(l-r) Ron Tomal, Stuart Sealey, and Donald Smith After 40 years in the oil industry, Ron Tomal, terminal manager at Certas Energy’s Aberdeen and Inverness terminals has retired. Donald Smith has been named as the new terminal manager. After six years in the role, it will be a sad occasion for Certas Energy and its employees across Scotland when Ron says his final farewell to the business. Ron’s distinguished career began in 1975 with Ellis & McHardy Oils (a BP distributor) in the Forfar depot, which Certas Energy now owns. Ron has assumed a number of roles during his tenure with Certas Energy, including operational and health, safety and environmental positions. Stuart Sealey, operations & HSE director, commented: “Ron has been a valued employee for many years. On behalf of Certas Energy, I’d like to thank him for his hard work and commitment to the business over the years. We wish him well as he starts the next exciting phase of his well-deserved retirement.”Donald Smith takes over the reins Following a successful transition from previous oil operators in 2010, Certas Energy has been operating the Aberdeen Pointlaw and the Inverness Cromwell Road terminals. As one experienced employee leaves, another begins, with Donald Smith taking the reins as terminal manager having joined the business at the beginning of April. New terminals manager, Donald Smith, brings a wealth of experience to the role, built up over thirty years and with a particularly strong safety, international energy, engineering and project management background. In that period he has worked in a variety of management and leadership roles providing comprehensive technical and people support for companies in the UK, Middle East and internationally. Welcoming Donald to the Certas Energy family Stuart Sealey said: “I look forward to working with Donald and the team at Aberdeen and Inverness to ensure the business remains a prominent player in the Aberdeen area and beyond. “Donald holds full responsibility for the safe and efficient running of these terminals. This includes accountability for both sites’ operating safely, compliantly and cost effectively. In Scotland, Certas Energy operates under the brands Caledonian Oils, Brogan Fuels, Emo Oil and Scottish Fuels.Ron’s retirement plans Originating from Kirriemuir, near Forfar in Angus, Ron’s career in the oil industry led to his move to Aberdeenshire over 20 years ago. Outside of work, Ron is a family man, happily married for 43 years, 2 daughters and 4 grandchildren. With his retirement imminent, Ron plans to enjoy the outdoors life, playing golf, cycling and walking in the Royal Deeside area where he lives. www.certasenergy.co.uk

Rural households can face unique challenges says Janice Banks of ACRE who points out that the current delivery of government- backed measures is failing those without a connection to the mains gas grid Supported by rural communities’ charity ACRE, OFTEC and FPS have written to more than 500 prospective parliamentary candidates urging them to support proposals for a radical shake-up to home heating policies for the UK. The letter, sent to election candidates representing the majority of rural constituencies in the UK, calls for a greater and more pragmatic approach to reducing fuel poverty and carbon emissions.Recommendations put forward include:• Stronger emphasis on upgrading insulation in rural homes which have far poorer EPC ratings than urban properties• Incentivising the installation of high efficiency condensing boilers by re-introducing boiler scrappage schemes for oil boilers as well as mains gas boilers• Revising the domestic RHI to better incentivise hybrid heating systems and include bio-fuels such as B30K• Extend government funding to support low income off-grid households Speaking about the letter, which has received significant positive support from many of its recipients, OFTEC’s director general, Jeremy Hawksley, said: “There’s a great opportunity for the new government, whichever political colour it may be, to introduce much more realistic and all-inclusive domestic energy policies that address fuel poverty and carbon emission reduction simultaneously, rather than as separate goals.” Janice Banks, chief executive of Action with Communities in Rural England (ACRE) which is the national body representing 38 rural community councils, added: “With a high percentage of inefficient, solid-wall housing and many homes without a connection to the mains gas grid, rural households can face unique fuel poverty challenges. However, the current delivery of government-backed measures is failing households that live in difficult-to-treat houses and those that have to rely on heating oil or LPG for their energy.” The organisations behind the letter plan to push their message further once the new government is formed with the aim of improving conditions for the off-grid heating sector.www.oftec.org.ukwww.fpsonline.co.uk

