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A NEW approach focused on better flood protection and resilience is needed in the face of climate emergency following weeks of record-breaking river levels and flooding across the UK, the Chief Executive of the Environment Agency will argue today. In a speech at the World Water-Tech Innovation Summit in central London, Sir James Bevan will say: "First, we must continue...

A NEW bendable supercapacitor that charges quickly and safely stores a record-high level of energy for use over a long period has been developed and demonstrated by UCL and Chinese Academy of Sciences researchers. While at the proof-of-concept stage, it shows enormous potential as a portable power supply in several practical applications including electric vehicles, phones and wearable technology. First author...

ENVIRONMENT Secretary George Eustice called on farmers and land managers today to share their views on the government’s flagship green farming scheme outside the EU. Speaking ahead of the National Farmers’ Union’s annual conference tomorrow, Mr Eustice has announced that farmers will be 'at the forefront of reversing environmental declines and tackling climate change as they reshape the future of...

COMMUNITY Energy England and Community Energy Wales invite community organisations working on low carbon energy projects to respond to their 2020 State of the Sector Survey. The responses are used to investigate the number, nature and outcomes of community energy initiatives throughout England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The State of the Sector Survey and report seeks to demonstrate how the community...

DISCARDED mattresses that currently end up in landfill could be used to grow food for refugees in desert environments around the world, according to scientists at the University of Sheffield. The team of experts in hydroponics (growing plants without soil) and soil health have collaborated with a group of Syrian refugees – many of whom are experienced farmers – to...

A scientist from the University of the Highlands and Islands has been awarded £986,000 to undertake a major new research programme into the peatlands of northern Scotland. Dr Roxane Andersen from the Environmental Research Institute at North Highland College UHI will use the funding to explore how climate change could affect blanket bogs and to assess the effectiveness of restoration...

SP Energy Networks have launched trials of the world’s only technology that can spot real-time levels of electrical surges in the network by using two prototype monitors. The prototype Real Time Fault Level Monitors helps the company to actively manage the electricity network by measuring and managing the fault level (short circuit capacity) of electric power supply in real time. Scott...

ENGINEERS have developed a new scanning technique inspired by the natural world that can detect corroding metals in oil and gas pipelines. By mimicking how bats use differing wavelengths of ultrasound to detect objects, hunt, and avoid predators, engineers have developed a new system that combines two separate types of radiation, fast neutrons and gamma rays, to detect corrosion –...

RBS has struck a £1.1bn securitisation deal with Macquarie Infrastructure Debt Investment Solutions, which will allow the bank to recycle capital and increase lending to the sustainable or renewable energy sectors. The synthetic risk transfer securitisation is the first exclusively UK ESG synthetic securitisation from a UK financial institution and provides credit protection against a reference portfolio of sustainable energy...

A NEW study led by the University of Stirling is seeking to understand the everyday energy difficulties caused by fuel poverty to one of Scotland’s most disadvantaged areas. The project will engage communities in Alloa, Clackmannanshire, on the challenges of fuel poverty and its impact on household decision-making, health, energy behaviours, mobility and access to local services. It will support planning...