A limited number of places are available on ecoSMARTER, a new  environmental programme that is free for small businesses.

It will help you:

• Save money on your energy bills – businesses will have a free energy monitor installed on site and will receive environmental support from an expert to reduce their energy consumption. Energy bills have been cut by 16% on average following support from ecoSMARTER.
• Gain an environmental certification – businesses completing the programme will receive the Carbon Smart Blue Certification, a nationally  recognised certification that promotes your environmental achievements and is recognised by central and local government in their procurement processes.
• Network with like-minded local business – hundreds of businesses across the North West are taking part in this project; ecoSMARTER will put you in touch with these potential customers and suppliers, face-to-face and online, making the connections that matter to you.
• The blue certification process includes a site survey, an ecoSMARTER monitor, carbon footprint calculation, half-day workshop and support to help you write your action plan and environmental policy.

As this project is supported by the European Regional Development Fund the certification is completely free for participating businesses.

The ecoSMARTER team are looking for Liverpool based businesses who have less that 10 employees who would like to take part – numbers are very limited.

For more information call Nick on 0161 237 4630 or e-mail ecosmarter@carbonsmart.co.uk

A fast growing renewable energy company has moved to a new head office – seven times bigger than the one it has vacated – as it bids to keep pace with its rapid growth.

Liverpool Chamber member Eco Environments has signed a five-year lease on 9,000sq ft of office and warehouse space on Wellington Industrial Park South in Dunes Way, Liverpool.

The move to bigger premises coincides with a period of remarkable growth for the four-year-old company. The firm now employs 38 people compared to 11 at the same time last year and it is on course to increase turnover from £1.4million to £5million during the current financial year.

Eco Environments designs, installs and commissions renewable energy solutions for the domestic, commercial and construction sectors. It offers a comprehensive range of technologies including Solar Photovoltaic (PV), wind turbines, solar thermal and air source heat pumps. It is one of only a small number of companies to have successfully secured Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) accreditations for all four of its specialist areas.
The company enjoys strong relationships with some of the world’s leading renewable energy manufacturers including Hyundai, Proven Energy, Sanyo and Sharp.

Mike Clarke, Eco Environments’ Managing Director, said: “We had been planning to move to bigger premises during 2012, but the company is growing so quickly we had to bring the date forward.

“The new offices and warehouse give us the space we need to move forward confidently with the next phase of our business growth.

“Wellington Industrial Park South provides modern facilities close to the city centre and has been built to extremely high standards which will help reduce our own energy bills and carbon footprint. We will even be installing a small ground mounted solar PV system.

“Our landlord Langtree has been superb, pulling out all the stops to help us move in quickly.”

Apart from its new head office in Liverpool, Eco Environments has regional offices in Carlisle, Newcastle, Manchester, Birmingham and St Asaph. During the next few months, further offices will open in the south of England. Staff numbers will also rise to approximately 60 during the current financial year.

Mike Clarke added: “We have laid strong foundations during the past four years and now have the right team, infrastructure and partnerships with some of the world’s leading manufacturers to achieve our objective of becoming the UK’s leading provider of renewable energy solutions.”

Apart from Mike, the senior management team at Eco Environments is made up of fellow directors David Hunt and Mark Buchanan and non-executive director and successful entrepreneur Steve Bramwell.

Wellington Industrial Park South is the first comprehensive industrial development in the North Liverpool Docks area for over ten years. Comprising a total of 103,000sq ft, it has been developed by Langtree.

The Green Power Forum, the major green energy conference offering advice on the latest renewable technology is to be hosted at the University of Salford’s Energy Hub in January 2012.

The Merseyside headquartered Green Power Forum (GPF) the UK wide green energy training and networking forum, will be hosting its third North West conference on the 26th January 2012.

Green Power Forum Salford is a joint initiative between GPF, Bromborough based heat pump manufacturer Stiebel Eltron UK and the University of Salford.

The University of Salford’s Eco Energy Hub is home to Europe’s first fully sized and functioning test house built inside an environmentally controlled test chamber. The two up, two down terrace house represents 21 per cent of the UK’s housing stock. The Energy House provides a unique testing and development facility in which leading researchers can work collaboratively with industry to develop and test new technology.

Research is currently being undertaken on a range of energy saving technologies designed to be used in a retrofit marketplace. This includes innovative forms of underfloor heating, new forms of insulation and different forms of building control systems with a view to reducing carbon emissions.

