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UK Power Networks to host UK's first 'virtual' solar power station

The UK's largest electricity distributor has unveiled its plan to create the nation's first "virtual" solar power station by the end of the year, using PV panels on the rooftops of its London customers' homes.

The Martorell factory, located north of Barcelona, turned 25 earlier this year

In Practice: SEAT's largest solar array in the automotive industry

In a move to capture the benefits of Industry 4.0 and reach sustainability targets for 2025, Spanish carmaker SEAT is showcasing its Martorell factory as hub for innovative environmental solutions - including the largest solar plant in the automotive industry.

British solar firms have been hit by a round of subsidy cuts in 2015 and 2016, as well as changes to business rates for buildings with rooftop solar

UK solar power growth halves for second year running

New solar power installations halved in the UK last year for the second year in a row, as the fallout of government subsidy cuts continued to shake the sector.

The City of London Corporation manages a portfolio of social housing, green space, academies and markets across the capital

City of London to expand onsite arrays in drive to source 100% renewable electricity

The City of London Corporation will install more solar panels on its buildings and up its investments in wind and solar farms as part of its new commitment to source 100% renewable energy by October 2018.

AB InBev’s largest UK brewery in Magor has acted as a test-bed for innovative solutions and technologies

In practice: AB InBev's onsite energy drive at its largest UK brewery

AB InBev's recently-announced carbon reduction targets will see the global brewer lean on past best-practice examples to decarbonise facilities. One of the shining examples thus far has been the use of onsite technologies at the Magor brewery in Wales.

Ikea’s climate positive ambition aims to fulfil the retailer’s contribution to the Paris Agreement through an emissions reduction across the value chain that is aligned to climate science

Ikea to ban single-use plastics, targets 'climate-positive' status under new strategy

Removing all single-use plastics products from its range globally, eliminating more greenhouse gas emissions than its value chain emits, and generating more renewables than it consumes are all headline goals of Ikea's updated People and Planet Positive strategy.

98GW of solar capacity was installed worldwide last year - more than the net additions of fossil fuels and nuclear power combined

10 things you probably didn't know about a record-breaking year for renewables

As a new report reveals that 2017 was a record year for renewable power installations, edie rounds up some of the headline trends that are shaping the transition to renewable energy.

Google announced that it has launched a UK version in partnership with energy supplier E.ON

Google's Project Sunroof arrives in UK

Google has launched an online tool in the UK that informs households how well a rooftop solar array would perform and how much money could be saved on electricity bills as a result.

The plant will generate enough electricity to meet annual demand of just over 10,000 households in Scotland

Planning permission given for Scotland's largest solar project

The Scottish government has granted planning permission for the country's largest solar PV project.

SEAT is now installing more efficient chimneys in a bid to achieve energy savings of 11.7 GWh each year

SEAT installs air-cleaning pavement at Barcelona plant after surpassing emissions goal

After hitting its key environmental goals two years ahead of schedule, Spanish car manufacturer SEAT has installed 4,000sqm of air-cleaning paving slabs at its Martorell plant in Barcelona.

Lewis said that scaling up seasonal storage was “the last piece of the jigsaw”

Energy storage revolution within 10 years is essential, says E.ON boss

EXCLUSIVE: E.ON chief executive Michael Lewis has claimed that an energy storage revolution must happen within a decade if the world is to meet the Paris Agreement goals.

Smart heating has been installed along with the solar arrays to minimise energy consumption at Premier Inn hotels

Whitbread to expand onsite solar to 70 more Premier Inn hotels

The UK's largest hospitality company, Whitbread, will roll out its onsite solar array scheme to a further 70 of its Premier Inn locations this year to help it meet its "industry-leading" science-based target.

The Aqualagon is heated to 30C all year round through geothermal energy

Sustainability 'imagineered': The Disney-led resort powered by geothermal energy

edie's senior reporter Matt Mace travels to the outskirts of Paris to uncover how Villages Nature Paris tapped into geothermal energy to deliver on a holistic 10-step sustainability framework.