In changes under the rebrand, Martyn Lyons becomes chief executive of Inter Terminals with Richard Sammons in the new role of executive chairman From January 1st Simon Storage is rebranded as Inter Terminals, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Canadian company Inter Pipeline. The combined Inter Terminals business, which includes operations in the UK, Ireland, Germany and Denmark, is one of the largest independent bulk liquid storage businesses in Europe, with more than three  million cubic metres of storage capacity located across 12 terminals. Terminals store  hazardous and non hazardous liquids, including oils, chemicals, biofuels and waste oils at the coastal ports of Immingham, Teesside and Tyneside in the United Kingdom and on the Shannon estuary in Ireland. Inter Terminals will be led by Martyn Lyons who is promoted to chief executive. With over 25 years experience in the tank storage sector, Martyn is well known within the industry and continues to serve as chairman of the UK Tank Storage Association. He succeeds Richard Sammons who is moving into a new role as executive chairman. “I am delighted to see the integration of our operations under one unified management structure,” said Richard Sammons. “I  wish Martyn and his team every success in their new roles.  Adopting the Inter Terminals name across our European terminal network will strengthen brand recognition and the marketing of our integrated suite of storage services. It also creates a stronger branding affiliation with Inter Pipeline which continues to provide strong support for our operational and growth initiatives across Europe. We look forward to serving both existing and new customers in the future.”www.interterminals.com

IFC Inflow will be among the exhibitors at this month’s Tank Storage Association exhibition and conference which takes place at the Ricoh Arena on Thursday 18th September. A leading supplier of tanker loading equipment and tanker safe access systems, the company offers a range of equipment including petroleum & chemical loading arms, tanker loading skids, loading platforms and gantries, self-levelling folding stairs, mobile safe tanker access equipment and high speed bulk loading systems. Petroleum bottom loading arms – The 445 series arm is designed for heavy duty use at petroleum terminals and distribution depots. It is the ideal replacement for first generation arms reaching the end of their life and for new applications requiring high performance at a low cost. Chemical loading arms – Articulated top and bottom loading arms for chemical and food applications. Custom designed and tailor made for individual customer requirements. Typically made from carbon or stainless steel, options include pneumatic control, overfill sensors, vapour cones, lagging and trace heating and PTFE lining for very aggressive applications. Petroleum loading skids – Factory built & tested loading skids are ideal for terminal applications where flexibility and speed are essential. Offering flow rates up to 2500 l/min, high accuracy metering, up to 6 product arms per system, fully compliant with ATEX regulations.  Optional blending and additive injection control systems. Safe tanker access – Gantries and platforms designed to comply with the latest work at height regulations and when fitted with our self-levelling folding stairs provide the safest way for operators to access the tops of tankers. Folding stairs – Providing safe access to any height tanker, stairs come in a range of sizes and when fitted with an optional safety cage offer total operator safety while working on the tops of tankers. Options include pneumatic control, cages in special sizes and materials, press down facility and cage infill grating.

Two petrol stations have been raided and seven men and two women from across southern England have been arrested for their involvement in a suspected £3m fuel fraud, during an operation by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC). Around 170 HMRC officers, assisted by the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) and Sussex and Hampshire Police, searched 12 residential premises, five business premises and two petrol stations in East and West Sussex, Kent, Essex, Hampshire and Somerset. The investigation is focused on the suspected illegal purchase and sale of rebated kerosene and biofuel to motorists as duty-paid road diesel. It is believed the fraud is worth an estimated £3m in unpaid excise duty and VAT. All those arrested were questioned by HMRC investigators and released on bail while enquiries continue. Meanwhile, in Co Tyrone, a man and a woman have been arrested and nearly 8,000 litres of fuel seized as part of an ongoing HMRC investigation into a suspected VAT and excise fraud worth an estimated £300,000. HMRC officers, accompanied by the Police Service of Northern Ireland, searched a private address and a retail site in the Cookstown area where they seized computers and business records linked to the fraud investigation. And a woman has been arrested after a laundering plant, capable of producing nearly 3.6 million litres of illicit fuel a year and evading over £2 million in lost duty and taxes, was discovered by HMRC officers during a search of domestic premises in Co Armagh. Four tonnes of toxic waste was safely removed from the site.