The Eco Energy Hub is also home to “Green Infrastructures”. Green Infrastructures is supported by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) to provide dedicated business support to the regions SMEs who are looking to develop, deploy and install latest green technologies.

GPF Chairman Mark McManus said that the University of Salford’s Eco Energy Hub was the obvious location for the 2012 conference.

Mr.McManus said: “The Green Power Forum has a proven track record of delivering conferences which offer training in the latest microgeneration technologies. It is therefore fitting that we will be holding our next conference at the Eco Energy Hub which is at the forefront of green energy.  As well as attracting high profile speakers, the GPF conference will provide an opportunity to promote the individual technologies which are being tested at the centre and how they can best be deployed in commercial and domestic properties.

Richard Fitton, Energy House Technical Consultant said “We are delighted to be hosting the 2012 GPF Conference. The GPF will be examining a range of microgeneration technologies and will be examining their impact on reducing carbon levels in the North West. In addition to this, we will also be hosting a session on how to sustainably retrofit existing housing stock and the support need from government to support this.”

A session will also be held to discuss the importance of SME’s becoming involved in the green agenda and the technologies which are most suited to businesses.

GPF North West will be relevant to facilities managers, energy managers, local authorities, housing associations, architects, installers and designers. All attending delegates will receive six hours of CPD accreditation.  Presentations will be made by all members of the green supply chain, including architects, installers and manufacturers. The programme will also feature case studies of organisations which have successfully deployed the technology, resulting in job creation for the region.

For further details on the event visit: www.greenpowerforum.org.uk 

Tickets are priced at £35 and are available from Artemis Media on 0151 666 5777.

The GPF intends to launch a series of smaller events across the country. Its website www.greenpowerforum.org.uk will provide regular advice, updates and e-newsletters on all key issues addressed at the conference.

Background

The Green Power Forum was launched in 2009 by Bromborough based Stiebel Eltron UK. GPF has implemented conferences across the North West and more recently in North Wales in conjunction with Anglesey Energy Island and the Welsh Government. GPF attracts high profile speakers from organisations such as DECC, BEAMA and major energy suppliers and over 150 delegates to its North West events.

Expressions of interest in by noon Friday 19 August

Event takes place at Aintree on 31 August

The REECH (Renewable and Energy Efficiency in Community Housing) Initiative is a £14.2M sub-regional economic pilot project supported by ERDF, Registered Social Landlords (RSLs) and Liverpool City-Region’s six councils.　

Key activities of the programme include:

• stimulating demand in the community housing sector for energy efficiency and low energy products and materials
• installing thermal performance and insulation measures in social housing stock
• training, jobs and prosperity in the Merseyside region
• opening up supply chain opportunities for local economies, particularly small-to-medium sized enterprises, and social enterprise.

A key component of the REECH initiative is to grow the local economy and maximise opportunities for local companies arising from REECH-funded works through ‘matched’ (facilitated) contract/supplier events.

The delivery partners are therefore holding a Meet the Buyer (MTB) event at Aintree Racecourse on 31st August 2011 to highlight opportunities arising from the REECH programme’s activities.

The MTB event has been specifically designed to open up supply chain opportunities in the construction and renewable energy sector arising from the Fusion 21 Framework for the Supply and Installation of Insulation Systems and Materials. This Framework is likely to be used by the majority of the REECH Delivery Partners over the next 2-3 years. The Framework is also open to many more organisations than those identified as part of the REECH initiative so potential opportunities are significant.

Subcontracting opportunities exist in the following areas:

• Scaffolding, Roofing, Bricklaying
• Asbestos removal, Waste management, Scaffolding, Bricklaying, Joinery, Plumbing & Heating, Electrical, Plastering, Decoration, Roofing, Renewables, Flooring, Fencing, Landscaping 
• External insulation and rendering, Internal Insulation/plastering, Loft and cavity wall insulation installers, Plumbing and gas installers,
• Electrical contractors Groundwork’s/drainage contractors, Sealant/mastic Contracts
• We would also possibly require the service of TV and Satellite installers for redirecting services during external insulation works.
• Access equipment (scaffolding, cradles etc), Asbestos Specialists, Consultancy, Pest Control, Plumbing
• Asbestos Surveys & Removal, Electrical, Mechanical
• Scaffolding (erected), External Solid Wall Insulation, Loft Insulation, Cavity Wall Insulation, Renewable Installers, Window Installers, Asbestos Removal, Waste Management, Plant Hire, Site
• Solar PV/Thermal Installations, Domestic Heating
• Potentially all areas for Retrofitting hard to heat homes
• Scaffolding, External Solid Wall/Internal Wall Insulation Materials, Loft & Cavity Materials, Plumbing, Electrical, Painting Materials, General Building Contractors, Electrical, Joinery, Mechanical
• Scaffolding, Plumbing, Multi-Skilled, Insulators, Dry Lining, Plastering
• PV, Solar, Central Heating, Electrical, Scaffolding