A new carbon goal is compliant with the Paris Agreement’s pledge to limit the global temperature increase to 1.5C, according to the strategy

Mayor Sadiq Khan unveils goals to make London world's 'greenest city'

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has announced plans to make the capital the "greenest" city in the world by 2050, with a series of targets put in place to improve air quality, boost renewables investments and halve food waste.

More than £227m was invested in 400 new independent renewable energy projects across Great Britain in 2017

Subsidy cuts slow growth of independent renewables, report finds

Investment in new, independent renewable energy projects in the UK totalled £227m in 2017, down by almost 20% from 2016 figures, according to a new report published this week.

edie dives deep into the data to bring you seven key statistics of the global energy transformation

Clean Energy for All: Seven reasons why the world is falling short on SDG 7

As a new report warns that the global economy is not on track to deliver on the clean energy targets of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), edie rounds up some of the headline trends that are shaping the transition to renewable energy and offer a glimmer of hope that targets can still be reached.

It was widely expected that many projects would be unable to compete in the post-ROC environment, but many new projects are beginning to compete in the subsidy-free era

Subsidy-free solar powers UK's renewable energy attractiveness

Despite a large drop in renewable energy investment in 2017, the UK has climbed three places in a ranking of the world's most attractive renewable energy markets for investors, thanks to a move towards subsidy-free solar PV.

The coal-free records are a reversal from the recent highs that coal plant owners experienced during the so-called “beast from the east” cold snap

UK runs without coal power for three days in a row

The UK has been powered without coal for three days in a row, setting a new record and underlining the polluting fuel's rapid decline.

Featured innovations include reusable pizza boxes and underground, automated bin systems

Intelligent highways and underground bins: the best green innovations of the week

A number of eye-catching and potentially transformational innovations have emerged that could help businesses and nations deliver on resource efficiency, low-carbon transitions and combat climate change. Here, edie rounds-up six of the best.

edie brings seven surprising statistics that shaped investment into renewables in 2017

UK's struggle and Mexico's rise: Seven surprising stats about global clean energy investment

A new report from UN Environment and Bloomberg New Energy Finance has outlined the global trends of renewable energy investment, which grew by 2% last year. edie dives through the data to bring seven surprising statistics.

For the next stage of the project, the companies will explore how EVs and BEMS can work together to develop energy-neutral buildings

Cross-sector electric vehicle project targets energy-neutral office buildings

Companies from the energy, transport and technology sectors have joined forces to explore how electric vehicles (EVs) can facilitate energy storage solutions that link up to onsite renewable installations and building energy management systems (BEMS) on office buildings.

Wind and solar generated 18.33 terawatt hours (TWh), with nuclear on 16.69TWh, the figures published by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy show

Wind and solar make more electricity than nuclear for first time in UK

Windfarms and solar panels produced more electricity than the UK's eight nuclear power stations for the first time at the end of last year, official figures show.

Perry has previously said she wants to enable onshore wind projects to compete for subsidies in areas where they enjoy public support

Onshore wind and solar could compete for subsidies in CfDs

Claire Perry has signalled that onshore wind and solar projects will be allowed to compete for subsidies in a future Contract for Difference (CfD) auction.

NatWest purchases 100% of its energy from renewable sources

NatWest delivers £3.5bn low-carbon lending in three years

Banking giant NatWest has pledged to deliver of £10bn lending to UK renewable energy and energy efficiency projects by 2020, having provided £3.5bn over the past three years.

Gore Street Capital expects that energy storage will play a prominent role in balancing frequency management services that can stabilise grids and add flexibility to the electricity market

Energy storage investment fund to raise £100m on London Stock Exchange

The world's first listed investment fund targeting energy storage developers and projects is attempting to raise £100m after floating on the London Stock Exchange.