Jeremy Hawksley, director general, OFTEC Targets set out in the impact assessment produced by the Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) state that Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) will support around 750,000 renewable heat installations by 2020 – that is approximately 10,800 new accreditations per month. Latest figures from OFGEM show that since the RHI was launched in April, 5,158 renewable heating systems have been accredited under the scheme. At the current rate of take up, DECC’s goal of 10,800 new accreditations per month looks unrealistic. According to OFTEC, a simple, all-inclusive boiler scrappage scheme would go much further than the costly and complex RHI in helping the government achieve its ambitious goal of 80% less carbon emissions by 2050.  This is because it would appeal to a far wider audience. Jeremy Hawksley, director general at OFTEC, comments: “Even before the RHI was launched, we voiced concerns that the scheme would suffer the same fate as the Green Deal. RHI payments only come into play once the renewable heating system has been installed and the average consumer simply cannot afford to get started due to the high upfront costs of between £8,000 and £19,000 to install these technologies. “Whilst we recognise that the initial take-up of any such scheme is often low and that momentum may build, there is going to have to be an enormous surge of interest in the RHI to meet government targets. We are doubtful that with such a costly and complex scheme this will happen.” Jeremy Hawksley continues: “What the country needs is a simple, accessible scheme which consumers can really get to grips with. We already know that a boiler scrappage scheme works as a similar initiative in 2010 saw 120,000 old, inefficient boilers replaced.” OFTEC’s concern about lack of interest in the domestic RHI is supported by a recent survey conducted by OFTEC and Watson Petroleum of 750 oil heated homes. This revealed that just 4% would consider switching to an air source heat pump, with 73% choosing to upgrade to a new oil condensing boiler. Jeremy Hawksley concludes: “The government needs to think again and instead of pushing expensive renewables which will only appeal to the wealthy few, it should channel its resources into realistic boiler upgrade schemes that will encourage millions of home owners  to take simple yet effective energy efficiency measures which will collectively make a greater contribution to CO2 reduction targets.” OFTEC’s view that only the relatively wealthy can afford the high initial investment. As such it’s clearly a regressive policy. This is important because rural dwellers and, by extension oil heating users, contain a higher proportion of people living in fuel poverty than the population as a whole. So the people who most need help to upgrade and improve their energy efficiency are effectively prevented from accessing RHI because the upfront cost is unaffordable – exacerbated because their homes are often difficult to improve. By contrast, the scrappage scheme that we advocate would be much cheaper both for homeowners and for government to implement and more likely to be successful as a result.

Millbrook will exhibit its extensive range of facilities and capabilities at this year’s Low Carbon Vehicle event on 10-11 September 2014. The annual event, which attracts visitors from across the globe and combines a technology exhibition, Ride & Drive, networking activities and an extensive seminar programme, is the ideal forum for the business to reinforce its message that there is more to Millbrook and to demonstrate to current and potential new customers its full service offering. Millbrook’s engineers perform repeatable tests on all types of vehicles in a secure and safe environment. With a range of facilities for components and full vehicles, the company can perform tests using engine dynamometers, environmental chambers, crash laboratories and advanced emissions testing systems. CEO, Alex Burns, says: “Our extensive laboratory facilities, 70km of varied test tracks, including hill routes, high speed areas and challenging off road courses and 45 years’ of engineering, test and validation experience, makes Millbrook an ideal partner at any stage in the development and launch of the vehicles of tomorrow. “We have some exciting plans for the future of Millbrook, including a new technology park and upgraded engine test facilities and I look forward to sharing these forthcoming investments with visitors at LCV.” www.millbrook.co.uk www.cenex-lcv.co.uk

Volvo has teamed up with Gasrec Volvo Trucks has teamed up with biofuel supplier Gasrec to help business customers cut haulage costs and reduce carbon emissions. Gasrec is Europe’s largest supplier of Bio-LNG; a blend of liquefied natural gas and liquid biomethane (LBM). Volvo Trucks is the first truck manufacturer in the world to produce trucks tailored to run on renewable liquid and gaseous fuels. When substituted for diesel, Bio-LNG can cut fuel costs and CO2 by around 20%.

