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• A final report describing prediction methodology and level of accuracy improvement achieved
• Costs benefits evaluation of different degrees of modelling detail and associated reduction in forecast error
• Modelling source code

This document is a project report for the project 'A new approach to assessing the value of demand side management and storage in reducing costs for electricity system operation and investment.'

The UK is committed to responding to the climate change challenge and the energy sector, and in particular electricity, is expected to make a significant contribution to achieving this goal. Wind power, both on and offshore is presently the principal commercially available and scalable renewable energy technology and it is expected to deliver the majority of the required growth in renewable energy. However, the amount of electricity generated by wind is highly variable and therefore difficult to predict. One of the key challenges of this development is to ensure cost effective integration of these resources in the operation and development of the UK systems without compromising supply security.

The unpredictability of wind power makes it difficult to maintain the equilibrium between demand and generation. This increases the need for the use of technologies which help manage and control the level of demand, known as Demand Side Management. Demand Side Management, or DSM, works by shifting demand from peak to off-peak periods in order to reduce its variability.

This project investigated a new approach to assessing the benefits DSM could have to the UK. In this context, the proposed project will investigate a new approach to valuing DSM for alternative future development scenarios of the UK system. The methodology used was based on a radically new approach mixing modern financial modelling coupled with sophisticated mathematical and computational techniques. This investigation developed a novel mathematical framework aimed at valuing applications of DSM in increasing the utilisation and improving the efficiency of the operation of future UK electricity system. The project showed that it is possible to save around 30% of the generation cost to warm a typical household in winter using DSM.

This document is a project report for the project 'A new approach to assessing the value of demand side management and storage in reducing costs for electricity system operation and investment.'

The UK is committed to responding to the climate change challenge and the energy sector, and in particular electricity, is expected to make a significant contribution to achieving this goal. Wind power, both on and offshore is presently the principal commercially available and scalable renewable energy technology and it is expected to deliver the majority of the required growth in renewable energy. However, the amount of electricity generated by wind is highly variable and therefore difficult to predict. One of the key challenges of this development is to ensure cost effective integration of these resources in the operation and development of the UK systems without compromising supply security.

The unpredictability of wind power makes it difficult to maintain the equilibrium between demand and generation. This increases the need for the use of technologies which help manage and control the level of demand, known as Demand Side Management. Demand Side Management, or DSM, works by shifting demand from peak to off-peak periods in order to reduce its variability.

This project investigated a new approach to assessing the benefits DSM could have to the UK. In this context, the proposed project will investigate a new approach to valuing DSM for alternative future development scenarios of the UK system. The methodology used was based on a radically new approach mixing modern financial modelling coupled with sophisticated mathematical and computational techniques. This investigation developed a novel mathematical framework aimed at valuing applications of DSM in increasing the utilisation and improving the efficiency of the operation of future UK electricity system. The project showed that it is possible to save around 30% of the generation cost to warm a typical household in winter using DSM.

This document is a project report for the project titled 'A wave/current flume for research on offshore renewable energy devices: with the first application on multiple heavy point wave absorbers.'

This project is concerned with marine energy in the form of waves and tidal streams which may in principle supply more energy than the UK needs. The main consideration when developing devices which utilise wave and tidal power in order to generate electricity is economic viability. In order to assess whether potential devices will be economically viable to produce and run, as well as to maximise their performance, it is crucial to rigorously test physical prototypes.

The aim of this project is provide a wave/current facility (flume) in which marine power devices can be properly tested because the influence of currents on wave devices and waves is often overlooked. For this project a wave maker was added to an existing 5m wide and 20m long environmental flume. The wave maker can generate regular, random and directional seas which is vital because the power generated is much reduced by random directional waves which occur in reality.

This document is a final project report for the project titled 'AC0401: Direct energy use in agriculture: opportunities for reducing fossil fuel inputs'

This report details the bottom-up approach that has been taken to estimate direct energy use in agriculture, with 2005 as the baseline year. Data comes from CCL returns, professional surveys and best available professional knowledge. The total, direct, primary energy use sums to 20,387 GWh (73,393 TJ), but with an associated CHP electricity generation credit of 748 GWh (2,693 TJ). This is around 12% more than the total given by DTI for 2005 in its Digest of UK Energy Statistics (DUKES), which is based on returns made by energy suppliers. This report details the qualification of direct energy use, potential improvements to energy efficiency, and potential for integration of renewable energy across the agriculture industry.

1. Quantification of direct energy use in agriculture, with a breakdown by agricultural sector and fuel type
2. Energy use technologies and the potential for improvement in energy efficiency
3. Energy supply options and the potential for the integration of renewable energy
4. Action points and recommendations to Defra

This document is a final project report for the project titled 'Potential for Solar Energy in Food Manufacturing, Distribution and Retrail.'

1. Establish the current state of the art in relevant available solar technology - A detailed literature search of photovoltaic electricity generation has been carried out and its application to food retail, storage and distribution has been reviewed.
2. Identify the barriers for the adoption of solar technology - The real and perceived barriers to the uptake of solar energy technology options were investigated. This was done by obtaining the views of stakeholders by structured interviews and questionnaires.
3. Assess the potential for solar energy capture - In this work package the potential of solar energy capture for use in supermarkets and distribution centres was evaluated. This was achieved through modelling using available software packages and spreadsheet models developed specifically for the task.
4. Appraise the potential of alternative relevant technologies for providing renewable energy - Ways of using indirect solar energy such as wind power were investigated and compared with photovoltaic generation
5. Assess the benefits from energy saving technologies - This work package assessed the potential for reducing energy demand by using more efficient plant and improved controls in refrigeration and lighting.
6. Compare the alternative strategies for the next 5-10 years - In this work package the results of the previous work packages are reviewed and the economic viability of alternative renewable technologies is evaluated and compared with energy conservation measures.
7. Consider the merits of specific research programmes on solar energy and energy conservation in the food sector - In this work package a review of food transport refrigeration was carried out and the possibilities of using solar energy to reduce refrigeration energy consumption and emissions were considered

This document is the final project report for the project titled 'MARKAL Macro analysis of long run costs of mitigation targets.'

This report is the final report under the Defra contract EP0202 MARKAL Macro analysis of long run costs of mitigation targets. The objective of this study was to consider the additional impacts (economic and technological) of moving to an increasingly carbon constrained energy system, with reductions in CO2 of 70% and 80% by 2050. In addition, another objective was to assess the impact of including emissions from international aviation, and the implications for abatement in other sectors under a 60% constraint in 2050. This analysis builds on work led by Policy Studies Institute (further referred to as the EWP 07 MARKAL analysis), to inform the Government’s Energy White paper, published in May 2007. In that analysis, up to 60% reductions in emissions of CO2 by 2050 were considered, with many associated sensitivity runs undertaken to examine different assumptions.

A key part of the strategy outlined in the Energy White Paper Meeting the Energy Challenge included the provision of legally binding carbon targets for the whole UK economy, to progressively reduce emissions. A Climate Change Bill is being proposed that would implement such targets, and has recently been consulted on. As part of further discussions around longer-term targets, Defra commissioned this additional MARKAL analysis, to explore the impacts of more stringent targets than those considered in the Energy White Paper.

1. System evolution
2. Technology pathways
3. Economic impacts
4. International aviation

• Energy System Analysis –the importance of CCS
• UK Power System –the value of CCS
• CCS in the UK –some recent history and development of the ETI’s current programme
• Addressing the credibility of the cost base: the ETI’s Thermal Power with CCS - Generic Business Case Project
• Conclusions and next steps

National Grid operate Pressure Reduction Installations (PRI) on the transmission system in the UK and the US. These installations are predominantly maintained and operated to generic procedures which do not fully take into account location or site specific risks. National Grid has initiated work to develop decision support tools (DST5) which take into account location and site specific risk.

This report describes the PRI DST risk ranking model and scoring logic. The model development has been informed by Take and Regulator Station models and advice provided by the National Grid US operator. The PRI DST provides a qualitative assessment of the supply and safety risks associated with PRI design based on factors which affect the ability to continue to supply gas under fault conditions and the installation's reliability, integrity and condition. The qualitative risk model assigns numeric scores to each factor and calculates an overall risk score which reflects the likelihood of a supply failure or a loss of containment incident. The qualitative risk model will enable an assessment of the sites which are most vulnerable to failure against consistent criteria and allow these sites to be prioritised for more detailed consideration.

Ranking of risk scores will enable efficient and reliable sites to be identified, and the learning obtained can be applied to new sites and sites targeted for investment.

The use of qualitative risk models in the development of maintenance requirements is established good practice, but it is recognised that the availability and access to data can be problematic and can limit the use and application of such models. To address this, the tool is structured to efficiently use the experience and knowledge of National Grid operational personnel and accessible data.

1. Executive Summary
2. Project Manager's Report
3. Business Case Update
4. Progress Against Budget
5. Bank account
6. Successful Delivery Reward Criteria (SDRC)
7. Learning Outcomes
8. Intellectual Property Right (IPR)
9. Risk Management
10. Consistency With Full Submission

1. Introduction
2. Approach
3. How should Building Standards work?
4. Are Building Standards working?
5. What could be improved?
6. Is there another way?
7. Conclusions
8. Recommendations
9. Appendix 1 - Evaluation Criteria
10. Appendix 2 - Desk Research
11. Appendix 3 - Consultation
12. Appendix 4 - Discussion Forum

National Grid has a large number of Cameron self-relieving ball valves of varying sizes in operation in the gas transportation system. A number of these are large diameter valves and a 42' Cameron self-relieving ball valve has recently been taken out of service as it was leaking. National Grid would like some leakage tests to be carded out on this valve.

National Grid uses a number of methods to detect and quantify leaks. One of these uses a portable acoustic emission (AE) device where a sensor is directly coupled to the surface of the valve. This device can be used on above-ground assets such as valves, etc. but a significant number of National Grid's assets are below the ground where access to the surface of the valve is not possible. National Grid has defined the overall objectives of this project, to be carded out by the Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL) as follows:

1. Validate the use of leak detection equipment (based on a portable acoustic emission monitor system) for above-ground and below-ground process valves.

2. Investigate the valve's self-relieving system and quantify the leakage through the self-relieving system.

The scope of the project is to scale up and trial the GenGame direct control DSR product for residential customers, to run a feasibility trial for up to one year to test and refine the product and, if successful, to expand up to 2000 customers and run the trials up to December 2017 to test for sustainability over a longer period. The data from the trials will be used to develop the predictive planning tool.

This programme aims to engage both Tier 1 suppliers and vehicle manufacturers in the fuel cell system development process such that a significant progress can be made towards meeting the cost and performance goals necessary for the commercialisation of the technology in road vehicles.

As part of the development programme, a total of nine fuel cell engines will be designed and built in four development phases.

The overall project objective is to make available generic coal information on Chinese and Indian coals with regard to their combustion and emission performance, and to establish correlations between basic properties and this performance. Such information is clearly of value to UK industry in view of the export possibilities in these regions.

This document is a progress report for the project titled 'Advanced Gas Detection'.

1. Project Scope
2. Project Objectives
3. Success Criteria
4. Performance Compared to the Original Project Aims, Objectives and Success Criteria
5. Required Modifications to the Planned Approach During the Course of the Project
6. Lessons Learnt for Future Projects

This document is a profile for the project titled 'Advanced Materials Modelling And Lifing Technologies For Gas Turbine Components Operating In Coal Gasification Plant'.

This document is a profile for the project titled 'Advanced Modelling And Testing Of Thick Section Welded Hcm2s'.

This document is a profile for the project titled 'Advanced Monitoring Using Imaging For Combustion In Power Station Boilers'.

This document is a profile for the project titled 'Advanced Near Burner Flame Diagnostics For Ignition And Stability Studies On Full Scale Pulverised Coal Flames'.

The overall aim of the project is to improve the simulation of the near burner region of flames by CFD models, and to devise techniques whereby ignition processes in the vicinity of the flame holder and the flame structure immediately downstream can be assessed for individual flames in large pulverised coal fired furnaces. Specific project objectives are:

This document is a report for the project titled 'Advanced Optimisation - Coal Fired Power Plant Operations'.

In recent years the efforts to reduce nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions from power stations have resulted in operational modifications including the fitting of low - NOx burners. These modifications are expensive and generally have an adverse effect upon plant performance, resulting in an increase in unburnt carbon. To reduce these adverse effects, on-line optimisers have been developed as an enhancement to the power station's digital control system (DCS). GNOCIS (Generic NOx Optimisation Control Intelligent System) is the main optimiser used within the UK. This is a neural network based optimiser that takes various control parameters such as mill feeder speeds, excess oxygen, burner tilt and load as inputs and predicts the resultant NOx emissions and carbon-in-ash levels. In fact the models are usually used in reverse with boiler control settings being provided by the model to optimise the emissions.

The success of the boiler optimisation models has suggested that on-line optimisation can be used in other parts of the power station, eg thermal efficiency, electrostatic precipitator (ESP). Although each local optimiser is able to perform its task well individually there will be occasions when the individual packages will provide conflicting advice. The purpose of this unit optimisation project is to develop an integrated approach to unit optimisation and develop an overall optimiser that is able to resolve any conflicts between the individual optimisers.