Energy management experts from manufacturing and retail firms across the country came together to discuss the potential solutions to some of the biggest challenges around energy resilience

Energy resilience roundtable: Paving the path to a clean energy future

Energy management experts from some of the world's biggest manufacturers and retailers recently came together for an exclusive roundtable hosted by edie and Centrica Business Solutions to explore some of the biggest challenges and opportunities when it comes to building energy resilience.

The four-year EV-elocity scheme has already attracted £7m funding from Innovate UK

Honda to play central role in V2G demonstrator project

Car giant Honda has teamed up with other firms, local bodies and academic institutions for a new project that aims to demonstrate the business case for Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technologies across the UK.

Second-life batteries from Renault EVs will be used to store renewable energy produced by the island’s solar and wind farms

Renault EVs and battery storage used for Portuguese 'smart island' project

Automaker Renault has agreed to partner with a Portuguese utility company to transform the island of Porto Santo into a "Smart Fossil Free Island" that combines electric vehicles (EV) with renewable energy.

After plummeting by 60% in the previous 12 months, coal output fell by a further 25%, leaving it as the “preserve of colder months”

Renewable output rises by more than a quarter in the UK

Renewable output rose by 27% over 2017 due to windier weather and new capacity coming online, according to the latest Electric Insights report from Imperial College London.

edie Explains: ESOS Phase 2

This edie Explains guide, produced in association with Schneider Electric, will help organisations in their preparations to comply with the second phase of the UK Government's Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (ESOS).

Last week BP announced it will add rapid charging points for electric cars at its UK petrol stations within the next two months

BP set to 'embrace low-carbon world' with $500m investment

BP has pledged to invest $500m into low-carbon solutions after posting a strong financial performance in 2017.

Michael Lewis was speaking on the second day of edie's 2018 Sustainability Leaders Forum at the Business Design Centre in London

From environmental expert to CEO: E.ON boss Michael Lewis reflects on his remarkable sustainability journey

EXCLUSIVE: Michael Lewis explains how his rise to the top at E.ON has intertwined with the company's transition from a fossil fuel-based power generator to a provider of sustainable energy solutions.

The North West Cambridge Development is one of the largest capital project in the University’s history

University of Cambridge installs 1,500 solar panels at new district

Almost 1,500 solar panels have been installed at the University of Cambridge's new 150-hectare district, with the array expected to slash energy usage by more than 298MWh a year.

Critics have warned that the levies will stifle investment in US solar projects, while US manufacturers will be unable to scale up to meet any new demand

Trump Administration's 'safeguard' tariff set to damage US solar sector

President Donald Trump has moved to safeguard domestic solar manufacturers by placing a 30% tariff on imported solar modules, however critics believe that it will inadvertently stifle manufacturers that are unable to scale-up to cope with demand.

Customers could make up to 66% savings in their energy bills, Nissan said. Photo: Nissan

Nissan unveils energy storage and solar solution for UK homes

Car giant Nissan has launched an "all-in-one" energy solution for UK homes, combining solar panels with an energy storage system.

The plant generates approximately 65GWh of solar energy annually, saving more than 21,000 tonnes of carbon emissions as a result

Shell inks five-year deal with England's largest solar power plant

Shell Energy Europe has agreed a five-year supply deal to source renewable power from the second largest solar power plant in the UK.

Rising populations and increased wealth in non-OECD nations will drive energy demand, which will offset emission reductions

Report: Global emissions to plateau in 2030, but Paris goals out of reach

New insight from business advisors McKinsey Energy Insights has suggested that "major shifts" in the energy landscape driven by renewables and electric vehicles (EVs) will see global emissions plateau in 2030, but progress is nowhere near close to the 2 degrees Paris Agreement target.

The Committee on Climate Change (CCC) insists that new policies will be required to close the remaining “emissions gap”

Clean Growth Strategy 'not enough' to meet UK's carbon targets, climate advisers warn

Urgent action is needed to flesh out current plans in the Clean Growth Strategy in order to meet the UK's fourth and fifth carbon budgets, the Government's climate change watchdog has cautioned.

