In the future most households in the UK can expect to be offered a new option for managing their energy usage in the home. The Smart Meter system (seen in the picture below) is set to be a new trend in utility supply with the UK Government recently advocating their target for every household to have one installed by 2020 [1]. For customers who are sick of estimated bills inspired by vague meter readings once a year, this should come as good news. Finally it would appear that we are embarking upon a new era of energy supply, one in which consumers may really take control of how they run their energy intensive dwellings.

A few days ago a ring at the door presenting me with a parcel, meticulously wrapped and branded in garish red I was told I had received my free home energy monitor from my utilities supplier Npower. The principle is simple, attach a sensor to the cable exiting your electricity meter and a remote monitor tells you how much electricity you are using. As I turn to the screen at a push of a button I can see how much I am consuming (both in cost and Kilowatts) and how that translates into KG of Carbon an hour. This is only a monitor and communication is not two way as with fully installed Smart Meters. With Smart technology the provider takes readings a few times a day from your monitor and charges in accordance with actual usage of energy. Looking at the monitors screen in my badly insulated and hugely inefficient student home I am shocked as my history tells me I have already used £1.18 and emitted 5.29kg CO₂ worth of electricity today (the time is only 12.20pm). Of course here the Smart Meter has done its job, as we speak I am already looking around the room to see what appliances and lights I can switch off, reducing the gage on the monitor that looks similar to your average car speedo.

According to an interview with The Guardian, First:Utility (the first company to offer a full smart meter energy plan in the UK) ‘bill shock’ is the first reaction of customers. As individuals see just how much energy they are using on a chilly winters day, they may realise that their estimated billing was actually costing less than actual usage [3]. Smart Meters look set to benefit consumers who readily use the information provided, directly being able to see how much turning an appliance off will save you in real time should mean a more efficient household? Indeed Smart Meters could define a trend of more responsible energy consumers, ones that are priced for the environmental externalities of over consumption.

On closer inspection however it would appear that the Smart Meter system is far from meeting its 2020 distribution target. A quick look at the reviews section of moneysupermarket.com shows a bleak picture for First:Utility, initial and only supplier of Smart Energy tariffs in the UK. With an average customer review of just 4/10 complaints include difficulties with processing smart readings and poor customer service [4]. Indeed in theory the Smart Meter system is brilliant however may not hold up in practice, at least not yet. If you have not recieved a smart meter through your energy company then why not consider biting the bullet and purchasing one yourself, we have a great range here at ESW. The initial cost will no doubt be covered by savings in your energy bills once you have a greater understanding of how much energy you are consuming.

The Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) state that the distribution of Smart Meters will entail a replacement of some 50 million redundant meters requiring visits to over 25 million UK homes [5]. In this light it must be questioned just how viable a complete overhaul of our current utility provision is by 2020. Despite this it is argued by the DECC that transitions to a low carbon economy will require major changes to the way we supply and use energy. Furthermore it is proposed that a ‘Smart Energy System’ will smooth demand, making the energy system more efficient and ready to take on sustainable technologies such as renewables [1]. Eventually it is proposed that energy companies will be able to switch off consumers appliances remotely, thereby reducing the burden on an electricity system in demand [6]. With energy sources such as wind and solar that produce energy in uneven bursts throughout the day depending on weather conditions, this technology is seen as paramount. A smart electricity grid will also allow for producers of their own energy (such as wind and solar power) to sell any surplus back to the grid rewarding their good environmental behaviour. In this light it would appear that a smart electricity grid really will reward good environmental citizens whilst placing restrictions on the biggest polluters.

Overall it would appear that a revamped energy system, one in which provision and demand are managed more effectively will be paramount to achieving a sustainable energy future. Indeed Smart Meters do provide a brilliant opportunity, presenting real time information on energy used and where savings can be made. For example businesses with multiple locations may use the Smart Meter system to accurately monitor energy usage and costs in a reliable way. Whilst the Smart Meter system may not be quite ready to roll out in the UK yet, with the only supplier gaining much bad press it would appear that the paths are defined. In the near future consumers can expect to be presented with new flexible energy tariffs that use Smart Meters for implementation. Indeed the path to a decentralised energy system in which the consumer may really define and take control of home energy usage may be nearer than you think.