1. Introduction
2. Project Members
3. Individual Optimisers
4. On-Line Thermal Efficiency Package
5. GNOCIS/Boiler
6. GNOCIS/Turbine
7. ESP Optimisation
8. Intelligent Sootblowing System (ISBS)
9. Unit Optimiser
10. Software Implementation
11. Handling Conflict Among Optimisers
12. On-Line Power Plant Optimisers in the UK
13. Recommendations
14. Conclusions
15. References

This document if the final report for the project titled 'Advanced PEM Stack Development'.

This report describes work carried out at Intelligent Energy (IE) to design and build a 50kW PEM fuel cell stack based upon etched plate technology, whilst simultaneously designing and developing a pressed plate technology capable of meeting the long term cost targets deemed necessary for full-scale commercialisation of PEM fuel cell technology. Also reported are the results of a joint collaboration with Johnson Matthey under which the design of a membrane electrode assembly specifically matched to IE's unique stack architecture was addressed.

The work carried out under this programme was specifically aimed at tackling the two issues of scale-up and cost reduction, by developing the etched plate technology and demonstrating a 50kW single stack unit whilst in parallel developing a pressed plate manifestation of the architecture, manufactured using high volume techniques (pressing, injection moulding etc.) thereby, clearly demonstrating that the resultant technology is capable of meeting the power output requirements and cost objectives.

1. Introduction
2. Etched Plate Design and Scale-Up
3. Pressed Plate Development
4. JMFC MEA Development
5. Cost Analysis and Discussion
6. Conclusions and Further Work
7. Appendix 1 - Programme Milestones

This document is a report for the project titled 'Advanced PF Power Plant - Improved Materials for Boilers and Steam Turbines'.

In 1997 the Foresight Task Force identified advanced pulverised fuel technology as having the greatest market potential of the Clean Coal Technologies over the following 15 years. This task force, together with the Institute of Materials task force on materials, highlighted that the economic and environmental performance of this technology was currently limited by the performance of high temperature materials for boilers and steam turbines. As a consequence of this, the required R&D programmes perceived as being necessary for the development of improved materials were outlined.

This programme is receiving support through the EC's Thermie framework and from the DTI. It has a far longer timescale to fruition than the present initiative, as it will require inclusion of a demonstration phase. The technology involved in the present programme will be commercially exploitable much earlier, and, even after introduction of technology based on nickel based alloys, it will continue to be competitive in markets particularly sensitive to capital cost rather than through-life cost. The present programme is implemented through a wider European collaboration under the auspices of COST 522; as such collaboration reduces the costs of implementation and ensures that the UK remains abreast of the state-of-the-art in this technology.

1. Background
2. The Cost Framework of Programmes
3. Technical and Economic Value
4. Boiler Group Activities
5. Steam Turbine Group Activities
6. Common Activity Goals
7. Plant Integration and Ancillary Components Group
8. Conclusions
9. Acknowledgements
10. References
11. Abbreviations Used in Text

This document is a profile for the project titled 'Improved Materials for Boilers and Steam Turbines'.

The principal aim of this project was to develop and demonstrate the suitability of advanced materials and components for the power industry. Such materials and components were aimed at steam temperatures of 620 - 650°C. Specific areas covered were:

This document is a summary of the project titled 'With/without CO2 Capture Options'.

This document is a final report for the project titled 'Aerosol Sealants Stage 1A'.

As part of the Stage 1 Seeker Particles work, Steer Energy recognised that a sealant delivered as an aerosol could provide an alternative approach to the existing technologies used to repair leaks. It is appreciated that this is most likely to be directed towards smaller leaks when compared to the robotically applied liquid sealants, and is likely to require some form of enabling technologies to be used to assist that deployment. This work dovetails with the work carried out in Seeker Particles Stage 2 and Gas Polymerisation Stage 1 as well as a number of other intervention projects that SGN are currently running through the NIC / NIA funding mechanism. Initially this project was to focus on direct technology transfer from the HVAC industry into the Gas industry to produce aerosolised sealants for use in the gas network. Exceptional contractual circumstances prevented this however and a development project was undertaken with a wider overall target.

1. Project Introduction, Changes, and Outcomes
2. Aerosol Sealing in the Gas Network
3. WP1: Application and Sealant Specification
4. WP2: Deployment Methodology
5. WP3: Design of Aerosol Numerical Model
6. WP4: Experimental Set up and Testing
7. WP5: Enabling Technologies
8. Conclusions and Further Work

A policy for single Digital Bus Bar Protection has been employed on the National Grid UK Transmission network since 2002 either as a replacement system (for duplicated high impedance schemes) or for all new build double bus bar substations. These systems have a distributed architecture with remote bay units (interfacing to the plant) for each protected circuit with ruggedized cross site fibre connections to a central processing unit. Where a substation has a centralised relay room (e.g. GIS) layout, the bay units are co-located in a suite of cubicles and connected with a network of fibre patch cords.

This R&D Project aims to deliver an evaluation and desk top design solution of an alternative digital bus bar solution architecture. This will help formulate a future technical and procurement strategy for bus bar protection, potentially leading to a pilot installation, evaluation and deployment as a replacement (or new) bus bar protection system.

This document is a closedown report for the project titled 'Alternative Differential Unit Protection for Cable only and Cable & OHL hybrid installations'.

This R&D Project aims:

This document is a closedown report for the project titled 'Alternative Jointing Techniques for Small Diameter PE Pipe'.

1. Conduct a gap analysis to compare the requirements of Standards that selected fittings conform to, with the requirements of established UK Gas Industry Standards.
2. Demonstrate, under laboratory conditions, the assembly of all mains-to-meter mechanical fittings from 4 different manufacturers and compare against a conventional electrofusion mains-to-meter assembly.
3. Undertake laboratory tests of selected fittings for both leak tightness and pull-out resistance.
4. Undertake a cost benefit analysis and undertake field observations.

The scope of this project includes:

This document is a closedown report for the project titled 'Alternative Tower Construction'.

The project focussed on initial development, production and implementation of an adapted emergency bypass tower as a tower crane which could be used to erect and dismantle transmission towers at 275kV and above. Following mechanical and functional testing within a controlled environment, field based testing on a number of selected towers was to be completed to allow demonstration of the system on the SHE (Scottish Hydro Electric) Transmission. This would allow an assessment to be made of the suitability of the system and method for operational use going forward.

The principle aim of the project was to assess the suitability of the tower crane as a tool for the erection and dismantlement of transmission towers in a safe and sustainable manner.

1. Project Background
2. Scope and Objectives
3. Success Criteria
4. Details of the work carried out
5. Outcomes
6. Appendix

This document is a closedown report for the project titled 'Alternatives to Venting '.

Planned venting can arise from a number of sources around the network, including venting at compressor sites and pipeline decommissioning for repair, replacement or modification. Planned venting at compressor sites is monitored and recorded through the on-line control system. For 2011/12, this was reported as 2984 tonnes of natural gas.

This document is a profile for the project titled 'An Automotive Class MEA'.

This document is a report that summarises the findings of the DTI Cleaner Coal Technology R and D Programme Project 217 'Application of CFD Modelling to Mill Classifier Design'.

In order to reduce the carbon in ash (CIA) levels arising from the application of advanced low NOX technologies, it is necessary to improve the quality and consistency of the coal milling process. In many low NOX retrofit applications, mill upgrades, including classifier upgrades, are required to achieve the improved milling performance. Unfortunately, plant space constraints often make it impossible to install classifiers of ideal geometries and the performance of non-ideal geometries is difficult to predict using existing design methods. In addition, low quality coals are increasingly being used, alone or in blends, to reduce plant operating costs. The grinding and classification behaviour of low quality coals and their blends has been found to differ from that of UK and world-traded bituminous coals. Consequently, classifier design rules that have been derived from the extensive experience of milling bituminous coals are less reliable when applied to low quality coals. There is a clear requirement to improve and extend the range of applicability of classifier design methods so that they may be used to design classifiers of non-ideal geometries and for coals outside the conventional range of experience.

1. Introduction
2. Classifier Design
3. Review of E Mill Classifier Process Data and Design Rules
4. Physical Model Testing
5. CFD Simulation of Physical Model
6. Plant Trials
7. CFD Simulation of E Mill Classifiers
8. Development of Improved Design Rules
9. CFD Simulation of Primary Classification
10. Conclusions
11. Recommendations for Further Work
12. Acknowledgements

This document is a progress report for the project titled 'Application of DC circuit-breakers in DC Grids'.

The European Union Renewable Energy Directive has committed the Member States to National targets for renewable energy production such that at least 20% of the EU's energy will be produced from renewable sources by 2020. Meanwhile, the creation of an internal market for energy remains one of the EU's priority objectives. The development of an interconnected internal market will facilitate cross-border exchanges in electricity and improve competition. The potential role of HVDC in integrating renewable energy generation and cross-border electricity exchanges is widely recognised and many ideas for dc grids linking the transmission systems of different countries and renewable generation are being promoted.

At present, no dc circuit-breaker is commercially available and any dc fault will affect the entire dc network. A dc grid is, therefore, restricted to a single protection zone at present and the capacity of generation connected to it may not exceed the infrequent infeed loss risk limit prescribed by the Security and Quality of Supply Standard. The dc circuit-breaker is therefore an essential technology in enabling the concept of a dc grid to develop.

The objective of the proposed work is to understand the application issues associated with dc circuit-breakers in dc grids. The work will study the impact of dc circuit-breaker operation on the dc system, the HVDC converters and the connected ac systems. In particular, the challenges presented by protection and fault clearance in dc grids will be addressed. The work forms an essential component of the risk-managed introduction of the dc circuit-breaker onto the transmission system in accordance with PS(T)013. The results of the work will inform technical specifications and risk-registers for the dc circuit-breaker and for the protection and control of dc grids.

This document is a closedown report for the project titled 'Architectural Design of Compressor Site'.

National Grid has to operate in an ever more stringent planning environment. The implementation of the Planning Act 2008 has resulted in all Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects being captured by the Planning Act. The result of this has been a greater responsibility on a developer to provide evidence that a full and open engagement has been undertaken with both statutory and non statutory organisations and particularly the public at large and further that opinions expressed by third parties have been properly noted and where possible used to influence the final design submitted for consent to the Planning Inspectorate.

1. Contemporary
2. Farmstead
3. Landscaped

This project will explore three environmentally sensitive architectural design alternatives that will be suitable for a typical compressor site, based on size (one small, two medium).

This document is a profile for the project titled 'Impact on Plant Performance and Ash Disposal'.

This document is a closedown report for the project titled 'Ashton Hayes Smart Village'.

The scope of the Smart Village project was to work with an engaged community (Ashton Hayes, a village in Cheshire) to help a DNO (ScottishPower Energy Networks) to better understand how increased small scale generation would affect the network while also helping Ashton Hayes reduce its carbon footprint. In order to ensure this was done successfully, it was necessary to understand in more detail the varying loads and voltages being encountered on the Low Voltage (LV) network. This more detailed understanding was expected to help inform future Tier 2 LCNF projects and existing planning processes within a DNO as well as helping to maintain network safety.

The project aimed to support Ashton Hayes towards its goal of becoming a carbon neutral community through examining the feasibility of connecting a range of low carbon technologies to the network. It also aimed to explore the relationship between the DNO and the community, establishing a blueprint for community engagement that could be adopted for projects across the country and integrated into normal business practice where appropriate.

The project achieved all of its success criteria. It supported Ashton Hayes in the introduction of low carbon technologies through the use of monitoring data to establish the voltage headroom, connected new technologies to the LV network (including photovoltaics, heat pumps, and an electric vehicle charging point) and ensured integration and optimal utilisation of these technologies to reduce the village's carbon footprint.

This document is a summary for the project titled 'Impact on Plant Performance and Ash Disposal'.

This project has shown that ash re-firing is both technically and financially viable on existing coal fired power plant. It is believed that commercial scale replication of the concept could be undertaken by plant operators using the data gathered by this project as the basis for a full scale development.

This document is the final report for the project titled 'Assessment of Ash Re-firing and Mineral Addition - Impact on Plant Performance and Ash Disposal'.

Pulverised coal fired generation plant will continue to play a major role in the world-wide electrical power market for the foreseeable future. Emission standards have become tighter in recent years and coal fired plant has been required to become more flexible in terms of operating regimes. The changes have led to increases in the levels of unburnt carbon in ash, deposition patterns in boilers as well as increased pressure on the performance in electrostatic precipitators.