The average cost of electricity from onshore wind is said to have fallen by 23% in the last seven years, with projects now routinely commissioned at around four cents/kWh

All renewables to compete on cost with fossil fuels by 2020, says IRENA

A fresh report has predicted that all renewable energy technologies will compete, and even undercut, fossil fuels on price within the next two years.

The smarter sustainability reporting handbook

A new era is upon us: the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Paris Agreement on climate change, the Modern Slavery Act (MSA) and the Task Force on Climate- related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) have together paved the way for an entirely new approach to corporate sustainability.

The project will deliver annual return rates of 11.4% over a 20-year timeframe – a discounted net value of more than €8.3m

Amazon completes lucrative solar roof installation

Online retailer Amazon has had a 964 kWp rooftop solar system installed at a new logistics centre in central Italy, as the company continues its transition to source 100% renewable electricity.

Taking the lead on energy: 10 business examples of low-carbon innovation

The global energy system is undergoing a radical transition. Renewable energy costs are tumbling and new approaches to energy management such as battery storage and demand response are offering new ways for organisations to operate more sustainably.

Over the last five years, the CDC has made an average annual return on net assets of 12.9%

UK strengthens green finance links in India

The UK's development finance institution has announced the formation of an independent solar and wind generation company that will focus on developing renewable capacity across India and other South Asia nations.

The project has kickstarted with the purchase of the 5MW Newton Downs solar farm near Plymouth from renewable electricity supplier Good Energy

New £40m partnership to help UK communities take over solar farms

A £40m investment partnership has been launched with the aim of helping communities take ownership of solar farms across the country.

For businesses, energy storage helps to maintain reliable supply, reduce wastage and save money

Integrated storage and renewables tipped to be worth $23bn by 2026

The global energy storage and renewables integration (ESRI) will be worth more than $23bn by 2026, according to new analysis from clean energy researchers.

Since 2012, Britain has halved its emissions in the electricity sector and now ranks as the seventh cleanest power system in the world.

UK enjoys 'greenest year ever' in 2017

Britain achieved its 'greenest year ever' in 2017 thanks to 13 new records across the clean energy sector, according to analysis from WWF.

The homes will be built on site at Citu’s Climate Innovation District in Leeds, which acts as the first low-carbon neighbourhood in the UK

Citu aims to 'disrupt' construction industry with low-carbon housing scheme

Urban developer Citu has unveiled the first glimpses of a timber-framed housing system that is up to ten times more energy efficient than standard UK homes, with production practices also able to reduce the carbon footprint of construction by 24,000 tonnes annually.

The three-year development represents a £90m investment from AccorHotels, and the building was delivered on time and to budget

In practice: AccorHotels' new project targeting BREEAM excellent certification

Ahead of edie's flagship Sustainability Leaders Awards in January, edie is taking a closer look at some of the projects initiatives that have been deemed worthy of a finalist position by our expert judges. Up next: AccorHotels' new London hotel.

Hewett will begin his new role at the start of January 2018. In the meantime, he will continue in his position leading on policy for the STA

Solar Trade Association names Chris Hewett as new chief

Chris Hewett has been handed the role of chief executive of the Solar Trade Association (STA).

Chancellor Philip Hammond delivered the 2017 Autumn Budget to a jubilant House of Commons

Budget 2017: Chancellor takes action on air quality, electric vehicles and plastic waste

Chancellor Philip Hammond has today pledged to build an economy "fit for the future" by announcing new air quality funding, tax incentives for electric cars, and measures to combat plastic waste in his 2017 Autumn Budget.

Nissan is enabling the wider public to participate in the project, and people can purchase bonds at €25 that offer a minimum price per kWh over the lifetime of the project

Nissan starts construction on largest community solar roof in the Netherlands

Electric vehicle (EV) pioneer Nissan has begun construction on the largest collective solar roof in the Netherlands, which will provide enough renewable electricity to power 900 homes once it is completed in May 2018.