Jeremy Hawksley (director general, OFTEC), Martyn Bridges (new OFTEC chairman), Nick Hawkins, DESO Engineering (new OFTEC vice chairman) and Barry Gregory, Riello (outgoing OFTEC chairman) This was just one of the many questions asked at OFTEC’s AGM last month when the long term future of the oil heating industry was under debate.

Although the government says it ‘remains committed to introducing a Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scheme for householders,’ the scheme’s introduction has been further postponed.  It is now expected to be up and running in spring 2014.   Details about how the RHI scheme will work, together with tariff levels, will be published this summer with research into householder views on renewable heat helping to inform the scheme’s design. In the meantime, the Renewable Heat Premium Payment (RHPP) scheme, which offers money off biomass boilers, solar thermal panels and heat pumps, has been extended until the end of March 2014.   RHPP is targeted largely at those living off grid. An RHI scheme for industrial and commercial customers was launched in November 2011.   DECC plans to carry out a review of the tariffs under this scheme to drive forward further uptake.

As the Budget fast approaches, the Freight Transport Association (FTA) continues to press the case for a reduction in road fuel duty to ease the pressure on freight operators. In its pre Budget submission to George Osborne, FTA argues that the chancellor’s priorities must be to: • Ease cost pressure on domestic freight activity and stimulate economic growth through consumer demand by reducing road fuel duty by 3ppl with commensurate reductions in the duty rate for gas oil. • Stimulate investment in low-carbon fuelled vehicles by fixing fuel duty rates for natural gas and biomethane relative to diesel rates for at least 10 years. • Ensure that the introduction of the HGV Road User Levy will be tax neutral in practice by confirming: the rates of the levy that will apply; that Vehicle Excise Duty rates will not be subject to increase simply to allow that neutrality to be achieved; and that holders of Reduced Pollution Certificates will be compensated by replacement grants. www.fta.co.uk

From a standing start, Prax is achieving its sales targets in the Midlands and the north of England says sales and marketing director, Neil Robertson Well established to meet demand in the south of England from storage facilities on the Thames, Prax Petroleum is using Simon Storage’s Immingham West terminal as a strategic storage and distribution hub for market expansion. Simon Storage took the first deliveries of diesel and gas oil for Prax into Immingham West in September 2012. Securing a second terminal at Immingham allows Prax to meet growing demand for its commercial fuels on a wider national scale. Since then product throughput has risen and last month the contract with Prax was extended to include storage of biodiesel (B100) for intank blending to comply with the Government’s Renewable Transport Fuel Obligations. Under the contract at Immingham West, Simon is providing Prax with more than 18,000m3 of storage capacity, together with road loading facilities for onward delivery to customers. Neil Robertson, Prax’s sales and marketing director, says: “Immingham provides an optimal distribution point for supplying our customers in the Midlands and the north of England. From a standing start just a matter of months ago we are achieving our sales targets in these regions and increasing fuel supply security for all our customers.” In addition to strategically located UK terminals, Simon’s expertise in the storage, blending and distribution of green fuels makes it an ideal partner for Prax’s venture north.  Richard Sammons, Simon’s chief executive, comments: “Simon provides fuel storage and handling solutions for some of the world’s leading oil producers and distributors. We are able to offer fast-expanding fuel suppliers like Prax Petroleum a fully integrated package from receipt through to redelivery with intank or inline blending of biofuels with conventional hydrocarbons to meet RTFO regulations.”www.simonstorage.com        www.praxpetroleum.com

The recently published UK Renewable Energy Roadmap Update states that biofuels for heat, transport and electricity must offer genuine carbon savings and be cost effective in meeting climate change objectives. Following changes in 2011, incentives only reward biofuels which meet specific criteria, while double incentives are now available for biofuels derived from waste material and advance processes. The government is also proposing to expand the energy from waste criteria to include commercial and industrial waste, and to implement minimum air quality criteria as a condition of Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) support. The update, which also includes plans to extend the non-domestic RHI to cover air source heat pumps and biomass, can be found at www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/68637/7382-uk-renewable-energy-roadmap-update.pdf The Northern Ireland Executive’s target of 12% electricity consumption from renewable sources by 2012 was exceeded during the year, while in Scotland an update on plans in October included a new interim target to meet the equivalent of 50% of Scottish electricity demand from renewables by 2015. The government’s domestic RHI scheme is due to open to applicants in the summer.

