Renewable energy business Eco2 has announced the sale of its 40MW straw-powered biomass plant in Brigg, Lincolnshire to new joint venture BWSC PLC - a collaboration between Burmeister & Wain Scandinavian Contractor A/S (BWSC) and PensionDanmark - in a £160m deal.

The new power plant will have a capacity of 40 MW and will be primarily fuelled using locally sourced straw.

The plant is expected to produce enough energy to cover the total consumption of 70,000 households and will result in an annual CO2 emissions reduction of approximately 300,000 tonnes.

Brigg is the second sustainable, straw-fired plant to be developed and financed by Eco2 in less than two years.

CEO of Eco2, Dr David Williams, said: Â€“This project is a perfect example of sustainable biomass. By using locally sourced straw as feedstock, we’re using surplus residues to generate energy while contributing to the rural economy by providing long-term, stable supply contracts that catalyse straw production in the region. 

“These contracts will bring £10m annually to regional farmers, supporting jobs in agriculture.”

BWSC’s share of the investment in the new power plant is £32m and they will be in charge of building, operating and maintaining the plant, which is expected to be operational from early 2016.

BWSC is a global leader with more than 30 years’ experience in developing, building and operating power plants, while PensionDanmark has specialised in direct investments in energy-related infrastructure.

PensionDanmark’s share of the investment in the new power plant is £128m and will be funded via the Copenhagen Infrastructure I fund, which was established in 2012 and is administered by Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP).

Eco2 is further collaborating with BWSC on projects in the UK and Romania.

Food producers across Teesside have more ways to slash waste costs - thanks to the region’s first commercial Anaerobic Digestion (AD) plant.

Emerald Biogas, a 1.56 megawatt energy plant at Newton Aycliffe, will chew up 50,000 tonnes of leftovers from the hotels, takeaways and restaurants of Teesside each year.

Companies such as SK Chilled Foods, which employs more than 550 people across three sites at Wynyard, South Bank and Riverside Park Industrial Estate, have already teamed up with the project.

And bosses are sending a call to action for more companies to help address the 7.8m tonnes-a-year UK food waste mountain generated by commercial outfits.

They say the technology they’ve brought to the region will help firms cut their waste costs.

SK Chilled Foods will send all the waste from its range of Indian, Oriental, Mediterranean, American and Tex Mex snack foods and ready meals to the new plant.

Tony Harvey, SK Chilled Foods manufacturing director, said: “As a UK food producer, we take waste management very seriously and will be working with Emerald Biogas to divert all our food waste from landfill.

“This is both an environmental and commercially viable strategy for us, as it will enable the company to reduce food waste management costs across all three of our sites while managing our waste responsibly.“

Antony Warren, director of Emerald Biogas, is actively encouraging more companies to think of AD as a viable option for their waste.

He said: “Currently only seven per cent of the commercial food waste generated annually is sent to AD facilities and we would like to see a dramatic increase to divert such waste from landfill.

“We have employed the latest technology to make AD a feasible and cost effective alternative for commercial organisations in the North-east.“

AD is used widely across Europe, and now it’s reached the North-east there are plans by Emerald Biogas for more energy generation.

Three further phases have been granted planning permission.

The first of which will double the capacity and power generation of the facility, allowing up to 100,000 tonnes of food waste to be processed each year.

A green company that recycles waste has been given planning permission to build a second centre that will cost £16m and create 100 new jobs.

Earthly Energy, based on the Wilton site near Redcar, has gained approval for a second 5.1MW Anaerobic Digestion (AD) plant, which is based on the fermentation of waste and will power up to 5,500 homes.

It comes just months after Earthly Energy’s first plant was built on Teesside, taking the jobs tally up to 200 in a £32m total boost for the region.

Earthly Energy use biomass from grass cuttings and garden rubbish to pig slurry and discarded food.

There are also plans for four more similar sized plants around the country in a total £100m finance package.

Director Yotta Karanicolas said: "Securing our second site is great news for the company and the area. 

"We have been assisted by so many business professionals within Teesside and this investment is testimonial to their support."

The second plant will bring a total of 11.2MW of energy which will go direct into the National Grid, powering 11,000 homes in total.

Earthly Energy’s aim is to make the Tees Valley a centre for excellence in renewable energy.

