triggers

4. Visualize the reward

5. Develop new energy consumption routines

6. Don’t be hard on yourself

Reduce your energy bills

Have extra money to spend on things you really want

Reduce the impact on your budget for possible increases in energy costs

Contribute to reducing our reliance of foreign fuels

Cut down on domestic production

Do you part for cleaner landscapes and air

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Constellation Residential and Small Business Blog

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Changing energy consumption habits might not be top of mind for many people, but small changes can have a big impact on your energy bill. And it pays in more ways than just on your monthly statement. For instance, it can also reduce your carbon footprint.

Fortunately, breaking bad energy consumption habits isn't hard to do. With an understanding of how energy is wasted and how habits work, you can make some relatively easy adjustments and enjoy the benefits of reducing your energy usage.

What is energy consumption?

When we talk about energy consumption, we're talking about all the energy used in your home during a given amount of time. For most people, electricity and natural gas are the main contributors to their average home energy usage. Using water consumes energy, too. Other sources may include propane or a renewable energy source for your home, like the electricity generated by solar panels. Taken together they all make up what energy consumption is for your home.

Is it important to cut energy usage?

Avoiding excessive energy consumption is good for your wallet. The less you use, the less you spend. And you don't just save money today; you insulate yourself against possible future increases in the cost of energy.

Looking beyond your monthly bill, using less energy makes it easier for us to become more energy-independent, it cuts down on the number of wells, refineries and power plants we need, and it's good for the environment. Cleaner landscapes and cleaner air lead to greater health. All in all, cutting back the amount of energy we use creates a circle of benefits.

How to change your energy consumption habits

Before thinking about changing your energy consumption habits, it's helpful to understand how habits work. First, something has to cue the habit to trigger a series of behaviors. For instance, your alarm clock might ring and then you get ready for work, feed the dog and catch the train. All of those activities after the cue of the alarm clock become your routine. The reward can be anything from a smooth, stress-free morning to always making it to work on time - perhaps with a moment to enjoy a fresh cup of coffee before the rush of the day begins.

The interplay of cues, routines and rewards can change your energy consumption habits.

1. Identify your current energy consumption habits

Think about what your energy consumption is today and how you're using energy. You should also look at the amount of energy you use. Perhaps you turn on the light in the front hall when you come home from work. Coming home is the cue for the routine of turning on the light. Perhaps you don't turn it off again until you go to bed. Consider how much energy it takes to keep that light on for hours every night.

2. Determine the impact your habits are having

When you have inventoried how you're using energy and how much, you can take a look at the impact of your routine. Understanding your energy costs is important. How many watt-hours and dollars are you spending on these habits? For instance, keeping lights on that you don't need is how energy is wasted in many homes.

When your habits get translated into dollars and cents, you might find the motivation to make some changes that put a stop to wasting energy at home.

3. Eliminate obstacles and triggers

It's one thing to identify your cues and habits, but quite another to change them.

In our example, you might want to change your habit and turn off the hall light once you're settled in another room. To make it easier to switch off the light - and eliminate the obstacle of inconvenience - you could rewire and put light switches by every entrance and exit in your hall. A cheaper fix could simply be putting up a visible reminder, like the office etiquette signs you might be familiar with at work. That makes it easier to remember.

Another solution is to connect the light to your smart home system. You can program it to turn on when you typically arrive home, and then off a few minutes later. Home automation allows you to set the routine and the action that triggers it, thoughtfully in advance.

4. Visualize the reward

Think about the reward you get from changing your energy consumption habits. When you limit energy waste in your home, you can cut your energy bill. Going a step further, do more than think about ways to save energy at home - also focus on the reward. To make the reward more motivating, perhaps decide what you'll buy with the money you save.

5. Develop new energy consumption routines

To arrive at new routines, you can't do much to change your cues, but you can change your rewards. Take, for example, the cue of feeling cold. Instead of turning up the heat, you could put on a sweater and focus on what you might do with the money you save. The reward of a warmer home is replaced by the reward of funds freed up for something else you want.

Those savings can be used as the reward that changes routines in hot weather, as well, helping you save energy in the summer by doing things like shutting off your AC when you're not home.

When you keep an eye on the rewards, you'll be on your way to routines that lead to the benefits of reducing your energy usage. And if you use smart technology, like a smart thermostat, you can automate the best routines for your home and save yourself the work.

6. Don't be hard on yourself

Habits are difficult to break. Changing your routine takes effort and thoughtfulness. It's natural to go back to old ways of doing things, so don't be too hard on yourself. Make your reward worth the effort and reward yourself regularly.

And if you slip back, adjust and stay focused on change. You can get inspiration with some of these energy savings tips. Despite your best intentions, it takes time and perseverance to create new routines.

The benefits of reducing your energy usage

From personal to global, the benefits of reducing your energy usage are many. You can:

Reduce your energy bills

Have extra money to spend on things you really want

Reduce the impact on your budget for possible increases in energy costs

Contribute to reducing our reliance of foreign fuels

Cut down on domestic production

Do you part for cleaner landscapes and air

Altering habits isn't always easy. When it comes to addressing how energy is wasted in your home, however, the changes don't have to be overwhelming. Start with small adjustments and keep an eye on the rewards and benefits. And consider the tech solution of automating some energy usage in your home to make things easier. But whatever strategy you choose, the rewards are well worth your effort.

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Changing Your Energy Consumption Habits | Constellation

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Changing energy consumption habits might not be top of mind for many people, but small changes can have a big impact on your energy bill. And it pays in more ways than just on your monthly statement. For instance, it can also reduce your carbon footprint.

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Reduce your energy bills and your reliance on fossil fuels.

The less you use, the less you spend. And you don’t just save money today;

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LG AWHP is a highly efficient system that allows space heating, floor heating, cooling, and hot water supply.

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The evidence that’s available points to 18°C being the most appropriate threshold, with little to support the 21°C recommendation, particularly for the fit and healthy. What it also made clear was that the ageing process makes our bodies less able to regulate our temperature, and less able to detect the cold, so a recommendation that just relied on people adjusting the temperature to one that is ‘comfortable’ might put older people in danger.

Each degree can actually cost you an extra 10% on your heating bills.

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Keep your towels fluffy and soft with these 6 essential tips! Never again will you have a stiff, uninviting towel to greet you after a shower or bath, nor the need to splurge on a brand new towel set, but instead make the most out of what you have.

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Keep your towels fluffy and soft with these 6 essential tips! Never again will you have a stiff, uninviting towel to greet you after a shower or bath, nor the need to splurge on a brand new towel set, but instead make the most out of what you have.

