http://www.gastecuk.com http://www.gastecuk.com/rss.php The latest news from GASTEC at CRE en-gb Copyright: (C) GASTEC at CRE "Import from China - Marketing in Europe" This seminar will focus on gas related products and will be held on Tuesday 22nd April 2008 in Guangzhou, China. This date has been chosen because it falls immediatley after Phase 1 of the famous Canton Fair, the largest import/export trade fair in China, covering a very wide range of industrial and consumer products. The following topics will be in the spotlight:-An explanation of the safety requirements that apply in Europe ; the Gas Appliances Guideline will be explainedThe route to compliance with European safety requirements - the differences between European countries, when it comes to technical aspects in relation to gas, will be discussed in detail;Some pitfalls with regard to doing business in China - particularly in relation to technical gas products;How to increase the safety of gas-related products - the best way for you, in your role as importer, manufacturer and/or retailer to avoid any costly misunderstandings;A review of critical safety requirements, a useful checklist for those without an extensive technical background. During the seminar, you will also be able to attend a "Table-Top Exhibition" - a mini trade fair where you will have the opportunity to become better acquainted with Chinese manufacturers of various gas-related products. We are convinced that this seminar will contribute greatly to your ability to do business with China even more efficiently and smoothly as well as to the safety and quality level of your products and, therefore, also of your organization. You can find further details and a booking form by clicking here. http://www.gastecuk.com/news.php?id33 April 2008 http://www.gastecuk.com/news.php?id33 Our latest graduate recruit joined us 29th October 2007.Nikhil Hardy originally graduated from Bristol University in 1998 with a BSc in Mathematics and Physics before completing his MSc in Renewable Energy and the Environment at the University of Reading. He then worked for British Gas in the gas transportation and trading department, before transferring to the City of London, where he worked as a consultant for an energy trading and financial risk management IT vendor.Nikhil said "I am very excited to be working in an area of great interest to me, and I am looking forward to applying my consultancy experience, IT proficiency and knowledge of energy and environmental matters to this role at GaC". http://www.gastecuk.com/news.php?id32 November 2007 http://www.gastecuk.com/news.php?id32 The European Commission launched infringement procedures against Belgium, Estonia, France, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Luxembourg, Malta, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia and Sweden for failure to notify their national Energy Efficiency Action Plan by 30 June 2007, as required by the 2006 Energy End-Use Efficiency and Energy Services Directive.The Action Plans should present national strategies on how to achieve a 9% energy savings target by the end of 2016 as well as how Member States comply with a number of other provisions of the Directive."National Energy Efficiency Action Plans show the commitment of Member States to the cleanest, cheapest and most secure of energies - the energy that we do not use. I am very disappointed to see that 12 Member States have yet to notify their plan", said Commissioner Piebalgs.The purpose of the Directive is to make cost-effective improvements to energy end-use efficiency in Member States. Proper implementation of the Directive should create the necessary conditions for the development and promotion of a market for energy services and for the delivery of other energy efficiency measures to final consumers. It will also make important contributions to security of energy supply, competitiveness and sustainable development.Although the Commission has indications that several Member States are well advanced in the drafting of their National Energy Efficiency Action Plan, their failure to meet the 30 June deadline obliges the Commission to seek legal action.The European Union is facing unprecedented energy challenges resulting from climate change, increased import dependency and concerns over global fossil fuels supplies. Estimates show that the Union's energy consumption is approximately 20% higher than can be justified on economic grounds. In March 2007 European Heads of State stressed the importance of the objective of saving 20% energy by 2020 in line with the Commissions Energy Efficiency Action Plan.Source: European Commission http://www.gastecuk.com/news.php?id31 October 2007 http://www.gastecuk.com/news.php?id31 Commission takes legal action against Member States for failing to submit their Energy Efficiency Action PlanThe European Commission sent a Reasoned Opinion - the last step before referral to the Court of Justice - to France and Latvia for failure to notify whether they implemented the measures required by the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive. The measures in question should have been transposed by 4 January 2006. The aim of the Directive is to significantly reduce energy consumption in buildings, one of the cornerstones in mitigating climate change.France and Latvia were issued letters of Formal Notice, urging them to notify the appropriate legislative measures to implement the Directive in 2006. To date the Commission has not received all the necessary evidence to conclude that the two countries have implemented the required measures. The Directive requires Member States to establish minimum energy performance standards and energy performance certification schemes for buildings, as well as to ensure that heating and air conditioning installations are regularly inspected to enable performance improvements.The building sector is responsible for 40% of Europes total energy consumption. If implemented in full and on time, the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive could contribute significantly to reducing energy consumption. The buildings sector has an energy saving potential of almost 30%. In March 2007 European Heads of State agreed on an energy package stressing the need to increase energy efficiency in the EU to save 20 % of the EUs energy consumption by 2020, as proposed in the Commissions Energy Efficiency Action Plan of 2006. Full implementation of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive is undoubtedly one of the most cost-effective means to achieve this goal. Source: European Commission http://www.gastecuk.com/news.php?id30 October 2007 http://www.gastecuk.com/news.php?id30 Carbon Trust - Biomass Site Monitoring ProgrammeAs part of the Carbon Trust's "Biomass Heat Accelerator" [BHA] Programme, GaC has been contracted to install monitoring equipment at a number of sites, and to assess plant performance over the course of a year.The broad aim of this BHA Project is to help make the UK biomass heat market self-sustaining by reducing costs and addressing supply chain risks. The project aims to work with existing and new sites to (a) develop benchmarks from robust case studies, (b) identify and demonstrate cost reductions, and (c) raise awareness amongst end users and other stakeholders.The specific objectives of the Biomass Site Monitoring Programme are:-Measure the performance of a range of existing biomass combustion installationsUnderstand any issues which may be associated with plant useRecommend methods of encouraging optimum performance of biomass plantThe boilers are spread across the UK and are all operating on wood (either wood pellets or wood chips). They range in size from 100kW (at a small hotel) to 3MW (at a plant nursery).The Carbon Trust has split the work into 2 streams:-Site MonitoringThe Carbon Trust wishes to monitor a number of biomass boiler installations at sites across the UK. Specifically the project wishes to capture key insights relating to:-Total system efficiencies (biomass boiler and integration within a heating system including accumulator, and back-up fossil fuel boiler) and the actual biomass boiler efficiency.Fuel quality and useAttendance issuesThe site monitoring will continue through the course of one year.Heat Meter InstallationIn parallel, the Carbon Trust wishes to install heat meters at a number of sites using biomass boilers.The Carbon Trust chose to use GaC to carry out this work because of our track record of producing validated data from field trials, and our unrivalled experience of biomass boilers. http://www.gastecuk.com/news.php?id29 September 2007 http://www.gastecuk.com/news.php?id29 Helen Clemo joins us as a trainee energy consultant after graduating from Birmingham with 1st class honours degree in Chemical Engineering.Helen, who hails from Essex, spent most of her post-graduation summer as part of the build team at the Centenary World Scout Jamboree, on the Isle of Wight. She put up numerous fiesta (fiasco) tents, peeled carrots for 500 people and made lots of new friends from different countries.Helen says "I am looking forward to applying my skills to practical problems and want to use both my chemical engineering and IT skills within the business. I am also delighted with the rural location of the site and already find that the atmosphere and environment at GaC really suit me - I am sure that I will fit in easily."Consulting business area manager, Iain Summerfield, said "we rely on the influx of exceptional young people to help drive our energy and environmental business forward. In Helen we have found enthusiasm and willingness to learn coupled with intellect, application and drive. The classic mix of youth and enthusiasm with our more experienced consultants in the team is a real winning combination." http://www.gastecuk.com/news.php?id28 September 2007 http://www.gastecuk.com/news.php?id28 GaC in conjunction with RoSPA and CORGI have joined forces with a Primary school to stimulate interest in the important subject of carbon monoxide poisoning.Paxcroft Primary School in Trowbridge, Wiltshire set their year 6 pupils the task of looking at the issue of gas safety under the "Every Child Matters" initiative.A group of pupils attended the CORGI AGM at "Installer Live" last year and took the room by storm. RoSPA expressed an interest as part of their strategy to improve safety in the home for all children.Liz Bannister, Headteacher at Paxcroft said "Every Child Matters is an important initiative. It teaches children to be aware of their surroundings and the potential for risk. We feel that gas safety is an important issue and that "pupil pester power" is a powerful tool in getting the message about carbon monoxide risk across. We are always mindful that carbon monoxide kills indiscriminately, and that children can be particularly vulnerable."The Paxcroft pupils have launched their own web-page and a competition to encourage future pupils to take part in this exciting development.Longer term, GaC are hopeful that, in conjunction with other industry initiatives, gas safety will form part of the national curriculum.Check out the Paxcroft pupils' efforts here. http://www.gastecuk.com/news.php?id26 August 2007 http://www.gastecuk.com/news.php?id26 The recent flooding affected us here at Stoke Orchard and we lost a week's production after we had our water supply cut off. Pretty ironic considering that we had about eighteen inches of the stuff sloshing around our site and outbuildings at the peak of the flood.Our web-designers, who are located at a beautiful riverside property in Tewkesbury [well when we say "riverside" we should perhaps correct that to "river-centre" as they were flooded to about one metre!] also suffered setting us back a few days. However,we have all pulled together to go live as planned - just bear with us whilst we get the site as complete as we want it. We'd love to hear your views, so please take a minute to criticise or compliment. http://www.gastecuk.com/news.php?id27 August 2007 http://www.gastecuk.com/news.php?id27