The firm plans to include a training facility along with an auditorium at the first plant in Middlesbrough, which will enable local youngsters in all levels of education to come along and learn about renewable energy, its effects on the local area and the AD process in general. 

In August 2012, it achieved a national first when its Middlesbrough AD plant was given Regional Growth Funding (RGF) of £1m.

This was followed in October by an announcement that Greensphere Capital was to invest up to £100m to create an AD platform in the UK of six 5.1 MW plants, in partnership with Earthly Energy.

A month later, Earthly Energy became the first in the UK to receive £8m investment from the Green Investment Bank. 

The support received will help the company achieve its ambition of becoming the UK’s “largest commercial facilitator” of Anaerobic Digestion (AD).

AD, which turns biomass into clean energy, is widely used across Europe and has been slow to take off in this country.

But according to reports this week, the AD sector is growing at the rate of 40 per cent year.

Preston-based Johnson Cleaners has invested £1m in US green cleaning technology across its 340 stores.

From October, Johnson’s stores will use GreenEarth®  technology which negates the use of PERC, a chemical traditionally used in dry cleaning which causes clothes to wear and fade.

Johnson Cleaners is a founding member of GreenEarth® and worked with the American based cleaning company since 2003.

Johnson Cleaners’ managing director, Paul Ogle, said: “This is a significant investment for the company but one that will benefit us, the environment and most importantly the customer.

“Our research tells us that customers do care about the impact they have on the environment but they also want to know that the service we provide will give the best possible results when it comes to their dry cleaning – GreenEarth® provides the perfect solution.”

Johnson’s 1,700 staff have all received five days of training on the new technology which minimises the impact that cleaning processes have on the environment.

Image source: jonrawlinson

Northumbrian Water has pledged to invest around £1bn in services to its customers in the North East between 2015 and 2020.

The Durham-based firm say the investment will protect and create jobs among its network of suppliers and contractors as well as encouraging new business to the area.

Investment will be used to improve sewers to reduce flooding risk; cleaning of water pipes; improvements to 12 sewage treatment works to improve the quality of water returned to rivers and improvements to protect bathing waters from potential pollution.

Heidi Mottram, Northumbrian Water’s chief executive officer, said: “This is a major commitment to further improve the infrastructure of water supply and sewerage services in the North East, and it will have a significant knock-on effect in terms of our regional economy.

“As well as improving the service we provide for our 2.7 million customers, we will be making a major contribution to our network of suppliers and contractors based in the region. By making sure we have water and sewerage services that are second to none, new businesses will be encouraged to come to the area.

“We have been consulting with our customers and stakeholders all over the region and discussing our findings with a group called the Water Forum. This independent group is made up of a wide range of representatives who scrutinise and challenge our plans. We have developed proposals for the future through this process, and we now want to check that we have reflected our customers’ views correctly.“

Northumbrian Water is currently updating its business plan which will be published in December, and is urging customers to submit their proposals via the planning website here.

Warrington Borough Council has appointed local architectural consultancy DV8 Designs to prepare an analysis, study and draft master-plan for the Garvin Place and former Cabinet Works areas of Warrington town centre.

These town centre sites situated within the cultural quarter are currently unused and the commission will explore and maximise their regeneration and development potential. They are identified as a key town centre sites in the Council’s regeneration framework Warrington Means Business.

The aspiration for the area is to create a mixed-use development comprising residential, retail, business, leisure, hotel and hospitality uses which will complement and enhance the existing town centre and preserve and make a feature of the landmark tower at the former Garnett cabinet works.

Plans for this new area will aspire to create a hub of activity for businesses in the town, with space allocated specifically for small businesses and so positively changing the dynamics of the town centre.

The development will focus around a new public square for outdoor events and alfresco activities to attract residents and visitors into a vibrant and bustling Warrington town centre. Infrastructure and connectivity will be improved and will enable links with Queens Square, Sankey Street, Bridge Street and Barbould Street to the Waterfront.

DV8 Designs, based at Birchwood Park, Warrington, won the contract by competitive tender and collectively have over 20 years of experience in urban design and master-planning as well as having worked on numerous retail, leisure and commercial office projects.