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https://www.vaillant.co.uk/homeowners/advice-and-knowledge/what-is-the-ideal-room-temperature-1769698.html

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The high prevalence of cold, damp, poorly energy efficient households in the UK is considered one of the main reasons why the UK continues to have higher excess deaths over the winter period when compared with other European countries.

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The high prevalence of cold, damp, poorly energy efficient households in the UK is considered one of the main reasons why the UK continues to have higher excess deaths over the winter period when compared with other European countries.

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Physiological changes that occur particularly with ageing.
It is for these reasons that indoor temperature recommendations for homes are considered important to protect and improve health and wellbeing.

Small laboratory studies support the findings that exposure to cold temperatures increases blood pressure and risk of blood clotting in healthy people

The low indoor temperature on lung function of 409 (doctor diagnosed) asthmatic 6-12-year-olds. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/776497/Min_temp_threshold_for_homes_in_winter.pdf

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HSE provides guidance on preventing cold stress

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This page tells you about the risks of overheating when working in hot conditions and gives practical guidance on how to avoid it.

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This section outlines what you can do if you think there is a problem with thermal comfort, heat stress, or cold stress in your workplace. It is important for you to report these problems to your management, union or other workplace representative. You may have to work with your management and fellow employees to get permission to take some of the steps below, but by working together it is more likely that suitable, long-term solutions can be found.

What can you do?

There are a number of things that you can do to improve thermal comfort in your workplace:

add or remove layers of clothing depending on how hot or cold you are

use a desk or pedestal fan to increase air movement

use window blinds (if available) to cut down on the heating effects of the sun

in warm situations, drink plenty of water (avoid caffeinated or carbonated drinks)

if possible, work away from direct sunlight or sources of radiant heat

take regular breaks to cool down in warm situations and heat up in cold situations

raise the issue with your managers or, if you can, with your union or other workplace representatives

Although any of the actions outlined above may go some way to alleviating your thermal discomfort, there are also a number of things that your manager or employer could do to help further.
Talk to your manager, supervisor, union representative or employee representative about:

where possible ensuring windows that open, fans are provided to promote local cooling and radiators can be switched off or air conditioning units are maintained

introducing work systems to limit exposure, such as flexible hours or early/late starts to help avoid the worst effects of working in high temperatures

relaxing formal dress codes

insulating hot plant or pipes

moving workstations away from hot plant or out of direct sunlight

including assessments of thermal risk as part of workplace risk assessments

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This section outlines what you can do if you think there is a problem with thermal comfort, heat stress, or cold stress in your workplace. It is important for you to report these problems to your management, union or other workplace representative.

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Mean Radiant Temperature: What It Is and Why We Should Care - HVAC School

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Our industry puts a lot of emphasis on the "AC" (air conditioning) part of HVAC. We specialize in maintaining and servicing a wide variety of simple to complex air distribution systems. But we're really in the business of comfort -h uman comfort and health, to be precise.

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Cold or hot Radian heat transfer.

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Feels like the temperature - the combination of temperature and humidity.

If water is heated and it evaporates to the surrounding environment, the resulting amount of water in the air will provide humidity.

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This describes the speed of air moving across the employee and may help cool them if the air is cooler than the environment.

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Resting metabolic rate is lower by 23% in women than in men.

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This study examined gender differences in resting metabolic rate (RMR) across a broad age spectrum after controlling for differences in body composition and aerobic fitness. Three hundred twenty-eight healthy men (17-80 yr) and 194 women (18-81 yr) volunteers were characterized for RMR, body composition, physical activity, peak oxygen consumption (peak VO2), anthropometrics, and energy intake. Measured RMR was 23% higher (P < 0.01) in men (1,740 +/- 194 kcal/day) than in women (1,348 +/- 125 kcal/day). Multiple regression analysis showed that 84% of individual variation in RMR was explained by fat-free mass, fat mass, peak VO2, and gender. After controlling for differences in fat-free mass, fat mass, and peak VO2, a lower RMR (3%; P < 0.01) persisted in women (1,563 +/- 153 kcal/day) compared with men (1,613 +/- 127 kcal/day). Adjusted RMR in premenopausal (P < 0.01) and postmenopausal (P < 0.05) women was lower than in men of a similar age. Our results support a lower RMR in women than in men that is independent of differences in body composition and aerobic fitness.

Metrics

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Resting metabolic rate is lower in women than in men | Journal of Applied Physiology

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This study examined gender differences in resting metabolic rate (RMR) across a broad age spectrum after controlling for differences in body composition and aerobic fitness. Three hundred twenty-eight healthy men (17-80 yr) and 194 women (18-81 yr) volunteers were characterized for RMR, body composition, physical activity, peak oxygen consumption (peak VO2), anthropometrics, and energy intake.

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The most commonly used indicator of thermal comfort is air temperature - it is easy to use and most people can relate to it. However, air temperature alone is not a valid or accurate indicator of thermal comfort or thermal stress. It should always be considered in relation to other environmental and personal factors.

The six factors affecting thermal comfort are both environmental and personal. These factors may be independent of each other, but together contribute to an employee's thermal comfort.

Environmental factors:

Personal factors:

Environmental factors

Air temperature

This is the temperature of the air surrounding the body. It is usually given in degrees Celsius (°C).

Radiant temperature

Thermal radiation is the heat that radiates from a warm object. Radiant heat may be present if there are heat sources in an environment.

Radiant temperature has a greater influence than air temperature on how we lose or gain heat to the environment.

Examples of radiant heat sources include: the sun; fire; electric fires; ovens; kiln walls; cookers; dryers; hot surfaces and machinery, molten metals etc.

Air velocity

This describes the speed of air moving across the employee and may help cool them if the air is cooler than the environment.

Air velocity is an important factor in thermal comfort for example:

still or stagnant air in indoor environments that are artificially heated may cause people to feel stuffy. It may also lead to a build-up in odour

moving air in warm or humid conditions can increase heat loss through convection without any change in air temperature

physical activity also increases air movement, so air velocity may be corrected to account for a person's level of physical activity

small air movements in cool or cold environments may be perceived as a draught as people are particularly sensitive to these movements

Humidity

If water is heated and it evaporates to the surrounding environment, the resulting amount of water in the air will provide humidity.

Relative humidity is the ratio between the actual amount of water vapour in the air and the maximum amount of water vapour that the air can hold at that air temperature.

