MAKING MONEY FROM THIN AIR

Sustainability experts highlight the financial benefits for renewable energy.

Liverpool 14th July 2009 – With Parliament’s Energy Bill given Royal Ascent at the end of 2008 and less than 12 months to go until the Government’s promise to introduce renewable energy Feed-In Tariff’s, Liverpool sustainability experts Viridis Energie Consultants asks if North West businesses and communities really understand the long term financial benefits of sourcing renewable energy?

With Independent and impartial advise on this complex subject, Viridis Energie Partner Peter Moore stated, “ A ‘feed-in tariff’ is a way for major energy suppliers to pay back businesses, communities and public sector bodies for generating electricity through technologies including wind, solar and hydro power sources.”

It is widely known by experts that the UK is way behind other European countries like Germany and Spain and a lot more needs to be done in educating businesses and the public on how they can cut bills and create additional income for themselves dependent on the scale of their renewable systems.

Head of Environment at Liverpool City Council Cllr Berni Turner commented, “By adopting new technologies that support renewable energy Liverpool businesses and communities can not only become self sufficient on energy sourcing but actually feed energy back into the national grid and get paid for it. Central Government has guaranteed this and we are proactively encouraging businesses to consider cashing in on the opportunity.”

Viridis Energie warns that there is a negative aspect to ‘feed-in tariff’s’ as well. Those that do not opt for a renewable system in the future may well be affected as any payback fees from energy companies are likely to be passed on via higher consumer electricity bills, almost creating a ‘catch-22’ situation.

Leading the way on the subject of renewable energy in Liverpool City Centre is children’s charity KIND. Based close to Hope Street the charity runs a variety of education programmes for disadvantaged children across Merseyside including courses that focus on the environment.

Discussing KIND’s new eco-friendly centre, Founder Steven Yip said, “It’s taken us 10 years to create our education facility which is now almost completed powered by renewable energy.  We use a mix of solar panelling and rain water harvesting to help power and run the centre and plans for a fully functional wind turbine are in place once planning laws are relaxed to further embrace renewable energy sourcing in inner cities.  Our last step is to raise funds for a meter to truly measure the cost saving abilities of our energy systems.”

KIND’s courses teach the younger generation all they need to know about living in a sustainable environment whilst its conservation schemes mean the children are directly involved in cleaning up Liverpool for its brighter future.

Concluding, Peter added, “At present, ‘feed-in tariff’s’ are a great opportunity for commercial business, public sector bodies and institutions to reduce carbon emissions and generate new revenue streams.

Unfortunately technologies like photovoltaic (solar) panels and wind turbines remain a costly option for domestic users but prices are dropping rapidly and I wouldn’t be surprised that by this time next year, you’ll be able to kit your home out with a Tesco branded renewable kit!”

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