Cllr Terry O’Neill, Leader, Warrington Borough Council said: “This is the first step in the Council unlocking the tremendous potential that this area offers. It is in the heart of our historic central heritage area and this study will provide the basis of a masterplan for the future. I’m delighted to have appointed local company DV8 Designs for this study.“

Steve Park, managing director, Warrington & Co., Warrington’s partnership for driving growth said: “This is an exciting opportunity to realise the full potential that these sites offer. Key to the scheme will be the production of a masterplan, an analysis of connectivity, a conservation plan and the preservation of the landmark tower at the former Garnett’s cabinet work factory.

“The team at Warrington & Co. are excited at the prospect of working with DV8 Designs and taking this forward. This is yet another major progression of the Warrington Means Business framework and the renaissance of the town.“

Lee Birchall, director of DV8 Designs said: “We are very proud to be working with Warrington & Co. to investigate the potential of this area. I am a Warringtonian born, bred and passionate about my town. My colleagues similarly all live locally and our business is based here. We have the advantage of being able to add our depth of local knowledge, enthusiasm and passion into the commission.

“Further information about the vision for this area is set out in the ‘Warrington Means Business’, Warrington Borough Council’s and Warrington and Co’s programme to drive economic growth in the Borough and release the true potential of the place and its people.“

Image source: okfn

A number of Humber companies working within the offshore wind supply chain are travelling to Denmark this week to seek out business opportunities.

Organised by Team Humber Marine Alliance (THMA) and Enterprise Europe Network (EEN), nearly 20 businesses and organisations will tour the main production facilities of Siemens Wind Power in Brande.

Mark O’Reilly, director and chairman of THMA, said: "There is a really good mix of Humber companies coming with us, ranging from logistics to offshore wind support vessels to survival clothing.

"We will hear from Siemens about its Brande offshore wind facilities and how its supply chains work, and it is also a great opportunity to network with other companies within the Danish and Norwegian offshore wind industry.

“This increasingly strong relationship between Danish, German, Norwegian and British companies is something that we have been helping to develop for the last few years.“

Delegates will also visit ‘Energy Metropolis’ Esbjerg, including its offshore wind harbour facilities, and hear from Blue Water Shipping on how its Blue Water Danbrit joint venture has benefited from EEN support.

The three-day visit is in conjunction with overseas partners including Windcluster Norway and Targeting Innovation, as part of the North Sea Offshore Wind conference 2013.

Companies and organisations going to Denmark from September 3-5 include Blue Water Danbrit, Carlbom Shipping, Collett Marine, Dalby Offshore, DFDS Seaways, Green Marine Solutions, Humber LEP, Hull & Humber Chamber of Commerce, Mechan, Mullion Survival Technology, the University of Hull, Wind Power Performance and Wind Power Support.

Banks Mining have submitted the first of three planning applications to continue work at two North East surface mines.

Durham-based Banks is looking to extend existing operations at the Shotton surface mine in south east Northumberland and Brenkley Lane surface mine in Newcastle, which the firm say contribute around £35m to the region each year and sustain 200 jobs.

Plans have been submitted to Northumberland County Council and include the first of two additional areas at the Shotton site, which is known as Shotton South West, and which is located at the south west corner of the existing mine.

Up to 250,000 tonnes of coal would be extracted from the Shotton South West area, which would be transported by road to the port of Blyth.  

If approved, Banks say the application would provide a further year of work for the 150 employees at the Shotton site, with coaling completed by October 2017 and full restoration carried out by October 2019.

Earlier this year, Banks held two public exhibitions to discuss its plans with local people, and has used the feedback received at these events to finalise the design of the Shotton South West proposal.

The Shotton and Brenkley Lane sites already contribute more than £400,000 in business rates every year, and if the additional areas are granted planning permission, it would enable Banks to continue its support for local facilities through its Banks Community Fund, which has already seen over £725,000 given to groups and good causes in Northumberland over the last nine years.

Mark Dowdall, Banks’ environment and community director, says: “The initial discussions we’ve had with local people about these two schemes have been very positive, and we’re pleased to have reached this first landmark in the planning application process.

“The Shotton and Brenkley Lane surface mines operate in a safe, responsible and efficient way, and enable us to make significant, long-term contributions to both the local supply chain and regional economy which we want to develop even further.

“We have been a significant employer in south east Northumberland for many years, and these plans will enable Banks to achieve our ambition of continue our presence in the county further into the future.“

Anyone wanting more information on the Shotton South West proposals should contact the Banks Mining development relations team on 0191 378 6100, or via shotton@banksgroup.co.uk

Wakefield-based environmental and decommissioning consultancy Site Ops has been acquired by Manchester’s Winterhill Largo.