The REECH partners are inviting Expressions of Interest from companies in Liverpool City-Region for consideration to attend the MTB event. Please complete the expression of interest form linked below and return to inforeech@sefton.gov.uk no later than 12:00 noon on Friday 19th August 2011. 

Download the expression of interest form here

If you would like any further information then please do not hesitate to contact Maresa Molloy at Liverpool Chamber on 0151 227 1234 (ext 2234).

Next Steps

If you are a Merseyside or Halton based Construction Company and would like to have the opportunity to apply to attend the above event, please review the attached criteria.

1.) Complete and submit the Expression of Interest (EOI) Form
Complete the attached Expression of Interest form (completing all the sections) and return it together with evidence of ‘1st tier contractors’ minimum requirements’ via email to INFOREECH@sefton.gov.uk
Completed forms must be returned by 12noon on Friday 19th August. Any incomplete or late applications will be ineligible for consideration for the event.

2.) EOI forms will be reviewed and a list of eligible companies drawn up.

3.) Contractors will identify which companies they wish to meet from the eligible list.

4.) Local companies will be notified of an invitation to the event, by Thursday 25th August. The invitation will outline the specific time and contractor(s) you will be meeting. If you have not received an invite by Friday 26th August, you will have been unsuccessful on this occasion.

We understand that the timetable outline above is very strict, however, in order to maimise the opportunities for local companies with the funding available, the Meet the Buyer event has to be held before the Fusion 21 Framework becomes operational.

Your co-operation in meeting this deadline is much appreciated and we look forward to receiving you completed forms.

Please Note:
1.) This event is limited to Merseyside and Halton based companies.
2.) Electronic submissions are the preferred method of submission. The reason for this being the tight timescales we are working to as the form and supporting documents will be forwarded onto the contractors. It is essential we can do this quickly and effectively. However, in exceptional circumstances and subject to prior agreement we will accept a hard copy submission.
3.) We anticipate that demand will be high, so please keep the date free in your diary, as we will only be able to inform you of an invitation to the event on Thursday 25th August. If you do not receive an invition by Friday 26th August please consider that you have been unsuccessful on this occasion. However, we will retain your details on file for future events.
4.) We anticipate a high demand for this event and unfortunately we are unable to guarantee a place at the event. If you are successful you will receive an invitation to meet a nominated contractor(s) at a specific time.
5.) At this time no contracts have been let via the Fusion 21 Framework. Consequently there is no guarantee of getting sub-contracted work until the first tier contractors secure work. We cannot guarantee that any of the 1st tier contractors will be awarded contracts.

Small businesses in the UK are wasting up to £30.8 million a day by not turning off computers overnight, according to new research from energy company, E.ON.

Nearly 800 small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) were surveyed by Trends Research for the report, which found that 39 per cent of companies fail to regularly shut down their computers outside of working hours. Only 20 per cent fully turn off their computers at weekends.

According to the researchers it costs a business approximately one pence an hour to power a PC in standby mode. Based on this, they calculated that, with 4.8 million SMEs in the UK, employing an average of 110 people each, the total cost of leaving PCs on is greater than £30 million a day.

The figures were based on Government estimates that a single computer and monitor left on 24 hours a day will cost a business over £50 a year, and that switching a PC off out-of-hours, and enabling standby features, can reduce this cost to just £15 a year.

‘Financial impact’

Iain Walker, head of business sales at E.ON, commented: “Introducing small changes into the culture of your business, like turning equipment off fully at night, can have a significant financial impact on your energy bills.”

Interestingly, companies in the South were more likely turn off their PCs than those in the North.

Variations between business sectors were also revealed. For example, retail SMEs were the least likely to shut down their PCs, with two-thirds failing to do so overnight and 59 per cent failing to switch off over the weekend.

SMEs in the professional sector also performed relatively poorly, with 60 per cent leaving their computers on at the end of the working day.

