Renewable Energy News Roundup: May

This month we bring you news of growth in the UK heat pump market, an extension to the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) deadline and the factories embracing air source heating.

UK Heat Pump Market Grows Again

Around 22,000 heat pumps were installed in the UK in 2017, an increase of 18% on the previous year, according to BSRIA, a specialist in construction, building and engineering.

The research, revealed last month, shows the heat pump market is growing again, following five years of almost continuous decline attributed to a number of different economic factors.

The slump was blamed on the global economic slowdown, low oil prices, uncertainty around Brexit and the finer details of the government’s Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) programme. 

However, things are looking up, thanks to awareness of both heat pumps and the RHI, whereby customers can create an income from generating domestic renewable energy. 

Renewable Heat Incentive Deadline Extended

The government has extended its deadline for applications for the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI), meaning households wanting to take part now have until 31st January 2021 to apply.

The previous deadline was 31st January 2020, with the year-long extension designed to send a positive message that the government is committed to wholesale decarbonisation. 

Under the RHI, households, communities and businesses are encouraged to adopt green technologies, including air source heat pumps, to lower the UK’s carbon emissions. 

This is a key part of helping the UK meet its long-term renewable energy targets. 

A letter to key stakeholders from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) announced the extension, which has already been widely welcomed. 

David Smith, chief executive of the Energy Networks Association (ENA), said: “This [announcement] is excellent news for the public, industry and Britain’s climate targets.”

All projects must be commissioned by the new deadline to be eligible for RHI funding.

Factories Saving Money With Air Source Heat Pumps

Another thing to catch our eye this month was an article by Engineering & Technology, which outlined some alternative ways factories across the globe are saving energy. 

The article, written by Nicholas Newman, claims: “Technology in the form of ground- and air-source heat pumps, which rely on natural heat, is gradually displacing fossil fuels for heating or cooling homes and buildings in South Africa, Australia and the UK.”

While assessing the various ways factories are saving energy, the manufacturing and agriculture sectors were praised for their adoption of air and ground source heat pumps.

The article highlights how air source heating can save energy and improve green credentials.

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