The asset recovery specialists aim to grow Site Ops, as part of its plan to become an established services supplier to the insolvency and turnaround sector.

Site Ops, which manages the risks associated with the close of manufacturing plants and industrial facilities that use chemicals, will be rebranded as Winterhill Site Ops.

Founder and chief executive of Site Ops, Des Kelly, will remain with the business.

Winterhill Largo chief executive, Neil Duckworth, said: “Site Ops is a highly respected specialist in the safe decommissioning of industrial plants. The company’s services are often required when administrators are selling property assets of distressed businesses, and so the acquisition makes perfect sense as an extension of our portfolio of asset services.

“We are now able to offer a comprehensive service to our insolvency clients that takes sites from initial closure to fully documented decommissioning and environmental approvals.  This is crucial to maximising the value of property assets, and will add another dimension to the service we can deliver to clients and property firms.“

The deal follows Winterhill’s acquisitions of debt management specialists Sovereign, and field services provider, Chase Solutions, earlier this year.

A Sheffield-based multidisciplinary environmental consultancy is creating a raft of new job opportunities after opening new offices across the UK.

As part of a national expansion programme, Ecus Ltd has opened a new Cheltenham office, quickly followed by a base in Stirling, Scotland, with a third opening in Basingstoke next month.

The expansion will enable Ecus, based at Blackburn Road in Sheffield, to provide key services including environmental impact assessments, ecology, landscape, heritage, geoscience, environmental management and aquatic ecology to more businesses across the country.

The growth of the Ecus team at Festival House in Cheltenham will be overseen by technical director ornithology Phil Shepherd, who is currently leading a recruitment programme in the South West.

Meanwhile, the team based at Stirling University Innovation Park, and led by principal hydroecologist Dr Ian Griffin, is aiming to create up to 12 new employment opportunities in the next three years. Ecus’ Basingstoke office is opening in October this year.

Managing director Nick Birkinshaw said: “The Ecus team has put in an impressive performance over the past few years and this has allowed us to accelerate expansion into new offices in Cheltenham, Scotland and Basingstoke as well as bolster the team in Sheffield. 

“Our growing number of satellite offices strengthens our geographical coverage, enabling us to offer a high calibre and broad range of environmental services across the UK.“

Established in 1986, Ecus is a spin-out company from the University of Sheffield and now employs more than 35 staff and is planning additional recruitment and offices in 2014.

Shildon engineering firm, The Bignall Group, has installed what is thought to be one of the North East’s biggest single roof solar panel projects.

The family-run precision engineering firm has installed the 150-kilowatt, 620 solar panel system and believes the work will support planned expansion into international markets through cost savings.

John Bignall, founder of the group, said: “The very nature of our business as a precision engineering company means we are very heavy users of electricity.  As such this means that, unless we did something to reduce these costs, then inevitably we would have to factor these into our pricing for new contracts.

“What this installation demonstrates is that, as a business, we are committed to keeping our operating costs low and as such can be very competitive in the markets we’re entering.“

The system has been installed by Middlesbrough’s UCS Renewables, a firm is also experiencing exponential growth.

Specialists in large scale commercial renewable installations, the company has more than doubled its staff in the last year and expects turnover to double in the next 12 months to more than £3million.

UCS sees no sign of the renewable industry slowing down with clients including some of the region’s largest football clubs, NHS sites such as Ryhope and Morpeth and educational establishments like New College Durham recently completing large scale renewable installations.  

This rapid expansion, combined with a host of large scale contract wins across the UK, has also led to the company opening a new office in the Midlands that will manage and co-ordinate all projects in the south of the country.  

These contracts include work for Taunton Deane Borough Council who only recently awarded a major solar panel installation to the Middlesbrough based company.

Speaking about the technology installed at Bignalls, Matt Hawkins, director of business development at UCS Renewables said: “As far as we’re aware, the Bignalls installation is the largest single roof mounted solar system in the North East.  

“In terms of scale the system has the ability to power the equivalent of 50 homes which gives an indication of just how big this install is. And the whole thing was completed and installed in only three weeks to make sure Bignalls benefitted from the very best tariff.“  

The solar installation was also encouraged by energy consultancy and North East based, Tadea, which was instrumental in helping the Bignall Group recognise the positive impact of solar PV on its business.