The Task Force on fuel efficient, low emission HGV technologies has recommended a range of solutions to tackle efficiency improvements. Ricardo-AEA was commissioned by the Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership to conduct a high-profile study to identify the opportunities to overcome barriers to the uptake of low emission technologies and fuels for HGVs. The project was completed to a very tight timescale and the final report, which was presented to Stephen Hammond MP, minister for transport, has received very positive feedback. According to the recent report, three key areas with the greatest potential to reduce the CO2 emissions of fleets are switching to gas to replace diesel, improving aerodynamic efficiency and supporting the uptake of hybrid and pure electric vehicles. For both long haul and regional delivery vehicles, the optimum solutions presented were a dual fuel engine, using a combination of biomethane and CNG for vehicles used for regional deliveries, and a combination of biomethane, LNG and CNG for long haul use. The alternative is a dedicated natural gas engine, which would save less CO2 emissions but have a smaller payback period – between 3-6 years for regional vehicles compared to 5-10 years for a dual fuel engine, and 1-3 years for a long haul vehicle, compared to 2-4 years for dual fuel. After a series of interviews and online responses, key barriers to fleet efficiency were identified as concerns over upfront costs and uncertainty about the payback period, and a lack of trust in the technology provider’s fuel economy claims.

Teresa Sayers, Downstream Fuel Association After October’s Distributor Debate, Teresa Sayers of the Downstream Fuel Association has answered more questions received on the subject of biofuels. With the audience keen to ask questions at October’s Distributor Debate, time ran out before all the issues shaping today’s oil market could be discussed. Teresa has provided more comments on the introduction of E10 in the January issue of Fuel Oil News. With restrictions to the bio content from food crops, what future do you see for biodiesel? This is just a proposal at this stage and will be subject to intense lobbying and further political negotiations before becoming law in the UK.  We anticipate that the process could take over two years to be finalised and implemented in the UK. Earlier versions of the Indirect Land Use Change proposals indicated that crop based feedstocks used for the production of biodiesel would be given a significantly higher GHG default value than feedstocks used to produce bioethanol.  This clearly would have disadvantaged significantly the European biodiesel industry. UK biodiesel producers would have been affected to a lesser extent due to their focus on waste feedstocks. The current version, however, whilst maintaining a 5% limit by energy content on biofuels derived from land based feedstocks, has seen the default values as a means to calculate GHG emissions dropped from the proposal. One of the biggest risks for the biofuels industry is the lack of policy stability and a long term trajectory for the UK biofuel mandate.  This is needed to encourage R & D and investments and to develop supply chains for feedstocks  that use less land and save more carbon. Read Teresa’s comments on the introduction of E10 in the January issue of the magazine.

Jeremy Hawksley, OFTEC director general The proposed Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) is unlikely to tackle the problem of carbon emissions from rural homes, according to OFTEC. In a written response to the RHI consultation, OFTEC stated support for the principle behind the tariff, but was concerned that the practical impact of RHI will be to increase, not decrease, CO2 emissions from rural homes, because the incentivised technologies will run on carbon-rich electricity. The statement also provided statistics which showed that the relevant technologies, including air and ground source heat pumps, could emit twice as much CO2 as B30K bioliquid fuel up to 2020-21. Other concerns include the cost of installing renewable technologies, when compared to converting an existing oil boiler for biofuels. OFTEC director general, Jeremy Hawksley said: “In its current form, the RHI strategy incentivises renewables such as biomass and air source heat pumps, which can have high carbon savings. However, this is only true if they run efficiently and the electricity they use is sourced from renewable sources. Our response demonstrates that bio-liquids would be more effective at reducing carbon emissions in off-gas areas, and much cheaper and simpler for homeowners to adopt. With the weather growing colder I’m reminded of the harsh winter of 2010/11 when heat pumps performed poorly, causing higher running costs w hile failing to keep homes warm. By contrast, oil heating is much more compatible with rural homes off the mains gas network.”