[1] DECC (2009a) Smarter Grids: The Opportunity. December 2009. Available From: http://www.decc.gov.uk

[2] http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=virginia-smart-meters-power-grid

[3] Bachelor, L. (2010) Will Smart Meters Help Reduce Energy Bills? The Guardian. March 8th, 2010

[4] moneysupermarket.com (2010) First:Utility Customer Reviews. [Accessed: 24/5/2010].

[5] DECC (2009b) Energy Metering: A Consultation on Smart Metering for Energy and Gas. May 2009. Available From: http://www.decc.gov.uk

[6] Jameson, A. (2010) British Gas Jumps the Gun With Smart Meters for a Million Families. The Times. March 29th, 2010.

From a distance you might be forgiven for mistaking the true purpose of the depicted items, strapped onto a lone backpack reflecting the sunlight for no real purpose? However Solar Chargers could be set to be the next ‘must have’ item for those who just can’t be separated from their portable Ipods, mobiles and even computers. Best of all you can be comforted in the safe knowledge that these electrical products are all being powered in an environmentally friendly manner through the power our very own sun.

1. 1. Freeloader Solar Charger
2. 2. Freeloader Globetrotter (includes standard Freeloader as well as the supercharger)
3. 3. Solio Solar Charger
4. 4. Solar Gorilla (capable of charging laptop computers),
5. 5. Powermonkey eXplorer

Possibly the most popular charger on the market comes Freeloaders portable charging system, hailed to be compatible with most portable devices. The product can be charged from a computer via a USB cable and in this light can be seen as a portable battery, supplying power when you most need it. At a whopping £139.99 the ‘Gorilla’ by Powermonkey is by far the most expensive charger however it must be questioned how far its performance outstrips cheaper models. The manufacturers hail that the device will warrant a laptop 2-5 hours of power with other devices receiving up to 20 hours [1]. Indeed it would appear that this is the only charger on the market able to power an energy intensive computer, something that may be invaluable to the everyday commuter or seasoned traveller. The Gorilla also boats a fully fledged LCD screen indicating settings chosen and voltage required as well as the ability to hook the device up to a mains socket (powertraveller.com). The company producing both the SolarGorrilla and Powermonkey (Power traveller) based in Hampshire is noted to be a provider of solar chargers to international aid and military agencies [2]. Indeed Powermonkey and Gorilla both get shining customer reviews from Amazon.co.uk with four and five starring reviews respectively.

It would appear that the time old saying of ‘you get what you pay for’ holds up with solar chargers, unfortunately the cheap ones just can’t cut it!

By way of example last year climbing Mt Kilimanjaro in Tanzania I invested in a Freeloader solar charger with the view that listening to an Ipod frequently would motivate me to succeed. After five hours of the device strapped to my backpack, constantly subjected to a cloudless sky and all the intense African solar power of the mountain my Ipod still gained no extra battery life. If this was the case there (in what can only be regarded as perfect conditions) what chance does it have in the changing weather of the UK? Indeed almost half the reviews of the Freeloader on Amazon give a mere one star to the charger with customers suggesting the same problems experienced by myself. A relatively dark horse upon the market comes the Solio classic solar charger, the product hailed to ‘start the movement’. Features include its eye catching fan like design as well as the ability to work with over 3,200 devices and the ability to hold its charge for up to a year [3]. The product is reputed to power an everyday mobile phone as effectively as a standard mains charger however to build up power to do this will require exposure to 8-10 hours of sunlight [4].

Overall solar chargers do solve an everyday consumer need in an environmentally friendly manner. Not only is it practical and convenient to be ‘green’ with a solar charger but actually the idea is one that solves a commonplace problem, how to power the devices we have become to depend on without access to a mains socket. What must be cautioned is being tempted to go for the cheapest model, being that they do not always tend to work as they should. In the less than ‘sunny’ weather the UK experiences frequently a dependable device will be a must. Solar chargers really are a brilliant idea, if the technology and indeed popularity of these devices are improved we could well see a more affordable range of good quality solar chargers on the market in the near future.

View our entire range of solar powered chargers in our store.