Relative humidity between 40% and 70% does not have a major impact on thermal comfort. In workplaces which are not air conditioned, or where the weather conditions outdoors may influence the indoor thermal environment, relative humidity may be higher than 70%. Humidity in indoor environments can vary greatly, and may be dependent on whether there are drying processes (paper mills, laundry etc) where steam is given off.

High humidity environments have a lot of vapour in the air, which prevents the evaporation of sweat from the skin. In hot environments, humidity is important because less sweat evaporates when humidity is high (80%+). The evaporation of sweat is the main method of heat reduction.

When non-breathable vapour-impermeable personal protective equipment (PPE) is worn, the humidity inside the garment increases as the wearer sweats because the sweat cannot evaporate. If an employee is wearing this type of PPE (eg asbestos or chemical protection suits etc) the humidity within the PPE will be high.

Personal factors

Clothing insulation

Thermal comfort is very much dependent on the insulating effect of clothing on the wearer.

Wearing too much clothing or PPE may be a primary cause of heat stress even if the environment is not considered warm or hot.

If clothing does not provide enough insulation, the wearer may be at risk from cold injuries such as frostbite or hypothermia in cold conditions.

Clothing is both a potential cause of thermal discomfort as well as a control for it as we adapt to the climate in which we work. You may add layers of clothing if you feel cold, or remove layers of clothing if you feel warm. Many companies inhibit this ability for employees to make reasonable adaptations to their clothing as they require them to wear a specific uniform or PPE.

It is important to identify how the clothing contributes to thermal comfort or discomfort. By periodically evaluating the level of protection provided by existing PPE and evaluating newer types of PPE you may be able to improve the level of thermal comfort.

The more physical work we do, the more heat we produce. The more heat we produce, the more heat needs to be lost so we don't overheat. The impact of metabolic rate on thermal comfort is critical.

A person's physical characteristics should always be borne in mind when considering their thermal comfort, as factors such as their size and weight, age, fitness level and sex can all have an impact on how they feel, even if other factors such as air temperature, humidity and air velocity are all constant.

Next:Measuring thermal comfort

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The most commonly used indicator of thermal comfort is air temperature - it is easy to use and most people can relate to it. However, air temperature alone is not a valid or accurate indicator of thermal comfort or thermal stress. It should always be considered in relation to other environmental and personal factors.

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The temperature in the workplace- Thermal comfort. 

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The temperature in the workplace- Thermal comfort. 

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What the law says

Temperatures in the indoor workplace are covered by the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992, which place a legal obligation on employers to provide a 'reasonable' temperature in the workplace.

Minimum workplace temperature

The Approved Code of Practice suggests the minimum temperature in a workplace should normally be at least 16 degrees Celsius. If the work involves rigorous physical effort, the temperature should be at least 13 degrees Celsius.

Higher workplace temperatures

In offices or similar environments, the temperature in workplaces must be reasonable.

There's no law for maximum working temperature or when it's too hot to work.

keeping the temperature at a comfortable level, sometimes known as thermal comfort

Provide clean and fresh air

Risk assessment

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Temperature in the workplace

In offices or similar environments, the temperature in workplaces must be reasonable.

There's no law for maximum working temperature, or when it's too hot to work.

Employers must stick to health and safety at work law, including:

keeping the temperature at a comfortable level, sometimes known as thermal comfort

providing clean and fresh air

There are six basic factors which usually cause discomfort. Employees should talk to their employer if the workplace temperature isn't comfortable.

Read about what you can do to feel more comfortable.

If your job involves extreme temperatures

In some workplaces extreme temperatures are not seasonal but are created by the work, like in some manufacturing processes. These temperatures can lead to serious health effects if not managed effectively.

You should seek specific advice on temperature if you are working in very high or low temperatures, for example on heat stress, dehydration or cold stress.

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In offices or similar environments, the temperature in workplaces must be reasonable. There's no law for maximum working temperature, or when it's too hot to work. Employers must stick to health and safety at work law, including: keeping the temperature at a comfortable level, sometimes known as thermal comfort providing clean and fresh air There are six basic factors which usually cause discomfort.

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How to turn your smart lights on automatically when you get home

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| October 12. 2015. 11:05

In recent years, the UK has added thousands of renewable power schemes to its ageing — and dwindling — fleet of coal, nuclear and gas plants. Yet these older sources still supply most of the UK's electricity.

Carbon Brief has plotted the nation's power stations in an interactive map to show the diversity of the UK's electricity supply.

The maps also show how the UK's hydroelectric generation is limited to Scotland and Wales, where plentiful rainfall, mountains and sparsely populated valleys make it easier to build dams. The largest circles are the UK's pumped storage reservoirs, which act like giant batteries for the grid.

Windfarms are skewed, too, towards the coastlines and higher ground where consistent wind speeds are more reliable. You can also see larger offshore wind installations popping up - for now these are relatively close to the shore, in shallower waters.

The UK's coal, gas and nuclear sites are more evenly distributed, but here, too, the map is revealing. All nuclear sites, for instance, are on the coast, because they need guaranteed access to plentiful supplies of cooling water.

Historic shifts

A closer look at the data behind the map reveals some interesting shifts in the types of infrastructure being built to generate the UK's electricity. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, many large coal plants were built that are still operating today (black bars, below).

Our nuclear sites were built over the course of a quarter century from 1971 (purple bars). From the 1990s, new gas-fired plant was added during the UK's "dash for gas" (blue). And since the turn of the century there has been a massive expansion of renewable capacity (green).

Like the map, this shifting history tells us more than you might expect. For instance, the big gaps between nuclear additions show how long it takes to build atomic plant. You can also see why our current coal fleet has an average age of 44 years with Drax, the newest coal plant in Great Britain, completed in 1986. Yet the UK still has nearly 20 gigawatts (GW) of coal capacity.

However, the UK has no clear to change its still-heavy reliance on coal. Despite a relatively high carbon price and prime minister David Cameron's to phase the fuel out, some 31% of UK electricity last year came from coal (black area, below).

That said, UK coal use fell by a last year, as overall electricity use to mid-1990s levels. Three UK coal plants totalling 5GW have recently announced plans to close in March 2016. These are the 2GW Eggborough , 1GW Ferrybridge C and 2GW plants.

There has been a steady stream of over recent years as old and dirty coal plants have shut down, rather than invest in air pollution controls (shrinking black areas in the chart, below). Coal's days may be numbered if a rumoured phase-out date of 2023 is confirmed.

Renewable capacity

Meanwhile, some 16GW of new renewables have been built over the past five years, accounting for four-fifths of new capacity in that period. Gas made up the remainder, though only renewables have been added since the start of 2013.