Total back-up capacity needed in 2040 is expected to remain at 2017 levels of 70GW

Balancing act: Storage and flexible energy vital to UK’s renewables tipping point

The cost of generating energy from wind and solar in the UK is expected to halve by 2040, but the expected future power system volatility will lead to more economic opportunities for flexible energy sources and storage capacity.

Renewable energy in the supply chain

This new report focuses on the opportunity for companies to amplify their carbon reduction efforts by driving renewables through their supply chains. Given how easy it is to choose renewable electricity in the UK, businesses could be doing more to engage with their suppliers.

The REA believes that the decline in growth stemmed from Government policies restricting routes to markets for solar PV technology

Shrinking solar deployment darkens UK's record low-carbon electricity mix

Despite low-carbon sources providing more than half of all UK energy generation for the second time, the Government has been urged to address policy barriers that have "unnecessarily impeded" the development of solar technologies over the last two years.

The Kennedy project will generate around 210,000MWh of electricity annually

Could Tesla's world-first hybrid energy project modernise electricity grids?

Following the deal to develop a world-first renewable energy project that combines wind, solar and battery storage in Australia, automaker and energy disruptor Tesla has been invited to showcase the "power and scalability" of its products in hurricane-hit Puerto Rico.

More than 3,600 solar panels were installed as part of the project, and will generate approximately 940,000kWh of electricity annually

In practice: UK's largest landlord-funded distribution warehouse rooftop solar installation

The landlord/tenant relationship can be a barrier when it comes to sustainability and onsite generation, but both Dixons Carphone and LondonMetric will benefit from the new solar installation at a distribution warehouse in Newark.

ENGIE has a goal of providing 20 million people access to decarbonised and decentralised energy by 2020

Utility giant acquires off-grid solar specialists Fenix International

French utility giant ENGIE is continuing its transition away from fossil fuels, after announcing the acquisition of a next generation energy company that offers decentralised solar solutions to communities across Africa.

A goal is in place to have 500 buildings fitted with solar panels by 2020, and 350 projects have so far been completed

Target commits to 100% renewables as part of science-based targets approach

Clothing giant Target has unveiled a revamped climate policy that will see the retailer commit to the Science-Based Targets Initiative to reduce emissions by 25% and source 100% renewable electricity "in the coming years".

Autarco insists that end users will no longer have to settle for an expected guarantee without sufficient protection of their bottom-line investment

Lloyd's of London first insurer to back kWh guarantee for solar installations

Businesses can now receive a kWh performance guarantee for solar fittings after PV manufacturer Autarco launched a new assurance for its PV systems.

The projects form part of Nissan’s “revolutionary” mobility plan, which aims to integrate EVs into electricity grids to offer incentives for consumers

Nissan to pilot microgrid trials in 2018

Nissan will trial and assess microgrid systems across Europe in 2018, to examine how local communities can gain access to sustained energy sources, by combining renewable energy and battery storage technologies.

The amount of renewable energy capacity forecast globally in 2022 has been revised upwards on last year’s forecast

Time to shine: Solar power is fastest-growing source of new energy

Solar power was the fastest-growing source of new energy worldwide last year, outstripping the growth in all other forms of power generation for the first time and leading experts to hail a "new era".

The launch will help Anesco realise its plan to have the largest portfolio of energy storage in the UK set up and running by the end of next year

Anesco unveils UK's first subsidy-free farm

Renewable energy developer Anesco has today (26 September) heralded a "landmark" achievement with the launch of the UK's first solar farm to operate without a Government subsidy.

The investigation revolved around Section 1603 – a programme set up that allowed solar companies to receive federal grants equal to 30% of the cost of a solar installation

Tesla-owned SolarCity agrees to $30m settlement over solar grant allegations

The solar company acquired by Tesla in 2016 has agreed to pay almost $30m to resolve allegations that it violated a claims act to generate more money through a US-based solar deployment programme.