Around 300,000 households could face fuel poverty in the next few weeks thanks to the continued rise in energy prices. Fuel poverty has been defined as a household spending more than 10% of income on heating, and the Fuel Poverty Advisory Group’s tenth annual report predicts that this will apply to around nine million people by 2016. It also shows that energy prices rose by 7% in 2012, with the average energy bill at £1247. In the case of oil, at the start of December average prices are virtually unchanged from a year ago – see prices and margins 2012, page 6 of the January issue. The group calls for the government to use the carbon tax revenue for the benefit of low income households, and to provide a more coherent strategy to combat fuel poverty, including making homes more energy efficient. “With a cold winter, welfare reforms cutting incomes, and all at a time of austerity measures and other rising household costs, the plight of the fuel poor has never been more serious,” Derek Lickorish, chairman of the FPAG, told the BBC. “A toxic cocktail of rising wholesale prices, the high cost of energy reforms and cuts in incomes for many households means fuel poverty levels are set to sky rocket without radical action,” he added. Read the report

  Turriff Fuels and CPL Petroleum have implemented the Federation of Petroleum Suppliers (FPS) new fuel certification scheme. Developed in conjunction with tank hygiene specialists, OTS TankCare and Scarletts Systems, the scheme will enable FPS members to guarantee fuel standards, thereby safeguarding themselves against the potential risk and any claims resulting from post-delivery contamination. FPS chief executive, Mark Askew, said: “With the introduction of new biofuels and current FAME content up to 7%, better housekeeping is essential throughout the supply chain. The FPS scheme sets standards for fuel testing, cleansing and best practice for preventing contamination by water, particulates and microbial growth in storage tanks. “The scheme methodology has been fully evaluated and we can announce its implementation with two major FPS distributors – Turriff Fuels of Aberdeenshire and the CPL Petroleum network’s flagship depot in Thurrock, Essex. “By declaring their tanks have been certified to this scheme – to guarantee fuel quality standards – fuel distributors will be able to draw a line under any disputes concerning fuel quality.”    www.fpsfueltest.co.uk 

A Profitable Future in Renewables – Business Strategy Conference takes place at the British Museum in London on Wednesday 21st November. The energy market has undergone many changes, making it difficult for businesses to plan ahead and make informed decisions to benefit profitability. Many companies are looking to alternative energy forms, such as renewables. Organised by Renewable Energy Installer magazine, the event will address a range of topical business issues, brought to you by key industry experts, to benefit profitability. The conference is aimed at wholesalers, manufacturers, Green Deal providers and installers, while content will also be of interest to investors, training companies and those involved in the professional services sector. “There is currently no other event which offers the same level of expertise and insight into the renewables sector and how to maintain a successful business,” said REI editor, Lu Rahman. The aim is to help attendees understand the in-depth details behind Feed-in Tariffs, the Renewable Heat Incentive and the Green Deal. It will also offer expert opinion on how industry changes will impact on the market. The event boasts a first-class line up that will see DECC’s Alasdair Grainger discussing the current state of the Feed-in Tariff, Solarcentury’s Jeremy Leggett discussing ‘What’s happening to the PV market?’ and Southern Solar’s Howard Johns asking whether 22GW can be achieved by 2020. For those looking ahead to the Green Deal, PWC’s Paul Davies will be looking at ‘Financing the Green Deal and Access for Installer’. Paul Thompson, REA will be speaking on ‘3-4 Things to Consider for Your Business’, whilst Jonathan Porrit, Forum for the Future, will be giving the keynote address on ‘Making a Success of life’. Lu said: “With so many changes affecting all parts of the renewable energy market, it’s important to understand what the long-term business opportunities will be, and what needs to be done to stay successful.” www.reiconferences.co.uk

