Sem nuclear, Governo pede a japoneses para pouparem electricidade

As empresas adoptaram formas de poupar electricidade, como as lâmpadas LED. Foto: Toru Hanai/Reuters

Com todos os 50 reactores nucleares parados, o Governo japonês decidiu nesta sexta-feira pedir a cidadãos e empresas para pouparem entre 5 e 15% de electricidade no Verão e assim evitar apagões.

A decisão governamental diz respeito ao período entre 2 de Julho e 7 de Setembro. As maiores poupanças, pelo menos 15% em relação aos consumos do Verão de 2010, são pedidas na região abastecida pela companhia de electricidade Kansai, no Oeste do Japão e onde se situam as cidades de Osaka e Quioto.

Das nove companhias eléctricas regionais que abastecem o Japão, Kansai é uma das mais dependentes da energia nuclear, uma fatia do bolo energético que, em 2010, ultrapassou os 40%, segundo o jornal Wall Street Journal.

A região abastecida pela companhia Kyushu é desafiada a reduzir 10% dos seus consumos e os clientes das companhias Chubu, Chugoku e Hokuriku pouparão 5%. A electricidade que pouparem será distribuída para Kansai e Kyushu, segundo a estação NHK.

O Verão é uma das épocas do ano com maiores picos de consumo de electricidade. No ano passado, as companhias de energia impuseram apagões controlados e apelaram à poupança junto dos cidadãos e empresas. A 1 de Maio deste ano, foi relançada a iniciativa Cool Biz, que permite aos funcionários em escritórios do Governo trabalharem sem gravatas e arregaçar as mangas, para enfrentar o calor sem ares condicionados. As empresas adoptaram formas de poupar electricidade, como as lâmpadas LED.

Ainda assim, o problema da eventual falta de electricidade poderá ser aliviado se voltarem a funcionar os dois reactores da central nuclear Ohi, parados desde 5 de Maio para manutenção. O primeiro-ministro japonês, Yoshihiko Noda, disse nesta quinta-feira que, em breve, vai tomar uma decisão sobre aqueles dois reactores e os municípios mais próximos da central estão já a debater uma proposta do Governo para aceitarem a retoma da actividade daquele complexo nuclear.

O Governo japonês já avisou a companhia Kansai e outras três empresas eléctricas regionais que se devem preparar para apagões programados, durante o Verão, no caso de cortes de electricidade. Estes deverão ocorrer uma vez por dia e durante duas horas.

Mas Tóquio recusou implementar poupanças de electricidade obrigatórias para não prejudicar a actividade económica do país, justificou nesta sexta-feira o ministro da Economia, Motohisa Furukawa, em conferência de imprensa.

Antes do acidente de Fukushima, causado por um tsunami a 11 de Março de 2011, a energia nuclear satisfazia entre 25 e 30% das necessidades eléctricas do Japão. Desde a catástrofe, um por um, os reactores do país foram encerrados. Quatro dos seis que compunham a central de Fukushima encerraram definitivamente depois do acidente. Dos restantes, uma parte está parada para manutenção ou testes de segurança e outra, apesar de já concluídas estas operações, aguardam autorização local para reiniciarem a produção.

Com todos os 50 reactores parados, as companhias de electricidade já instalaram novos sistemas de produção de energia, como painéis solares e reactivaram antigas centrais térmicas, o que obriga a importações de combustíveis fósseis.

Autor: Helena Geraldes
Fonte: Ecosfera – Público
Original: http://bit.ly/JrgOtU

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How a leaky 1990s terraced home’s energy bills were cut by 69%

With the green deal announced to improve home energy efficiency, we look at Tracey Hillyard and her retrofit experience

Retrofit for the Future is a nationwide government programme trialling innovative energy-saving technologies. (Photography: Morley von Sternberg)

Tracey Hillyard and her three teenage children live in a small, 1990s terraced house whose leaky walls and roof were leaching heat out of the home. Concerned about escalating energy bill, Tracey approached her housing association, East Thames, about the problem.

As luck would have it, East Thames had been invited to participate in a nationwide government programme, Retrofit for the Future, trialling innovative energy saving technologies. So Tracey’s home was put forward as a case study.

Architects Penoyre & Prasad spent a lot of time with Tracey and her family finding out about their concerns and lifestyle in order to identify the right solutions. Project architect David Cole says: “Although the main room had good daylight, the hallway, stairs and landing were dark, with an oversized landing that nobody used.

“There was a lack of storage and nowhere to dry clothes. The tumble dryer was on constantly – accounting for one-fifth of all the house’s energy use. Also, doors and windows were being opened frequently because the family are smokers.”

