Octopus Energy has successfully migrated 1.3 million Shell Energy customers onto its systems using its Kraken technology platform, setting a new industry standard by completing the process in record time. The migration began on January 30th, following a test transfer before Christmas. Octopus Energy also provided over 6,000 vulnerable Shell customers with energy efficient electric blankets, leading to an average saving of £150 on winter bills, which is about a 20% reduction. Greg Jackson, Founder of Octopus Energy, expressed his thrill at the achievement and the seamless transition for customers.

Ratcliffe-on-Soar Power Station, a coal-fired power station owned and operated by Uniper in Nottinghamshire, England, is being utilized to boost electricity supply amid an Arctic blast.

Octopus Energy, through its Octopus Energy Transition Fund, has invested £200 million in Deep Green, a UK firm that uses excess heat from data centres to warm swimming pools. This investment aims to expand Deep Green's technology across the UK, potentially heating every pool in the country if 1% of the UK's data centre processing demand is utilized.

The University of Edinburgh is considering using excess energy from its Advanced Computing Facility to heat approximately 5,000 homes in Edinburgh. The facility generates significant energy, which could be repurposed for sustainable residential heating through a £2.6 million feasibility study. The process involves cooling supercomputers, transferring heat to disused mine water, and then distributing it to homes using heat pump technology. Professor Christopher McDermott highlighted the broader potential for extracting heat from mine water.

The University of Edinburgh is investigating the use of excess energy from its Advanced Computing Facility to heat approximately 5,000 homes in Edinburgh. The £2.6 million feasibility study aims to cool supercomputers and transfer the captured heat into disused mine water, which would then be distributed to homes via heat pump technology. If successful, this initiative could serve as a model for sustainable residential heating solutions. Professor Christopher McDermott from the University of Edinburgh’s School of Geosciences leads the project, emphasizing the broader potential for extracting heat stored in mine water.

Flexitricity's virtual power plant has surpassed the capacity of the UK's newest gas-fired station, showcasing significant growth and technological innovation. Managed from Edinburgh, the plant utilizes AI and machine learning to optimize renewable resources, with its capacity having doubled in the past three years and expected to double again in the future.

NatWest has introduced an 'Energy Help and Support' tool designed to help the UK's 5.5 million small businesses manage energy consumption, reduce carbon emissions, and save on energy bills. The digital solution offers tailored recommendations based on business postcodes, covering solar panels and low carbon heat pumps, and includes cost estimates and supplier assistance. Aimed at small to medium-sized businesses, which account for about 30% of the UK's emissions, the tool supports informed decision-making to improve energy efficiency. James Holian, Head of Business Banking at NatWest Group, emphasized the financial and environmental benefits of reducing carbon footprints.

Jon Butterworth, CEO of National Gas, highlights the UK's gas network's reliance on ageing 1960s RAF Lightning fighter jet engines. These 68 turbines, spread across 21 pumping stations, are nearing obsolescence, requiring bespoke components and contributing to higher emissions compared to modern alternatives.

Nearly one in five UK adults continue to flush wet wipes, contributing to environmental damage and pollution. Despite high awareness of the negative impacts, reasons for this behavior include perceived safety, convenience, and habitual actions. Water UK reports significant costs and environmental issues due to flushing non-flushable items.

Plans to install six electric car charging points at Windsor Castle by the Royal household are under scrutiny from archaeologists concerned about potential damage to significant archaeological remains. Edwin Wood from Berkshire Archaeology emphasized the site's archaeological importance in planning documents submitted to the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead Council. The Royal household aims to support a broader sustainability strategy and decarbonisation of the estate, ensuring that the chargers are free-standing and reversible to adapt to future technological advancements.

The British High Commission in Ottawa, Canada, has opened a new office at 140 Sussex Drive, aiming to be the most environmentally sustainable building in the UK's diplomatic network with LEED Gold Status certification. The building features significant green initiatives, including diverting 98% of construction waste from landfills and integrating energy-efficient designs. British High Commissioner Susannah Goshko emphasized the building's role in reinforcing UK-Canada relations.

