The National Energy Foundation is an independent charity based in Milton Keynes, England that promotes energy efficiency and renewable energy. The Foundation is not a lobbying organisation but focuses its activities on carrying out practical advice and implementation projects that will lead to a reduction in energy use. However, it will from time to time issue press releases highlighting important issues as well as projects with which it is involved.
Annual EEAS Awards Ceremony
A total of 25 organisations gained a new award for their achievements in energy efficiency at the annual Energy Efficiency Accreditation Scheme awards luncheon held in Birmingham on 14 December 2004. A further 37 gained re-accreditation under the Scheme, as proof that they had maintained the highest standards of energy efficiency for a further three years. At the annual ceremony, held in Birmingham, four organisations were also shortlisted for the third annual E.ON Energy Award.
14 December 2004
Grant Schemes for small-scale Renewable Energy Extended
The National Energy Foundation has welcomed the extension to the Government's grants for renewable energy installations made by individuals and communities. However it expressed concerns that the level of DTI funding has been cut by around half for 2005-6 and that this is likely to constrain the development of the UK Renewable Energy industry.
16 September 2004
Energy Minister Stephen Timms tries out the Foundation's Green Energy Machine
Stephen Timms, the DTI Energy Minister, visited the Foundation's Green Energy Machine at the East of England Energy Group's (EEEGR) Summer Conference. The Minister was very impressed by GEM, which is used to promote renewable energy in schools and at public events: in the last few months, the National Energy Foundation has taken the Green Energy Machine to around 20 schools and 40 events.
21 July 2004
Most of Britain's homes could be heated from their gardens
Most of Britain's Homes could be heated from heat collecting pipework buried in their gardens, it was revealed this week by Gareth Ellis of the National Energy Foundation, who is helping to form a new trade organisation for the Ground Source Heat Pump industry in the UK.
15 July 2004
The National Energy Foundation supports Wind Farming
Gareth Ellis, Manager of Renewable Energy at The National Energy Foundation, today confirmed the Foundation’s support for the current development of wind onshore in the UK. Gareth stated "Whilst most of the Foundation’s work relates to solar and wood fuel options we recognize that onshore wind is the most cost effective renewable energy technology that can be deployed in the UK today."
15 July 2004
A record number of Energy Efficiency Accredited organisations meet in London
The 2004 annual meeting of the Energy Efficiency Accreditation Scheme was held at The Guildhall in the City of London, by kind permission of the Corporation of London who have been accredited since 1994. In all there were five main speakers whose thoughts on the future direction of energy efficiency were heard by over 70 people.
9 July 2004
Foundation opens new low-energy office building in Milton Keynes
Phase II of the National Energy Centre was formally opened by Dr Mary Archer, President of the National Energy Foundation. The building is designed to be an exemplary low energy office building, with a gross floor area of 430m2 able to accommodate up to 36 people, including storage and limited meeting space. The new building is highly insulated and uses a 13kW Viessmann heat pump to provide warm water to an underfloor low temperature central heating system, avoiding the need for radiators on the limited wall space. On bright days, the heat pump will be powered by a photovoltaic (PV) array and hot water for the kitchen and toilets will be pre-heated by a Thermomax evacuated tube solar collector. A small pellet-fired wood burning stove has been fitted as an auxiliary heating system, although it should not be necessary in normal operation.
28 June 2004
Eryl McNally appointed as Foundation Chairman
The Trustees of the National Energy Foundation have appointed Mrs Eryl McNally as their new Chairman. Mrs McNally was formerly an MEP for the Eastern Region and vice-president of the European Forum on Renewable Energy Sources (EUFORES), as well have having served as the vice-chair of the European Parliament's Energy and Research Committee. She replaces Professor John Chesshire, who after four years as Chair, is concentrating on his work advising the Government on energy issues.
14 May 2004
Sixty-six organisations gain Energy Efficiency Accreditation Scheme awards
A total of 28 organisations gained a new award for their achievements in energy efficiency at the annual Energy Efficiency Accreditation Scheme awards luncheon held in Birmingham on 2 December 2003. A further 38 gained re-accreditation under the Scheme, as proof that they had maintained the highest standards of energy efficiency for a further three years.
The ceremony in Birmingham also saw the second Powergen Energy Management Award for an organisation making an exceptional achievement in gaining Energy Efficiency Accreditation or Re-accreditation. Four organisations were shortlisted with Amey & Qinetiq (the Malvern Technology Centre) gaining this prestigious award.
2 December 2003
Towards a Regional Energy Strategy - A Sustainable Approach to Energy in the East Midlands
The East Midlands Assembly has published a consultation document called Towards a Regional Energy Strategy - A Sustainable Approach to Energy in the East Midlands. Residents are encouraged to submit responses to the assembly by 30 September 2003. The National Energy Foundation was part of the team that prepared this report, which is designed to set the East Midlands Region on a path towards more sustainable energy use and generation, by setting out a clear work programme with defined and achievable targets.
