There is much controversy surrounding the emergence of vegetable oil as a fuel source for domestic power stations. Blue-NG’s vegetable oil power station in Beckton, East London, has been lauded and derided in equal measure. On the one hand, deriving electricity from vegetable oil is seen as an effective, efficient and environmentally friendly process attracting twice the amount of public funding as that of wind turbines.

On the other, the process of harvesting crops for the production of vegetable oil to be used as a fuel source is often forgotten in terms of its human impact. Biofuelwatch has calculated the land required to harvest sufficient rapeseed oil for one power plant could otherwise feed some 35,000 people annually, which will become a more significant issue in years to come as food poverty worsens.

Vegetable oil power stations burning rapeseed oil are thought to produce more carbon emissions than those burning traditional fossil fuels. Moreover, any vegetable oil power station that uses soya or palm oil over rapeseed oil will produce even higher carbon emissions. A report by Wetlands International suggests 33 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions are released into the atmosphere for every tonne of palm oil used to create electricity, which is some ten times greater than that of petroleum.

However, rapeseed oil power stations such as Blue-NG can produce around 153,541 MWh of electricity annually, which is sufficient to power some 45,000 homes. There also appears to be confusion over whether burning rapeseed oil as a combined fuel source is actually worse or better for the environment in terms of carbon emissions. What is certain is the opposing views on the subject are similar to many others affecting green energy initiatives, which are by no means gaining in popularity among those in positions of power.

Despite frequent and vocal noises made by the UK Government that the country is committed to a greener future in which nuclear, solar, wind, tidal and geothermal technologies will be utilised in order to reduce and eventually eliminate the dependence on fossil fuels – notably oil and coal – it is clear that not everybody is listening.

In fact, this issue is not limited to the UK, as a recent survey by the Pew Research Centre for the People & the Press suggests that only 57% of Americans accept that climate change is a scientific reality.

Of course, the ever-growing gap in the Earth’s ozone layer is testament to the seeds of change that industrialised humanity has sown. Nevertheless, people and, more importantly, the major international energy companies are often reluctant to make changes to a format that has served modern man well, both in terms of providing reliable energy and lining the pockets of energy executives.

However, the UK Government’s call for change is apparently so weak that the leading energy companies in the country are planning to push forth with their plans to build new coal-fired power stations. Although such initiatives will no doubt increase jobs and stabilise local communities in the grip of a lingering recession, burning yet more fossil fuels to meet domestic energy demands is undoubtedly a backwards step in ecological terms.

Therefore, plans to build some 30 new coal-fired power stations are seen as a direct affront to both the UK Government and the ensuing environmental catastrophe, which is why protesters ascended chimneys of the Didcot Power Station earlier yesterday morning. Indeed, the Didcot site, which is operated by RWE npower, is seen as the latest battleground in a war that promises to last for many years to come as the increased demand for cheaper fuel conflicts with the need to prevent an ecological disaster.

According to the non-governmental organisation, Global Witness, renowned for uncovering the so-called ‘blood diamond’ trade in Africa, the world’s fascination with and reliance upon oil is set for disaster. After two years of investigation, Global Witness has released its ‘Heads in the Sands‘ report, detailing the coming struggles facing humanity in the context of oil supply and demand.

In particular, the report highlights the facts that global oil production had ceased to grow between 2005 and 2008, production has outstripped new oil discoveries since 1984 and the biggest year of new oil discoveries was back in 1965. Added to these unsavoury facts, Global Witness argues oil reserves such as those found in Canada’s tar sands simply will at best yield only enough oil to plug the gaps left by depleting resources worldwide.

Of course, as oil production continues to grow, the depletion of existing resources can only escalate. Thus, according to the Heads in the Sands report, the global production of oil will sooner or later be notable for its declining output, declining new discoveries and increased demand. Unfortunately, these points lead to higher prices and, worse still, global oil shortages. Worryingly, conservative estimates produced by the International Energy Agency (IEA) suggest by 2015, there will be a gap between the supply and demand of oil of some 7 million barrels per day, which is approximately 8% of the anticipated global demand. In other words, the world is fast running out of oil.

Nevertheless, the major oil companies are continuing to spend vast sums on finding new sources of oil, which may never be found according to Global Witness. In a world that is already thought to be heading for climatic catastrophe due to the use of non-renewable forms of energy, it would seem, one way or another, oil will soon be relegated to history.

