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EVERY spring in the Northern Hemisphere, the ocean surface erupts in a massive bloom of phytoplankton. Like plants, these single-celled floating organisms use photosynthesis to turn light into energy, consuming carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen in the process. When phytoplankton die or are eaten by zooplankton, the carbon-rich fragments sinks deeper into the ocean, where it is, in turn, eaten by...

A REPORT reflecting on policy, regulatory and market developments and trends in demand side flexibility participation over the last 12 months has been published by National Grid Electricity System Operator (ESO). As we transition into a low-carbon world, demand side flexibility has an increasingly important role. Electricity system requirements are evolving, at both a transmission and distribution level, and we need...

A SPIKE in the number of people reporting significant levels of depression and anxiety was seen immediately following the Prime Minister’s announcement of a lockdown on 23 March, a Sheffield and Ulster University study has found. On Tuesday 24 March, 38 per cent of study participants reported significant depression and 36 per cent reported significant anxiety. On the day before the...

CHARITIES across the UK will receive a £750 million package of support to ensure they can continue their vital work during the coronavirus outbreak, Chancellor Rishi Sunak has announced. Tens of thousands of charities will benefit from direct cash grants to ensure they can meet increased demand as a result of the virus as well as continuing their day-to-day activities...

THE GB Electricity Market celebrated its 30th birthday earlier this month, so ICON has pulled together some information to mark the occasion. Following the restructuring of the electricity supply industry in 1990, the former nationalised companies were restructured and privatised and all energy supply sectors opened up to competition. The number of electricity suppliers rapidly increased, from 16 before privatisation in...

A COMBINATION of a surge in renewables production and low demand caused by the coronavirus pandemic lockdown led to thousands of households getting paid to use energy. On this day, windfarms contributed almost 40% of the UK’s electricity, while solar power made up nearly a fifth of the power system – meanwhile, fossil fuels made up less than 15% of electricity produced. At...

For all of us, Easter will be different from what we are used to this year as we approach our third weekend in lockdown. Some of us are self-isolating with our families but for some this long weekend marks four days of no human contact at all. That’s why it’s especially important to look after your well-being, both physical and emotional. We...

BRITAIN is on the cusp of a rapid expansion of public electric vehicle charging infrastructure that will support a switch from traditional petrol and diesel cars, and steps are being taken to make this possible. Last summer, the London Mayor’s Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Taskforce published its delivery plan for London’s mid-decade public electric vehicle charging infrastructure needs. The plan identified eight...

Scanned whilst entertaining myself with quarantine karaoke...  It was partway through a private parody rendition of Eminem’s “Without Me” that I realised there’s a small chance I, with the rest of the nation, might be descending into a state of lockdown lunacy. “Private” of course being me and my bathroom mirror. This is indication of idiocy not because my audience didn’t appreciate...

SCOTTISH and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) has avoided a carbon emissions equivalent to powering 500,000 homes for a week by making use of low carbon energy generation at an Inner Hebrides island. This marks an important milestone for the UK energy system, as low-carbon technology has supported system security in an economically viable manner on the Isle of Islay. Constraint Managed...