[1] PowerGorrilla (2010), www.powertraveller.com

[2] Bridge, S (2008) Room to Grow if your Green. The Times, 07/10/2008

[3] Solio Classic (2010), www.solio.com

[4] Taylor, R. (2006) Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me The Guardian

As I walk briskly down the shelves of my local supermarket on the standard weekly shop a number of choices present themselves to me as the everyday consumer. However these choices are not exactly what you may expect such as which brand name of orange juice or washing detergent to buy, moreover a rather unexpected aspect of the product itself. Carbon Labelling as it’s commonly  known has become a veritable fashion icon for many mass produced retail products, combining competitive advantage with less environmental impact. The principle is simple; stick a large attractive sticker on your product which states only too boldly that ‘this is a product you can trust’, a product which not only performs for the consumer but is also environmentally friendly in its production. Indeed the mainstream supermarket, Tesco’s boast carbon labels on no less than 114 of its products including potatoes, milk, orange juice and light bulbs [1]. Similarly huge multinationals such as Walkers Crisps, Cadbury-Schweppes and even Coca Cola have committed to carbon labels on a variety of their products. Most official carbon food labels are calculated by the Carbon Trust, an independent government QUANGO specialising in environmental resource management. Essentially the label provides a figure denoting the volume of carbon emissions generated during the products lifecycle in metric grammes, kilos or tonnes [2].

Overall so far so good right? The carbon label provides an accountable way for companies to demonstrate their environmental credentials whilst giving the consumer the power to choose the best performing products for their fridge. As I look at my standard bag of Walkers Cheese and Onion flavour crisps I see bold writing stating that this bag generated 80g CO₂ during its production cycle. However despite the fact that I have just graduated with a honours degree in Environmental Management I am having trouble really putting this information into practice. Indeed what does 80g mean in real terms? I have nothing to compare it to, nothing to tell me whether this reading is even good or bad? I then resort to telling myself that this shouldn’t matter it is merely a measure the company can use to reduce its emissions across the items production cycle. However is this the only point of a carbon label, surely as everyday consumers we should be able to use the figure to make reasonably informed choices about the way we shop. More worryingly it seems the plot thickens as carbon labels are even accused of being too simplistic, indeed it becomes apparent that balancing the food we love to eat with its carbon cost is a devilishly tricky business. For example an article appearing in the Observer newspaper quoted Gareth Thomas, the previous governments minister for Trade and Development. He admitted at an air freight seminar that ‘driving 5.6 miles to buy your shopping emits more carbon than flying a pack of Kenyan green beans to the UK’. Similarly the article suggests that growing British lettuces in heated greenhouses in the winter is more environmentally damaging than buying field grown lettuce from Spain [3].

Surely then this information leads the everyday ethical consumer into a whole new world of dilemmas when it comes to buying foods. At the present time the most environmentally friendly option still has to be buying locally, for its accountability and benefits to the local economy, as well as sustainably. However as is the nature of our ever growing society supermarkets and big brands are set to stay as the dominant method of buying food. Do you trust the companies that place carbon labels on their products or just pass it off as yet another green washing publicity stunt? Clearly the future for eco labels is murky and it will take far more labelled products to really get an idea of which foods perform environmentally well and which don’t. Maybe a rethink is required, a more standardised approach that strikes common ground between all products, giving the consumer real power in product decision making. It is highly likely that carbon labelling will stay with us for the foreseeable future, surely reforms to the method will be required for robust environmental purchasing to ensue.

[1] Tesco (2010) Carbon Footprints and Labelling, Tesco Greener Living. Available From: http://www.tesco.com/greenerliving/greener_tesco/faqs/qa_carbon_footprint_and_labelling.page [Accessed 17/7/2010].

[2] The Carbon Trust (2010) Carbon Reduction Labels. Available From: http://www.carbon-label.com/individuals/label.html [Accessed 17/7/2010].

[3] McKee, R. (2008) How the Myth of Food Miles Hurts the Planet. The Observer, 23/03/2008. Available From: http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/mar/23/food.ethicalliving [Accessed 17/7/2010].

]]> http://www.energysavingwarehouse.co.uk/learning-portal/navigating-the-shelves-the-big-carbon-diet/feed/ 0 http://www.energysavingwarehouse.co.uk/learning-portal/disposal-of-confidential-shredded-paper-waste/ http://www.energysavingwarehouse.co.uk/learning-portal/disposal-of-confidential-shredded-paper-waste/#comments Wed, 21 Jul 2010 09:51:24 +0000 http://www.energysavingwarehouse.co.uk/learning-portal/?p=112 Continue reading →]]> Shredding confidential documents has become more prominent both in the office and at home, but what is the best environmental way to deal with this waste stream?