The architects proposed creating a large lightwell in the roof, which floods the stairs and landing with daylight and creates a natural space for drying laundry on the newly-installed drying rack. Either side of the skylight, a loft area has been created with ample storage, accessed by a neat wooden ladder up to a mezzanine area. Below the mezzanine a tranquil, daylit resting spot has been created, complete with chaise longue.

The large rooflight opens and closes according to electronic temperature and humidity sensors, bringing a constant flow of fresh air into the house, which circulates down through to the ground via ventilation grilles placed alongside new triple-glazed windows. Slimline, with a tilt-and-turn closing mechanism, they are completely secure.

Tracey says: “I never shut the grilles. I’m a panicker and I get scared at night. But I leave them open. We get up in the morning and it’s beautiful, fresh air.”

The total cost of the works and materials (excluding research and design fees) was £72,500, including lightwell, new windows, and insulation of the roof, walls and floor. These measures have already brought energy use down by an estimated 69% and carbon emissions by 79%. Tracey and her family love the new sense of light and space, as well as the reduced bills. “I only have to put the heating on for an hour, and the house stays warm all day,” she says.

Author: Veronica Simpson
Source: The Guardian
Original: http://bit.ly/ur0mh1

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Saving money through energy efficiency

With the UK’s major energy suppliers bumping up their prices by up to 18% this winter, the belated arrival of the cold winds represents a great opportunity to look at ways of cutting your fuel bills.

The imminent announcement of a consultation on the government’s Green Deal, which aims to help you make your home more energy-efficient, should provide an added incentive.

And there are lots of ways you can save money – in some cases a great deal – just by making a few simple upgrades to your home.

Some improvements cost virtually nothing and can take a matter of minutes to install; others require a bit of capital and expert help. Others still require small changes in habits that should more than reward the effort.

All are well worth considering. According to the Energy Saving Trust (EST), the average household could save about £280 a year on its fuel bills by being more energy efficient. Bearing in mind the average bill is about £1,300, that’s quite some saving.

This equates to more than a tonne of carbon emissions every year, thus helping to combat rising global temperatures.

There are plenty of schemes around to help you get a better idea of what upgrading your home to make it more efficient actually involves.

Old Homes Super Homes is one such project, which is supported by the National Energy Foundation. Sarah Harrison, who takes part in the scheme, says it can help people understand not just the financial benefits of so-called retro-fitting, but also how upgrading homes can improve your quality of life.

Insulation

When it comes to energy efficiency, the smallest measures are often the most effective, so insulation is a good place to start.

For example, a simple hot water tank cover can cost as little as £10-£15 but it could save you three times this much in a single year.

Doors and windows can then be sealed quickly and easily using self-adhesive foam and rubber strips, and draught excluders. Seal up any gaps between your floors and skirting boards and, together, these measure could save you more than £50 a year, according to the EST.

Next look at insulating your loft and walls properly – about a third of an uninsulated home’s heat is lost through the walls, and about a quarter through the roof.

Walls will require varying degrees of works depending on their construction, but proper insulation can save hundreds of pounds a year. Just topping up your loft insulation can also shave a substantial amount off your annual bills.

Also look at secondary and double glazing – almost 20% of heat loss from the average home comes from windows.

Heating

Upgrading old electric storage heaters to modern alternatives can save you more than £100 a year, and in some cases considerably more.

Replacing an old, inefficient boiler with an A-rated condensing model could save as much £300 a year, although you will have to decide whether this is worth the £1,000 to £2,000 cost of buying and installing one.

Even fitting a room thermostat could save you more than £50 a year.

Energy-efficient behaviour

You may scoff at the point of turning off appliances when you’re not using them, but add up all the savings and they can be worthwhile.

For example, switching plugs off at the wall and avoiding standby mode on TVs, computers, stereos and the like, together with switching off lights when you don’t need them, could save you almost £50 a year.

Wash your clothes at 30 degrees instead of 40 and don’t use a tumble dryer in the summer, and you could save another £30.

Upgrading appliances/electronics

Replacing an old fridge freezer or dishwasher just to save on energy is not a particularly efficient way to spend your money, but if you need to replace any domestic appliance, then it may be worth spending a little extra to get the most energy-efficient model you can afford.

They are all rated by law, from A to G, so you can tell how efficient they are. However, there is a great deal of variation within these bands, so also make sure you look at the specific figures on energy consumption. Some appliances, such as dishwashers and washing machines, also have grades A+++, A++ and A+.

Very roughly, a new efficient appliance could save you between £20 and £40 a year on energy bills, according to the EST.

More modern consumer electronics are also more energy-efficient. And if you’re looking for a new television, bear in mind that LED TVs are more efficient than LCDs, which in turn are a good deal more efficient than Plasmas, according to Which?

Not strictly an appliance, granted, but replacing old incandescent light bulbs with energy efficient versions can save you £3 a pop.