24 July 2003
Work Starts on Phase II of National Energy Centre
Dr Mary Archer, President of the National Energy Foundation, has cut the first turf on Phase II of the National Energy Centre. This building, which will serve as the headquarters of the National Energy Foundation, is designed to be an exemplary low energy office and to incorporate features complementary to the existing National Energy Centre building, opened in summer 1999. The new building will be highly insulated and incorporate an innovative heating system based on matching a small heat pump to a highly efficient condensing boiler. On bright days, the heat pump will be powered by a photovoltaic (PV) array and hot water for the kitchen and toilets will be pre-heated by a Thermomax evacuated tube solar collector.
14 March (revised 12 May) 2003
The latest update on this project is now available!
Southern Education & Library Board gains Northern Ireland's third Energy Efficiency Accreditation
The Southern Education & Library Board, which manages over 300 schools and 23 libraries in Northern Ireland has gained the third Energy Efficiency Accreditation award in the province.
12 May 2003
Optima Energy merges with Foundation's subsidiary
Optima Energy, widely regarded as one of the leading domestic energy consultancies in the UK, has merged with the Foundation's trading subsidiary company, National Energy Services Ltd, on 1st April 2003. The new organisation - still called National Energy Services (NES) and based in Milton Keynes - will be greatly enhanced by the integration of Optima's industry knowledge, technical skills and consulting expertise.
11 April 2003
NEF to investigate opportunities for zero carbon homes in Milton Keynes
The National Energy Foundation has been awarded funding through the Energy Saving Trust's Innovation Programme to carry out a feasibility study into opportunities for using a carbon offset fund to build zero carbon homes in Milton Keynes, as it is expected to expand rapidly over the next 10 years building over 10,000 new homes. The Foundation will be working closely with Milton Keynes Council, Milton Keynes Energy Agency and English Partnerships to investigate ways in new homes can achieve a net zero increase in carbon emissions. This could be by incorporating renewable energy into new developments, or making payments into a carbon offset fund which would then invest in other carbon saving projects across the City, including energy efficiency in existing homes and, possibly, tree planting schemes.
17 March 2003
White Paper "Our Energy Future - Creating a Low Carbon Economy"
The National Energy Foundation has broadly welcomed the Government's White Paper "Our Energy Future - Creating a Low Carbon Economy". It was pleased that the White Paper is seen as a step on the road towards cutting UK Carbon emissions by 60% by 2050, following the recommendations of the Royal Commission for Environmental Pollution's 2001 report and that it is setting indicative targets for 2020. However the White Paper was felt to lack innovation in energy efficiency, as it is usually the most cost-effective route.
24 February 2003
Consumers left in the dark when it comes to buying Energy Efficient new homes
New research published this week by the Foundation's subsidiary company, National Energy Services Ltd (NES), and De Montfort University reveals that over 95% of house builders' sites fail to comply with Government regulations on the display of energy efficiency information. Homes on these developments fail to display the legally required energy ratings calculated using the Government's Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) and sales negotiators lacked even the most basic knowledge about the efficiency of their properties, such as whether a brand new home would have lower running costs than a similarly sized Victorian property.
30 January 2003
Fifty-nine organisations gain Energy Efficiency Accreditation Scheme awards
A record total of 59 organisations gained an award for their achievements in energy efficiency at the annual Energy Efficiency Accreditation Scheme awards luncheon held in Birmingham on 10 December 2002. Twenty-seven had gained accreditation for the first time, but four organisations - BT, the Corporation of London, Johnson Matthey Chemicals and the London Stock Exchange - were obtaining re-accreditation for the third time, proving 12 years continuous improvement in energy use.
The ceremony in Birmingham also saw the first Powergen Energy Management Award for an organisation making an exceptional achievement in gaining Energy Efficiency Accreditation or Re-accreditation. Five organisations were shortlisted and the winner was named as Credit Suisse First Boston.
10 December 2002
Anglia East Energy Efficiency Advice Centre launched in Norwich
The Anglia East Energy Efficiency Advice Centre was launched by Ian Gibson MP in Norwich at the start of Energy Efficiency Week on 14th October 2002. Invited guests, representing the ten local authority districts served by the new advice centre, were in Norwich to hear Dr Gibson stress the importance of saving energy as a way of relieving fuel poverty and combatting climate change.
14 October 2002
BBC Three Counties Radio visits the National Energy Centre
BBC Three Counties Radio's popular breakfast show, hosted by Toby Friedner, was broadcast live from the National Energy Centre in Milton Keynes this morning, 18th July. The Show took as its theme green and efficient energy, and ways in which Milton Keynes' residents can save money through saving energy as well as benefitting the environment. Staff from the National Energy Foundation, Milton Keynes Energy Agency and National Energy Services were interviewed, and the presenter took listeners on a brief tour of the Energy Bus.