De-rated capacity is falling. Combined with the unprofitability of building new gas-fired generation, this is creating a UK " capacity crunch ". In response to this shrinking margin between supply and demand, the UK's capacity market will begin to pay power stations, just for being available - or it will pay large users to reduce their peak demand .

A chorus of concern over capacity from some analysts and sections of the media is consistently rebuffed by National Grid and the government, which insist plans are in place to keep the lights on. Sub-sea electricity interconnectors, shown in our map and with capacity set to more than double over the next five years, will also help to buffer ups and downs in the UK's supply and demand.

Main Map: The UK's electricity generating sites and sub-sea interconnectors. Only currently operating sites of 1 megawatt (MW) capacity or larger are included. The size of the circles is proportional to site capacity but a minimum size applies below a certain threshold. Toggle the buttons to view each fuel type alone. Hover over each site to see further information on its capacity and age. Data comes from the Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) and Carbon Brief research. Credit: Rosamund Pearce, Carbon Brief. You can also visit the full-screen version.

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Mapped: How the UK generates its electricity - Carbon Brief

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October 12. 2015. 11:05 In recent years, the UK has added thousands of renewable power schemes to its ageing - and dwindling - fleet of coal, nuclear and gas plants. Yet these older sources still supply most of the UK's electricity.

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https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/energy-white-paper-powering-our-net-zero-future/energy-white-paper-powering-our-net-zero-future-accessible-html-version

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This was originally posted on Elements. Sign up to the free mailing list to get beautiful visualizations on natural resource megatrends in your email every week.
Many governments are investing in renewable energy sources like solar power, but who controls the manufacturing of solar photovoltaic (PV) panels?

As it turns out, China owns the vast majority of the world's solar panel supply chain, controlling at least 75% of every single key stage of solar photovoltaic panel manufacturing and processing.

This visualization shows the shares held by different countries and regions of the key stages of solar panel manufacturing, using data from the International Energy Agency ( IEA).

Solar Panel Manufacturing, by Country and Stage

From polysilicon production to soldering finished solar cells and modules onto panels, China has the largest share in every stage of solar panel manufacturing.

Even back in 2010, the country made the majority of the world's solar panels, but over the past 12 years, its average share of the solar panel supply chain has gone from 55% to 84%.

China also continues to lead in terms of investment, making up almost two-thirds of global large-scale solar investment. In the first half of 2022, the country invested $41 billion, a 173% increase from the year before.

Country/Region

Solar Panel Demand

Average Share of Solar Panel Manufacturing Capacity

Source: IEA
Note: Percentages may not add up to 100% due to rounding
After China, the next leading nation in solar panel manufacturing is India, which makes up almost 3% of solar module manufacturing and 1% of cell manufacturing. To help meet the country's goal of 280 gigawatts (GW) of installed solar power capacity by 2030 (currently 57.9 GW), in 2022 the Indian government allocated an additional $2.6 billion to its production-linked incentive scheme that supports domestic solar PV panel manufacturing.

Alongside China and India, the Asia-Pacific region also makes up significant amounts of solar panel manufacturing, especially modules and cells at 15.4% and 12.4% respectively.

While Europe and North America make up more than one-third of the global demand for solar panels, both regions make up an average of just under 3% each across all stages of actually manufacturing solar panels.

Too Little Too Late to Diversify?

China's dominance of solar photovoltaic panel manufacturing is not the only stranglehold the country has on renewable energy infrastructure and materials.

When it comes to wind, in 2021 China built more offshore wind turbines than all other countries combined over the past five years, and the country is also the leading producer and processor of the rare earth minerals essential for the magnets that power turbine generators.

In its full report on solar panel manufacturing, the IEA emphasized the importance of distributing global solar panel manufacturing capacity. Recent unexpected manufacturing halts in China have resulted in the price of polysilicon rising to 10-year highs, revealing the world's dependence on China for the supply of key materials.

As the world builds out its solar and wind energy capacity, will it manage to avoid repeating Europe's mistakes of energy import overdependence when it comes to the materials and manufacturing of renewable energy infrastructure?

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China's Dominance in the Solar Panel Supply Chain

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This was originally posted on Elements. Sign up to the free mailing list to get beautiful visualizations on natural resource megatrends in your email every week. Many governments are investing in renewable energy sources like solar power, but who controls the manufacturing of solar photovoltaic (PV) panels?

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What Drives Gasoline Prices?

This was originally posted on Elements. Sign up to the free mailing list to get beautiful visualizations on natural resource megatrends in your email every week.

Across the United States, the cost of gas has been a hot topic of conversation lately, as prices reach record-breaking highs.

The national average now sits at $5.00 per gallon, and by the end of summer, this figure could grow to $6 per gallon, according to estimates by JPMorgan.

But before we can have an understanding of what’s happening at the pump, it’s important to first know what key factors influence gasoline prices.

This graphic, using data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), outlines the main components that influence gasoline prices, providing each factor’s proportional impact on price.

The Four Main Factors

According to the EIA, there are four main factors that influence the price of gas:

Crude oil prices (54%)

Refining costs (14%)

Taxes (16%)

Distribution, and marketing costs (16%)

More than half the cost of filling your tank is influenced by the price of crude oil. Meanwhile, the rest of the price at the pump is split fairly equally between refining costs, marketing and distribution, and taxes.

Let’s look at each factor in more depth.

Crude Oil Prices

The most influential factor is the cost of crude oil, which is largely dictated by international supply and demand.

Despite being the world’s largest oil producer, the U.S. remains a net importer of crude oil, with the majority coming from Canada, Mexico, and Saudi Arabia. Because of America’s reliance on imports, U.S. gas prices are largely influenced by the global crude oil market.

A number of geopolitical factors can influence the crude oil market, but one of the biggest influences is the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), led by Saudi Arabia.

Established in 1960, OPEC was created to combat U.S. dominance of the global oil market. OPEC sets production targets for its 13 member countries, and historically, oil prices have been linked to changes in OPEC production. Today, OPEC countries are responsible for about 60% of internationally traded petroleum.

Refining Costs

Oil needs to be refined into gasoline before it can be used by consumers, which is why refining costs are factored into the price of gas.

The U.S. has hundreds of refineries across the country. The country’s largest refinery, owned by the Saudi Arabian company ​​Saudi Aramco, processes around 607,000 barrels of oil per day.

The exact cost of refining varies, depending on a number of factors such as the type of crude oil used, the processing technology available at the refinery, and the gasoline requirements in specific parts of the country.