Energy generation and renewables

These measures aren’t about upgrading what you already have, but investing in technologies that allow you to generate your own energy.

As a result, they can be quite expensive, which is one of main reasons why the government is launching its Green Deal.

One way is to use wood to heat your home. According to the EST, replacing electric heaters with a wood pellet heating system could save as much as £580 a year.

Carbon emissions would also be reduced, as the carbon dioxide given off when burning is offset by the carbon absorbed by the tree from which the wood was cut.

Solar panels are another popular way to generate power, and can typically provide about three-quarters of an average home’s electricity needs.

Wind turbines are an alternative that, if situated in the right part of the country, can provide more than enough electricity to power a typical home.

Government feed-in tariffs mean you get paid to generate electricity, and for selling any excess to the main grid. In fact, one turbine could generate savings and income of more than £3,000 a year including tariffs, the EST says.

Another option is heat pumps, which take heat from the air or the ground but which need electricity to run. In some cases, these are better at saving on carbon emissions than money.

You will need to calculate the payback time carefully when deciding whether to invest in any these technologies. But remember that if you sell your home, the buyer can also benefit from the cost savings, which can add to the value of your property.

Feed-in tariffs are available for domestic energy generation

Author: Richard Anderson and Damian Kahya
Source: BBC News
Original: http://bbc.in/s4Hmlw

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How to reduce your energy bills

Consumers are being encouraged to reduce their energy bills amid growing concerns over sharp price rises. Here are some ways you can save on costs

There are several options for consumers seeking to reduce their energy bills.

The average fuel bill for UK households is now £1,345, according to the energy regulator Ofgem. This autumn has seen another round of price rises from the “big six” energy companies, and many of us are paying £300 more than we did this time last year.

The government is holding a summit with the big six energy providers. The prime minister, David Cameron, and energy secretary, Chris Huhne, say the summit will focus on “getting people the help they need to reduce their bills in time for this winter”.

There are a number of things households can do to reduce how much they pay. Here are some you could consider:

If you haven’t switched, do so Comparison website TheEnergyShop.com says that in 2010 the average saving achieved by consumers using the site to switch was £301, and that half of customers achieved a saving of £430. If you are currently on a standard tariff, you should be able to save money by shopping around.

Pay by direct debit This can save consumers up to 10% or about £100 a year, according to Citizens Advice.

Check you are not overpaying If you are paying by direct debit, after a few months check how the amount you pay tallies with the level of your bills. If, after the winter months, in which you are likely to use the most fuel, your account is in credit, ask your provider if you can cut your monthly direct debit or have your overpayments back. Ofgem has a guide to running an account on direct debit.

Choose an online tariff Scottish Power, British Gas and npower are among the providers which offer their best deals to customers willing to pay by direct debit and manage their account online. Npower’s Sign Online 24 tariff offers a saving of about £250 on the average dual fuel bill.

See if you qualify for free insulation The government has said it will write to thousands of consumers who are entitled to free home insulation through its Warm Front scheme. This can cut bills by £100 a year.

Make energy-saving home improvements Aside from improving your insulation, more adventurous consumers might look to upgrade their boiler, fit energy-efficient glazing or draught-proof their windows – all can lead to cost savings in the long term.

See if you qualify for a discount The Warm Home Discount scheme offers pensioners on low incomes £120 off their fuel bills this winter, but they must apply for it.

Take regular meter readings According to the Energy Saving Trust, if your gas and electricity meters aren’t read regularly, bills based on estimated readings mean you could end up paying for much more than you actually use.

These are some of the ways you can cut your bills. Have you tried any of them out, and if so how did they work for you? We would like you to share your experiences in the thread below as well as any tips you can give on making savings.

Author: Hilary Osborne
Photography: Andrew Milligan / Empics
Fonte: The Guardian
Source: http://bit.ly/nN0Zk5

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Arraiolos vai ser pioneira na iluminação do centro histórico com sistema LED

A nova iluminação com tecnologia LED (díodo emissor de luz) nas zonas pedonais, ruas e espaços cénicos de maior valor patrimonial pretende valorizar o espaço urbano da vila de Arraiolos, no distrito de Évora.

Mas o projecto em fase de conclusão tem ainda como objectivo aumentar a sustentabilidade, segurança e conforto da iluminação pública, permitindo à autarquia reduzir a sua factura energética em 30 por cento.

O presidente da Câmara de Arraiolos, Jerónimo Lóios, explica que esta é mais uma fase do projecto de requalificação do centro histórico, defendendo mesmo a instalação de “uma placa que diga “Arraiolos, vila dos tapetes e dos LED””. O autarca reclama tratar-se da primeira grande intervenção de remodelação urbana e decorativa no país que, “além de permitir grandes níveis de poupança energética para a autarquia, torna mais atractiva a vila, mostrando certos aspectos que os anteriores candeeiros e lâmpadas não possibilitavam ver”.