It is no secret that domestic energy prices are likely to rise over the coming years, as a combination of general supply and demand issues affecting fuel and the post-recession drive for investment in green energy technologies conspire against consumers. Unfortunately, as mentioned in previous posts, many of the wholesale fuel costs – and none of the savings – are passed on to domestic energy consumers, whose annual bills are growing higher each year.

Following Ofgem forecasts of energy bill increases up to 60%, recent news of further rises will likely anger many consumers. Indeed, outrage will undoubtedly ensue as the current UK Government is reportedly planning to subsidise the building of several new nuclear power stations through further taxation of electricity customers.

Nuclear power is a key component of the green energy strategies outlined by both the Conservative Party and the existing Labour Government. Unfortunately, building nuclear power stations is a multi-billion pound endeavour that energy companies are generally reluctant to shoulder themselves. Indeed, ministers have become increasingly concerned over failures to commit to nuclear investment by leading energy companies such as E.ON and EDF Energy, who argue that current energy prices make such investment unaffordable. Of course, according to Ofgem’s forecasts, all options lead to increased domestic energy bills and it has already been established that lower wholesale fuel costs are resulting in enormous profits for energy companies at the present time.

Nevertheless, it would seem that regardless of which party is successful at the next UK General Election, nuclear reactors will be built in Britain for the first time in over 20 years. The question is how much of the costs associated with such development will be shouldered by consumers? Unfortunately, in the case of the current UK Government’s initial plans, the so-called nuclear tax would add £44 to an annual electricity bill of £500.

Although today’s central heating boilers conform to strict regulations, undergo annual safety inspections and are generally built to last, it is common for parts to break down or become faulty.

Moreover, central heating systems generally are prone to the odd leak or blockage but when central heating systems experience problems the effects can be disastrous, with flooded homes and potentially unsafe gas appliances wreaking havoc. Thus, it is understandable that many customers choose to indemnify their properties against such mishaps by taking out one of the many gas, plumbing and electricity insurance policies that are available.

Indeed, it is commonly perceived that an insurance policy, which typically requires monthly instalments or an annual fee to be paid, is the cheaper and more convenient option to having to call up a private Gas Safe engineer, electrician or plumber when something goes wrong. To all those customers who have experienced cowboy private traders, the insurance policy option is an attractive one if only to ensure that trained professionals will carry out the work within an agreed time. Furthermore, whilst no policy will cover every possible central heating related hazard, there are comprehensive options that take care of most problems at no additional cost.

However, a recent article published in the Guardian’s online service suggests that British Gas HomeCare policyholders would be better off saving their money in a savings account than continuing with their policies, which are set to rise by up to 50% during the coming months. Indeed, Which? research shows that 90% of households would profit from letting their policies expire (beware of automatic renewals, though) and setting aside the premium funds in the event of problems arising.

It was reported recently Ofgem, which is responsible for the regulation of electricity and gas markets across Great Britain, feared UK domestic energy bills would rise despite increased profits for the leading energy companies.

Although Ofgem clarified that it was powerless to interfere with the prices set by energy companies such as E.ON and British Gas, it advised that savings from lower wholesale fuel costs were not being passed on to consumers and the major energy companies were contemplating further price rises. Following a detailed study by Ofgem, four probable scenarios have been identified in respect to the future of domestic energy and, unfortunately for consumers, all involve a hefty rise in prices.

The first two scenarios outlined by Ofgem refer to the drive for renewable forms of energy. Ofgem has proposed that the various green energy initiatives will take their toll on domestic energy companies and, in turn, its consumers. Under the Green Transition scenario, Ofgem argues rapid economic recovery and expansion in green renewable energy measures will lead to a decreased demand for gas but a significantly higher demand for electricity. Domestic energy bills will rise 23% by 2020 under the Green Transition model. According to the Green Stimulus scenario, consumer bills will rise by 14% in the same period as a result of slower economic recovery and green investment.

Another rise of 22% is predicted if the Slow Growth model takes effect, with the economy proving lethargic in shaking off the recession. However, the main threat to consumer bills appears to be that of a Dash for Energy scenario, which will see domestic bills rise by a massive 60% during the same period. Under the Dash for Energy model, Ofgem predicts international security concerns will take precedence over environmental targets, which will ultimately result in increased competition between nations for limited fuel supplies.

