Member Article

Energy increase prices can be avoided

With the ‘big six’ looking likely to follow SSEs recent 8.2% energy price increase, homeowners and businesses are yet again set to take the brunt of what the energy firms say are ‘unavoidable’ costs.

North East-based renewable energy experts Natural Technology Developments believe that consumers should take a closer look at products that can help them to become more energy independent, if they want more control and security over their energy usage and bills.

Managing director Paul Laidler said: “We are actually entering a fascinating period, with clean energy’s costs starting to be competitive with fossil fuels. With energy prices expected to increase by approximately 40% over the next few years, more clean-tech products coming on to the market and therefore becoming more affordable, controlling our energy bills is becoming increasingly viable.

“There is always going to be the worry of dependence on imported gas or oil and likelihood of energy price rises. Larger businesses or vital services such as hospitals need to have back-up generators in cases of emergency but they too could have more energy independence via renewable energy storage systems that are independent of the grid, therefore saving money as well as having the security of producing their own electricity and heat.

“There are so many alternatives available now, many of which can be integrated to create full heating and electricity systems. The North East is one of the best areas to take advantage of what is on offer, with our expertise in wind turbines, subsea engineering and renewable energy products.

“The EU’s target of 20-20-20 (20% renewable energy, 20% reduction in emissions and 20% in reduction in energy use) by 2020 commits the UK to providing 15% of our energy from renewable sources, and with products being more readily available this can be achievable sooner rather than later.”

Natural Technology Developments recently announced the development of Solar Angel, the first dual generation panel to be designed and, manufactured in the UK. Combining solar photovoltaic and solar thermal technologies into one panel, it allows consumers to generate both electricity and hot water from the sun’s rays, and its unique cooling system helps generate more electricity than PV on its own. Due to be fully certified and available by January 2014, Solar Angel will better match the growing clean-tech demands of the UK and international markets.

“This is an exciting time, not only for the North East but for the UK, as we make our mark in the global renewable energy arena. Ours will be the first UK-only developed product to be brought to the market, and it can be fully integrated with other natural technologies such as wind turbines and heat pumps.

“We are currently undergoing real-time data testing and expect to see figures that validate around a 20% rise in energy efficiency compared to individual panels. By utilising Solar Angel and other types of clean tech products, we can all become more energy independent as well as knowing that installers, generators and consumers are benefiting rather than the energy giants.”

For further information visit www.ntdlimited.com

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Jodie Balmer .