Tadea’s employee director, Malcolm Potter, said: “We were more than happy to advise the Bignall Group on the viability of large scale solar and the real impact this could have on the business in terms of savings to its  bottom line and security of energy supply.“

As well as putting the Bignall Group in such a competitive position for its international markets, the installation of the solar technology is also helping power the Dabble Duck industrial estate where the business is based.

John added: “After only two months we are already producing more electricity than we need and which we’re exporting straight back to the grid.

“So even though the install was a significant expenditure for the business, what we’re seeing so far already indicates that we’re likely to get this investment back in well under six years, which is even better than the estimates we originally worked to.“   

For the Bignall Group the move towards green technology, it believes, will only help the company win new business around the globe and particularly in Europe where, according to the Group, blue chip manufacturers are increasingly encouraged to source from green suppliers.

An opinion echoed by UCS.

Matt added: “The potential for tax breaks on renewable installations means we’re seeing more and more companies installing green technology as part of their business strategy and then requesting similar green credentials from their suppliers.

“The opportunity therefore for businesses to expand and win new contracts across the world by demonstrating their commitment to reducing energy costs, as opposed to doing nothing and then being forced to pass on these rising costs through their supply chain, is very real.“

UCS Renewables is based on Riverside Park in Middlesbrough and employs 50 staff.  The company has recently completed the install of leading edge technology on the Bellamy Pavillion at Kirkleatham Museum which has, for the first time, seen photovoltaic cells incorporated into the design structure of a building to preserve its architectural heritage.

Bus operator Stagecoach Yorkshire’s efforts to improve local air quality have been rewarded with a four-star rating in the Care4Air ECO Stars Fleet Recognition programme.

Stagecoach has become the first transport operator in South Yorkshire to achieve the rating after being upgraded from three stars.

The scheme, which was the first of its kind in the UK, recognises fleet operators who are using lower polluting vehicles and effective fuel management.

Stagecoach Yorkshire, which operates services in Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham, Sheffield and Chesterfield, became the first bus operator to join the programme in 2009.

The company has been boosted up to four stars following an assessment of its operations and vehicles.

Paul Lynch, managing director of Stagecoach Yorkshire, said: “We are extremely proud to see that our hard work and commitment to the environment has been recognised with the award of four stars.

“We’re delighted to be the first passenger transport operator in the region to achieve this standard, and we hope that we continue to set an example to local organisations and highlight to others the importance of investing in lower polluting vehicles.“

Over the past 12 months, Stagecoach has invested almost £12 million in 40 electric hybrid buses which have 30 per cent lower carbon emission than standard buses.

Stagecoach has improved the fuel efficiency of its fleet of 315 vehicles and reduced carbon emissions with the use of a fuel additive, EnviroxTM, and a hi-tech GreenRoad 360 eco-driving system.

New buses also use stop-start technology which means there are zero emissions when the bus is stood still.

A specialist Yorkshire hydroponic product retailer has been bought out of administration by Warwick-based GroWell Hydroponics Group, in the process ensuring the business will retain a presence in the county.

Aquaculture Hydroponics was placed into administration in July 2013, and Robert Dymond and Lisa Jane Hogg of independent insolvency practitioners Wilson Field were appointed as joint administrators.

Formed in 1996, Aquaculture Hydroponics - experts in growing plants in aquatic based, soilless environments - had operated from premises in Sheffield, Barnsley and Ripley.

However, before being placed into administration, the company closed its Barnsley and Ripley sites, leaving only the Sheffield facility on Parkway Drive.

Wilson Field worked closely with Aquaculture Hydroponics to restructure the company’s management team and supported its purchase by the GroWell Hydroponics Group.

GroWell Hydroponics is the UK’s leading supplier of hydroponics and indoor gardening equipment and has seven shops across the country. The Sheffield site will be the Group’s first in Yorkshire.

Robert Dymond, insolvency practitioner at Wilson Field, said: “Following the closure of the Barnsley and Ripley premises, before Wilson Field were appointed, there was a definite possibility the Sheffield site would close too.

“However, the company did have a long-standing reputation for selling specialist hydroponic products whilst also operating as a manufacturer and developer of plant nutrient and stimulant mixtures.

“Working with them throughout the administration process has allowed us to restructure its operations and oversee the purchase of the company’s assets, meaning the Sheffield site can remain open under the GroWell Hydroponics Group of stores.