In general, refining capacity in the U.S. has not been keeping up with oil demand. Several refineries shut down throughout the pandemic, but even before COVID-19, refining capacity in the U.S. was lagging behind demand. Incredibly, there haven’t been any brand-new refining facilities built in the country since 1977.

Taxes

In the U.S., taxes also play a critical role in determining the price of gas.

Across America, the average gasoline tax is $0.57 per gallon, however, the exact amount fluctuates from state to state. Here’s a look at the top five states with the highest gas taxes:

Rank | State | Gas tax (per gallon)
1 | California | $0.87
2 | Illinois | $0.78
3 | Pennsylvania | $0.77
4 | Hawaii | $0.77
5 | New Jersey | $0.69

*Note: figures include both state and federal tax

States with high gas taxes usually spend the extra money on improvements to their infrastructure or local transportation. For instance, Illinois doubled its gas taxes in 2019 as part of a $45 billion infrastructure plan.

California, the state with the highest tax on gas, is expecting to see a rate increase this July, which will drive gas prices up by around three cents per gallon.

Distribution and Marketing Costs

Lastly, the costs of distribution and marketing have an impact on the price of gas.

Gasoline is typically shipped from refineries to local terminals via pipelines. From there, the gasoline is processed further to ensure it meets market requirements or local government standards.

Gas stations then distribute the final product to the consumer. The cost of running a gas station varies—some gas stations are owned and operated by brand-name refineries like Chevron, while others are smaller-scale operations owned by independent merchants.

The big-name brands run a lot of advertisements. According to Morning Consult, Chevron, BP PLC, Exxon Mobil Corp., and Royal Dutch Shell PLC aired TV advertisements in the U.S. more than 44,495 times between June 1, 2020, and Aug. 31, 2021.

How Does the Russia-Ukraine Conflict Impact U.S. Gas Prices?

If only a fraction of America’s oil comes from Russia, why is the Russia-Ukraine conflict impacting prices in the U.S.?

Because oil is bought and sold on a global commodities market. So, when countries imposed sanctions on Russian oil, that put a squeeze on global supply, which ultimately drove up prices.

This supply shock could keep prices high for a while unless the U.S. falls into a recession, which is a growing possibility based on how recent data is trending.

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What Are the Five Major Types of Renewable Energy?

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Renewable energy is the foundation of the ongoing energy transition. What are the key types of renewable energy, and how do they work?

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What is the Cost of Europe's Energy Crisis?
This was originally posted on Elements. Sign up to the free mailing list to get beautiful visualizations on natural resource megatrends in your email every week.
Europe is scrambling to cut its reliance on Russian fossil fuels.

As European gas prices soar eight times their 10-year average, countries are introducing policies to curb the impact of rising prices on households and businesses. These include everything from the cost of living subsidies to wholesale price regulation. Overall, funding for such initiatives has reached $276 billion as of August.

With the continent thrown into uncertainty, the above chart shows allocated funding by country in response to the energy crisis.

The Energy Crisis, In Numbers

Using data from Bruegel, the below table reflects spending on national policies, regulation, and subsidies in response to the energy crisis for select European countries between September 2021 and July 2022. All figures in U.S. dollars.

Country

Allocated Funding

Percentage of GDP

Household Energy Spending,
Average Percentage

Source: Bruegel, IMF. Euro and pound sterling exchange rates to U.S. dollar as of August 25, 2022.
Germany is spending over $60 billion to combat rising energy prices. Key measures include a $300 one-off energy allowance for workers, in addition to $147 million in funding for low-income families. Still, energy costs are forecasted to increase by an additional $500 this year for households.

In Italy, workers and pensioners will receive a $200 cost of living bonus. Additional measures, such as tax credits for industries with high energy usage were introduced, including a $800 million fund for the automotive sector.

With energy bills predicted to increase three-fold over the winter, households in the U.K. will receive a $477 subsidy in the winter to help cover electricity costs.

Meanwhile, many Eastern European countries-whose households spend a higher percentage of their income on energy costs- are spending more on the energy crisis as a percentage of GDP. Greece is spending the highest, at 3.7% of GDP.

Utility Bailouts

Energy crisis spending is also extending to massive utility bailouts.

Uniper, a German utility firm, received $15 billion in support, with the government acquiring a 30% stake in the company. It is one of the largest bailouts in the country's history. Since the initial bailout, Uniper has requested an additional $4 billion in funding.

Not only that, Wien Energie, Austria's largest energy company, received a €2 billion line of credit as electricity prices have skyrocketed.

Deepening Crisis

Is this the tip of the iceberg? To offset the impact of high gas prices, European ministers are discussing even more tools throughout September in response to a threatening energy crisis.

To reign in the impact of high gas prices on the price of power, European leaders are considering a price ceiling on Russian gas imports and temporary price caps on gas used for generating electricity, among others.

Price caps on renewables and nuclear were also suggested.

Given the depth of the situation, the chief executive of Shell said that the energy crisis in Europe would extend beyond this winter, if not for several years.

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What is the Cost of Europe's Energy Crisis?

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This was originally posted on Elements. Sign up to the free mailing list to get beautiful visualizations on natural resource megatrends in your email every week. Europe is scrambling to cut its reliance on Russian fossil fuels. As European gas prices soar eight times their 10-year average, countries are introducing policies to curb the impact of rising prices on households and businesses.

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Main sources of Energy:

Total installed electricity capacity (2010): 116 MW<br />
Diesel fuel: 72%<br />
Wind: 22%<br />
Solar: 6%<br />
<br />
Total primary energy supply (2008): 121.4 ktoe<br />
Oil and Petroleum Products: 97.3%<br />
Biomass: 2.3%<br />
Wind: 0.4%<br />
<br />
Cape Verde does not have any fossil fuel resources, but consistent (and still mostly unexploited) renewable energy sources. Due to the strategic position of the country&rsquo;s ports and airports, approximately half of the fuel imported to Cape Verde is re-exported. In 2009, electricity generation from diesel sources was 290.4 GWh, with 4.7 GWh generated from wind power.