EXCLUSIVE: edie Explains Solar PPAs guide published

A power purchase agreement (PPA), is a contract between an energy generator and an energy buyer or 'end-user'. PPAs can provide a fixed price for energy generated over the duration of the contract, removing exposure to energy price volatility and allowing for accurate and predictable cost planning.

edie Explains: Solar PPAs

A power purchase agreement (PPA), is a contract between an energy generator and an energy buyer or ‘end-user’. PPAs can provide a fixed price for energy generated over the duration of the contract, removing exposure to energy price volatility and allowing for accurate and predictable cost planning.

Drax has previously suggested that the biomass conversion of three of its power plant units will cut 12mtCO2e per year from the power station's operations

Drax eyes battery storage to accompany gas and biomass conversions

UK power station operator Drax plans to complement its ongoing biomass conversions with gas and battery storage options at two coal power units, although new research that wind and solar are a more cost-effective solution has reignited the debate over biomass use.

Energy consumption at the 54,000-seater stadium surges during football matches and events. Image: Amsterdam ArenA

Nissan LEAF batteries to power up Amsterdam ArenA's energy storage system

Nissan and power management company Eaton will implement one of Europe's largest commercial energy storage systems, after striking a deal to install a 3MW system of electric vehicle (EV) batteries at the car park of the Amsterdam ArenA stadium.

More than 40 social landlords including local authorities will be involved across England and Wales. Photo: Solarplicity

£1bn solar project set to power 800,000 UK homes

More than 800,000 low-income UK households will have access to cheap solar electricity in the next five years thanks to a £1bn Government-led programme.

Audi is aiming for almost the entire roof surface to be covered with solar cells in the future, with the generated electricity used to supply a vehicle’s air-conditioning system and seat heaters

Audi designing solar roof for future electric vehicles

German carmaker Audi has teamed up with a solar-cell specialist to develop a solar roof which will the extend the range of its electric vehicles (EVs).

Sheffield Solar worked with the National Grid for two years to develop real-time generation estimates from solar photovoltaic systems in the UK, and can now forecast in advance

New forecast system to boost efficiency and reduce costs of solar energy

Researchers at the University of Sheffield have developed a forecasting system designed to boost energy generation from solar systems, which could boost the efficiency of the electricity system and help companies and households reduce costs.

Bywaters has reduced its carbon emissions by around 45% and saved more than 640 tonnes of CO2 since February 2016

In practice: London's largest solar retrofit project

Waste management firm Bywaters has dramatically reduced its energy usage and achieved near self-sufficiency following the delivery of a 1MW solar retrofit project at its plant in East London.

Home Depot has a target in place to source 135MW of renewable energy by 2020

Home Depot to fit retail stores with solar panels and Tesla Powerpacks

The world's largest home improvement retailer, Home Depot, has signed an agreement with GE and Tesla to create "mini solar farms" at 50 stores in the US.

Around 80,000 solar panels installed at the Moray site

Scotland's largest solar farm given go-ahead

Planning permission has been granted for what will be Scotland's largest solar farm, a 20MW project in the north-east of the country.

The new solar PV system consists of 2,902 individual panels, each of which measures 1.6 m², which will supply 39% of the daytime electricity used in the mall areas of the centre

'The jewel in the crown': Landsec drives towards science-based target with Britain's biggest shopping centre solar installation

The UK's largest commercial property developer has today (11 August) flicked the switch on a giant rooftop solar system at a shopping centre in Leeds, kicking off a 12-month investment programme in onsite sustainability across its estate.

Smurfit Kappa's €134m (£120m) investment in new technologies at its Nettingsdorf Paper Mill will significantly reduce emissions while increasing production output

In practice: Smurfit Kappa's £120m onsite sustainability drive

With one eye on a key carbon reduction goal for 2020, paper-based packaging company Smurfit Kappa recently undertook a multi-million-euro investment into new boiler and steam turbine systems at one of its major manufacturing facilities in Austria which will significantly reduce emissions.