The Recoveries Team at Irwin Mitchell in Sheffield advised the administrators on the sale of the business, negotiating and completing the sale on their behalf.

Wilson Field provides complete business recovery, insolvency and personal debt solutions to businesses and individuals across the UK.

The insolvency specialist works to recover businesses which are in financial trouble or insecurity, while also offering debt solutions to companies and individuals. Last year, Wilson Field helped to save more than 1,500 jobs and 90 businesses across the UK.

With a head office in Sheffield, Wilson Field was formed in 2001 and employs more than 80 people across eight regional offices.

County-Durham renewable energy merchants, Go Geothermal, have secured a distribution deal with global building firm REHAU to supply their piping products.

The deal is part of a growth plan for Go Geothermal, which was launched in 2006 by co-directors Sean Sowden and Tim Williams.

The firm specialise in the sale and distribution of heat pump, biomass and underfloor heating equipment, and employ seven people across offices in County Durham and Nottinghamshire.

Sean said: “We have enjoyed a strong performance over the summer with July a record month for sales, no doubt helped by the Government’s domestic RHI tariff announcement.

“This is encouraging more consumers and installers to look to renewable energy as an attractive option for heating and hot water.“

An army of Romans are getting on their bikes to do their bit for the environment.

Shower manufacturers Roman, on Aycliffe Business Park, has seen a surge of its workforce cycling to work in recent months.

The firm says about 15 per cent of staff are using their bikes to get to work - more than the national average, with about 10 per cent of UK employees cycling to work once a week.

Roman marketing boss Ally Chesney said: "Cycling to work is a great way for me to get some extra exercise in each week.

"I’m currently training for my first triathlon and to complete the Spartan Race, so cycling to work ensures I get some extra training in." 

A number of Roman employees are also in training for a variety of sporting events including; triathlons, the Great North Run, Tough Mudder and various 10k races, while for others it’s just a regular part of their routine.

The firm’s MD David Osborne added: "It’s great to see so many of our employees cycling and walking to work. It’s such a great way to get fit and healthy. 

"Not only is it good for their own well-being, but it’s also great for the environment, with less people driving. 

"From our point of view, we as a manufacturer are always working to reduce our impact on the environment, and we hold ISO14001 accreditation.

"We’re delighted to see so many of our employees are choosing to leave their cars at home, and cycling in to work so regularly."

Image source: peter burge

A team of researchers from Northumbria Water and Newcastle University have revealed how sewage plants have the power to run themselves and produce clean energy.

Speaking at the British Science Festival in Newcastle this week, the experts explained how billions of naturally-occurring microbes in sewage could be harnessed to develop a self-powered treatment process and produce valuable hydrogen gas.

Funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), the team are now preparing to install the next generation of Microbial Electrolysis Cell technology at a sewage works in Sedgefield.

Around 2% of all electricity used in the UK is used to treat wastewater, a cost which is ultimately paid for by the public.

Northumbrian Water is already leading the water industry with its award-winning £70 million ‘power from poo’ advanced anaerobic digestion (AAD) plants at Howdon on Tyneside and at Bran Sands on Teesside.  

All the sludge remaining after the wastewater from 2.6 million customers in the North East has been treated and is already producing gas which is being turned into electricity.

This new system, led by Tom Curtis, Professor of Biological Engineering, Keith Scott, Professor of Electrochemical Engineering and Dr Elizabeth Heidrich, all of Newcastle University, takes this to the next level.  Using raw, untreated waste water at normal temperatures, the entire process is fuelled using the energy from bugs.

Professor Curtis explains: "We spend a lot of electricity treating sewage and it’s totally unnecessary.

"Waste water contains two to three times more energy than we use to treat it so if we can harness that energy we can not only close the loop on sewage treatment to create a totally self-treating system, we will also have spare energy to use elsewhere.

"What’s really clever about this system is that it works on raw sewage at ambient temperature.  Most anaerobic digesters require a high-energy, concentrated food source and heat to work properly which means the water has to be removed first and this is an energy-expensive process.

"What we have developed is a system that feeds on the waste as it arrives at the plant - the whole lot goes in and the microbes do all the hard work."

Maxine Mayhew, Commercial Director for Northumbrian Water, said: "As the industry leader for generating sustainable power from poo it’s a natural progression for us to look to science to see what more can be achieved in the future.