Potential for Renewable Energy:

<u>Solar energy</u><br />
The potential for solar energy of Cape Verde is very high: 6 kWh/m&sup2;/day. Due to the high potential it was intended that solar energy would cover 2 % of the total energy consumption by 2010, although implementation of this target has been limited. There are several successful PV-based applications for water pumping, lighting and telecommunication systems.<br />
<br />
<u>Wind energy</u><br />
According a study carried out by Helimax, Cape Verde is one of the 15 countries with the best wind resource in Africa. The plentiful wind resource is confirmed by monitoring by the World Bank - an average wind velocity of 7.5 m/s. At the end of 2004, there were 3 wind parks: in S. Vincent with an installed capacity of 900 kWh, in Sal with 600 kWh, and in Santiago with 900 kWh, delivering 2.9% of the electrical energy of the country. Recent developments have been made to the sector through collaboration between the Africa Finance Corporation, the Finnish Fund for Industrial Cooperation and Infraco, a consortium for African infrastructure development, in the Cabe&oacute;lica project, operated by Cabe&oacute;lica S.A. The project consists of a total of 30 turbines, with 11 installed as of November 2011, for a combined final output of 25.5 MW. Cabe&oacute;lica S.A. will sell all power generated to ELECTRA under a PPA.<br />
<br />
The context seems favourable for wind energy to be competitive. There is also an interest in small scale wind projects for small electrical grids in remote locations. Cape Verde is more favourable to small and medium scale projects mainly because of the characteristics of the demand of electricity and the electrical grid. However, the development of wind energy could be hampered because of restrictions on investment, and the need for further capacity building. Wind was also very popular in the past for water pumping purposes.<br />
<br />
<u>Biomass energy</u><br />
Cape Verde has a very low biomass potential. The total production was estimated at 22,264 toe in 2004. This is a problem for households, especially in rural areas, with the urgent need for biomass energy for cooking purposes.<br />
<br />
<u>Geothermal energy</u><br />
Geothermal investigations have concentrated mainly on the island of Fogo. However, no comprehensive study has been conducted as to the power generation potential. Gesto Energia S.A., an Italian geothermal energy company, recently identified a high-temperature reservoir that could allow for the development of 3 MW of geothermal capacity on the island.<br />
<br />
<u>Hydropower</u><br />
There is almost no (economically feasible) potential for hydropower in the islands, predominantly due to the limited water resources in the country. Wave power has been considered for the island nation, with a Gesto study in 2011 indicating a potential of roughly 17 kW/m in some areas, mostly around the islands of Sal and Santo Ant&atilde;o.<br />

Ownership:

<strong>Electricity market</strong><br />
The energy utility Empresa de Electricidad e Agua (ELECTRA, <a href=" http://www.electra.cv">www.electra.cv</a>) was first incorporated in 1998 (law no. 86/98), and, by the end of 1999, the state had sold 51% of its stocks for &euro;45.5 million to a Portuguese consortium under Portuguese government control. The state and municipalities continued to hold 34% and 15%, respectively. The consortium committed to investing &euro;65 million, obtaining a 50-year concession. ELECTRA invested considerably at the beginning of their mandate, but problems began to arise in relation to tariffs. At the end of 2001, the management complained that the tariffs did not cover the rise in fuel costs.<br />
<br />
By September 2005, ELECTRA was unable to provide service reliability, and due to financial losses, it lost its entire initial capital. In 2006 the quality of service further deteriorated, despite a 6.5% tariff increase. Cape Verde re-acquired control of the company and AdP/EdP remained as a technical partner and minority shareholder in a complex operation, involving the recapitalisation of ELECTRA, and cancellation of the 1999 contracts and future obligations. The &euro;71 million debt accumulated by the company was acquired by a local bank (Banco Comercial do Atlantico), controlled by a formerly state-owned Portuguese bank (Caixa General de Depositos). The debt has been transformed into bonds (guaranteed by the Cape Verde government) and subsequently offered to the market. Although these actions stabilised the problems of debt and management, operational difficulties remain. As of 2010, the State currently owns 51% of Electra, with private companies holding 34%, and municipalities in the country 15%. ELECTRA is responsible for the generation, distribution and sale of electricity in the country, and the production and distribution of drinking water in Sao Vicente, Sal, Praia and Santiago Vila Sal Rei on Boavista.<br />
<br />
<strong>Liquid fuels market</strong><br />
In the petroleum sector, the Empresa Nacional de Combust&iacute;veis (ENACOL, <a href=" http://www.enacol.cv">www.enacol.cv</a>) and Shell Cape Verde are responsible for the commercial system of supply. The stated main objectives of ENACOL are the import, processing, distribution, transportation, storage, and re-marketing of hydrocarbons and their derivatives.

Existence of an energy framework and programmes to promote sustainable energy:

The general policy objectives, defined in the National Energy Plan for 2003-2012, and reaffirmed in the Growth and Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper are &ldquo;to guarantee the satisfaction of the energy needs&hellip;and at a cost that contributes to improve the well being and the quality of life of the population, and for the competitiveness of the national economy, without creating macroeconomic or environmental imbalances or else aggravating the dependence on the outside&rdquo;. These principles are translated into more specific policy objectives:<br />
<br />
<strong>1) Consolidation of the Energy Sector on 3 levels</strong>;<br />
i) Structural: enhancing the infrastructure for production, storage, transformation, transport and distribution of energy, to cover a greater area of the national territory;<br />
ii) Access; increasing the population&rsquo;s access to the commercial forms of energy;<br />
iii) Institutional: endowing existing entities with means for policy-making and adaptation of technologies, establishing regulatory entities;<br />
<br />
<strong>2) Guarantee of energy Security </strong>through;<br />
i) Diversification of the energy sources by resorting, above all, to the utilization of indigenous resources<br />
<br />
<strong>3) Guarantee of Competitiveness of the national economy</strong>; through<br />
i) Regulation, prices and tariffs policy;<br />
ii) Incentives for competition, decentralised and self-production,<br />
iii)Incentives to limit waste and losses in the consumption of energy,<br />
iv)Incentives for better efficiency in the energy supply systems;<br />
<br />
<strong>4) Minimise the environmental impact of production, transformation and utilization of energy.</strong><br />
<br />
The GPRSP does not fix any targets for energy access, renewable energy sources, or energy saving, but specific targets were in the National Energy Plan 2003-2012. The GPRSP reaffirms the role of the state in tariff policy, and, the importance of a regulatory body.<br />
<br />
With support from Gesto Energia S.A., the Government developed a Renewable Energy Plan (2010-2020) in 2010, with a target of producing 50% of the country&rsquo;s energy requirements from renewables by 2020. The Government aims to achieve this solely through the promotion of the private sector, without the use of any form of feed-in tariff mechanism, and Law n1/2011 sets out a framework for Independent Power Producers (IPPs) in the country. The Law established a regime for micro-generation, and guaranteed a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) for 15 years, for all IPPs utilising renewable energy, as well as setting out conditions for self-producers, and codifying the tax exemption on the import of RE equipment. Nearly 600 MW of RE projects are seen as having economic potential, and the Government aims to invest over &euro;600,000 in the projects and requisite infrastructure by 2020. As of 2011, &euro;126,000 had been mobilised.<br />