British Land’s energy efficiency programme has already delivered £13m of gross savings for its occupiers

British Land completes major retail rooftop solar project

Top property development firm British Land has completed the installation of one of the UK's largest retail rooftop solar projects, which will deliver 22% of the site's annual electricity demand during the summer months.

Bond financing will be launched on the company’s new crowdfunding platform Mongoose Crowd, which has already raised more than £1m for green energy projects in the UK since June

Mongoose Energy secures UK's biggest community energy deal

Mongoose Energy has finalised a deal to finance the UK's biggest community energy project, a 'solar plus battery' farm in Warwickshire.

(L to R) Octopus Energy founder Greg Jackson, Arsenal Manager Arsene Wenger and Chief Executive Officer Ivan Gazidis

Arsenal's Emirates Stadium inks deal to source 100% renewable energy

Arsenal Football Club's 60,000-seater stadium in North London has become the first Premier League stadium to source 100% of its electricity needs from renewables, after the club extended its supplier deal with Octopus Energy.

The news is a timely boost for the solar industry, with project deployment at a seven-year low

Solar energy storage systems secure reduced VAT rate

Householders installing a storage system to integrate with a newly-purchased solar photovoltaic systems have been greeted with a reduced VAT of 5%, after the Solar Trade Association (STA) provided evidence to the HMRC.

Onsite generation can help businesses save money on energy bills and even generate income by selling surplus energy back into the grid

edie publishes free business guide to onsite energy generation

Organisations and professionals with an interest in producing and consuming energy at a particular location away from the grid now have access to a free, comprehensive 'edie explains' guide which answers all of the key questions surrounding onsite generation.

edie explains: Onsite generation

This edie explains business guide, produced in association with E.ON, provides an in- depth summary of onsite generation, which allows businesses to make and use their own energy at a particular location, rather than buying that energy through the grid.

A more sustainable energy system is being driven by the rapidly improving economics of renewable power, supported by cost-effective energy storage and the emergence of electric vehicles

Energy industry must embrace '3D transition' to sustainable future, say former Big Six bosses

Britain's 'Bix Six' utility companies must rapidly adapt and find a new role in an energy system which is undergoing the "3D transition" of decarbonisation, digitisation and decentralisation, a new report by industry experts has concluded.

The new home battery packs are priced from £3,000, with costs rising to £6,925 when combined with Ikea solar panels

Ikea offers home energy storage systems alongside solar panels

Ikea has partnered with renewable energy firm Solarcentury to launch a new domestic battery storage solution that could help to double the amount of solar energy used by UK households and reduce electricity bills by 70%.

Members of the European Investment Bank visit Welsh Water's Five Fords treatment site in Wrexham

Welsh Water secures £250m renewables loan and DONG Energy deal

The sixth largest regulated water and sewage company in England and Wales has secured a £250m loan from the European Investment Bank (EIB) to finance on-site renewable generation projects, alongside a clean energy purchasing agreement with providers DONG Energy.

250 kWp ground mount PV system designed and installed by HBS New Energies at the Coal Authority’s Deerplay Mine Water Treatment Scheme, Lancashire

UK Coal Authority turns to solar to offset water treatment costs

A regulatory body of the UK coal industry has named the latest contractor for a four-year renewable energy framework to offset the costs of its 75 mine water treatment sites.

The announcement marks a significant step in Aldi’s ambition to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 30% by 2020

Aldi to install 96,000 solar panels across UK stores this year

German discount supermarket chain Aldi has today (5 July) announced it will install 96,000 solar panels across more than 50 UK stores by the end of 2017.