This project, to investigate if ash refiring and mineral addition were viable methods of improving boiler efficiency and reducing emissions, was supported by the DTI as part of its Cleaner Coal Programme. The project involved the collaboration of two generators (RWE npower and TXU Europe), a major coal supplier (UK Coal) plus two university groups (Imperial College London and the University of Sheffield)

1. Introduction
2. Project Overview - Aims, objectives and work programme
3. Coals and minerals selected for the project
4. Mineral addition trials on the Entrained Flow Reactor
5. University of Sheffield MSc projects
6. Pilot scale trials of ash re-firing
7. Pilot scale trials of mineral additions
8. Characterisation of coals, ashes, minerals and deposits
9. The nature of fly ash and its ability to be collected in electrostatic precipitators
10. Power station evaluation of ash re-firing
11. Techno-economic assessment
12. Conclusions
13. List of Participants

The work will provide a comprehensive view of distributed generation types and susceptibility to RoCoF for the entire GB synchronous network. The feasibility and implications of using revised protection settings to avoid coincident distributed generation losses during loss of infeed events will be established.

The key objectives are to reduce operational costs and to enable increased system access for asynchronous generation types including renewable generation (wind, solar). If measures are not taken to ensure distributed generation is less susceptible to RoCoF events, then increased operating costs are likely to result through the curtailment of large infeed risks or the operation of synchronous generation in favour of asynchronous generation to manage RoCoF risks. Potential increases in system operating costs by 2018/19 are forecast to be £250m per annum, rising to in excess of £1000m per annum by 2025.

Four reports have been provided detailing the outcomes of the project.

This document is a closedown report for the project titled 'Assessment of Electronic (analogue and Numeric) Protection equipment end of life mechanisms'.

The scope of the project will establish the techniques and processes to be used on these equipment types. These techniques and processes will be applied to a specific number of relay types to validate the process and evaluate the lives of these specific equipment types. The specific equipment types selected will be those predominantly in service on the transmission network which current policy would require to be replaced in the next 5 years. The establishment of a successful evaluation process for asset life would then be utilised as a research method to evaluate asset lives on other specific equipment types.

Each of the three relay types yielded consistent evaluation results and has demonstrated eligibility for an asset life extension. Based on condition and deterioration observed to date an initial extension of five years for each relay type is proposed. Since the tested relay types continue to perform reliably with no increase in failure rates or component degradation over many years of service, the flat failure-rate trajectory does not forecast any specific end of asset life. The proposal to extend asset life by five years comprises a service life extension of only 15% of the time for which the oldest evaluated unit has already served. The service life extension is further supported by thorough technical evaluation of any failure that occurs during the extended life interval, and re-evaluation of the policy change if any unforeseen failure pattern arises. The process established in this project may be applied to other types of light current equipment with further investigation and development.

This document is a closedown report for the project titled 'Assessment of hydrophobic treatment for gas compressor air intake values & screens'.

Under certain climatic conditions it is possible for unacceptable levels of ice to build up on gas turbine air intakes. Ice build up on the air intake structures reduces the available cooling and combustion air for the gas turbine, reducing efficiency and the integrity of the unit if the ice should become ingested within the engine. This would have serious consequences for the integrity of the gas turbine unit and network supply capability due to unit failure.

There is considerable worldwide experience of operation gas turbine based infrastructure in low ambient temperatures and a number of ice treatment technologies are well defined. Dovetailing the most cost effective available ice treatments with the existing air intake structures. This and also employing any fortuitous effects such as surface roughness, will improve the overall effectiveness of water repulsion and ice management of gas turbine air intakes across the National Grid fleet.

The project demonstrated that pre treating air intakes with hydrophobic solutions, PTFE coatings or filter oil only offered a marginal delay (compared to equivalent non treated components) before the on set of icing conditions. This combined with some of the potential health and safety issues associated when applying these solutions (working at height) means that that the evaluation confirmed that this project will not be progressed further at this stage.

This report examines the current levels of methane emission from livestock manures and slurries in the UK and then explores possible options and routes for reducing the greenhouse gas emissions within a methane generation and recovery strategy for England.

Methane emissions from manures and slurry management make up 14% of the total methane emissions from livestock husbandry in the UK. Although slurry based management systems make up less than 40% of the manure management infrastructure, they account for 74% of methane emissions from manures and slurries.

In this study, we have looked in detail at the economics for options for on-farm AD and centralised AD in England. All the options proved uneconomic without some extra Government support. However, a small number of larger CAD may be economic, especially if higher levels of industrial waste (up to 20%) were treated in the CAD. A cost benefit analysis based on the options and assuming Government support in the form of capital grants suggests that greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to up to 0.03MtC could be saved annually at a cost of £60/tC, if 20 CAD plants were built. However, this would result in lifetime costs to Government of £ 143M. On-farm AD would need significant support to be economic.

1. Introduction
2. Current Situation
3. Technology options
4. Options for Methane Mitigation
5. Wider benefits and challenges for AD
6. Conclusions and Recommendations
7. Glossary, References & Appendices

• Appendix 1 - Methane to Markets Questionnaire
• Appendix 2 - Manure and Methane Production Data
• Appendix 3 - Basis of Options for England
• Appendix 4 - Economics and Greenhouse Gas Balance of AD

This document contains a report on Phase II of the work undertaken by the University of Strathclyde and commissioned by the Energy Network Association on behalf of the workgroup "Frequency changes during large system disturbances" (GC0079). The workgroup is a joint activity of the UK Grid Code Review Panel (GCRP) and Distribution Code Review Panel (DCRP) which addresses the issue of system integrity under anticipated future low inertia conditions. The original terms of reference for this work issued by ENA in April 2014 are included in Appendix D of this report.

The aim of the work described in this report is to assess and quantify the risks associated with proposed changes to ROCOF protection settings from the point of view of undetected islands and the consequent risks to individuals' safety, as well as the risk of potential equipment damage through unintentional out-of-phase auto-reclosing.

1. Executive Summary
2. Introduction
3. WP2 - Simulation based assessment of NDZ
4. WP3 - Risk level calculation at varying NDZ
5. Conclusions
6. References

• Appendix A: Simulation model parameters
• Appendix B: Detailed record of NDZ Assessment
• Appendix C: Full record of risk assessment results
• Appendix D: Terms of Reference

This document is the final report for the project titled 'Assessment of the Significance of Changes to the Inshore Wave Regime as a consequence of an Offshore Wind Array'.

Offshore windfarm (OWF) development within the UK is presently in the Second Round of licensing by Defra through FEPA (1985). Many of the Round One licences have already been granted, and of these, the development on Scroby Sands was one of the first. More significantly, Scroby Sands is amongst the few OWFs situated in a dynamic sedimentary environment. It is also close to a coastline which is vulnerable to erosion and which has seen numerous different coastal protection schemes in recent years. Development of the OWF at this site was started in autumn 2003, and electricity production commenced in December 2004.

This report details work undertaken only under contract AE1227. It was anticipated that this work would provide evidence-based research from which to refine any requirements for monitoring of waves that have been included within licence conditions of Round One developments, and that could be included within those conditions for Round Two developments.

The sensitivity analysis enabled by the modelling showed that for a simplistic flat seabed, wave interference patterns were most pronounced for waves approaching the monopile array obliquely, at an angle of 35 degrees. For more realistic bathymetry, this angle was decreased, but more significant was the maximum reduction in wave height from 5% (flat seabed) to 2% (realistic bathymetry). Thus, effects of wave refraction in shallow water are greater than those of monopile-related wave diffraction and interference. Wave refraction in shallow water acts to reduce any effect of the monopiles upon waves.

The quantitative value of predicted change to wave height as a result of monopile arrays, of 2%, is in agreement with those estimates presented as part of the Environmental Statements for other more recent windfarms. It has not been possible to detect this small change using the presently available measurement and analysis techniques afforded by X-band radar. It is therefore concluded that wave diffraction and interference effects arising from monopile arrays are negligible. By inference, any effect on coastal erosion is therefore also likely to be negligible.

1. Scientific Objectives
2. Summary of Success (Against Scientific Objectives)
3. Methods
4. Results
5. Discussion
6. Conclusion
7. Implications & Significance
8. Future Research
9. Resulting Actions
10. References

This document is a summary of the study titled 'Assessment of the impact of Warm Front on decent homes for private sector vulnerable households'.

This document is a closedown report for the project titled 'Asset Health & Criticality Modeling'.

The purpose of the project is to provide a new methodology for delivering the requirements for Ofgem reporting. The collaborative working across the GDNs will provide a consistent benchmark for reporting a complex solution in a pragmatic way. The external service provider will be looking to determine pioneering research into deterioration models and probability of failure analysis using a nationwide data set. This will then be cross referenced with condition analysis based on current data and historical trends.

This document is the final report for the project titled 'Asset Health Modelling (Pipelines, Special Crossings & Block Valves)'.

Following submission of the Gas Distribution Network's (GDN's) business plans, Ofgem recognised the significant work carried out by the GDNs to report asset health, probability of failure and deterioration. However, it was recognised that the framework did not provide consistent results between the GDNs. Ofgem intended the framework to provide a consistent means of comparing information between GDNs and enable GDNs to compare information about the condition of assets over time. In addition, Ofgem sought evolution over time to combine information from different asset classes to form an overall view of the condition of GDN assets and risk therein.

This project looked to overcome the problem of reporting the health and criticality of one of the key group of assets - Local Transmission Pipeline assets; comprising the pipelines themselves plus all the associated assets such as block valves, special crossings and sleeves. The SRWG engaged with the industry experts in PIE due to the inherent knowledge that they held plus the level of interaction that they already had with the GDNs through the UKOPA (United Kingdom Onshore Pipeline Operators Association) group.

This report is contains an Executive Summary, and is split into two technical notes.

Technical Note PIE/14/TN113 :- Development of a Model for classifying the Health Index of non-piggable pipelines:

1. Summary
2. Background
3. Characteristics of external Corrosion
4. Application to Non-piggable Pipelines
5. Allocation of Health Index
6. Categorisation due to fatigue damage
7. Conclusions
8. References

• Appendix 1 - Procedures for 5-Yearly Inspection of Non-Piggable Pipelines
• Appendix 2 -Proposed Process for Defining "Intervention" to Extend Pipeline Life
• Appendix 3 - Calculation of Fatigue Damage due to Cyclic Pressure in Transmission Pipelines

Technical Note PIE/14/TN125 :- Models for Classifying the Health Indices of Block Valves, Sleeves and Above Ground Crossings:

1. Summary
2. Background
3. PoF Models for Block Valves, Sleeves and Crossings
4. PoF Model and Prediction of Health Index for Block Valves
5. Prediction of Health Index for Sleeves
6. PoF Model For Nitrogen Sleeves
7. Non-N2 Sleeves Health Index Predictions
8. Prediction for Health Index for Crossings
9. PoF Model for Above Ground Crossings
10. Prediction of Health index for Above ground crossings
11. PoF Model for River Crossings
12. River Crossings Health Index Predictions
13. Conclusions
14. References

• Appendix 1 - Proposed Definition of Intervention Process required to Reassign Block Valve Health Index
• Appendix 2 - Proposed Definition of Intervention Process required to Reassign Non-Nitrogen Sleeve Health Index
• Appendix 3 - Proposed Definition of Intervention Process required to Reassign Nitrogen Sleeve Health Index
• Appendix 4 - Proposed Definition of Intervention Process required to Reassign Above Ground Crossing Health Index
• Appendix 5 - Proposed Definition of Intervention Process required to Reassign River Crossing Health Index

This document is a closedown report for the project titled 'Asset Health Modelling'.

The objective of this project is to develop a Condition Based Risk Model (CBRM) that will determine the future health index of National Grid Gas Distribution's governors and pressure reduction assets in order to prioritise future investment decisions. The CBRM tool will allow the future Health Index (HI) and Probability of Failure (POF) of these assets to be simulated and assessed. This will enable understanding of asset condition and criticality, identifying and modelling different interventions to mitigate risk, and prioritise and select optimal expenditure via a condition based risk approach.

A CBRM model for a single asset group (District Governors) has been developed in order to provide National Grid the opportunity to understand the CBRM process. The District Governor CBRM model incorporates the factors that NGG consider to be relevant in terms of their impact on the health, criticality and risk of their District Governors, including asset age, expected service life, situation, location and duty and environment.

ENW have secured LCNF funding a project that will trial the use of tap changing at a number of primary substations. The purpose of the trial is to establish the degree to which voltage can be either increased or decreased to provide demand increase/decrease to manage DNO network constraints. In addition staggered tap changes will be trailed to establish what scale of reactive power absorption or injection can be provided. The main focus of the trial is to evaluate degree to which primary substations can be used in this novel way without causing a noticeable impact on electricity consumers.

From a NGET perspective, the effect that these actions have on existing Transmission assets and controls must be understood in order to:

The objectives of the project include:

Most compressor station Gas Turbine units have a number of battery powered emergency back up dc motors driving the vent fans, lube pumps etc. which are started in the event of a mains power failure. Currently these motors are started from resistor type starters located within each compressor unit's dc motor control centre.

At a number of compressor stations these resistor starters have overheated causing damage to the control equipment and constituting a fire risk.

It is proposed to replace these with a new dc electronic motor starter. DC electronic motor starters are not available as off the shelf products for a dc battery supply and will therefore require design and development. A prototype will be designed and tested and then a working unit will be installed at Wooler compressor station for a trial followed by the installation of the remaining 2 within the unit.