Energy planning procedures:

<strong>Cape Verde Wind Power PPP</strong><br />
Funded by the European Investment Bank and the African Development Bank at a cost of &euro;60 million, the project comprises of the development, construction and operation of four onshore wind farms, including all interconnections from the wind farms to the local 20 kV grid connection points, and associated transmission infrastructure on the islands of Santiago (9.65 MW), Boa Vista (4.25 MW), Sal (7.65 MW) and Sao Vicente (5.95 MW) in Cape Verde. The wind farms will have a total installed capacity of 27.2 MW. Construction initially began in Winter 2011, and construction is hoped to be complete by mid-2012.<br />
<br />
<strong>ADF Electricity Transmission and Distribution Network Development Project</strong><br />
The African Development Fund, in co-operation with the Government of Cape Verde and the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA), aims to upgrade power distribution networks and improve service quality for approximately 94% of the population, by targeting six islands in the group. Funding for the project is primarily from the involved development agencies (98%). The project will extend the existing medium- and low-voltage networks, rehabilitate transmission lines and substations, install the SCADA system of control, defect identification and management equipment for three islands, and replace faulty metering equipment. The practical benefits of these measures will include the harmonisation of the involved islands&rsquo; electricity networks at 20 kV, the reduction of losses (both commercial and technical), and the improvement of electricity access rate and quality.

Energy regulator Date of creation:

<strong>ARE: Agencia de Regulacao Economica</strong>: The ARE (<a href=" http://www.are.cv">www.are.cv</a>) has been created with Decrees no. 26/2003 and 27/2003. It is an independent regulatory agency with the responsibility for regulating energy, water, telecommunications, and urban and maritime transports. The ARE is also responsible for tariff fixation and realignment.<br />

Regulatory roles:

The DGIE is responsible for formation and implementation of energy policy, with the ARE in charge of regulation. Responsibilities of the ARE include:
<ul>
<li>
to ensure regular and reliable access to regulated services,</li>
<li>
protection of the interests of consumers through tariff-setting and service quality, and</li>
<li>
ensuring the objectivity of rules and regulations, and transparency of commercial activities between company and customer.</li>
</ul>

References:

International Renewable Energy Agency. Renewable Energy Country Profile: Cape Verde. Available at: <a href=" http://www.irena.org/REmaps/countryprofiles/africa/CapeVerde.pdf">http:/... [Accessed 20th September 2013]<br />
<br />
Indexmundi. Cape Verde Oil - Imports. Available at: <a href=" http://www.indexmundi.com/cape_verde/oil_imports.html">http://www.indexm... 20th September 2013]<br />
<br />
Brice&ntilde;o-Garmendia, C. and Alberto Benitez, D., AICD. Cape Verde&#39;s Infrastructure: A Continental Perspectiev. August 2010. Available at: <a href=" http://www.infrastructureafrica.org/system/files/Cape%20Verde%20country%... 20th September 2013]<br />
<br />
ADB. Cape Verde Electricity Transmission and Distribution Network Development Project: Project Appraisal Report, 26 July 2011. Available at:&nbsp;<a href=" http://www.afdb.org/fileadmin/uploads/afdb/Documents/Project-and-Operati... [Accessed 20th September 2013]<br />
<br />
Finnfund. Cape Verde Celebrates Milestone in Africa&#39;s Largest Wind Power Project. Available at: <a href=" http://www.finnfund.fi/ajankohtaista/uutiset11/en_GB/cabeolicaopen/">htt... 20th September 2013]<br />
<br />
Ferrenbach, D., IRENA. Case Study - Cape Verde Islands and ECREEE Regional Approach. Presented at the IRENA Workshop on Accelerated Renewable Energy Deployment in Islands with Emphasis on the Pacific Islands, Sydney, Australia, 26 October 2011. Available at: <a href=" http://www.irena.org/DocumentDownloads/events/Workshop_Accelerated_Renew... 20th September 2013]<br />
<br />
U.S. Department of State. U.S. Relations with Cape Verde. Last updated 9 August 2013. Available at: <a href=" http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2835.htm">http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/... 20th September 2013]<br />
<br />
Gesto Energy Consulting. <a href=" http://gestoenergy.com/">http://gestoenergy.com/</a>&nbsp;[Accessed 20th September 2013]<br />
<br />
ELECTRA S.A. Empresa. Available at: <a href=" http://www.electra.cv/index.php/Empresa.html">http://www.electra.cv/inde... 20th September 2013]<br />
<br />
MacauHub. Water and Power Distribution Privatised on Boa Vista island, Cape Verde. Available at:&nbsp;<a href=" http://www.macauhub.com.mo/en/2010/09/07/9747/">http://www.macauhub.com.... 20th September 2013]<br />
<br />
ENACOL S.A.. Historia. Available at: <a href=" http://www.enacol.cv/PresentationLayer/conteudo.aspx?menuid=46&amp;exmen... 20th September 2013]<br />
<br />
MacauHub. ENACOL Consolidates Leadership of Cape Verde Fuels Market in 2009. Available at:&nbsp;<a href=" http://www.macauhub.com.mo/en/2010/02/04/8539/">http://www.macauhub.com.... 20th September 2013]<br />
<br />
NARUC, Rodrigues, A. Promoting Renewable Energy Development: An Introductory Workshop for Energy Regulators. Available at: <a href=" http://www.naruc.org/International/Documents/22%20CAPE%20VERDE-%20RE%20C... 20th September 2013]

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Total installed electricity capacity (2010): 116 MW Diesel fuel: 72% Wind: 22% Solar: 6% Total primary energy supply (2008): 121.4 ktoe Oil and Petroleum Products: 97.3% Biomass: 2.3% Wind: 0.4% Cape Verde does not have any fossil fuel resources, but consistent (and still mostly unexploited) renewable energy sources.

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Cabo Verde will be benefiting from a big push to improve resource efficiency in hotels over the next 12-18 months, with free advice and support from local and international experts thanks to a TUI Care Foundation initiative which is being implemented by the Travel Foundation. The ambitious Greener Hotels project is working towards a significant reduction in waste going to landfill from tourism in Sal and Boa Vista and less water and energy being used by tourism in Sal.
Small islands, big challenges
Cabo Verde's sunshine and beautiful beaches make it a popular tourist destination. But being a collection of small islands with a dry climate and limited infrastructure, makes it particularly sensitive to the pressures of tourism. The islands of Sal and Boa Vista have very little rainfall, a lack of recycling facilities and limited landfill capacity. Our research highlighted that hotels create 42% of the total volume of waste sent to landfill and that strong winds can cause waste to be blown across the island, littering the landscape and ocean. Tourists also use five times more water than locals and all water must be desalinated, which is an energy intensive process.