No, don’t worry, there are precious few coal mines left to close. In fact, the current Conservative party, headed by the bicycle loving David Cameron, this week outlined its energy and climate change policies. Under the so-called ‘green deal’, every UK homeowner would benefit from an allowance of up to £6,500 to make their homes more energy efficient.

This may involve the installation of solar hot water heating, upgrading the central heating system or fitting double glazing. In short, the green deal aims to provide homeowners with a cash injection so they are able to make a green contribution to the country’s carbon emission targets.

Domestic energy (power and heating) accounts for some 27% of the UK’s carbon emissions, so it seems sensible a future Conservative government would want to target homeowners, many of whom will be keen to accept the £6,500 allowance, to address the bigger picture. Of course, the Conservative plans are similar to those of the current Labour Government, which is in itself fairly unsurprising. Furthermore, following recent claims by Professor David MacKay, the Government’s new chief energy scientist, the UK is among the top three polluters in historical terms, it is clear that the country has an obligation to make significant environmentally friendly changes.

In fact, according to the Stockholm Environment Institute, it is estimated the average UK citizen is responsible for 15 tonnes per year of embedded carbon emissions, whilst the average Chinese person only pollutes some 3.1 tonnes annually. Ironically, the Conservative proposals also include the approval of coal-fired  power stations worth around 5GW of electricity. These power stations will comprise carbon capture and storage technology to reduce carbon emissions by a further 90% whilst providing a relatively clean form of power that will be available for domestic energy consumers.

The vast majority of gas installations in Britain are perfectly safe and legal. However, the Gas Safe Register, which is a safety body that took over from Corgi in April this year, has called for the public to raise its awareness of illegal gas fitters. In plain terms, Gas Safe certification is the basic legal standard for any gas engineer in the country – anybody not on the Gas Safe Register who undertakes work on gas installations and appliances is breaking the law. Moreover, unqualified gas engineers risk causing harm, injury and even death to their customers.

Indeed, the statistics on carbon monoxide poisoning, which is commonly associated with unsafe gas installations, makes for grim reading: during the last year, 234 people have been hospitalised and 14 people have died. Furthermore, according to the Gas Safe Register, there are some 7,500 illegal gas fitters in active service throughout Great Britain. Obviously, having so many engineers in circulation who do not possess the skills and qualifications of Gas Safe engineers is of great concern to many domestic energy consumers. In particular, students and the elderly are at greatest risk because they are not always in control of who works on their gas fittings and appliances.

The Gas Safety Register’s campaign to raise public awareness on the issue of illegal gas fitters follows new research that suggests cowboy fitters are responsible for around 250,000 gas jobs each year. This staggering and disturbing figure is punctuated by incidents involving engineers who were previously Corgi registered but whose accreditation had expired or did not cover particular appliances. In short, the best advice is to always ensure that gas appliance and boiler installations are carried out by Gas Safe engineers. If in doubt, the Gas Safety Register provides a free gas safety inspection of the home – do not leave it too late.

With Christmas just around the corner it’s a good time to start thinking about boiler breakdown cover, with engineers becoming busier in the colder months it’s all the more important to have a boiler service contract on hand to ensure you and your family are covered in the event of an emergency boiler or central heating breakdown.

Boiler service contracts range in cover from just your boiler up to and including drains, plumbing, central heating pipes & radiators and also electrical care. British Gas HomeCare offer all of these via their boiler insurance product right up to British Gas HomeCare 400 which covers every aspect of  your homes utilities, what’s more until the 31st December they’re giving away 1 month free – it’s very rare for British Gas to provide discounts or vouchers on the HomeCare product so make sure you sign-up before the offer expires.

If you’ve ever needed a plumber in a hurry then you’ll know how difficult it can be, especially as the nights start drawing in and temperatures drop heating engineers are in demand and as such are not only difficult to get hold of but a nightmare to respond to emergency boiler breakdowns.

British Gas have recognised and addressed this problem realising that not everyone wants to be tied in to a lengthy service contract or any one boiler service supplier. With a team of over 8,000 Gas Safe registered engineers British Gas are well placed to respond to heating and boiler breakdown emergencies in a way that suits you, not just the engineer. This comes in the way of British Gas’s One-Off Boiler Repairs allowing you to receive a fixed price quote including all parts and labour for boiler breakdowns, you don’t need to be a British Gas customer and there’s no contract. You can find out more here.