Anaerobic Digestion (AD) relies on the ability of specific micro-organisms to convert organic material into a gas that can be used to generate electricity. However, these bacteria require specific conditions if they are to function effectively and instrumentation specialist company HACH LANGE has developed a range of online, portable and laboratory instruments that have enabled a large number of AD plants to maximise efficiency and prevent the risk of failure.

Introduction
In 2009, renewable energy accounted for just 3% of the UK’s energy supply. However, the UK Government has a target to raise this contribution to 15% by 2020 as part of its strategy to fight climate change. Along with wind, solar and various other sources of renewable energy, AD has an important role to perform in helping to achieve the renewable energy target whilst also helping with the management of organic waste.

Pipe Center and Climate Center are expanding their central technical team to support expansion into new market sectors and the introduction of renewable technologies.

The enlarged technical team will provide a single point of contact for customers on major projects and tap the in-depth product experience available across Pipe Center and Climate Center and - where relevant - the wider Wolseley UK.

Staff at Redbridge Council have a brighter future thanks to the installation of a voltage optimisation system that has not only reduced its running costs and carbon footprint but also cut the number of office lights fusing on a regular basis.

The Voltis voltage optimiser from Marshall-Tufflex Energy Management has been installed in four locations across the council as part of a programme of energy efficiency measures implemented by the authority. Post installation the voltage of each location dropped by up to 25Volts.

The Etesia UK 'Green Technology' roadshow has reached its first pit-stop, bringing the turf maintenance machinery manufacturer's spring tour of the country to a successful conclusion.

The recent roadshows held at Merrist Wood College, Guildford and Edge Hill University, Lancashire in late March sandwiched an invitation to speak about environmentally-friendly grounds maintenance equipment at the Plant Network Conference held at the University of York.

Scotframe, the UK’s leading full kit manufacturer and supplier, has been granted approval by the British Board of Agrément for Val-U-Therm®, a new type of timber frame building panel which has the capacity to cut heating and energy bills to virtually zero.

The BBA certification, from one of the UK's most highly regarded construction industry approvals bodies, is a significant recognition for Val-U-Therm®, which is regarded as taking building methods into the 21st century.

Renault’s Kangoo Van Z.E. range is now eligible for the UK’s new Plug-in Van Grant, offering buyers up to 20% off its purchase price*. In the case of the current International Van of the Year, the new initiative brings the line-up’s already tempting starting price down to £13,592 excluding VAT.

Kangoo Van Z.E., the world’s first 100% electric commercial vehicle produced directly by a mass market manufacturer, was confirmed eligible for the Government’s new Plug-in Van Grant earlier today, as one of just seven vans, by Transport Secretary Justine Greening and Business Minister Mark Prisk.

Businesses are now applying under the new Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scheme, which pays out to businesses that use renewable heating technology at their premises, after an initial two-month delay to the scheme.

The RHI scheme provides for regular payments to owners of premises where water or space is heated using renewable heating technologies. The payments are made for 20 years, and increase or reduce annually in line with the Retail Prices Index.

Rainmaker LLC., U.S. is pleased to announce its representation of Terragon Environmental Technologies, Inc. Terragon's revolutionary waste elimination technology, MAGS, transforms solid and oily waste into safe bio-char, thermal energy, and syngas, which it uses to fuel the system. This makes it one of the world's most environmentally friendly appliances. Such innovative technology provides superior waste management for today's marine and offshore environment.