"Currently we are harvesting the methane released by bacteria as they digest the sludge which is then used in gas engines to create electricity.

"Now, in another innovative move to maximise the energy production, we are working to upgrade and purify the biogas so it can be directly injected into the gas grid.

"As industry pioneers of generating power from wastewater we now look to our work with Newcastle University to take this energy production to another level and develop production of hydrogen - the clean fuel of the future."

Image source: Highways Agency

Businesses in the North are sick of government talking the talk on infrastructure and want action, a survey from KPMG and the CBI suggests.

Over 500 businesses were asked for their opinion and 65% believe the that government policies will have no tangible impact, or even a negative one.

Energy has overtaken transport since 2012 as the biggest future concern for businesses, with major concerns about security and cost.

The ‘Connect More’ report highlights uncertainties in infrastructure planning in the UK, including the future funding of the road network, aviation capacity and clarity over the costs of HS2.

The CBI’s John Huddleston said: “Quality infrastructure is vital for boosting exports, unlocking business investment across the north east, and supporting our leading firms – an essential element of a meaningful industrial strategy.

“I know that ministers share our enthusiasm for progress, but Government has talked the talk on infrastructure for the last two years with too few signs of action.

“The faltering speed of delivery on infrastructure creates a worrying sense that politicians lack the political will to tackle some of the major issues head-on.

“We can’t afford any further delay. The Coalition must show strong leadership and prove that the UK can deliver on a small number of projects over the next 18 months and reach a much-needed consensus on bigger issues such as aviation and roads reform.”

Northern businesses view direct flights to emerging markets as key to their success – China (53%), India (44%), Brazil (26%), Russia (18%), though place less importance on this than the average UK business.

The CBI is calling for five practical steps to be taken in the next 18 months to boost immediate construction, while also setting the groundwork for longer-term decisions:

• Boost investment by introducing capital allowances for the construction of infrastructure projects at the Autumn Statement.
• Complete all feasibility studies for road and rail projects outlined in the Spending Review and commit to detailed plans for delivery, while starting the debate on longer-term road reform by conducting an audit of the state of the road network and its costs to operate.
• Enshrine the Energy Bill into legislation and bring forward secondary legislation to provide businesses with the certainty they need to invest in our future energy supply.
• Commit to implement the findings of the Airports Commission in party manifestos.
• Collaborate with industry on a long-term plan for digital infrastructure, enabling businesses to make use of a wide range of technologies.

Experts are warning a landmark Euro vote to limit the use of traditional biofuels will have an adverse impact on the industry.

MEPs supported a cap of 6 per cent for first-generation biofuels - the kind that Ensus produces - in transport fuel by 2020, down from the current 10 per cent target.

The news comes as Germany company CropEnergies plan a £50m upgrade of the Ensus plant at Wilton, Teesside, which employs 100 people but is currently offline.

The Renewable Energy Association (REA) says the new cap is too tight.

Head of renewable transport at REA Clare Wenner said: “Future investments are likely to remain on hold following the voting in Strasbourg, which introduces a whole new level of procedural complexity into the policy situation.

“As well as helping to fight climate change and reducing our dependence on animal feed imports, investment in UK biofuels generates skilled jobs and green growth in regions of previous industrial decline, such as Humberside and the North-east.

“The 6 per cent overall cap is too tight and the REA continues to oppose the introduction of ILUC [indirect land use change] factors until there is convincing scientific evidence that biofuels should be singled out in this way.“

The European renewable ethanol industry association, ePURE, said the vote had put the future of jobs and growth for the European ethanol industry under pressure.

The association’s Rob Vierhout said: “Decisions made by MEPs will also discourage the ambition of greening Europe’s transport system.

“It is disappointing to see that the European Parliament has decided to significantly reduce the market for conventional biofuels in Europe.

“At a time when we need to boost our economy it is difficult to see why MEPs agree to curtail jobs and investment in a sector that helps Europe to grow the production of clean and sustainable fuels.“

Fiona Hall, Lib Dem MEP for the North East, said the vote was necessary to prevent unlimited expansion of crop-based biofuels, which can conflict with food production.

She added: “Setting the cap at 6 per cent will give the industry a fair chance to adapt to policy changes, whilst a sub-target of 2.5 per cent will incentivise investments into advanced ‘second-generation’ biofuel.