SSE Renewables has significantly increased its solar PV presence in Northern Europe by acquiring a 400MW portfolio of early-stage projects in Poland from IBC Solar. This acquisition, along with a previous 500MW acquisition from Optisol, brings SSE Renewables' prospective solar PV pipeline in Poland to nearly 1GW. The development of this 900MW combined solar portfolio will be managed through a Developer Services Agreement with IBC Solar and Optisol. Richard Cave-Bigley, Director of Solar & Battery at SSE Renewables, highlighted Poland's rapid growth in the solar market and the strategic importance of these deals.

Presteigne and Norton have been recognized as the first 'Dark Sky Community' in Wales and mainland England, following a six-year collaborative effort to address light pollution. The initiative involved the installation of energy-efficient streetlights, reducing light intensity and energy usage, and cutting annual carbon dioxide emissions by 4.5 tonnes. Community leader Leigh-Harling Bowen highlighted the environmental benefits, including reduced greenhouse gas emissions and positive effects on wildlife, while also enhancing the visibility of the night sky.

Veolia has completed a vehicle-to-grid trial, showcasing at the Deep Dive Energy event in London, with the aim to transform waste collection trucks into a flexible energy source. The company plans to electrify its fleet of 1,800 refuse collection vehicles by 2040, potentially contributing around 200MW of flexible power capacity to the UK grid daily. The trial involved two bi-directional vehicles providing 110KW of energy, enough to power 110 households for over two hours during peak evening hours. Veolia intends to extend the trial to Westminster Council collection vehicles. CEO Estelle Brachlianoff highlighted the benefits of electric vehicles in balancing energy supply and demand and promoting renewable energy.

County Durham has approved a 49.9MW solar farm project by Bluefield Renewable Developments at Bluestone Farm, a former coal mining site. The solar farm will generate electricity for about 13,000 households annually. Councillors Jonathan Elmer and Patricia Jopling expressed their views during the council committee's deliberations, with Elmer finding the application impressive and Jopling questioning solar farms but accepting this particular project.

UK Power Networks DSO has partnered with EPEX SPOT to enhance the flexibility market, aiming to save £410 million in infrastructure costs by 2028. The collaboration will allow flexibility providers to register on the Localflex platform, with trials for day-ahead flexibility procurement in East Anglia transitioning to the platform in April 2024. Sotiris Georgiopoulos, Director of DSO at UK Power Networks, emphasized the potential to exceed their savings commitment through this partnership.

The Crown Estate, managing the seabed in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, collaborates with the University of Exeter to review social impact assessments in the marine sector. This initiative aims to enhance social value through marine activities, including offshore wind and marine nature recovery projects. Caroline Price of The Crown Estate and Dr. Pamela Buchan of the University of Exeter emphasize the potential social impacts on coastal communities.

The UK government is considering plans to build a new nuclear power station capable of powering six million homes as part of a strategy to increase nuclear power generation to 24GW by 2050. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero Claire Coutinho emphasize the benefits of nuclear energy for long-term energy security and economic investment. The £300 million plan aims to produce advanced nuclear fuel domestically, reducing reliance on foreign energy sources.

Global renewable energy capacity increased by 50% in 2023, reaching nearly 510GW, with solar PV accounting for three-quarters of the additions. China led the growth, commissioning as much solar PV in 2023 as the entire world did in 2022, and saw a 66% rise in wind power additions. Europe, the US, and Brazil also achieved record increases. The IEA forecasts global renewable power capacity to grow to 7,300 GW by 2028, with solar PV and wind making up 95% of the expansion. Renewables are expected to surpass coal as the largest source of global electricity by early 2025. IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol noted that while current policies are moving towards the COP28 goal of tripling renewables, more efforts are needed.

Ireland's power market has seen an 18% drop in price forecasts for 2024, primarily due to higher-than-expected gas reserves in the EU, which have eased concerns about winter shortages and led to lower energy costs. The forecast by Cornwall Insight reflects a €34 per MWh decrease from the previous quarter. However, Europe's shift to liquified natural gas (LNG) amid sanctions on Russian imports is likely to maintain Irish energy prices above historical averages. The mid-term outlook is for prices to continue to fall as Ireland progresses towards its 80% renewable energy target by 2030.

A report by clean energy tech firm Aira reveals that 65% of Brits are considering or have already reduced their home heating due to the financial impact of rising energy costs. The survey found that 7% might turn off their heating completely, and the average temperature threshold for Britons before turning on the heat is 11.3°C.