O projecto custou cerca de meio milhão de euros, comparticipado em 80 por cento por fundos comunitários, e foi executado em colaboração com a Schréder, empresa especializada em iluminação urbana. “Num futuro muito próximo, vamos ser confrontados com problemas graves com a iluminação pública, e o exemplo disso é o facto de alguns municípios preverem já alguns cortes. Nós não quisemos ir por aí, porque é um problema que pode afectar a segurança das populações”, justifica Jerónimo Lóios. E prossegue: “Pensámos que requalificar todo o sistema de iluminação seria um caminho que deveria ser seguido. Aliás, defendemos que este deveria ser um projecto nacional, e não apenas uma autarquia a adoptar.”

Design minimalista

Para o director-geral da Schréder, Miguel Sampaio de Mattos, o futuro da iluminação está no baixo nível de consumo da tecnologia LED, em detrimento dos sistemas tradicionais, de mercúrio, substituindo-os por fontes livres deste gás perigoso para o meio ambiente e a saúde pública. A regulação do sistema de iluminação, adianta, vai ser feita remotamente, “através de um comando centralizado que fica sob a responsabilidade da câmara municipal, à qual cabe controlar todo o fluxo energético em função do horário do sol, da utilização do espaço e daquilo que pretende que seja a relação entre a população e a iluminação”.

O empresário assegura que a tecnologia LED proporciona mais luminosidade e de melhor qualidade. “Procurámos trazer a luz de casa para o exterior, uma luz mais quente, mais acolhedora e com uma cor mais agradável”, frisa, acrescentando que outra inovação deste sistema é “manter uma luz a cem por cento numa passadeira e reduzir noutros locais, porque cada luminária é identificada pelo sistema como uma luz isolada”.

Sampaio de Mattos avança que a substituição das luminárias recaiu sobre um design moderno e minimalista, para uma boa integração: “Daí a escolha pela cor dos passeios, para que se funda e dilua na paisagem, ao ponto de não se verem ao longe numa fotografia.”

Estes novos candeeiros projectados para Arraiolos resultam do trabalho dos light designers Rogério Oliveira e Eduardo Gonçalves, do atelier ECLIPz, que deram “importância à cor, à uniformidade da luz e à criação de ambientes hospitaleiros”.

Autor: Maria Antónia Zacarias
Fotografia: Pedro Cunha
Fonte: Ecosfera – Público
Original: http://bit.ly/q4YBFe

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Programa ECO EDP

O mundo tomou consciência de alarmantes e dramáticas realidades.
Acordou para a urgência de mudar radicalmente os comportamentos ambientais.
Acordou para a necessidade de impôr novas regras para a exploração dos recursos naturais.

Ao mesmo tempo, o mundo descobriu também uma nova energia.

Uma energia de mudança.
Feita de opiniões, movimentos cívicos, vontade politica e investimentos feitos a pensar no futuro.
Uma energia capaz de mudar mentalidades.

Tornou-se também claro que a EDP abraçou esta causa muito antes dela se tornar a primeira notícia nos jornais.
Até ao dia de hoje isso viu-se nos investimentos que fizeram da EDP o quarto maior produtor de energia eólica do mundo. Na adopção das medidas estabelecidas no Protocolo de Quioto reduzindo as emissões de Gases com Efeito de Estufa (GEE), que nos vai permitir atingir em 2012 uma redução de 38% face às emissões de 2002. Na aposta clara na produção de energia renovável, que corresponderá a 63% do total de investimento em potencia instalada até 2012.

Estes são os investimentos que preparam a EDP para essas novas exigências e para um futuro encarado com optimismo.

No entanto, o papel da EDP não podia ficar apenas por aqui.

É essencial que a EDP cumpra o seu papel de influência social, que ofereça a sua energia em prol dessa necessária mudança de mentalidades e comportamentos, que ajude na adopção das medidas que vão permitir reduzir o consumo primário de energia.

E é para falar dessa missão que criámos o site ECO. <http://www.eco.edp.pt/>

A EDP tem levado a cabo projectos ao abrigo do Plano de Promoção da Eficiência no Consumo que pretendem envolver as famílias, as empresas, a sociedade em geral e toda a EDP.

A EDP assume-se como o mais activo promotor desta nova atitude social, acelerando o processo de tomada de consciência e de adopção de medidas concretas.

Conheça as acções do Programa ECO EDP:

Programa ECO EDP 2009-2010

Programa ECO EDP 2008

Programa ECO EDP 2007

Fonte: EDP
Original: http://www.eco.edp.pt/

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