“Different kinds of biofuel have different social and environmental impacts. Ensus, for example, is a highly efficient and sustainable plant. It will benefit from a separate 7.5 per cent target for bioethanol.“

North East sustainable project management and advice services firm, Tadea, has secured £114,750 of funding from the Let’s Grow Fund.

Tadea will open the Effective Transport Solutions (ETS) in February 2014, a company that will offer driver training packages to promote greener motoring.

Let’s Grow Fund is a Journal and Evening Gazette-led collaboration with BE Group and UNW LLP which provides grant support for capital investment and research and development projects creating or safeguarding jobs in the North East.

ETS will cater for all types of organisations with fleets of vehicles on the road – including grey fleets. From local authorities to road haulage firms, from the emergency services to the passenger transport sector, ETS can help organisations cut fuel costs, reduce emissions and keep employees safe behind the wheel

Gordon Pattie is the Transport Centre manager at ETS, said: “Fuel efficient driving can save a company 10 per cent on its fuel costs. That means that the courses pay for themselves within a matter of months – however, the savings they bring about continue to reduce motoring costs for years into the future. 

“The associated safety techniques inherent in this type of training can save further revenue through reducing accidents and subsequent downtime of vehicles and staff. Health and Safety and Corporate Manslaughter legislation adds significant weight to the requirement for companies to provide their staff with adequate training.“

Two levels of simulator will be on offer from ETS’s base at the Future Technology Centre, next to the Nissan factory in Sunderland. 

The base level simulators will deliver semi-immersed training using three screen technology and state-of-the-art simulation software.  The higher specification simulators are housed in BMW Minis - these have wrap-around projector screens which provide a far more immersed training experience. Both types of simulator can switch between internal combustion engine and electric vehicle, maximising the training opportunities available.

Training in fuel efficient driving, adverse weather, hazard perception as well as electric vehicle familiarisation will be offered alongside other services such as fleet reviews, travel planning and carbon footprinting. 

National construction company Seddon – which has its national head office in Plodder Lane, Farnworth, Bolton – is calling for radical changes to the way that new construction apprentices are trained.

The company believes that while the industry bemoans the skills shortage, thousands of youngsters are currently ‘stagnating’ on further education college courses which may ultimately leave them without the skills needed to work in the industry.

In its latest apprentice recruitment round, Seddon received 870 applications for the 70 apprenticeships it expects to create over the next 12 months. Nearly half – around 45 per cent - of these were from students who have already studied for a college diploma or who are currently on a college course. But the company’s experience is that many students are not ready to work in the industry at the end of their course.

Seddon – which doesn’t believe the Richards Review proposals for changing the apprenticeship system will work for the construction sector – has come up with its own potential solution.

The company wants to work more closely with colleges by providing paid work placements for students which would enable them to develop the industry experience needed to be ‘job-ready’. However, the colleges it has already approached with the idea do not feel this would benefit them as it would affect their funding.

Nicola Hodkinson, director of business services for Seddon, said: “We are not unhappy that the colleges should get money for training people. But for us, the issue is that if we take someone on from a college course, they are not ‘job-ready’. It’s not a question of someone joining us and finishing their training on site – we are effectively having to start from scratch with them.

“An alternative would be to actually start funding the industry for training, not just the colleges. Our solution was to speak to a number of colleges offering to provide paid work placements which would allow students to work towards gaining NVQ qualifications, something which colleges do not deliver as part of the Construction Diploma qualification.

“For us, the young person being trained should be the number one priority. At a time when the industry is shouting about a skills shortage, thousands of young people on college courses are stagnating and are not ready to get jobs. We would be interested in knowing how many finish their college course and then go on to work in the industry. This is something that the colleges can’t – or won’t – tell us. Yet it’s the industry that will be on the backfoot, not the colleges, if the current situation continues.

“The danger is that if this recession ends, say in 2015, we will not have the people in place needed to cope with the upturn. At the same time, the CITB has highlighted the potential skills ‘time bomb’ created by the fact that almost one in five construction workers is set to retire over the next five to 10 years.“

Seddon doubts that the Richards Review proposals currently out to consultation, which include plans for employers to receive direct funding for apprentice training, will work for construction. “Given that we already have the levy and grant system, how would a separate funding arrangement work?“ asks Nicola Hodkinson, “and if employers do become directly funded for training in the way proposed, it also raises the question of how that training will be regulated.“