REI – the leading magazine for the renewables sector since 2008
Editorial panel members
Brothers in arms
W
hat an interesting backdrop we have to this year’s
Ecobuild. The majority of consumers are benefiting from
small price cuts handed down by the big six, whilst the
oil heating fraternity is enjoying an unexpected boon
from precipitous falls in the global price of oil.
With the cost of oil having always been a principle counterfactual in the growing
attractiveness of renewables, and thus a not-so-insignificant part of our sales pitch, some
within the green camp may have begun to feel a little nervous at the apparent swing of
the pendulum the other way.
Politicians have done little to ameliorate the issue as ‘going green’ becomes less of
a vote winner at a time of lower prices for the majority of the electorate. But just as in
politics, the fortunes of the traditional heating industry rise and fall on a continual basis
and are beholden to uncontrollable global events.
This should not be viewed as a renaissance for oil boilers or a permanent disruption
to the virtues of our cause, but more of a delaying of the inevitable and stay of execution.
The long term trend remains the same as fossil fuels become more expensive and
geologically more difficult to extract.
Such is the volatility of the fossil fuel market that consumers and global markets will
be left widely exposed when OPEC nations predictably respond to falling margins by
cutting supply, and parity is quickly restored.
Contents
NEWS KNOWLEDGE
04 News
Judges confirmed for H&R Awards
06 Analysis
11 Profile
Stephen Davies, TGE, remains relaxed over
low oil prices 35 Solar PV
PassivSystems on PV in social housing
36 Heat pumps
Carbon Zero Consulting & Dimplex negate
the threat of falling fossil fuel prices
41 Solar thermal
43 RHI update
Daikin UK
45 Biomass
The lowdown on sustainability criteria
47 Commercial
50 Case studies
54 My working week
Paul Barwell, STA
ECOBUILD PREVIEW
15 A roundup of key exhibitors
OPINION
27 REI’s regular MCS column
29 Q&A Paul McCullagh, UrbanWind
30 Talking Tech Tips from Bob Long
Andy Buchan,
CEEC, Future
Renewable Energy Dave Sowden, SEA
Garry Broadbent,
Lifestyle Heating John Kellett,
Mitsubishi Electric
Paul Joyner,
SBS Liz McFarlane,
Zenex Solar
Tim Pollard,
Plumb Center Phyllis Boardman,
Green Deal
Consortia
Robert Burke,
HETAS Gideon Richards,
MCS
ISSN 2049-3525
Editor: Paul Stephen
Sales director: Jonathan Hibbert
Circulation manager: Sandra Curties
General manager: Scott Masheder
Published by: Ashley & Dumville Publishing Ltd,
Caledonian House, Tatton Street,
Knutsford, Cheshire WA16 6AG
Advertising
Tel: 01565 626760
Email: [email protected]
Editorial/press releases
Tel: 01565 653283
Email:[email protected]
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