UK consumers may face up to £120 price increases per gas boiler due to the Clean Heat Market Mechanism (CHMM) set to be implemented in April 2024. This government initiative aims to improve energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions by mandating manufacturers to install heat pumps and earn 'credits', with fines for non-compliance. Manufacturers like Worcester Bosch, Baxi, and Vaillant have announced price hikes across their boiler ranges. Concerns are raised about the impact on UK households, especially those with lower incomes, as entry-level boiler models will become more expensive. Mel Butler of BOXT highlights the potential financial barriers for homeowners, which could lead to choosing less efficient boilers, resulting in higher long-term costs.

Cheshire West & Chester Council has approved EET Hydrogen's plans to establish the UK's largest low carbon hydrogen production hub at the Stanlow Manufacturing Complex in Ellesmere Port, Cheshire. The project aims to significantly reduce carbon dioxide emissions in the North West by 2.5 million tonnes annually. Major regional manufacturers like Essar, Tata Chemicals, Encirc, and Pilkington will use the hydrogen for low carbon operations. The development will occur in phases, with the initial plant, HPP1, having a 350MW capacity and the subsequent HPP2 projected to reach 1,000MW, targeting an overall capacity of over 4,000MW by 2030.

US solar power is projected to rise significantly, with new capacities of 36GW and 43GW expected in 2024 and 2025, increasing its share of total electricity to 6% and 7% respectively. The US Energy Information Administration's Short Term Energy Outlook indicates overall electricity generation will grow by 3% in 2024 and remain steady in 2025. Coal-fired capacity is expected to decline due to higher costs and retirements, while natural gas generation will remain stable. Crude oil production is forecasted to reach record levels, driven by more efficient wells.

In 2023, gas usage in the UK reached its lowest level since 2015, despite being the largest fuel source for electricity generation. National Grid ESO reported that December 2023 marked the 15th consecutive month where zero carbon generation surpassed fossil fuel generation. Coal's contribution to electricity generation dropped by over 97% since 2013, while wind power grew to 29.4%, setting records. Zero carbon sources provided over 50% of electricity in certain months, with a new low fossil record of 1503MW on 28th December.

EDF Energy plans to invest £1.3 billion to extend the life of its UK nuclear fleet, focusing on four advanced gas-cooled reactor plants and potentially extending Sizewell B by 20 years. This decision, pending regulatory approval, aims to maintain clean power output, preserve nuclear skills, and support energy security. The Nuclear Industry Association's Chief Executive, Tom Greatrex, praised EDF's investment and urged swift government action on Sizewell C and a new fleet of nuclear stations.

EDF Energy plans to invest an additional £1.3 billion to extend the operational life of its UK nuclear plants, focusing on four advanced gas-cooled reactor plants and potentially extending Sizewell B by 20 years. This move aligns with a European trend to extend the life of ageing nuclear reactors to address power supply concerns. Dr Mark Hartley of EDF emphasized the importance of maintaining output and preserving nuclear skills, while Tom Greatrex of the Nuclear Industry Association welcomed the investment, highlighting its benefits for energy security and carbon reduction. However, he also stressed the need for government action on new nuclear projects for long-term energy security.

LCP Delta's analysis highlights the importance of long duration energy storage in Great Britain's power system, predicting a significant increase in renewable energy by 2035. The study forecasts an excess of energy for up to 64% of hours, up from 14% in 2023. It suggests that a 20GW investment in LDES by 2050 could lead to £24 billion in power system cost savings between 2030 and 2050.

Renewable energy consultancy Natural Power has been selected by Green Switch Capital to support the development of a 249.9MW battery energy storage park near Lairg in the Scottish Highlands. This project aligns with National Grid's goal of achieving 50 GW of battery storage by 2050 and aids Scotland's transition to a low-carbon energy system. Natural Power will provide various services, including site investigations and community engagement, to facilitate the development, which includes connections to Dalchork substation and Lairg GSP. Alison Sidgwick from Natural Power emphasized the importance of energy storage facilities in scaling up renewable energy production in the UK.

Hitachi Energy has signed an eight-year service agreement to enhance the East West Interconnector, a 260-kilometre high-voltage direct current link between Ireland and Wales, serving 300,000 homes. The interconnector, operational since 2013, will receive service solutions through Hitachi Energy’s EnCompass portfolio. Rodney Doyle, Chief Operating Officer of EirGrid, praised Hitachi Energy for its decade-long support in maintaining the interconnector.