18 July 2002
Foundation's President awarded the Institute of Energy Melchett Medal
The National Energy Foundation's President, Dr Mary Archer, was awarded the Melchett Medal of the Institute of Energy in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the public debate about energy in the UK. Dr Archer was praised for her ability to reconcile the sometimes conflicting viewpoints of renewable energy, where she has a specific expertise in the science underpinning photovoltaics, and energy efficiency. Speaking in her lecture after accepting the award, she noted that many people ask whether renewable resources could possibly deliver the amounts of energy we need in the modern world with its hugely increased population. The answer, she continued, is "Yes". But this can only be achieved if energy efficiency (the fifth
fuel, as it is sometimes called) is added to the list of renewable technologies, because providing more useful output heat, light and power for less input fuel is a highly sustainable energy strategy.
For more information about how renewable energy technologies will allow the world to meet its energy demands, please read an edited version of Dr Archer's lecture (PDF format, 184K).
26 June 2002
Around 50 attend the Annual Meeting of Accredited Organisations
The Annual Meeting for organisations accredited under the Energy Efficiency Accreditation Scheme was held in the National Energy Centre on 13 June 2002. Energy Managers from many of the UK's most efficient organisations heard presentations about changes to Part L2 of Building Regulations, the UK Emissions Trading Scheme and the benefits of Variable Speed Drives, as well as updates on the progress of Energy Accreditation. This page links to some of the key PowerPoint presentations in a format that can easily be viewed on most web browsers.
20 June 2002
Foundation provides a simple guide to the new Building Regulations for improvements to existing homes
It may be the first of April - but homeowners would be foolish be to ignore the new Building Regulations. That was the message from senior National Energy Foundation staff, who have put together a useful summary of the new English and Welsh Building Regulations providing for the conservation of fuel and power when improvements are made to existing homes.
1 April 2002
Final PIU Report into Energy seen as strong on options, but weaker on solutions
The final version of the PIU Report into Energy has again been welcomed by the Foundation, although many of the options are seen as essential if the UK is to combat Global Climate Change. In particular the 40% improvement target for domestic energy efficiency was welcomed, as was a renewed emphasis on marine renewables.
14 February 2002
Foundation welcomes PIU Report into Energy
The National Energy Foundation welcomed the reports of the leaked PIU Report into Energy. The general reaction was positive, although there were specific concerns into the take up of bio-fuels in the domestic sector and ways to constrain the growth of energy demand from transport and the service sector.
14 December 2001
Thirty Organisations gain Energy Efficiency Accreditation
Thirty organisations received their awards for Energy Efficiency Accreditation from Tom Delay, Chief Executive of the Carbon Trust at a prestigious awards ceremony in Birmingham. Amongst those receiving awards were GlaxoSmithKline and the Metropolitan Police Service, with Airedale General Hospital receiving a special award as the 150th body to gain accreditation.
5 December 2001
Foundation launches on-line CO2 calculator
The National Energy Foundation has now launched a straightforward Carbon Dioxide (CO2) calculator on its website. This is the most straightforward way of allowing people in the UK to estimate their own carbon emissions based upon easy to obtain information such as fuel bills or miles driven in a family car. Carbon Dioxide is the principal contributor to Global Climate Change and the Foundation believes that people will be more likely to take action if they can easily find out their own contribution to CO2 emissions.
27 December 2000
10 years of the National Home Energy Rating Scheme
The NHER Scheme, which was initially established by the National Energy Foundation, recently held a celebration of 10 years of rating homes in the UK.
1 November 2000
Minister welcomes National Energy Centre
Nick Raynsford, minister for housing, welcomed the establishment of the National Energy Centre, when he visited the building to plant a tree recently.
12 July 2000
World's first energy efficiency mobile internet site
The National Energy Foundation has launched what is believed to be the world's first mobile internet site devoted to energy efficiency, using WAP technology.
Its URL is: www.natenergy.org.uk/wap/index.wml
12 July 2000
48 EEACs attend a successful conference in Belfast
Staff from 48 Energy Efficiency Advice Centres met in Belfast at the Queen's University for their annual conference on 26-27 June 2000. For the seventh year running, this conference was organised by the National Energy Foundation on behalf of the Energy Saving Trust.
3 July 2000
The Foundation welcomes the Royal Commission's report on Energy - the Changing Climate
The National Energy Foundation welcomed the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution report "Energy - The Changing Climate". This report, which has been three years in the making, recommends a 60% reduction in UK emissions of Carbon Dioxide (CO2) the main greenhouse gas) by the year 2050. Foundation staff were on hand to offer practical advice about ways of saving energy through energy efficiency projects and renewable energy in the home.
16 June 2000
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