Greener Hotels Forum kick starts activities

We launched Cabo Verde's first ever Greener Hotels Forum this October to kick start a series of activities to reduce water, energy and waste. The event brought fourteen hotels from Sal and Boa Vista together along with international experts and local stakeholders. They shared a variety of good practice on reducing water, energy and waste and identified sustainable solutions (as well as barriers) that could be implemented in the short and medium-term. The event covered:

The importance of monitoring energy, water and waste in hotel operations.

Solar energy and water heating systems.

Easy, cost-effective methods to reduce waste production.

Using grey water to water fruit and vegetable gardens.

Next steps
Throughout the project we'll be providing training, supporting and providing opportunities for collaboration between all those involved. Our next steps are to help the hotels to find efficiencies across their operations: kitchens, restaurants, gardens, laundry services, guest facilities and bedrooms and we'll be supporting them to regularly monitor their water, energy and waste. We will also help hotels to communicate messages to customers that encourage more environmentally-aware behaviours (such as taking short showers rather than baths, using air conditioning wisely, reusing towels and bedlinen etc). Finally, we'll be looking at the feasibility of creating enterprises that could provide repair, recycling and reuse services in Cape Verde that also support low-income families.

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Tourism's footprint set to shrink as Cabo Verde goes greener - Travel Foundation

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Cabo Verde will be benefiting from a big push to improve resource efficiency in hotels over the next 12-18 months, with free advice and support from local and international experts thanks to a TUI Care Foundation initiative which is being implemented by the Travel Foundation.

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GTI Awards 2020 - Water

General information: Island (Region, Province, Country):
Boa vista, cape verde

Population:
14,451 (2015)

Budget / cost of the project:
Euro 330.000
Project objectives:
The project objective is to allow access to clean and affordable water to farmers and to a rural community in the island of Boa Vista through the desalination of brackish water, using only solar energy. The solution provided and funded by Genius Watter will be a turning point for the Archipelago of Cape Verde as it will create the conditions for the development of sustainable agriculture in the island and will allow the local community to enjoy clean drinking water for the next 30+ years. The system is being installed on the site and will be operational by the 15/12/2020.
Project description of activities and specific interventions:
Source of water: Borehole at 6.000 ppm

Technology: Genius Watter RO, 100% solar powered with 57,40 kWp, without batteries, fully containerized and automatic.

Water output: 58 m3/day clean water for irrigation + 17 m3/day potable water for the community

WATER FOR AGRICULTURE

Current status: the farmers of "Associação Varandinha" have been using about 30 m3/day of brackish water to irrigate approximately 800 square metres of land, with an increasing phenomenon of soil contamination and reduction of the crops' productivity, due to the high water salinity.

Outcome: Genius Watter funded 100% of the project, allowing the farmers community to benefit from clean water supplied at a price as low as 100 ECV/m3 (Eur 0,91/m3), totally affordable for the agriculture of Boavista.

This solution will allow the farmers to cultivate twice as much the land previously used, duplicate the crops production and, consequently, the economical income.

DRINKING WATER

Current status: the nearby community of 251 inhabitants, Povoação Velha, located at 3,5 km from the borehole and 50m higher altitude, is currently purchasing about 30 m3/week of poor quality water being transported by truck at 1.600 ECV/m3 (Eur 14,55/m3), whereas the local municipality subsidizes that water for 600 ECV/m3 (Eur 5,43/m3).

Outcome: the Genius Watter system will supply to the community 17 m3/day of potable water (4 time the current quantity), through a 3,5km pipe, without any investment needed by them, at a price of 450 ECV/m3 (Eur 4,07/m3), resulting in great savings and the availability of abundant and high quality water.

Public outreach, education and awareness efforts and results:
This project will be a great showcase to the Archipelago of Cape Verde and other islands of the world being affected by droughts and water scarcity, demonstrating that it is possible to create the conditions for sustainable and resilient agriculture development and to provide clean drinking water for communities, using brackish groundwater and the power of the sun.

The project is in line with The National Strategic Plan of the Government of Cape Verde, powered by FAO, which aims to provide strategic guidance to ensure to anyone the right to clean water and promote the development of Cape Verde via the integrated improvement of water supply conditions, sanitation and hygiene, safeguarding the sustainable use of natural resources and the environment.
Economic value added and how calculated:
Project implementation: Start 25/11/2020; Expected to be operational at 15/12/2020.

The total value of the project is Eur 330.000 and it is 100% funded by Genius Watter, who will supply 58 m3/day of water at 0,91 €/m3 to the farmers and 17 m3/day at 4,07 €/m3 to the community.

The farmers will be able to considerably increase their income (it will become soon more than double) as they will be able to cultivate twice the land actually used and to increase the crops quality and productivity. The system is also capable to provide fertirrigation, thus reducing the consumption of chemical additives to cultivate.

The community "Povoação Velha" will benefit from the access of clean drinking water (not only potabilized but also re-mineralized) in much greater volume per capita, while saving Eur 1.235.000 in 20 years (Actual price 14,55 €/m3 - Genius Watter price 4,07 €/m3 * quantity of water supplied in 20 years 114.562 m3).
Ecological and social project outcomes:
The system, more than giving assurance on low and stable prices of water for decades, will allow to avoid the emission of 1.523 tons of Co2 in 20 years, if the same amount of water was desalinated with a diesel powered desalination unit (see attached demonstration), without considering the pollution from the trucks to transport water to the community.

The social and economical benefits will be huge, as the implementation of this project will allow the development of the rural economy, increasing labour opportunities, improving quality standards, health and hygiene of the local community.

This solution will also help preventing the diaspora, a phenomenon that is continuously increasing in Cape Verde and many other islands affected by severe droughts.

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Boa vista, cape verde - Greening The Islands

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Boa vista, cape verde GTI Awards 2020 - Water General information: Island (Region, Province, Country): Boa vista, cape verde Population: 14,451 (2015) Budget / cost of the project: Euro 330.000 Project objectives: The project objective is to allow access to clean and affordable water to farmers and to a rural community in the island ...

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Solving Waste and Energy Problems in Cape Verde

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Overview Small island states are projected to suffer the most from the impacts of climate change, and in many cases, those impacts pose a direct existential threat. This is especially true in Cape Verde, an archipelago of 10 volcanic islands off the coast of West Africa.