With the rise in fraudulent crime such as identity theft it has never been more important to destroy documents containing personal details and confidential information, both in the office and at home. The rise of the domestic paper shredder has catered for this need in recent years, combining ease of use with effective results. The main problem remains what to do with all this waste afterwards? Reuse is by far the most environmentally friendly option, using shredded paper as bedding for small animals or even used in a ‘log press’ to make briquettes for burning. However for those who don’t exactly live the ‘simple life’, and even some that do reuse is not always practical (especially if you don’t happen to own a small animal or traditional fireplace)!  Clearly the next best environmental option has to be recycling the shredded remains of your beloved invoices and pristine letter headed bills, but why all the fuss and why not just get rid of shredded waste in the usual black dustbin?

The fact still remains that the UK sends far too much of its waste to landfill sites, sites that are in high demand and are running out of space at alarming rates. In 2003/04 UK households were reported to produce approximately 30.5 million tonnes of waste, of which 17% was collected for recycling. Whilst this figure has been improved since,  the UK still remains behind many of its neighbouring EU countries, some of which recycle over 50% of their domestic waste [1]. Paper represents one of the best materials for recycling and can be comparably easy to remanufacture back into future products. It is estimated that for every tonne of paper recycled the savings amount to; at least 3000 litres of water and enough energy to power an average 3 bedroom house for a year. As a biodegradable material when disposed of in conventional landfill paper produces methane as it rots, a greenhouse gas 20 times more powerful than regular carbon dioxide [2].

However despite the huge benefits of paper recycling it would appear that shredded confidential waste still represents a huge problem with disposal. Many local authorities across the UK still refuse to accept shredded paper in kerbside collections alongside regular paper items for recycling. The problem centres around the alleged ‘value’ of paper once shredded. Indeed paper cannot be recycled indefinitely, the fibres grow weak and shorter each time resulting in the process being limited to that of about 4-6 times. Once paper has been shredded into smaller lengths its fibres have already been shortened and weakened, resulting in some paper mills having difficulty handling the waste [3]. At this point it many may give up, after all if your local authority is not bothered about recycling shredded paper why should you? Unfortunately the difficulty with recycling shredded waste will not stop the need to practice it. At the rate Landfill Tax is rising prices are predicted to be over £72.00 per tonne by 2013, a tax that will translate to the everyday consumer (especially businesses) [4]. Quite simply it is neither economically or environmentally beneficial to keep sending biodegradable waste to landfill, indeed there has never been a better time to broaden our recycling horizons and include our confidential waste.

Whilst your local council may refuse to take away shredded paper on kerbside there are plenty more options to choose from. For commercial customers generating large amounts of shredded paper there exists plenty of private contractors providing this exact disposal service. On the face of it this may seem a costly and wholly ‘over the top’ measure however with future rising costs of landfill the feasibility of private disposal may come to prove its worth. As a homeowner producing smaller amounts of shredded paper waste a trip to your local materials sorting facility may provide the best option. Be sure to check with your local authority beforehand but it is more likely they will accept this waste stream at centres such as these, even if it is prohibited in normal kerbside collections.

It cannot be said that shredded waste is the easiest material to recycle; indeed it may be that more effort is involved. It may be that policy takes account of this, providing a more comprehensive waste management approach for these difficult streams. In the meantime however it certainly is worth the extra exertion, recycling shredded paper waste alongside other environmentally problematic materials will certainly pay dividends in the future whether you own a small businesses or everyday two bedroom flat!

Finally, make sure the paper you are using before you shred it is recycled!

References

[1] Recycling Guide (2003) Why Recycle? [Accessed, 29/06/2010]

[2] Waste Online (2006) Paper Recycling Information Sheet. [Accessed, 29/06/2010].

[3] Recycle Now (2010) Shredded Paper. [Accessed, 07/07/2010].

[4] The Guardian (2010) Caroline Spellman Calls for ‘Zero Waste’ Society to end Landfill. [Accessed 07/07/2010].

