Tag Archives: press-releases
Metso Signs For Swedish Biomass
[background=rgb(0, 128, 1) !important]23/09/2013[/background] Finnish company Metso is to supply a biomass-fired combined heat and power plant for Oskarshamn Energi in Sweden. The plant in the municipality of Oskarshamn will have a thermal output of 17.2MW for district heating, a process steam output of 4MW to local industry and an electrical output of 3.8MW. The project, which will use local forest residues such as bark and wood chips as fuel, is scheduled to go live in winter 2015 and the value of the contract has not been disclosed. “There is great interest in district heating and our customer base since 2007 has grown far beyond our expectations,” said Oskarshamn Energi managing director Jöns Wahlström. “This has meant that production has increased by 50% and that is one of the reasons that we now invest in a new power plant. When the new plant is commissioned almost 99% of district heating at Oskarshamn will be produced with renewable biofuels.” Metso will install patented BioGrate combustion technology and be responsible for training and commissioning. The plant automation will be based on Metso’s DNA technology and the company will also supply a flue gas condenser and ventilation system. “Metso has been working with Oskarshamn Energi for several years to find an optimal solution for their increasing demand to supply district heating,” said Metso sales director for power Mikael Barkar. Oskarshamn Energi is owned equally by Oskarshamn Municipality and Eon Sweden AB. Image: the plant will use wood chip and bark as fuel (Metso) Continue reading
Thousands Of Investors Flock To Buy-To-Let As Boom Returns
Tens of thousands of investors have joined Britain’s biggest investment “club” in the hunt for cheap buy-to-let properties. Thousands are signing up to the “club” each month, and half already own a buy-to-let property Photo: keith morris / Alamy Britain’s biggest property investment “club” – it prefers to call itself a provider of specialist services to private property investors – has doubled its membership in 12 months. Assetz, founded by entrepreneur Stuart Law, said it now has 65,000 “live” investor members, up from 35,000 a year ago. Members register for free and then receive emails alerting them to potential property opportunities, which include, the firm claims, “highly discounted newbuild stock and resale buy-to-let properties, up to 50pc off 2007 prices” and offering “typically 8pc yields”. Thousands are signing up each month and half already own a buy-to-let and are looking to add to their holdings, Mr Law said. “They are cash-rich and ready to invest further.” This may sound reminiscent of the buy-to-let hysteria gripping Britain in 2006 and 2007 but Mr Law said it’s different – with today’s investors more focused on generating income, not quick capital growth. There is other evidence of growing landlord activity, such as increased lending and lettings agency business. HM Revenue & Customs is also upping its game to ensure tax is properly collected from the sector. Last week it announced a clampdown through which it will try to recover an estimated £500m per year of unpaid tax due on landlord’s rental income. HMRC believes up to 1.5million landlords may be failing to pay taxes due. Continue reading
Biomass Open Day In Devon
16 September 2013 FARMERS are being invited to see a working biomass boiler on a farm in Exeter. The Renewable Heat at Work open day will see more than 30 biomass boiler owners throughout Devon opening their boiler house doors to the public. On Wednesday (September 18) and in conjunction with energy experts Regen, SW Highfield Farm in Topsham will hold a biomass open day from 2pm-7pm. Business owners and members of the public will be able to quiz the owners and installers on the benefits of using biomass or wood to heat their properties. They will also be able to explore how the fuel is processed and used. Ian Shears who runs the family farm at Highfield, Clyst Road, Topsham said: “It should be a very interesting day and well worth visiting if you are considering installing a biomass heating system. “If you have a large property that is expensive to heat – especially if you are using oil as a fuel – biomass or wood heating can offer massive economic and environmental benefits. Our 90kw boiler has performed extremely well since it was installed by Fairenergy in 2012, but I know from personal experience how useful it is to see a working installation if you are considering this technology. “On the day we will have a TP wood chipper in operation chipping our own seasoned coppice wood courtesy of A.T.Osborne Ltd, and we will also have a Hakke Pilke circular saw/splitter in operation”. For more information visit www.regensw.co.uk or www.highfieldfarm.org. Continue reading