The objective of the project is to develop a safer and more reliable alternative to the resistance type motor starters currently installed on compressor sites.

A single DC electronic drive was manufactured as a prototype and tested on a load bank. Following successful completion of the test phase three units were manufactured and installed on an operational site. These are now fully installed and operational. The project is now closed

This document is a closedown report for the project titled 'Beyond Visual Line of Sight Aerial Inspection Vehicle'.

The scope of this 1½ year programme of work by VTOL Technologies is to develop an RPAS BVLOS specification that is endorsed by the CAA which can then be used to develop a RPAS BVLOS system (not part of this project). The project contains four stages:

1. BVLOS Requirements Gathering (6 months)
2. Developing the Simulation Environment (4 months)
3. Assessing Requirements (4 months)
4. An Industry Standard BVLOS Specification (4 months)

The objective of this project is to:

The Project delivered an electricity networks RPAS BVLOS requirements specification and a gas networks RPAS BVLOS requirements specification. The increase in TRL from 3 to 5 has been in line with the registration document as the subsystems have been demonstrated in a relevant environment; the simulation environment. A significant outcome of the project has been the interaction and engagement of the CAA, a vital necessity for any further development work in the RPAS BVLOS arena.

The objective of this project is to develop a stable thermophilic micro-organism able to produce high yields of ethanol from a variety of hydrolysed lignocellulosic feedstocks which are cheap and readily available.

The cost of production of bioethanol for fuel is prohibitively high compared with gasoline, due to the expensive sugar or starch feedstock required, the low production rates and the inability of conventional yeast fermentation to utilise the pentose sugars found in plant biomass. Some yeasts have been engineered to utilise pentose sugars but these modified yeasts produce a significantly decreased, economically unviable, ethanol yield.

Thermophilic bacteria have tremendous potential in the production of ethanol. Their high temperature fermentations offer reduced cooling costs, direct recovery of ethanol from the hot culture and high productivities, because of high growth rates and yields. This project aims to manipulate such thermophilic organisms to eliminate the organic acid production and maximise ethanol formation.

Networks want to facilitate and encourage new sources of gas to enter our networks that meet quality standards, and where necessary adapt quality standards to facilitate the new sources of supply and minimise investment on major infrastructure. At present, produces have no experience or best practice guide to help them through the installation and management of biogas connections. Networks have a variety of policies and procedures to undertake entry connections but these are limited to the transmission system. As a result of this project with NWL documented guides will be produced as each side goes through installation process. A specialist gas consultant will be employed over the duration of the project to capture all the learning and experiences from a producers and network perspective and document these stages including:

The objectives of this project where:

1. To accelerate progression of the Howden project supporting with gas specific expertise
2. To liaise between NWL and NGN to ensure hurdles are overcome quickly and NGN's interests are maintained
3. To develop a user guide to bio-methane injection

To provide the Networks and suppliers/operators of waste treatment biomethane plants with the first user guide and best practice recommendations for connection to the gas distribution network with the requirements of that plant in relation to minimum/maximum connection, gas odourisation, dewpoint, gas quality measurement etc. To allow consistency across the gas industry for the benefit of suppliers/operators of biomethane installations and gas distribution network operators.

The Scope of the Project is intended to investigate the potential future option available for Black Start by looking at all possible technologies available and including but not limited to the following areas for consideration:

1. Future Energy Scenarios - 2020
2. Technical - Energisation Scenarios
3. Technical Requirements
4. International benchmarking
5. Additional system benefits of approaches
6. Regulatory and commercial arrangements

The objective of this project is to complete a desktop study to investigate the potential of alternative Black Start options for the future. In particular to Identify credible Alternative approaches for the procurement of Black Start in GB in the future considering both Technical and Commercial /Regulatory frameworks. This is a short initial study which may lead to further detailed studies on specific preferred options.

The conclusions from the work undertaken are as follows:

It is recommended that some further studies and development work are undertaken with engagement with DNOs to further investigate the potential use of smaller scale plant for Black Start into the future. NGET are planning to follow up on the above outcomes as detailed in Next Steps.

1. 1) Preparation to 2020
2. 2) Retrofit rollout 2020 to 2030
3. 3) Future scenarios 2030 to 2050.

• The 4 hour detailed survey with 2 people is possible (even for the most difficult house) and there is scope to reduce this further.
• It has been shown to be possible to retrofit the two levels of intervention, Retro Fix and Retro Plus, across the modelled house types in 10 elapsed days or less (depending on property size/ complexity and weather permitting) using a team of 4 poly-competent retrofitters.
• Increasing competencies will be vital to deliver retrofit brilliantly and at scale - new training systems are required to provide an up-skilling route for people wishing to enter the retrofit industry.
• New or simplified accreditation and warranty systems are needed for retrofit
• Standard retrofit solutions will help generate efficiency gains and simplify the provision of materials.
• Progress has been made to understand how cost is built up within the supply chain but further work is needed to allow key players to share cost information.
• Retrofit cost of under £10,000 for most house types is feasible but challenging for most house types based on our understanding of how cost is built up within the supply chain. More specific cost data will be generated for common house archetypes; these will be presented in follow up reports for this work package.

• A summary of the Work Package and its deliverables;
• A final summary of the customer segmentation;
• The early adopter segments;
• Synthesis conclusions and recommendations;
• Evaluation of the deliverable and suggestions for future work.

1. Splitting the retrofit process into delivery steps and supporting activities, adding a description / specification at each step for the future state, this future state is documented in deliverables 4.3 and 4.4.
2. Add the current state for the existing supply chain.
3. Identify the transformation route from current state to desired future state, the participants required to take action, prioritisation and the likely costs / timeframes. The goal is the capacity to achieve 400,000 retrofits per year by 2020. The result of this activity is the transformation plan identified in this deliverable.

• Transformational roadmap, plan and high level budget
• Stakeholder review
• Commercial drivers
• Obstacles & Risks
• Geographical Considerations
• Material and Process Change Requirements

• The current supply chain is split by silos around the existing trades:
• Windows and doors
• Loft / Roof insulation
• Heating and plumbing
• External insulation
• Internal insulation
• Delivery of retrofit is centred on these trade silos resulting in duplication in the supply chain and retrofit installation businesses
• There is a piecemeal approach to retrofit design and installation again split by function resulting in a failure to achieve the performance and cost benefits of a systems engineered approach
• The skills and qualifications demanded to work legally and to satisfy warranty provisions with products used in retrofit are mostly general and not "right sized, and fit for the purpose" for a future mass retrofit market
• The existing supply chain is not configured for the retrofit market (which has yet to emerge) and there is no clear strategy for distribution and consolidation of products to effectively support and enable retrofit businesses.
• Routes to obtain funding and investment in domestic retrofit are unclear and the team has been unsuccessful in engaging with the financial community on this project. The green deal may include mechanisms but is unlikely to enable the whole house retrofit systems approach.
• The survey process requires in depth study to provide a robust system to remove risk from the retrofit process. This is likely to include a large element of continuous monitoring, feedback and improvement as the industry forms and matures.
• Current trade skills are inappropriate for retrofit being broad based with limited cover for cross trade working. The retrofit installation process also requires in depth study to understand the basic competences and optimise team working to achieve the best value balance of number of people on site and time taken for retrofit.
• Trade qualifications and legislation for working with gas, water and electricity are likely to limit the speed and effectiveness of the development of retrofit unless reviewed and brought into line with the competence approach suggested here.
• New products are required to simplify retrofit activities and increase the robustness of the end result. Prefabrication and off site material preparation are also seen as a requirement to increase speed and quality of installation results.
• Significant cost erosion is required to allow whole house retrofit to be a financially attractive investment to home owners.

• Existing methodologies
• Choice of Experian Mosaic-Green
• Work with Experian to refine the customer segments from their model in this specific context
• Summarises the ten resulting customer segments
• Presents a diagram showing their relationship to age and affluence
• Describes the further work to be done

It is generally accepted that improvements in coal particle size distribution are beneficial to carbon burnout, and considerable emphasis is placed on the optimisation and maintenance of coal pulverising equipment at utility power plant. The modelling of carbon burnout has been the subject of a number of recent and ongoing projects, some of which have received the financial support of the DTI, and significant technical advances have been made. However, there is an absence of available plant data to demonstrate the effect of coal particle size distribution on carbon in ash, which would allow the validation of this aspect of CFD and engineering models of burnout. This project seeks to address the shortfall.

The overall aim of the project is to establish good quality plant data to demonstrate the effect of changing coal fineness in a controlled way. Specific objectives are:

• a critique of the robustness of the evidence base based on both data and methodologies used;
• a measure of certainty behind the data reviewed; and
• details of the confidence the reviewer may have in interpreting the data.

This report endeavours to understand the technical aspects of a 5kW fuel cell based UPS. Suitable testing is done to determine whether the performance of the system is equivalent to a battery based UPS. The Economic analysis deals with the feasibility of a fuel cell UPS is today's economy.

Testing was then carried out to verify the operation of the fuel cell and establish weather performance was equivalent with battery-operated UPS. The influence of temperature and stack power over start-up time was studied. To establish the dynamic operation of the fuel cell, load-switching tests, both of active and reactive nature, were carried out. Consecutive runs of soak tests were done to verify long hours of operation.

The fuel cell has proven capable to equal the performance of a battery bank, to the inverter and then AC load, the fuel cell is just a battery which never drains. Testing in lower operating temperatures has shown start up is not affected by long hours on non-operation. Though the optimum fuel cell stack an ambient temperature of less than 20°C. Start up is not affected when operated with active and reactive loads.

• how sampling consistency will be assured;
• the design for the planned database;
• the roles and responsibilities between all parties involved in sampling, data collection and lab analysis.
• the rationale for the experimental approach

Good quality waste characterisation data are fundamental to Defra's policies and strategies to manage environmental challenges, yet the UK dataset for the new generation of treated wastes was poor. This project aimed to fill some of the gaps in understanding the characteristics of residues from the treatment of municipal solid waste and industrial process wastes.

The overall objectives were to:

1. Provide "state of the art" data and information on the characteristics of pre/post-treatment wastes
2. Provide a UK-wide data resource focusing on composition and leachability (through UK support to leachXS)
3. Review the UK landfill waste acceptance criteria for monolithic wastes.

A consistent approach to the sampling and testing of the residues has been used as advocated in the Environment Agency's sampling and testing guidance (2005). This includes the use of scenario-specific sampling plans to enable future replication of testing and the full characterisation toolbox (e.g. composition, leachability, biodegradability testing). The datasets have been imported into leachXS and the benefits of this data management and expert tool to technical specialists and policy developers can be seen, for example the rapid comparison of the characteristics of the new generation of treatment residues with more traditional waste streams.

The nitrogen fertilizer value of most organic wastes is much lower than that of sewage sludge. More organic waste would therefore be needed to be applied to soils to provide the same fertiliser value as sewage sludge. The partially stabilized organic wastes have a high requirement for oxygen. There is a risk that the soil system would be unable to sustain the oxygen needed for respiration by the in situ microbial population and so adverse anoxic conditions are likely to exist in the soil.

The objectives of this project are to:

The primary aim and objective of the work is to develop the technical and economic information that will assist existing or future owners and investors in the power industry to evaluate the advantages of utilising coal based syngas generated in a Gasification Enabling Module (GEM) to refuel existing NGCC plants which have the capability to remove 85% or more of the CO2 prior to combustion. To achieve this objective, the study will evaluate GEMs located both adjacent and remote from existing NGCC plants and will evaluate the performance of the GEMs both before and after carbon capture. The results to date on these flow schemes are based on preliminary conceptual technical evaluations and preliminary cost estimates.

The range of coals encountered by new and existing power stations in the UK and abroad is steadily increasing. The inorganic component - the mineral matter - of coal impacts directly on plant availability through coal ash slagging, emission limits especially for fine particulate material and ash use and disposal. These factors constrain the acceptable range of coals for power station use. This project addresses the lack of fundamental understanding of the processes and rates of coal ash formation. It also considers the inability to predict boiler ash properties and behaviour because of a lack of detailed numerical descriptions for fly ash. The objectives of this project are:

This document is the final report for the project titled 'Coal-Fired Advanced Supercritical Retrofit with CO₂ Capture '.

Retrofit of carbon abated clean coal technologies (CATs) is a practical solution with no technical or physical show stoppers being identified in the course of the study. Advanced supercritical boiler/turbine (ASC BTR) technology is available now with the appropriate guarantees for retrofitting to coal-fried power plant to improve efficiency, reduce costs and reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

When CO2 capture and storage becomes economic or mandatory the retrofit routes studies are likely to be amongst the best and most economic options for existing pulverised fuel power generation plant. The project consortium members (Doosan Babcock, Alstom, E.ON UK, Air Products, Imperial College London and Fluor Ltd) are well positioned to exploit the opportunities worldwide.

1. Introduction
2. Technical Description of Results
3. Recommendations
4. Results and Conclusions
5. Acknowledgements
6. References

The Code for Sustainable Homes has been developed to enable a step change in sustainable building practice for new homes. It has been prepared by the Government in close working consultation with the Building Research Establishment (BRE) and Construction Industry Research and Information Association (CIRIA), and through consultation with a Senior Steering Group consisting of Government, industry and NGO representatives.

The Code is intended as a single national standard to guide industry in the design and construction of sustainable homes. It is a means of driving continuous improvement, greater innovation and exemplary achievement in sustainable home building.

The Code will complement the system of Energy Performance Certificates which is being introduced in June 2007 under the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD). The EPBD will require that all new homes (and in due course other homes, when they are sold or leased) have an Energy Performance Certificate providing key information about the energy efficiency/carbon performance of the home. Energy assessment under the Code will use the same calculation methodology therefore avoiding the need for duplication.

This document is divided into the following sections:

1. What is the code for sustainable homes?
2. How does the code work?
3. Summary of code benefits
4. Code standards
5. Practical Examples

The objectives of this project were:

All project objectives have been achieved. As planned, video capture and processing equipment was installed and tested on actual boiler plant early in the project and the results of practical experience used progressively to inform and refine developments.

This experience has confirmed the importance of proving techniques under actual PF combustion techniques. Work by Imperial on a number of other video projects involving observations in small-scale furnaces has shown that the technical challenges involved in acquiring satisfactory video data are much more severe in full scale plant. Different combustion-related phenomena are also encountered in practice.

The objectives of this project are:

The main aim of the project was to demonstrate the proposed low volatile burner at full scale in a single burner test facility and to establish its performance with regard to NOX and combustion efficiency. Furthermore, pilot scale testing was undertaken to quantify the effect of the staged addition of combustion air. Air staging is generally regarded as an effective, mature technology for NOX reduction from bituminous coals, but its impact on low volatile coals is less well understood.

Specific objectives for this project are:

Traditionally low volatile coals and anthracites have been utilised in arch fired furnaces (often referred to as 'downshot' firing) so as to overcome the inherent difficulties of achieving stable and efficient combustion which arise from the lack of volatile material in the coal to aid in the ignition, and the low reactivity of the remaining char. The downshot firing system is, however, of higher initial cost than a comparable wall fired system, and if it were possible to utilise low volatile coal in wall fired furnaces there are clear economic benefits both in retrofit applications and for new plant.

In Phase 1 of the project the key mechanisms for ignition and stabilisation of low volatile coal flames were identified. A conceptual burner design for firing coals down to 10% VM daf was outlined. In Phase 2 of the project the aim is to develop further a burner design specifically for firing of coals of lower volatile matter content down to ca. 10% daf. It will be necessary to determine more closely the limit of volatile matter on ignition and stability with existing Low NO_x Burner technology and investigate the actual/relative sensitivity of ignition/stability to variations in the key mechanism parameters identified in Phase 1. The burner design developed in the project will be tested at full-scale

The objectives of this project are:

The objectives of this project are:

As a result of this project, a prototype instrumentation system for the concurrent measurement of flame temperature and soot concentration has been developed. The system operates on the principle of multi-wavelength pyrometry combined with digital imaging and image processing techniques. A monochromatic imaging system is used to visualise the flame field in the furnace. The flame light incipient on the optical sensor installed on the furnace wall is split into separate beams passing through narrow band-pass filters of different wavelengths before reaching the imaging device. The resulting digital images are processed to determine temperature distribution of the flame field. The soot concentration of the flame is represented using a parameter called KL factor, which is derived from the temperature measured. The operability and effectiveness of the system have been evaluated on an industrial-scale combustion test facility operated by Innogy plc.

Results obtained have demonstrated that the system is capable of measuring two-dimensional distributions and fluctuations of flame temperature and soot concentration. The accuracy of the system was verified using a tungsten lamp as a standard reference source. The relative error between the measured temperature and the reference temperature was found to be no greater than 1% throughout the measurement range from 1280°C to 1690°C. The resolution of the system was dependent upon the resolution of the camera and its installation on the furnace. The prototype system was applied to investigate the distributions of flame temperature and soot concentration of typical pulverised coals. Quantitative relationships between flame temperature, soot concentration and corresponding plant conditions were identified. Preliminary comparisons between the pulverised coal flames and other fossil fuel flames were also undertaken.

• the collection of electrical energy offshore from multiple renewable energy farms,
• the transportation of electrical energy generated by these offshore farms to the UK shoreline,
• the connection and integration into the onshore power system.

• a clear understanding of the key issues concerning the connection of multiple renewable energy farms off the UK coast
• assessments of the likely technical limits concerning the integration of offshore renewable energy systems into the UK power system
• recommendations for new, optimised solutions for the grid connection of multiple offshore renewable energy farms, including the provision of design concepts for offshore HVDC electrical systems
• identification of technology development opportunities for the industry.

• Distributed Smaller Windfarms
• Large Windfarms
• Very Large Windfarms
• Small Marine Case
• Medium Wave Case
• Large Tidal Case
• Combined Tidal and Wind Case

• the collection of electrical energy offshore from individual and multiple renewable energy farms,
• the transportation of bulk electrical energy generated by these offshore farms to the UK shoreline,
• the connection and integration of these offshore farms into the onshore power system.

1. Electricity costs need to be competitive with current (2010) onshore wind costs by 2020 and with conventional generation by 2050. This is illustrated in the Offshore Wind roadmap in Appendix D,
2. Increased yields: annual offshore farm availability to be increased to 97%-98% or better (currently 80% to 90%),
3. Reduce technical uncertainties to allow farms to be financed in a manner, and at costs, equivalent to onshore wind today.

1. This project has provided the ETI with valuable data on TLP floating foundation design and cost to inform the ETI Offshore Wind programme’s future work (2010 to 2015):
2. The Turbine and TLP are not afully integrated system. In the next phase (if taken forward), further work would need to be done on modelling the interactions between waves, TLP, the tower and the nacelle. Existing commercial software will need to be enhanced to meet this need.Currentcommercial software models support structures fixed to the seabed / ground.

1. Electricity costs need to be competitive with current (2010) onshore wind costs by 2020 and with conventional generation by 2050,
2. Increased yields: annual offshore farm availability to be increased to 97%-98% or better,
3. Reduce technical uncertainties to allow farms to be financed in a manner, and at costs, equivalent to onshore wind today.

• This project has provided the ETI with valuable data on TLP floating foundation design and cost. This information has helped shape the next stage of the ETI Offshore Wind programme.
li>Our analysis has concluded that the cost of energy from the deep water high wind sites is competitive with that of the typical Round 3 sites.
• Further optimisation of the TLP floating foundation design could further improve energy costs.

The ability to disperse spilled oils at sea depends on several factors, including oil properties, prevailing sea-state and the treatment rate of oil spill dispersant applied to the oil.

Oil spill dispersants function by allowing a high proportion of the spilled oil volume to be converted by cresting wave action into very small oil droplets that are permanently dispersed. Oil spill dispersants do this because the surfactants that they contain are capable of causing a very large decrease in the oil / water interfacial tension (IFT). IFT (or surface free energy) is caused by the dissimilarity between the polar nature of the molecules of water and the non-polar nature of the hydrocarbon molecules of oil.

The work described in this report was a 'return to the basics' of using dispersants; an attempt to use a matrix of oil viscosity, dispersant brand, dispersant treatment rate and prevailing sea conditions to provide information on the limiting oil viscosity of dispersion by using a very simple method of visual observation to determine whether dispersion was or was not occurring.

The report concludes that some oil spill dispersants will be an effective response to oils with viscosity of 2,000 cP, but will not be effective on oils with a viscosity of 7,000 cP or more, in waves associated with wind speeds of 7 to 14 knots. The precise limiting viscosity between 2,000 and 7,000 cP is not known. The limiting viscosity will increase with wind speed; it is possible that oil with a viscosity of 7,000 cP will disperse at 20 or more knots wind speed. However, it was not possible to test this at sea.

1. Reasons for the Work
2. Dispersion of Spilled Oil at Sea
3. The 2003 UK Sea-Trials
4. Comparison of the Sea Trial Results with Results from Laboratory Tests
5. Conclusions

• Appendix 1 - Results obtained in Sea Trials

The main objectives of this project were to:

The project evaluated the relative merits of three different systems for burning low calorific value gas. These were a diffusion flame combustion system (current Värnamo/ARBRE build), a lean premix combustion system (based on the ALSTOM-Lincoln premium fuelled G30 design) and a catalytic combustion system. The evaluation was based on assembly and analysis of:

The specific objectives of the project are:

In-furnace NO_X reduction technologies, and low NO_X burners in particular, are considered mature for application to a wide range of coals. However their performance deteriorates with the more 'difficult' coals; i.e. low volatile coals (<10% daf) and those with high levels of moisture and/or high levels of inert materials. Such coals are being utilised increasingly in large export markets such as Eastern Europe, India, Asia and the United States. The problem with difficult coals is in achieving a stable performance with low emissions and efficient combustion. For example, the presence of high levels of moisture causes a delayed ignition resulting in the flame front not being stabilised within the burner throat as is normal with bituminous coals. Consequently, the burner is significantly less effective in controlling both NO_X emissions and combustion efficiency. The presence of high ash compounds this problem.

The proposed project aims to develop and demonstrate a new burner type capable of firing a range of difficult coals, at full-scale in a single burner test facility. The development phase will employ advanced modelling techniques for investigation of the effects of ignition, devolatilisation and burnout behaviour for difficult coals. This will be combined with detailed coal characterisation data. Burner design and performance implications as a result of integrated CO₂ capture options will be considered.

The aim of this project was to develop and demonstrate cells and stacks based on the innovative metal supported Solid Oxide Fuel Cell technology developed by Ceres Power, and to perform detailed design studies on options for micro-CHP systems at the 5 kW_e scale. The project had the following targets:

All original project objectives met or exceeded.

The objectives for this project are:

This project aims to demonstrate the ability to monitor wind turbine health using inherently low cost and robust instrumentation, through the development and installation of a trial system on land-based wind turbines, and reviewing and analysing the data over a period of up to a year.

This document is a profile for the project titled 'Development of a 5^th Scale Tidal Turbine - SRTT'.

The objectives for this project are:

This project aims to design and construct a 5^th scale engineering model of a tidal turbine system. The system will be tested under controlled and actual conditions and in doing so a numerical model will be developed. Ultimately enough information will be acquired to allow the future development of a full scale demonstrator system.

The objectives of this project are:

The objective of this project was to develop a viable compressive gasket sealing solution for 3rd Generation Metal Supported Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (3G-SOFCs) that operate at temperatures of 500-600°C. More specifically the aims were to:

All project milestones and targets were met or exceeded.

This document is the executive summary for the project titled 'Producing a Time Series of Input-Output Tables and Embedded Carbon Dioxide Emissions for the UK by Using a MRIO Data Optimisation System'.

This report describes work and results from the project 'Development of an Embedded Carbon Emissions Indicator', undertaken by the Stockholm Environment Institute and the University of Sydney on behalf of Defra (Project Ref.: EV02033). The work is a follow-up of a previous project where the most appropriate approach to constructing a robust account of impacts of trade and thus overall consumption in a headline indicator for Sustainable Development was identified. The present work describes the implementation of such a model.

The project aim was to develop and implement an initial data and model framework (called "UK-MRIO 1") for the flexible adaptation of national input-output and environmental databases for use in a multi-region environmental input-output model in the future, thus setting the basis for detailed multi-country analyses of environmental impacts associated with UK trade flows. This aim was not only achieved but actually exceeded in that a fully functional MRIO model with four regions (UK + three world regions) was assembled and a time series of balanced input-output data and embedded CO2 emissions was produced on the full 123 sector level.

The current model is a major step towards a fully fledged multi-region input-output model featuring multidirectional trade of a substantial number of UK trading partners. UK-MRIO 1 is already the most detailed and comprehensive modelling approach for the estimation of CO2 emissions embedded in UK trade with high relevance for national and international environmental policy-making. The model can be used to produce a range of outputs, for example more detailed results for industry sectors, foreign economies, or other pollutants.

The following analysis is an update of the study 'Distributed Generation Operation in an Islanded Network' (2015) performed by Ecofys. The first study focussed on the population of dispersed generation (DG) which was installed up to the end of 2013. At that time, more than 50% of the capacity of small DG in Great Britain (< 5 MW) were photovoltaic (PV) units. In 2014, based on an extrapolation of historical numbers, we estimated installed capacity of 3.9 GW at the end of 2015 for the PV segment. The following update provides additional quantitative numbers on the development of small PV systems (< 5 MW) up to the end of 2015. In addition, we compare them to the estimation from 2014 to assess which growth was actually realised.

Based on the analysis, we can conclude, that the realised installed capacity of small PV grew in line with our estimation from 2014. Although small PV almost doubled since 2013, PV units above 5 MW represents the largest share of the growth. By the end of 2015, the population of small PV units consisted of up to 830,000 units with an installed capacity of 4.2 GW and an average unit size of 5 kW.

1. Growth of small PV units in GB since 2013
   1. Data sources and general description
   2. Numbers and capacity per performance class for PV
   3. Geographical distribution
   4. Summary and Conclusions
2. Update on international experience

Having demonstrated the fundamental proof of concept for the EB Frond Wave Energy Collector through the Phase one project, the next step (the Phase two project) was proposed to further assess the technical and commercial viability of the EB Frond concept through the development of the existing mathematical and physical modelling methods.

The EB Frond project is the wave energy programme developed by The Engineering Business Ltd (EB), following on from an original idea conceived at Lancaster University.

To meet the identified objectives, and take the EB Frond programme forward along the preferred development route, a number of specific tasks were identified for Phase two. These encompassed:

1. Introduction
2. Small-Scale Testing
3. Test Results
4. Mathematical Modelling
5. Analysis and Interpretation
6. Survivability
7. Economic Model
8. Development Route to Full-Scale Production
9. Conclusions

The Electra-Clad project sought to utilise existing steel based building cladding materials as a substrate for direct fabrication of a fully integrated solar PV panel of equivalent design to the ICP standard glass based panel. This would represent a major step forward in BiPV panel manufacture if achieved and open up the substantial BiPV cladding market for later exploitation of the technology. It was planned that this would be achieved by the further development and productionisation of the Electra Clad technology, working in partnership with cladding manufacturers to develop a facility capable of producing at least 20MWp p.a. The time scales to achieve this were expected to be less than 5 years and no more than 10 years.

The nominal 3 year programme was progressed from January 2002 to August 2005, though with a 1 year suspensions due to the liquidation in December 2002 of the Lead Contractor, Intersolar / British Photovoltaics Limited (BPL). The work has progressed under 5 interrelated Activities as follows:

The project was successful in achieving most of the Activity objectives.

1. Introduction
2. Technical Background
3. Experimental Work
4. Results
5. Discussion
6. Lessons Learned
7. Conclusions
8. Recommendations
9. Acknowledgements
10. Figures
11. Appendix
12. Annex

Summary of the results of the project:

In order to offer a cost effective production Solution for a Photovoltaic (PV) Roof system cosmetically similar to standard Slate roofs, the following Objectives were highlighted as key areas:

The design specification of the Electra-Slate has been finalised and prototype parts produced to prove the concept in both installation and manufacturing. The desired manufacturing costs of the product can be achieved with conversion to a large scale manufacturing set up.

1. Evaluate the potential role and economics of plug-in vehicles in the low carbon transport system: generate a quantified understanding of the market potential, cost models and carbon benefits case under defined scenarios of infrastructure investments, government intervention packages and finance model options across a number of key plug-in vehicle type/size/capability points; and
2. Develop the technology tool-kit for delivering an intelligent infrastructure: create a verified open interoperability architecture and generate information to aid infrastructure planning (e.g. to indicate how many recharging points are needed and where they should be located, what mix of power levels are required, how the impact of plug-in vehicle recharging on the electricity distribution network should be managed, how the overall system can be simplified for consumers, etc).

• Moderate uptake of plug-in vehicles could cause significant challenges for distribution networks if demand from recharging is uncontrolled
• Traditional network reinforcement, by way of substation upgrades and cable reinforcement, is likely to be increasingly inefficient
• Distribution Network Operators (DNOs) will need to move away from the conventional, passive reinforcement approach towards a ‘smart grid’ approach
• Success isalso reliant on effective consumer engagement, the costs of which are challenging to forecast.

At the Pre-Budget Report 2004 Defra and HM Treasury jointly launched an Energy Efficiency Innovation Review (EEIR). The purpose of the review was to examine how a step-change in energy efficiency in the domestic, business and public sectors in the UK could be delivered cost effectively and how energy efficiency improvement could be embedded into decision making across the economy. The review was carried out under the leadership of a Steering Group drawn from the two sponsor Departments, the Carbon Trust and the Energy Saving Trust (EST) and was designed to be an important input to the wider review of the UK Climate Change programme (CCP).

For the purposes of this review, the word "innovation" is used in a broad sense to mean not only technological but policy innovation. Given the potential wide remit of energy efficiency, this review has focussed on how to deliver demand side efficiencies, how to increase the uptake of existing energy-efficient goods and services and how to accelerate the development of new, energy-efficient technologies. It does not cover transport or energy services, nor does it explore the scope for local and regional delivery - work which is being pursued through other studies as part of the CCP. The assessments of potential energy and carbon savings from the proposed policies are projected to 2010 (medium term) and 2020 (longer term). The role of new technologies up to 2050 is also considered.

This document summarises the principal conclusions of the review. These are presented in greater depth in the main reports, which have been published as independent reports to Government by the Carbon Trust and the Energy Saving Trust. The review was informed by a number of supporting studies, detailed at Annex 1, which will be published shortly. A number of recommendations from the review have already fed into the wider review of the UK Climate Change Programme. The Government will respond to the EEIR both in the CCP and through later policy processes such as the Energy Review and the Comprehensive Spending Review 2007.

1. Introduction
2. Household sector
3. Business and public sector
4. New demand-side energy-efficient technology
5. Annex A - Key inputs to the EEIR

• Low cost heat networks
• The use of syn-gas generated from EfW technologies to create fuels / chemicals�
• The use of pyrolysis to create transport fuels�
• The injection of bio-gas and syn-gas from EfW technologies into the gas grid�
• The injection of bio-gas and syn-gas from EfW technologies into the gas grid with CCS

• Applying forecast values for low to high waste availability and conversion efficiencies, the amount of useful energy from waste (both heat and power) which may be generated ranges from 5 to 230TWhrs.
• Projected achievable electrical generation is approximately 25TWhrs per year
• This equates to between 5% and 8% of the UK?s electricity demand
• For each of the technology and waste arisings scenarios, the deployment of advanced energy from waste technologies is projected to contribute to a net decrease in UK CO₂e emissions of between 5 and 10 MTCO₂e/year at midpoint technology conversion and waste arisings scenarios
• Greater emissions reductions are associated with high total conversion efficiency technologies, both to electricity and from utilising heat.

The main objective and deliverable of study OF0182 was to develop a model of energy inputs in organic farming systems. To illustrate the potential of the model, it was used to contrast organic with similar conventional systems and to highlight important differences. This was presented as a detailed written report (49 pages) to MAFF and is summarised in this document. The report and model were delivered to MAFF in March 2000.

Organically grown crops require around 50% of the energy input per unit area than do conventional crops, largely because of lower, or zero, fertiliser and pesticide energy inputs. However, the generally lower yields of organic crop and vegetable systems reduce the advantage to organic when energy input is calculated on a unit output basis. In stockless arable crop rotations, the inclusion of fertility building crops and winter cover crops, that have energy inputs but no direct outputs, can result in a lower whole-rotation energy efficiency from organic methods. In livestock systems, where the fall in output may be less than in arable, and there are no dedicated fertility building crops, overall energy efficiency is greater in organic than in comparable conventional systems.

These conclusions were made using average yield data in the model and need to be interpreted with caution. On more fertile soil, where the yield difference with conventional arable production is smaller, organic systems would perform relatively better. The converse would occur on poorer soils. Also, in practice, energy inputs for cultivations and weed control will vary with soil type, weather, weed spectrum and population. The average data presented in the report are illustrative and are not definitive. The strength of the model is that it can be used to simulate many different management systems and yield expectations.

The project did not identify any significant opportunities for replacement of energy inputs by labour. This may be possible for weed control in some situations but, apart from the use of flame weeders, this is only a small proportion of the total energy input. More importantly, weed control is time sensitive; therefore for large-scale production it must be mechanised. There is also a shortage of suitable and willing labour for this type of work in many places.

This report is divided into the following sections:

1. Introduction
2. Energy and Agriculture
3. Method
4. Results
5. Conclusions
6. References

The aim of the workshop was to bring together academics and practitioners from different disciplines and backgrounds in order to ultimately inform more effective approaches to public communication of, and engagement with, climate change and energy reduction. The overarching question to be addressed by the workshop was, “What can empirical and theoretical studies of communication and behaviour change tell us about how we might move towards a more ‘climate-friendly’ (low-carbon, climate resilient) society?”. More specifically the workshop objectives were to: share cutting-edge research and practice; foster learning across disciplines and contexts; identify gaps in understanding; form new interdisciplinary contacts and networks; consider and generate new insights; stimulate novel collaborations; provide the contents for a book and a workshop report that would be useful for academics, practitioners and policy-makers. Central to the workshop were three sessions relating to the overarching question: models, messages and media. These sessions involved 10 minute presentations from each of three presenters and a 10 minute response from an invited discussant.

The aim of this project is to increase the efficiency of the short height stages typically found in high pressure steam turbine cylinders. This will directly lead to a reduction in the amount of coal required to produce electrical power, resulting in lower power station emissions. In order to do this, the following tasks must be undertaken:

The benefits of the project include:

The aim of this project was to increase the efficiency of the short height stages typically found in high pressure steam turbine cylinders. For coal-fired power plant, this would directly lead to a reduction in the amount of fuel required to produce electrical power, resulting in lower power station emissions. The continual drive towards higher cycle efficiencies demands increased inlet steam temperatures and pressures, which necessarily leads to shorter blade heights. The specific objectives were as follows:

The objectives of this project are:

This project was set up by E.ON to investigate ways of putting a monetary cost to plant inflexibility. The project was undertaken in collaboration with UMISTs Department of Process Integration, who are world leaders in the science of process optimisation and who possess the necessary optimisation and computing expertise. The DTIs interest is primarily because of the importance of this subject to IGCC; however, the issue is of general applicability to all types of generating technology.

The objectives for this project were:

The conclusions from this project were:

The aims of this project were:

An investigation has been made into the possibility of welding together 10%Cr and 3.5%NiCrMoV rotor steels, a combination which would allow manufacture of large turbine rotors with inlet steam temperatures in excess of 570°C.

Following a comprehensive modelling programme by the University of Cambridge and complementary testing and examination by Siemens Power Generation (SPG), a welding procedure was developed and successful narrow gap TIG welds were made between 380mm diameter, 50mm thick material. This was accomplished using the established Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) filler wire.

Steels for advanced steam turbines operating within super-critical steam conditions have been developed within the COST 501 collaborative programmes and are continuing to be developed within the COST 522 programme. The data generated has already been used to develop and design high temperature turbines which are now in operation or at an advanced stage of construction.

New cleaner coal power generation technologies such as air blown gasification combined cycle (ABGC), integral gasification combined cycle (IGCC) and fluidised bed combustion will be looking to utilise these new steels in steam turbines but costs will need to be reduced to improve their competitiveness. The objectives of the project are:

These combined cycle plants will generate in the region of 350 MW to 400 MW and will utilise steam turbines with an output in the range of 120 MW to 250 MW. The cost of the steam turbine can be reduced considerably if the number of turbine cylinders is reduced. A single cylinder reheat turbine would be adopted for smaller outputs and a two cylinder turbine with an HP turbine and a combined IP/LP turbine for the larger outputs. The requirement for a single rotor forging steel that has good creep properties at temperatures of 570°C and greater combined with high strength and toughness to carry long turbine blades at the low pressure end cannot be met by the COST steels alone.

The objectives of this project were:

Typical and potential boiler tube alloys have been exposed to simulated furnace wall and superheater/reheater environments in the 1MW_Th Combustion Test Facility (CTF) at Power Technology.

A total of four nominally 50 hour duration exposures have been completed. Specimens were exposed to a range of metal temperatures, heat fluxes and gaseous environments, representative of pulverised coal combustion under low NO_x conditions with biomass additions. Biomass was co-fired with Daw Mill coal on 20% and 10% thermal or heat input basis (approx 35% and 17% by mass). Specimens were exposed to the combustion environment on air-cooled, precision metrology, corrosion probes.

The objectives of this project are:

Type IV cracking in the weld Heat-Affected Zone (HAZ) is likely to be the critical problem which will limit design conditions for satisfactory operation of advanced PF plant. The FOURCRACK project carried out high temperature creep testing of welds in advanced high alloy steels with a range of specifications, supplemented by specialised testing, optical and electron metallography, weld simulation and data assessment. Further work outside FOURCRACK will extend testing to longer durations.

E.ON UK led the project and undertook metallurgical investigation and assessment. Mitsui Babcock carried out weld manufacture and creep rupture testing. RWE npower investigated and characterised a special weak material. In parallel work, Loughborough University carried out electron metallography and weld simulation. Five external organisations also provided test materials and/or weldments.

The recently completed project 'Practical Improvements in Power Plant Engineering (PIPPE)' - part of the DTI Cleaner Coal Programme - has highlighted weld heat-affected zone "Type IV" cracking as a principal concern in advanced high temperature plant. Current creep test data, inevitably obtained on a much shorter timescale than the projected life of plant, suggest that weld performance could substantially deteriorate in the longer term. Better data and extrapolation techniques are needed to assess the extent of this threat to plant reliability and thus develop effective countermeasures that will gain the confidence of prospective plant purchasers and operators.

This project will help manufacturers gain a fundamental understanding of why the weld heat-affected zone is susceptible to "Type IV" cracking in high temperature service, how its susceptibility is related to steel composition and heat treatment, and, consequently, how advanced steels can best be selected and developed to minimise these risks. The main objectives are:

The FOURCRACK project will produce and assess cross-weld creep rupture test data on welds in advanced high temperature steels. The leading competitor materials will be critically compared. New welds will also be compared with simulated service aged and repair welds. Weld thermal simulation and microstructural assessment will be employed to gain a better understanding of the causes of "Type IV" cracking

The objectives for this project are:

Improved efficiency in coal-fired power plant can be achieved by increasing steam temperatures and pressures, and this has been made practically possible over a number of years by the development of steels with improved creep strength enabling operation up to 600-620°C at present. In Europe a new initiative (COST 536) has been launched, entitled 'Alloy Development for Critical Components of Environmentally Friendly Power Plant (ACCEPT)', and encompasses all stages in the development and validation of advanced steels capable of operation at temperatures up to 650°C. The primary route of achieving this is through the development of new alloying and coating concepts.

This project focuses on the validation testing of the capabilities of a new class of steels and their weldments at temperatures up to 650°C and the longer term qualification of advanced steels developed under COST 522. The project has been accepted for inclusion in the COST 536 initiative.

In March 2006, ODPM (now Department for Communities and Local Government) commissioned a research project to establish the baseline for home buying and selling activity in England and Wales.

The research was explicitly designed to address the Department's Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) set for the introduction of the Home Information Packs. A critical requirement was that the new research is capable of replication post implementation of the HIP.

The method used has obtained a more accurate baseline, faster, more efficiently and at lower cost than would have been possible by repeating the '1998 method'.

Data relating to a good cross-section of the different types of dwellings across England and Wales was collected from estate agents, buyers, sellers and solicitors. Estate agents routinely gather information on transaction dates and other aspects of individual house sales, and therefore this group was central to the study methodology. A sample of 361 estate agents was recruited, resulting in data on a total of 1,059 housing completions from 221 agents over a one-month period. A total of 490 telephone interviews were conducted with buyers and sellers, and 487 with solicitors.

21% of buyers and sellers were dissatisfied with the overall buying/selling process. More than 35% of buyers and sellers were dissatisfied with the length of time it took. However, 82% of solicitors were satisfied with the efficiency of the current system.

In conclusion, a robust, representative and easily repeatable baseline has been established for the year 2006. It has been set in the context of the current housing market, and specific reference has been made to its role in monitoring DCLG's KPIs for the Home Information Pack.

1. Introduction
2. Methodology and achieved sample
3. State of the market
4. Sample breakdown
5. HIP Baseline research findings
6. Conclusions

• Appendix A - Profile of the 2006 Transactions database
• Appendix B - Transaction Key stages
• Appendix C - Buyers findings
• Appendix D - Sellers' findings
• Appendix E - Solicitor'as perspective

• Borehole Storage: Southampton, Sheffield, Nottingham, Leicester
• Aquifer Storage: Birmingham, Southampton, Manchester

• Demand for On Highway Heavy Duty Vehicles will grow from 3.34m vehicles in 2015 to 4.24m vehicles in 2030 (in the 6 large markets studied).
• The majority of this growth will be in the >7.5 ton vehicle sector, as the Chinese and Indian road transportation markets mature from an “owner operator” model towards a “fleet operator” model. The increase in vehicle weight will increase demand for larger displacement engines (>6 litres) and also encourage further uptake of Automatic Manual Transmissions (AMT) at the expense of manual transmissions.
• Diesel will remain as the dominant fuel type for HDVs with ~85% HDVs powered by Diesel Internal Combustion Engines in 2030.
• It is expected that City Buses will have greater levels of hybridisation and there will be a variety of technical solutions for City Buses, including fully electric, as inner city air quality concerns and legislation increases.
• Emissions legislation will continue to develop in the various regions, with increasing harmonisation between the standards. There is a trend towards increasing number of regulated pollutants, over a larger number of tests and an increased duration (life) that the vehicle must meet the targets. Some regions are beginning to use CO₂ / fuel efficiency regulations and it is expected that this trend will spread to other regions over time

1. Electricity costs need to be competitive with current (2010) onshore wind costs by 2020 and with conventional generation by 2050,
2. Increased yields: annual offshore farm availability to be increased to 97%-98% or better,
3. Reduce technical uncertainties to allow farms to be financed in a manner, and at costs, equivalent to onshore wind today.

• The consortium indentified that sufficient improvements could be made through technology innovation to deliver energy costs that are comparable with current (2010) onshore wind costs: one of ETI’s objectives for this programme.
• This involves innovation in rotor aerodynamics, rotor diameter, drive train technologies and electrical systems.
• The consortium also indentified that theoptimum turbine size for offshore is significantly larger than the current ‘state of the art’.

The project aims to provide boiler operators with greater confidence in using higher levels of biofuel replacement (50% thermal or more). The specific objectives of the project are:

The increased use of biomass, a fuel that is seen as largely CO2 neutral, in power generation is one of the few ways in which the power industry could make a significant step to reducing CO2 emissions. Co-fired boiler trials have been encouraging and have shown that small amounts of coal can be replaced by biofuels without undue impact on boiler performance. However, in order to make a real impact towards reaching Government targets, the amount of biomass for co-combustion would have to be greatly increased.

• Representative electricity transmission network model: Electricity networks modelled for 275kV and 400 kV network capacity
  • The increase in the costs is proportional to the increase in the network length for the same network capacity and installation date.
  • For the same installation date, NPV total per km is higher for the higher capacity network.
• Representative Electricity Distribution Model: Electricity network modelled in rural, semi-urban, urban and London context
  • The share of costs represented by each of the Assemblies changes slightly from 2020 to 2040, following the same trend in all contexts, except for London.
  • Residential connections represent one of the highest costs in all contexts.
  • The LV network makes a high contribution to total cost in the urban context while in London the LV substations make the highest contribution.
  • First costs per capita increase as the context changes from rural through to urban areas.
  • First costs per capita decrease slightly from urban to London contexts.
  • The NPVs per capita increase as the density increases.
  • One additional factor that influences costs in different contexts is their different lifecycle profiles.
• Generic upgrade costs at transmission scale: upgrading existing 275kV and 400kV lines to increase capacity by ~100%
  • For the same installation date, Capex NPV per km is higher for the installation of a higher voltage network.
  • Opex NPV per km is higher for higher voltages
• Rapid car charging: upgrading existing distribution networks to allow for connection of rapid car charging units
  • Costs for the upgrade of the distribution network are dominant in all variations and contexts.
  • For the same number of connection points at the same installation date the installation of rapid charge connections is more costly in the semi-urban context.
  • he first costs and NPV per connection fall as the number of connections increases, which indicates that it is more cost effective to install a group of charging points than isolated single charging points.
• Rapid car charging: impact of network reinforcement that could be required due to significant increase in electric vehicles in a residential context (semi-urban and urban)
• The analysis is based on the assumption that there is a 50% increase in peak load due to a significant increase in the use of EVs.
• The LV network represents the highest share of reinforcement costs in all contexts, with costs per capita being higher in urban areas than semi-urban areas.
• Storage v reinforcement: analysis to explore the costs of storage compared with conventional reinforcement in three different applications –increase in local demand; distributed energy exporting to grid; installation of rapid car charging units
  • The analysis suggests that considering current prices for electricity storage,l reinforcement is cheaper both in terms of Capex and Opex.
  • Car charging: local generation may improve the potential for storage if the existing OHL has limited potential to charge batteries during periods of low demand.
• Fault Current Limiter v Reinforcement
  • Conventional reinforcement is currently more cost effective than refurbishment of the substation with the installation of the FCL
• Power electronics: assessing the costs of using power electronics using STATCOMS for rural windfarms with utility scale battery storage
  • STATCOMs: the costs of the complementary utility scale battery dominate. 
  • The impact of the utility scale battery on the costs of the project increases at the later installation date
• Power electronics: assessing the costs of using power electronics using back-to-back HVDC connection for coupling DNO networks
  • The costs of the back-to-back converter dominate
• Cost comparison of up grading HVAC vs installing new HVDC at transmission level in rural areas–within an existing wayleave and in a new wayleave
  • One of the main differences between HVDC and HVAC is intransmission losses.
  • There is significant uncertainty with the planning consent process for installing new or refurbishing existing HVDC OHLs in the UK

• Firstly, questions around the configuration and cost of representative (or ‘generic’) networks applicable to particular situations.
• Secondly, questions around the potential impact of selected, identified innovations on specific types of network.

• Representative Gas Distribution Model: connecting networks to transport sitesat different capacities for different network lengths, in rural, semi-urban, urban and London contexts
  • Context is a strong influencer of costs, with costs increasing from rural through to urban and London. .
  • Pipe costs dominate the overall network cost, particularly for the longer network lengths.
  • Pipe capacity and hence size has some influence over cost at the longer network lengths where pipe costs are the most significant element.
  • Normalised costs (ie costs per km) fall with increasing network length.
• Generic decommissioning costs (transmission), 100km length at different capacities / pipe sizes, rural context
  • Decommissioning costs are of the order of £90k/km.
  • Decommissioning of the pipework comprises around 80%-85% of cost, with the remaining 15%-20% relating to decommissioning the conversion station.
  • Pipe size has a minimal impact on cost.
• Generic decommissioning costs (distribution)for different contexts and populations
  • Decommissioning costs range from around £250k/km in London down to £60k/km in rural areas.
  • The relative importance of the different Assemblies in terms of share of cost varies with context: decommissioning the LP network represents the largest share of cost in rural areas (60%) and decommissioning domestic connections represents the largest share of cost in London areas (58%)
• Generic operational costs associated withremaining part of apartially decommissioned network (distribution)
  • In each context, reduction in Opex with increasing decommissioning is linear.
  • Direct costs represent approximately 80% of the overall Opex for gas distribution infrastructure
  • Decommissioning (abandonment) costs make up a small share of overall cost
  • After partial decommissioning, NPV of the partially decommissioned network per connection served increases as the percentage of network decommissioned rises.
• Gas transmission network: repurposing to hydrogen for different network lengths in a rural context
  • Overall the innovation of repurposing existing natural gas transmission networks to carry hydrogen is roughly half the cost of abandoning those same networks and building hydrogen pipelines from scratch
• Gas transmission network: repurposing to carbon dioxide for single network length in rural
  • The task compared repurposing existing gas transmission pipelines to carry gas phase CO₂ compared with building new transmission pipelines to carry dense phase CO₂.
  • Although operational conditions of pressure and and semi-urban contexts were different, they maintain the same CO₂ capacity flow
  • Both first costs and NPV are higher for new build than for repurposing.
  • All costs are higher in a semi-urban context than a rural one
• Natural gas conversion: installation of Biomethane to Grid injection points with different network lengths and capacities in rural and urban contexts
  • The cost of installing Biomethane to Grid plant is higher in urban areas than in less dense rural ones
  • Normalised costs per km fall with increasing network length
  • Normalised costs per m³ gas decrease with increasing gas injection capacities

• Representative hydrogen transmission model: transmission pipeline of different lengths required to transport hydrogen from production facilities to power generation sites and vehicle refuelling sites
  • Pipe lengths (NTS 32") modelled for connection to production sites were 5km and 10km without the need for a compression station; pipe lengths (LTS 16") for connection to refuelling sites were modelled at longer distances up to 200km, with a compression station required for anything over 100km
  • NPV/km for connecting to power stations was £5.4m for installation in 2025
  • NPV/km for connections to refuelling sites was in the range £3.0m to £3.5m depending on network length with the higher cost relating to the need to add in a compression station
  • The additional cost of the power station scenario was due to the need to use larger diameter and hence more expensive pipe
• Representative hydrogen distribution model: distribution pipelines (LP/MP) required to connect production facilities to vehicle refuelling stations at different capacities and contexts
  • Context is a strong influencer of costs, with first costs per km increasing from rural through to urban and London. This is due to the higher costs of installing pipework in more congested areas.
  • Pipe costs dominate the overall network cost, particularly for the longer network lengths.
  • There is a small increase in cost per km for the higher capacity scenarios
• Hydrogen transmission and the impact of including storage:
  • Connecting a single large storage site into the network is considerably less expensive than connecting multiple storage sites of the same capacity
  • As the pipe lengths modelled were relatively short (5-10km) the storage costs dominated the overall project cost
  • Costs per mcm are considerably higher for the multi-storage option
  • The main benefit of the storage options is the storage itself and not the first cost savings associated with it.
• Hydrogen transmission network and the impact of pipeline material change: comparison of stainless steel 316L pipe with conventional steel using same pipe diameter (32" NTS)
  • First costs per km are higher for the stainless steel innovation
  • There is a slight reduction in cost/km for the longer stainless steel pipe lengths

UKERC hosted an international workshop in Oxford on 30-31 March to discuss the implementation of the Kyoto Protocol. The objective of the workshop was to determine whether and how Kyoto countries intend to deliver their Kyoto targets.

40 participants from Government, business, academia, think-tanks and nongovernmental organisations attended the workshop from 16 countries including several European Member States, Russia, Japan, Canada and Ukraine.

The overall aim of the project is to ensure the continued participation of major UK power generation organisations in the European Co-operation on Science and Technology COST 522 initiative. The project covers two distinct areas of the COST 522 initiative, steam power plant and plant integration & ancillary components. The specific objectives of these two groups within COST 522 are to demonstrate advanced components for the supercritical boiler and steam turbine that will permit thermal efficiencies of 50% to be achieved and to develop technology (gasification, heat exchanger, hot gas clean-up) for alternative cycles and fuels that will play a major part in future high efficiency low emission power plant. Specific objectives for the participants within the project are the development of:

Strategies and business opportunities for UK companies in the power generation sector will also be identified.

The objectives for this project are:

The overall aim of the project was to develop new tools for the reliable and rapid prediction of combustion efficiency of coals in pf-fired utility boilers. This would give the ability to improve fuel selection and chose the most appropriate burner and boiler design for a given fuel.

The conclusions of this project are:

This proposal is concerned with improving the design, efficiency and environmental performance of low-grade coal burning appliances - commonly used in China, India and the former Soviet Union (FSU) - which produce unacceptable environmental pollution mainly in the form of particulate emissions. In the initial draft of the small combustion plant directive limits for particulates are set at 150 mg/m³ for boilers less than 10 MW, and 50 mg/m³ for those between 10-50 MW. These suggested figures raise considerable challenges for industry. Our objectives are therefore:

For new boiler plant the successful particulate and emission reductions would enable coal to be a viable fuel for heating and process applications in the smaller range of boilers. In countries such as India, China and the FSU that currently burn low-grade coal as their primary energy source, the impacts of this work could be essential to its future use.

The North West of England is blessed with wind as a resource which could be used to generate electricity for small discrete locations. A significant number of isolated communities exist off the normal supply grid, in Cumbria and the Pennines for example, where customised small wind turbines would sit well. A number of small companies exist in the region for the design, manufacture and installation of small wind turbines (up to 20kW generating capacity). In April 2010 Government Feed In Tariffs, whereby people who install small scale renewable devices receive payment for any electricity they generate, will come into force making small wind schemes more attractive and economically viable. By doing this the government hopes to meet its ambitious target of generating 2% of UK electricity consumption by 2020 from small scale renewable devices. This should increase the size of the market for small wind turbines and present significant commercial opportunities for any businesses operating in the field.

This project contributed towards the further development of the University of Central Lancashire's Wind Energy Engineering Research Group (Winergy) and was aimed at stimulating growth for small wind turbine research and commerce in the North West region. The project removed some outstanding technical barriers for the take-off of innovative small wind turbine technologies and its most notable contribution is the concept and methodology of site specific design and integration of small wind turbine systems for low wind speed onshore sites. With this innovative technology it is possible to double the energy production achieved by small wind turbines.

As a direct result of this project two new short industrial training courses, in small wind energy systems and small wind turbine applications, will start in 2010 at UCLan, and an SME wind turbine spin-off company is planned within the next three years. It also helped Dr Liu and his team to obtain further funding (£96550) from UCLan for facilities and research which will be of great use to industrial partners.

This project had two primary goals; the first to develop the next generation of multicrystalline silicon ingot growth system capable of producing ingots up to 90cm square and weighing up to 500kg. The second goal was to develop equipment which could be used to automate the ingot-to-block processes and to minimise the levels of manual handling required, especially for the heavier blocks of sizes 150mm and above.

The crystal growth system operated successfully during growth trials and the quality of silicon produced met photovoltaic standard requirements. The testing of the growth system was undertaken through a series of growth trials, each designed to progressively test the system's capabilities. The first trials tested the functionality of the graphite furnace, power supply and coil arrangements; only minor optimisation was required to obtain efficient coupling. Heating trials were the undertaken to prove the operation and robustness of the furnace design. The susceptors and insulation showed no damage or problems at the completion of the tests. Work was undertaken in parallel to assess the effectiveness of a pyrometer for both temperature control and monitoring but the repeatability between runs in the existing set-up was inadequate to allow it be used in production and thermocouples were retained.

The project has successfully develop the crystal growth system and block process line as set out in the initial proposal. The use of 3D CAD and finite element analysis (FEA) has been successfully implemented on this project and has greatly reduced the time and costs associated with the development of operation systems by identifying and resolving potential problems before components were put into manufacture.

1. Introduction
2. Project Objectives
3. 90cm Multicrystalline Silicon Growth System
4. Block Process Line Equipment
5. Acknowledgements

The objectives for this project are:

The project has undertaken the design and development of the next generation of multicrystalline silicon ingot growth system, capable of producing ingots up to 90cm square and weighing up to 500kg. This project has also covered automation of downstream ingot processing equipment. The developed processes include block chamfering, inspection and packaging.

The project has successfully developed the larger crystal growth system and automated block process line as set out in the proposal.

The aim of this project was to understand how microgeneration might be deployed, and to explore policies to support investment by consumers and energy companies. The research was undertaken by an interdisciplinary team drawn from three universities: University of Sussex, University of Southampton and Imperial College. It was carried out in parallel with significant policy developments, notably the government Microgeneration Strategy, the Climate Change and Sustainable Energy Act and the wider Energy Review.

The research found that it was important for policy makers support a diversity of routes to microgeneration deployment, with incentives for both householders and energy companies. The project analysed three different models of microgeneration deployment to explore the possibilities and implications. This included 'Plug & Play' deployment by individual consumers wishing to assert their independence from established suppliers; 'Company Driven' deployment by incumbent energy companies that shift their focus towards the delivery of energy services rather than energy supply; and 'Community Microgrid' deployment as part of decentralised microgrids.

There are significant opportunities to build microgeneration into new construction developments. The Climate Change and Sustainable Energy Act is important since it encourages local authorities to set targets for this. In addition, the research found that it will be desirable to include flexible service areas and space (e.g. as cellars) in new buildings so that future developments in micro-generation and home energy automation can be accommodated. If sustainable visions for larger developments such as Thames Gateway are to be realised, strong intervention is likely to be required by government. This is because such developments are substantially different from the UK's current energy system. In the absence of strong intervention, an opportunity for the implementation of more pervasive local energy systems based on Community Microgrid models linked to new district heating networks could be lost. Energy regulation has a role to play here too. The Registered Power Zone scheme developed by the regulator, Ofgem allows electricity network companies to experiment with new network concepts and recover costs from consumers. So far, the rules governing this scheme have proved to be too restrictive to rebuild capacity for innovation with the electricity network companies.

Overall, the research showed that microgeneration can make a potentially powerful contribution to a sustainable energy future - in terms of carbon reductions and wider social impacts. Microgeneration can be both a result of ongoing changes in existing energy systems and the cause of potentially radical change. Our research has also underlined the interdependence of technical, institutional and social factors that inhibit or enable the diffusion of sustainable technologies. Technically, energy networks will have to be able to cope with two-way flows. Policies, regulations and institutions will need to change and to acknowledge that the distinction between energy supply and demand is not as sharp for micro-generators. Finally, consumers could have a new position in the energy system - whether as hosts of microgeneration installed by company or as 'co-providers' of their own energy services.

Low or zero carbon energy sources are increasingly being installed in buildings, e.g. small scale and micro CHP units, photovoltaic panels and building mounted wind generators. The development of performance standards and suitable guidance on satisfactory provisions, on e.g. structural measures, weatherproofing and location is needed, also compliance with ADL and any relevant provisions of the forthcoming Electrical AD. This desk study will also take account of the Energy White Paper and the EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD).

The overall aim of this project is to develop suitable performance standards and guidance for the installation of low or zero carbon energy sources in buildings.

It is proposed to include a specified list of low or zero carbon energy sources as alternatives to energy conservation and energy efficiency measures in order to achieve target carbon emissions for different building types. The extent to which LZC energy sources can contribute to achieving the carbon emissions target should be limited to a given level or percentage.

Since the proposal is to include LZC energy sources as an alternative to further energy conservation or energy efficiency measures there is no strict requirement to calculate the cost effectiveness of each for the purposes of regulatory impact assessment. However, an assessment of cost effectiveness has been undertaken to provide ODPM with:

The assessment of cost effectiveness shows that few LZC technology/application cases achieve a positive NPV and hence none are recommended to be considered for mandatory inclusion.

The objectives of this project are:

A wide variety of gasification systems are continuing to be developed around the world, including Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC) and the UK developed Air Blown Gasification Cycle (ABGC) systems. Originally, these systems were developed to be fired on various grades of coal, but there is now interest in using a more diverse range of solid fuels (e.g. co-firing coal with waste or biomass, using low grade coals and heavy fuel oils) in order to reduce environmental impact and fuel costs.

All gasification technologies require a heat exchanger (often called either a syngas cooler or fuel gas cooler) between the gasifier and the gas cleaning system. The duty required from this heat exchanger varies depending on the type of gasifier, gas-cleaning requirements (e.g. hot dry cleaning or wet scrubbing) and steam cycle needs.

The data generated has been used to identify safe operating windows where factors do not combine to produce rapid heat exchanger failures. Aspects such as candidate heat exchanger materials, gasifier type, fuel and fuel gas compositions, deposit compositions and heat exchanger operating conditions have been investigated.

The Merlin Wind Turbine Installation System has been designed and patented by The Engineering Business Ltd (EB). This project, phase 1 of the development, comprises a feasibility study carried out by EB, and part funded by the DTI with the key objective of 'Investigating the technical and economical viability of the Merlin system as an alternative technique for installing offshore wind turbines'.

This is the final report of the project, encompassing all project activities completed by EB to determine the fundamental engineering principles and the economics to support the system design.

The feasibility study concludes overall that:

1. Introduction
2. Turbine Installation Vessel (TIV) Requirements
3. Conventional Installation Principles
4. The Merlin Installation System Concept
5. Development Challenges
6. Merlin Installation System Specifications
7. Offshore Operations
8. Investigation of Dynamic Forces
9. Finite Element Analysis (FEA)
10. Turbine to Foundation Interfaces
11. Economics of Merlin
12. Merlin Installation System SWOT Analysis
13. Summary of Conclusions

• Appendix A - Extracts from Melbourne Marine Services Assessment of Operability and Stability
• Appendix B - FEA of Merlin wind turbine tower

• Evaluation of the potential benefits of current and emerging DE technologies inexisting domestic buildings
• Categorisation of
  • The stock of existing domestic UK buildings
  • Building occupants into groups of similar energy use behaviours
  • The main appliance types (energy use patterns, control strategies, etc)
• Evaluation of the platform technologies and standards likely to be used in developingbuilding control systems
• Analysis of the potential benefits of building energy service controls
• Provisional model of existing UK domestic housing stock as the basis for predictingμDE impact out to 2030
• Identification of development and demonstration opportunities (including an outline ofhow to test these in an appropriate environment)

• DE equipment, as installed, does not reach the full potential of its laboratory promise
• Buildings Energy Management Systems (BEMS) are required to maximise the efficiency of both existing heating systems and micro DE systems
• Energy storage is essential to maximise use of generated energy within the home and reduce use of supplemental energy

The key findings of this report are:

1. Introduction
2. Creating sustainable settlements and sustainable communities
3. Focusing on Outcomes
4. The Evaluation Framework
5. Applying the Framework
6. Lessons for promoting sustainability in settlements
7. Delivering Sustainability: Processes and Procedures
8. Conclusions and Recommendations

Close control of combustion conditions is a prerequisite of efficient operation of power generating plants and for meeting ever tightening emission compliance levels. Often conflicting requirements are placed on combustion systems in limiting individual species such as NO_x and particulate. Recognising this, the project aims to address the following:

The three year project builds on and complements existing work to potentially provide a powerful comprehensive optimiser package to provide maximum collection rate for minimum inputs to the precipitator and assist in the optimisation of combustion. The project aims are met with the following programme:

• There are a number of important issues in the onshore grid system that is a function of the grid network, rather than the technologies themselves.
• New wide band-gap materials such as silicon carbide (SiC) andgallium nitride have the potential to deliver increased power electronic device voltage ratings, reduced switching losses, and raised operating temperatures. This has the potential for significant impact on the cost and performance of power electronic converters.
• The deployment of TCSCs on selected transmission corridors in the UK may improve the grid system’s ability to recover to stable operation following selected (unplanned) double circuit outages.
• In some circumstances, HVDC transmission can provide benefits by enabling long distance power transmission, eliminating reactive power flows from long HVAC cable circuits and enabling asynchronous system connections.
• The conversion of selected transmission corridors from AC to HVDC may improve the grid system’s ability to recover to stable operation following selected (unplanned) double circuit outages
• Multi-terminal HVDC (necessary for embedding DC interconnectors in a meshed system) is feasible with both LCC and VSC technologies.
• For a given transmission tower (‘pylon’) size significantly more power can be transmitted on a DC circuit than on an AC circuit (typically two to three times).
• There appears to be no benefit case for converting individual transmission lines in the UK Grid to HVDC to gain additional transmission capacity
• A total of 26 specific technology opportunity areas were identified by the project consortium as worth further examination by the ETI.