BUSINESS NEWS
Be the Change : curb emissions and gain a competitive edge
“ No one should assume that their business is too small to make a difference . In fact , it ’ s essential that small businesses do step up ” - Iceland MD Richard Walker from his book The Green Grocer , which looks at the contribution all businesses can make to address environmental issues .
As the UK prepares to host the UN Climate Change Conference ( COP26 ) 31st October - 12th November and following this summer ’ s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change ( IPPC ) report heralding a ' code red for humanity ', it is clear that every part of society has a responsibility to ramp up our efforts to address climate change .
In Swindon , the Borough Council is taking forward a Net Zero Emissions Action Plan which includes supporting organisations and residents to reach net zero by 2050 in line with the Government ’ s UK-wide target . In other words , this means reaching a position where greenhouse gas emissions are offset through the introduction of new measures .
One already-delivered action in the plan saw Swindon host an event in September as part of the Government ’ s UK-wide Zero Carbon tour . This brought together business representatives to share and learn from each other ’ s journeys to take action to reduce their environmental impact .
It included inspiring updates from some impressive organisations including Zurich Insurance UK , Arval , Nationwide Building Society , Recycling Technologies and Business West . The three-hour event at STEAM also provided a long overdue inperson opportunity for attendees to network with other like-minded businesses to support and encourage each other to get started .
Of course , many SMEs may not have the in-house sustainability expertise , time or resources to tackle their carbon footprint and may find it difficult to measure and reduce value-chain emission reductions . Advice and support is available to help them understand their emissions , set interim science-based targets and focus on implementing the most straight forward carbon-reduction opportunities before tackling longer-term , more complex initiatives .
The Council is also coordinating the ‘ Be the Change ’ campaign in Swindon to showcase actions being taken by organisations and residents . It includes signposting a business-specific webpage that outlines grant funding opportunities as well as tools , tips and advice . It also includes a link to a free introductory net zero guide from the Carbon Trust tailored to SMEs . Visit swindon . gov . uk / bethechange and share your company ’ s journey by emailing : communications @ swindon . gov . uk .
For more info : www . swindon . gov . uk / bethechange
New approach will power 20,000 homes a year , through a new innovative approach
Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks ( SSEN ) Distribution has installed its first Point of Connection Mast ( POC-MAST ) to a solar farm in Wiltshire , using the innovative system to create greater flexibility for generators to connect to its network .
This will support the cost-effective connection of a solar farm that will provide enough energy to power 20,000 homes annually .
It is the first time SSEN has used the technology which enables a connection directly onto an existing tower which is already part of an existing electricity infrastructure ; reducing time scales , costs and the potential need to reconfigure or build new sections of network to accommodate the new connection .
The distribution operator has installed the POC-MAST at a 70MW solar farm at the former RAF Lyneham base . The 213-acre site is the first to be developed with the Ministry of Defence and in addition to generating enough power to cover the average annual usage of around 20,000 local homes , it will save around 21,000 tonnes of carbon emissions annually .
It will save around 21,000 tonnes of carbon emissions annually
Craig Gilroy , Head of Connections for SSEN , said , “ I ’ m delighted that SSEN has been able to use this system at the RAF Lyneham site , providing us with a flexible and quick solution to enable the connection of this substantial solar farm .
“ This innovative solution provides greater flexibility for renewable generators to connect to the network in a fraction of the time needed to connect using existing solutions and helps DNOs optimise the use of their infrastructure .”
POC-MAST has been developed to change the way new connections to the high voltage electricity distribution network are delivered ; offering a viable solution for connecting renewable energy projects to the distribution network as more customers look to take up low carbon technologies , such as electric vehicles , in their transition to Net Zero .
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