The microgrid provides WEB Aruba with real-time optimisation capabilities to forecast and cater for growing electricity demands on the island

Caribbean island turns to microgrids in quest to become fossil-fuel free

The island of Aruba is a step closer to becoming fossil-fuel free, after a new deal was signed to integrate an advanced microgrid into the operations of the island's main utilities provider to balance growing demand for electricity with increased renewable energy generation.

New consumer products like Tesla’s grid-connected home battery, along with small-scale solar, are becoming more popular, and are tipped to revolutionise the way power is stored

Storage 'not fundamentally needed' for future power grid, scientists say

The emergence of household batteries, along with small-scale solar photovoltaic and plug-in electric cars, is tipped to transform electricity storage, according to a new state-of-the-art report by European science academies. But experts claim storage is not actually fundamentally needed.

BNEF found that solar will account for 48% of the world’s installed capacity and 34% of electricity generation by 2040

'Unstoppable' renewables to reach new heights as costs tumble, report finds

Renewable energy sources will account for around three quarters of the expected $10trn global investment into power generating technologies between now and 2040, a new report from Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF) has claimed.

Wind energy output peaked at 9.5GW on Wednesday 7 June

Windy weather brings new renewable energy record

Windy weather brought with it a new renewable record on Wednesday lunchtime as output from wind, solar, biomass and hydro peaked at 19.3GW - more than half of all demand.

2016 is the first year that the new solar capacity added to the energy mix has been greater than any other electricity-producing technology

'Spectacular' drop in renewable energy costs leads to record global boost

Renewable energy capacity around the world was boosted by a record amount in 2016 and delivered at a markedly lower cost, according to new global data - although the total financial investment in renewables actually fell.

Telefonica already sources 44% of its electricity from renewables, having doubled the percentage over the last 12 months

Telefonica joins RE100 to accelerate clean energy commitment

Multinational broadband and telecommunications provider Telefonica has signalled its commitment to decarbonising its operations, by joining the RE100 initiative to accelerate its plan to source 100% renewable energy.

Gorillaz are kicking off the E.ON partnership today (26 May) with the release of a new film for the track ‘We Got the Power’

Gorillaz dare to record new tracks in solar-powered studio

Virtual band Gorillaz will record new songs generated by renewable energy after teaming up with E.ON to establish a solar-powered music studio.

The company is also trialling onsite solar panels at its Chapelfield shopping estate

Shopping centre owners launch innovation lab after closing in on CSR targets

Shopping centre owner intu has launched a new Green Lab to identify new solutions to reduce environmental impacts, as outlined in a sustainability report that announced the firm had reached a zero-waste-to-landfill milestone.

The solar farm will save 3,800 tonnes of CO2 emissions at the CCEP factory in Wakefield - equal to taking more than 1,700 cars off the road

Coca-Cola bottler sourcing 100% renewable electricity

Coca-Cola European Partners (CCEP) has launched a new solar farm in Yorkshire to coincide with news that the firm is now sourcing 100% of its electricity from renewable energy.

Power Forward: How the largest US companies are capturing business value while addressing climate change

The largest US companies are increasing their clean energy and energy efficiency efforts while improving their bottom lines.

Join thousands of energy, sustainability, CSR and resource efficiency professionals at the UK's destination event for sustainable business

One month until edie Live 2017 - get your ticket now

With just one month to go until doors open for edie Live 2017 we take a look at why it is the destination event for sustainability and energy managers.

The thinktank insists that low-cost batteries, including those in EVs, mean many individual households and commercial buildings could operate off grid for months at a time by 2025

Green Alliance: UK energy system unprepared for EV and solar growth

The UK could suffer from an overloaded grid at peak times unless rapid action is taken to design a smarter power system, a new report from thinktank Green Alliance has found.

The industry body has set out a series of policy recommendations for ensuring emissions targets for the early 2030s are met

Energy UK joins calls to back 'pot one' technologies

Energy UK has called on ministers to support established renewable technologies, like onshore wind and solar, in order to provide a better deal for customers.