Agricultural companies were found to be the most energy-efficient, with 69 per cent shutting down their computers every night, followed by property sector employees at 61 per cent.

Free support

A range of power management technologies are available to businesses seeking an automated approach to switching off PCs overnight and at the weekend.

Seven-day timers can also be installed to ensure that equipment such as printers, copiers and water chillers are turned off overnight and at weekends.

Free advice and support on improving energy efficiency in the workplace is also available in the North West from the ENWORKS service, which helps businesses to boost their profitability by using resources such as energy, water and materials more efficiently.

The Carbon Trust offers advice on how to improve the energy efficiency of office equipment, and straightforward ideas for starting out on an energy efficiency journey is also available from ENWORKS’ business support website

On 30th and 31st July an ambitious and extraordinary performance about climate change is coming to Liverpool.

Combining dramatic film and visuals with breathtaking aerial performance from Liverpool’s own Wired Aerial Theatre, ‘As The World Tipped’ confronts one of the most pressing issues for people and the planet with spectacle, humour and emotion. Suspended above the audience in the night sky, the performers struggle to control their increasingly precarious world as they do battle with the effects of environmental catastrophe.

Commissioned by Liverpool City Council and Liverpool Primary Care Trust as part of the Decade of Health and Wellbeing ‘As The World Tipped’ is written and directed by international director Nigel Jamieson, best known in Liverpool for creating the opening of Liverpool European Capital of Culture in 2008.

The free show takes place at Liverpool Anglican Cathedral on Saturday 30th and Sunday 31st July. The Cathedral will be open to explore all day with activity from 7pm leading up to the main performance at 10pm. This event will form part of discussions around Liverpool’s low carbon aspirations in which we hope you will be involved.

Combining dramatic ilm and visuals with breathtaking aerial performance from
Liverpool’s own Wired Aerial Theatre, As The World Tipped confronts one of the most pressing issues afecting people and the planet, with spectacle, humour and emotion.

Suspended above the audience in the night sky,the performers struggle to control their increasingly precarious world as they do battle with the efects of environmental catastrophe.

Commissioned by Liverpool City Council andLiverpool Primary Care Trust as part of the Decade of Health and Wellbeing, As The WorldTipped is written and directed by international director Nigel Jamieson, best known in Liverpool for creating the openingof Liverpool European Capital of
Culture in 2008.

The free show takes place at Liverpool Anglican Cathedral on Saturday 30th and
Sunday 31st July, the Cathedral will be open throughout the day for visitors to enjoy.

www.astheworldtipped.com
www.liverpoolonthewaterfront.co.uk/tipped
www.2020healthandwellbeing.org.uk

The University of Liverpool’s £22 million Heating Infrastructure Project (HIP) has been successful in the annual Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) regional awards.

The building replaced a previously inefficient heating system, enabling the University to reduce its carbon footprint by 23%, saving 11,000 tonnes of CO2 a year.

The awards are supported by the Architects’ Journal which celebrates buildings considered to be of high architectural merit.  The judges take into account a variety of factors when considering entries including budget, size, invention and originality, detail, sustainability, and delight.

The HIP was one of 13 buildings shortlisted in the North West region.
Project Manager Ian Murray said: “This is fantastic news and provides our project architects, Levitt Bernstein Associates, and the rest of the construction team with the recognition they deserve for completing the construction of an innovatively designed building that meets the University’s requirements so well.”

The project will now go onto a long list, from which a short list will be selected for the coveted Stirling Prize, which is named after University of Liverpool graduate Sir James Frazer Stirling (Dip Arch 1950), who is widely regarded as one of the most important architects of the 20th century.

Earlier this year the Heating and infrastructure Project also won a Civic Trust award.

Green Power Forum (GPF) chairman Mark McManus is urging businesses and landlords to beat soaring energy prices by taking advantage of the new Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI).

The RHI is the government’s £860m cashback scheme for green properties, which comes into play for commercial and public sector properties from July 29, 2011.

Mark McManus, who is also managing director of leading renewable energy products manufacturers Stiebel Eltron UK said the RHI is a golden opportunity for business owners, landlords and public sector organisations to get funding to go green and make tangible energy and cost savings.

“With inflation and interest rates rising, and fuel and energy prices potentially doubling over the next decade, now is the time to take advantage of the financial incentives on offer to switch to renewable energy sources,” he said. “Every property and building can be adapted with the right system and it is also important for landlords to respond to legislation on carbon reduction targets. An annual subsidy will be paid for each unit of heat produced, to whoever owns the renewable energy equipment – so this can be commercial tenants as well as property owners.

“The Government is investing £860m into the RHI and this will be on offer to industrial, commercial and public sector installations from next month. This includes systems such as ground and air source heat pumps and solar thermal. Tariffs will be paid for 20 years with an estimated minimum Return On Investment of 12 per cent. Businesses could even combine this with solar panel systems to take advantage of the Feed in Tariff – there are a wealth of opportunities and we can help to make going green both painless and profitable.”

Mr McManus will be discussing these opportunities at the Green Power Forum Wales on June 30th. The green energy conference – a joint initiative between GPF, Stiebel Eltron, Anglesey Energy Island and Coleg Menai – will take place at the new Energy and Fabrication Centre at Coleg Menai in Llangefni, Anglesey.

He said: “GPF Wales will showcase the benefits of renewable energy and demonstrate how businesses and organisations can go green. This is a great training and networking opportunity for managers, consultants, installers and designers across both the public and private sectors.

“Since the introduction of the Climate Change Act 2008, government has increased the pressure to improve environmental building standards. There are a range of regulations that developers now have to meet on new build developments, and existing buildings are also under the microscope with minimum standards and financial penalties for those who do not comply.

“The Green Power Forum has a proven track record of delivering conferences which provide expert advice on regulations, installation and finance to both the public and private sector. GPF Wales will be relevant to facilities managers, energy managers, local authorities, housing associations, architects, installers and designers. All attending delegates will also receive six hours of CPD accreditation.”

For further details on the event visit: www.greenpowerforum.org.uk Tickets are priced at £35 plus VAT and are available from Artemis Media on 0151 666 5777.

UKTI  has 2 USA commercial officers visiting on 3rd March the Daresbury area.

They  will be available for meetings from 10.00 to 4.00pm.  Please contact David Booth david.booth@uktinorthwest.co.uk if you want to meet James and/or Richard.

James Cummings - Los Angeles

Operating from the UK Trade & Investment office at the British Consulate-General in Los Angeles, James Cummings supports UK companies in the clean technology and renewable energy sectors understand and realise opportunities in the US South West (including Southern California, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, Washington and Hawai’i). 

James advises numerous environmental technology firms, including those in water, waste management, energy efficiency, green building and renewable energy.  Support includes assistance in understanding the US market, introductions to US companies and advice in market.  James also assists US businesses seeking to set up or expand in the UK and Europe.

Richard Kil - San FranciscoJames and I share similar responsibilities. But to elaborate on the focus in my region (Silicon Valley, Oregon, et al), I find myself working closely with companies in the green building space, Electric Vehicles (cars, motorcycles, and charging points), and energy efficiency products (often crossing boundaries with the IT sector). In addition, James and I both work in a climate perfectly suited for the implementation and growth of solar technologies.

Envirolink NW has recently received funding from The Northern Way to produce a detailed analysis of the capability of the offshore wind supply chain across northern England.

The research will enable the production of an on-line database of suppliers. The project will help companies across northern England to be in a position to capture a significant proportion of future investment in offshore wind.

The next round of offshore wind developments, Round 3, has an estimated value of £100 billion.

Envirolink are already working with buyers  to help them identify suppliers
and our knowledge of the supply chain is key to providing a quality service.

There is no charge for being part of this online directory and the search function is open to use by anyone; only company contact information, capability and location are displayed in the  results pages. More commercially sensitive information will be held securely by Envirolink Northwest and is not publicly accessible.

How to add your Company

1.  Follow this link to the supply chain database http://www.nwip.org/
2.  Click on “Are you a supplier” on the right of the screen.
3.  Create a username and enter your email address
4.  You will be sent a password to access your profile
5.  Follow the link you have been sent and enter your username and generated password
6.  Add your contact details, company description and check all the boxes relating  to your businesses capability.
7.  Submit  for validation

Validation

Company categorisation data is reviewed and validated before it is made available on the database. This is to ensure a basic level of integrity of data and therefore a higher degree of accuracy in our reporting and supply chain development work.

Once approved, you may edit your profile at any time but changes will be reviewed again for final validation.

Should you require further information please contact Joanna Bricher or Mark Turner of Envirolink Northwest, Tel: 01925 813 200