IFC bottom loading arms are assisting with loading at NuStar’s Clydebank terminal in Glasgow.  In an on-going programme, IFC has successfully supplied a second rack of loading arms to upgrade the bottom loading gantry facilities, and the third set is due to be supplied within the next month.  The IFC BLA445T bottom loading arm is completely operator orientated and is carbon steel in construction with PTFE seals, making it compatible with a large number of fuels and liquids. It has a compact, fully adjustable compression spring cylinder to allow easy operation of a fully flooded arm and hose assembly. The 4” nominal bore arm provides flow rates of up to 2500 litres per minute, and the three part swivel joints allow easy manoeuvrability and guarantee the API coupler lines up correctly. Nustar Clydebank & Grangemouth terminal engineer Neil Woodley said: “We needed a reliable and cost effective replacement for our first generation loading arms, along with good technical support from the supplier. With IFC we are happy we made the right choice on both accounts.” IFC operations director, Kiran Shaw, added: “Our loading arm offers engineering quality at low capital outlay combined with reduced on-going maintenance costs, which all goes to make our 445T one of the best value bottom loading arms available”.     www.inflow.co.uk

Plans to limit the use of food-based biofuels to 5% have been announced by the EU climate commissioner, Connie Hedegaard. The biodiesel industry has condemned the changes, which they see as a blow that could cost thousands of jobs. As reported in the Guardian, the proposed plans will cap the levels of biofuels to just above the current output of 4.5%. Biofuels produced from oil crops can give out more carbon emissions than diesel, and cause higher food prices. Connie Hedegaard told the Guardian: “We cannot morally afford to build a very big industry on something that is not good for the environment or for food prices. One of the biggest challenges of the 21st century is ensuring affordable food prices. “We are not closing down the existing [biodiesel] industry,” she said. “What they produce they can continue to produce.” Alain Brinon, president of Fediol, an industry body, said: “This represents a U-turn in EU policy-making and a blow to investors in the renewable energy supply chain.” Existing support for food-based biofuels will end in 2020, with greater support being given to second and third generation fuels produced from agricultural or urban waste.

Jeremy Hawksley, OFTEC director general According to OFTEC, the latest announcement by the government that bioliquids will not be included in the proposed Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) means that homes in rural areas will have very little incentive to switch to renewable fuels, so will continue to have very large CO2 footprints. The U-turn comes after the government accepted B30K – a blend of biofuel and kerosene – as a potential candidate for RHI support in 2010 because it has the potential to reduce carbon emissions by 28%. But now ministers say they will only give RHI support to biomass boilers, air or ground source heat pumps and solar thermal technologies. OFTEC director general Jeremy Hawksley said: ‘”We’re very disappointed at this decision and will continue to argue forcefully during the consultation period for bioliquids to have RHI support. Whilst extensive field trials have demonstrated that B30K works fine in existing boilers, it seems odd that government policy wants to make rural oil users rip out those perfectly good systems when they could just be converted to run on bio-liquid. “In contrast, recent trials of heat pumps revealed the limitations of the technology in many homes, such as having to install oversized radiators to cope with the lower heat temperatures. The cost of running electricity driven heat pumps is similar to the running costs of an oil boiler, so it’s difficult to see the benefit to the consumer of changing their system. We hope that ministers will consider all these points during the consultation process.”

The Department of Energy and Climate Change has published consultation documents for the introduction of the domestic Renewable Heat Incentive. The new proposals all but rule out the inclusion of B30K Bioheating Oil, stating that “we do not believe that partially renewable solutions such as the B30K blend have a sufficient role to play in the transformation of the domestic heating sector to subsidise them through the RHI.” However, despite the likely exclusion of biofuels in the domestic RHI, there are suggestions that they will be an option for larger commercialproperties, with a proposed tariff of 4.1p/kWh – the same rate as for approved, solid biomass fuels. Although the expected timeframe for its introduction remains unchanged (summer 2013), proposed levels of financial support for included technologies are now known. Key proposals include: