Industry News

DECC:  Energy and Climate Change Secretary Chris Huhne has announced the first 82 local energy projects to win funding from the new £10m Local Energy Assessment Fund.  Winning bids include opening show homes to demonstrate solid wall insulation to the public, schemes to check the energy efficiency of homes and invest in renewable energy, and events to promote the uptake of energy efficiency in local communities.

Organisations including parish councils, voluntary associations, development trusts and faith groups are all eligible to apply for LEAF funding Around 200 projects are expected to benefit in total and there is still time to apply – the second round will close to applications at noon on 20 January 2012 with successful communities notified at the end January.

Press release & links

WAG:  Business Minister Edwina Hart has welcomed news that Hunter Flying Ltd – which oversees the maintenance & operation of the largest private collection of classic aircraft of its kind in the world - is moving its operation to St Athan.

Hunter Flying has taken a 10 year lease on 2 hangars on the Welsh Government’s Aerospace Business Park in St Athan which is within the preferred location for an enterprise park for the aerospace sector.  It is the first commercial letting since the MoD’s decision in July last year to move the proposed Defence Technical College to RAF Lyneham.

Hunter Flying restores & operates ex-military aircraft for airshows, jet training for pilots and leisure flying. It currently oversees the maintenance & operation of what is the largest private collection in the world of Hawker Hunters, Jet Provost, Strikemaster, Yak 50 and 52.

Press release & links

BIS:  A project to ensure the is well positioned for the commercial roll-out of hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles has been launched, Business Minister Mark Prisk has announced.  The new programme – UKH2Mobility – will evaluate the potential for hydrogen as a fuel for Ultra Low Carbon Vehicles in the before developing an action plan for an anticipated roll-out to consumers in 2014/15.

Press release & links

TfL:  Transport for London (TfL) has awarded its cleaning contract for Victoria Coach Station and dozens of bus stations and bus stands to ISS Facility Services in an agreement that will deliver high levels of cleanliness & hygiene as well as deliver environmental benefits for the Capital.

Press release & links

ESRC:  Building relationships, raising the profile of social science research and identifying opportunities for collaboration will be the main focus of a new Retail Knowledge Navigator Team Working with the retail sector is a key priority for the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) who are delighted to announce the appointment of Nottingham Business School as Retail Knowledge Navigators

Press release & links

STFC:  Cobalt Light Systems has received European approval for its revolutionary INSIGHT100 bottle scanner, which enables aircraft passengers to carry liquid items larger than 100ml once more.  Airports could now allow passengers to take items such as water, cosmetics, perfumes and duty free through airport security channels from as early as 2013

The current ban on items over 100ml in hand baggage can only be lifted when airports are able to effectively screen quickly and without opening the containers.  INSIGHT100 screens individual bottles in less than 5 seconds to determine whether there is a security threat.

Press release & links

Free, Secure, Compliant UK Public Sector IT Recycling Service