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GMB, the energy union, has called on the Government to heed ‘nightmarish’ blackout warnings from the Institute of Engineering and Shipbuilding in Scotland. Continue reading Government must heed ‘nightmarish’ blackout warnings, says GMB
Utilita Energy, one of the UK’s fastest growing energy firms, will hold a series of energy saving workshops at Citizens Advice Scotland’s Leith centre throughout November and December. Continue reading Utilita to hold energy saving workshops in Leith
Coal stock towers at Longannet, Scotland’s last coal-fired power station, were successfully brought down in a controlled explosion last week. Continue reading Longannet towers demolished
The Scottish Affairs Committee resumes its inquiry into the oil and gas industry on Wednesday (10 October) with a session focusing on the environmental impact of the sector. Witnesses will include the UK Energy Research Centre, Friends of the Earth Scotland and Scottish Carbon Capture Association. Continue reading Scottish Affairs Committee focus on environmental impact in oil and gas inquiry
By banning plastic bottles from the workplace outright, the UK would save 3.9 billion bottles from being produced by 2020 – a saving of 156,000 tonnes of plastic a year. These are the findings of office provider Desk.co.uk who is spearheading a campaign to have all single use plastic bottles outlawed by 2020. Continue reading Call to ban ALL plastic bottles in the workplace
New figures released today by the Energy Switch Guarantee reveal that Yorkshire is home to the savviest energy customers in the UK. The figures show the number of households in each UK Parliamentary constituency that have switched electricity supplier between September 2016 and August 2017. Continue reading UK’s leading energy switchers revealed
It takes 32kWh of energy to prepare a ‘St Andrew’s Day feast’, the equivalent of powering an LCD TV for six weeks
St Andrew’s Day is an occasion to celebrate everything Scottish, with music, dancing and (most importantly) food at the heart of all festivities.
New analysis carried out by Scottish Gas has discovered that it would take 32kWh of energy to cook a ‘St Andrew’s Day feast’, including firm favourites such as haggis, stovies, cock-a-leekie soup and cullen skink.
In fact, the energy used to prepare the celebratory spread could power an LCD TV for six weeks, a games console for two weeks and an energy saving light bulb for three months.
National dish haggis was revealed as the item that uses most power to cook of all the dishes analysed, needing 7.8 kWh of energy, closely followed by favourite accompaniment ‘neeps and tatties’, which uses 6.3kWh.
Those with a sweet tooth will be happy to know that desserts use the least amount of energy to prepare, with shortbread and cranachan needing just 1.5kWh and 0.3kWh respectively.
The energy profile of a St Andrew’s Day feast:
| Dish | Energy needed to prepare (kWh) | The equivalent to |
| Haggis | 7.8 | Running a laptop (plugged in) for more than 5 days |
| Neeps and tatties | 6.3 | Powering a freezer for more than a day |
| Stovies | 6 | Running a washing machine for half a day |
| Scotch broth | 5 | Using a microwave for 4 hours |
| Cock-a-leekie soup | 3.6 | Using an iron for 3 hours |
| Cullen skink | 1.6 | Powering a Wi-Fi router for more than 11 days |
| Shortbread | 1.5 | Powering an alarm clock radio for more than 30 days |
| Cranachan | 0.3 | Powering a cordless phone for over 5 days |
Smart Energy Expert, Stephen Cosgrove, who installs smart meters around Edinburgh for Scottish Gas, said: “St Andrew’s Day sees Scots and Scots-at-heart come together to celebrate our national day. A big part of that is enjoying food that showcases the very best of Scottish culture, so it’s interesting to see how much energy traditional dishes use to prepare.
“Monitoring your energy use may be the last thing you’re thinking about during the festivities, but having an understanding of how much power you’re using when cooking can help to reduce your energy use.
“Having smart meters installed for free can help, too. They automatically send meter readings to your energy supplier so you don’t have to. And they come with a smart energy monitor that shows you how much energy is being used, in pounds and pence, in near real time.”
Scottish Gas has installed more than 415,000 smart meters across Scotland.
Join the millions of people across Britain enjoying the benefits of smart meters. To find out more visit: www.scottishgas.co.uk/smart
Households given expert advice in bid to be energy smart
Scores of residents in and around Edinburgh are set to benefit from free insight and advice on their energy use, as part of a smart technology research initiative.
Sensor technology that helps consumers to use less gas and electricity – and potentially save on energy bills – has already been successfully installed in 100 homes under the research initiative from the University of Edinburgh and Changeworks.
Organisers are now seeking a further 150 households from Edinburgh and the Lothians to take part in the scheme, known as IDEAL – Intelligent Domestic Energy Advice Loop.
Participants have discreet sensors fitted throughout their homes, which track how much gas or electricity is used, as well as, room by room, the temperature and humidity.
The system gives feedback to help households find convenient ways to save energy, and participants are provided with a tablet to track their usage.
Scientists will use powerful computers to analyse large volumes of data from the study, to inform the development of sophisticated smart meters. These could track energy use in detail, offering personalised insights into how electricity and gas use might be reduced.
To participate, volunteers should live in Edinburgh or the Lothians in postcode areas EH1-EH55. They must have broadband, a combi boiler and mains gas supply.
Helen and Mark, from Leith, took part in an early trial of the project. Mark said: “We had a hand-sized sensor fitted in each room and soon forgot they were there. We were surprised by some of the findings. It was really interesting to see what pushed up our bills.”
Drew Murphy, IDEAL project manager from Changeworks, said: “Smart technology allows participating households to see, in pounds and pence, how much gas and electricity they are using. Project findings will inform how we can use technologies, such as smart meters, to enable households to make changes in how they use gas and electricity to lower their energy use and bills.”
Dr Martin Pullinger, of the University of Edinburgh’s School of Informatics, said: “With support from volunteers across Edinburgh, we hope to inform the design of smart meters that could offer personalised, itemised details of gas and electricity use, helping to lower consumption, reduce household bills and cut carbon emissions.”
To find out more and become a participant, see changeworks.org.uk/projects/