It is clear that pressing environmental issues face the new coalition government, issues that cannot afford to be brushed aside for another term of office. The recent BP oil disaster in the Gulf of Mexico cements the feeling that we simply cannot rely upon fossil fuels for our energy needs for much longer. But looking beyond the politics, who is the new secretary of state for energy and climate change; Chris Huhne, what are his motivations and more importantly what may it mean for long term environmental policy in Britain?

Despite his current post, the 55 year old married MP has neither a strong political or even environmental background. Graduating from Magdalen College, Oxford in PPE (Philosophy, Politics and English), Huhne spent most of his early career as a city economist and journalist writing for The Guardian and Independent [1]. The minister has been a Liberal Democrat MP since 2005 in his home constituency of Eastleigh, previously acting as MEP for South East England. What may be confusing some however is Huhne’s sudden jump, from the world of finance and economics to that of environment and energy.

On his own website Mr Huhne claims that through his 1990 book ‘Real World Economics‘ he was an early advocate of tackling global warming [2]. What strikes as key from the appointment of Huhne is the coalition government’s possible view of a low carbon energy expansion. Clearly with his background Huhne could be seen as a ‘practical’ choice, given the huge financial ramifications a programme such as this will entail. This financial emphasis certainly comes as no surprise given expensive planned projects, such as the roll out of Smart Meters and new building regulations akin to the Code for Sustainable Homes.

What is perhaps key for the new Lib-Con government is the relative conflict over environmental policy. In particular the argument over nuclear power looks set to disjoint the two parties with Huhne and the Lib Dems arguing ferociously for renewables, particularly wind power. Indeed a quick search through newspapers, such as The Guardian and The Independent, reveals a whole raft of articles pertaining to Chris Huhne and his sceptical views surrounding the Conservatives’ support for nuclear power. In the main, Huhne’s arguments relate to the supposed £4bn ‘black hole’ in the nuclear power budget due to expenditure and decommissioning costs [3]. An article featured in The Guardian last month contained a statement by the new coalition suggesting that the government would be able to bring forward plans for new nuclear construction whilst allowing the Lib Dems to maintain their opposition [4]. In real terms this seems to be an odd arrangement whereby Lib Dem members of the government (Huhne in particular) will freely speak for or against their own policies. This may come as worrying news for a low carbon future, especially considering that the decisions made in this term of government will have ramifications well into the future. If usual conflict between the government and its opposition isn’t bad enough for delaying decisions imagine the potential of conflict between the coalition themselves.

The Climate Change Act of 2008 advocated a 34% cut in greenhouse gas emissions, a cut that was trumped by the Lib Dems in their push for a 40% reduction. Whilst the Conservatives are known to support the original 34% figure they have since gone considerably quiet on the issue, not mentioning it in their manifesto [4]. Therefore unsurprisingly no unanimous figure is supported by the coalition, a factor that strikes even more uncertainty into future environmental policy.

In answering my original question it would appear that no one has the answers, let alone predict what the coalition’s plans for a low carbon future will look like. Huhne appears to be an aspiring figure with definite sways to renewables and a strong interest in climate change. It is definitely not too hard to predict future clashes between the new coalition, clashes that will ultimately have huge ramifications. How fruitful environmental politics will become under the new government is definitely unclear and many questions still need answering. Whether the 55 year old economist will perform as energy and climate change minister, sticking to his policies against nuclear power and ensuring a greater future for renewables remains to be seen. A difficult task faces the coalition and ultimately resolving their differences may be the difference between success and failure.

To find out more about environmental issues then visit our learning portal.

Reference List

[1] BBC (2006) Profile: Chris Huhne. 02/03/2006. Available From: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/4603240.stm [Accessed, 17/06/2010]

[2]Huhne, C. (2010) Outside Politics. Available From: http://www.chrishuhne.org.uk [Accessed, 17/06/2010].

[3] Wintour, P. (2010) Chris Huhne Warns of £4bn Black Hole in Nuclear Power Budget. The Guardian, 01/06/2010. Available From: http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2010/jun/01/chris-huhne-black-hole-nuclear-power-budget [Accessed, 17/06/2010].

[4] Vaughan, A. (2010) What the Coalition Means for Environmental Policies. The Guardian, 12/05/2010. Available From: http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2010/may/12/coalition-environment-policy [Accessed, 17/06/2010].

Picture – http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/about/chris_huhne/chris_huhne.aspx