Statoil Debuts Batwind
A new battery storage solution for offshore wind energy will be piloted in the world’s first floating wind farm, the Hywind pilot park off the coast of Peterhead in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. Batwind will be developed in co-operation with Scottish universities and suppliers, under a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in Edinburgh on 18 March between Statoil, the Scottish Government, the Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult and Scottish Enterprise.
Scotland Widens Shale Moratorium
Scotland has placed a moratorium on underground coal gasification, a form of unconventional gas extraction, adding to a ban on shale gas that it imposed in January in conflict with the pro-shale stance of Prime Minister David Cameron. The Scottish government also said on Thursday it would start an in-depth investigation into the impact of shale gas fracking, the process whereby water, sand and chemicals are blasted at underground rocks to release trapped gas.
All Energy 2015
In just four weeks’ time All-Energy 2015, the UK’s renewable energy exhibition and conference will open in its new home, Glasgow’s SECC, with the expectation that up to 7,000 people from home and overseas will visit the exhibition, to make new contacts and source new suppliers, attend the multi-stream conference over the two days (Wednesday 6 – Thursday 7 May), and relish the networking possibilities of its Giant Networking Evening. All the component parts are in place.
Scotland Imposes Moratorium on Shale Plan Permits
Scotland has imposed a moratorium on shale gas planning permits and is launching an assessment of the impact of shale gas on public health, Scottish Energy Minister Fergus Ewing told the Scottish Parliament on Wednesday. "We are imposing a moratorium on granting planning consents," the minister, a member of the Scottish National Party, said. There are currently no shale gas projects underway in Scotland, but a moratorium means no Scottish shale gas plans will be approved until it is lifted.
O&G Center Reports High Demand
The newly established Oil & Gas Innovation Center (OGIC) is already having an impact on accelerating new technologies to support the North Sea oil and gas Industry, the center said. At its official launch hosted by Hydro Group plc in Aberdeen Monday, November 10, OGIC revealed that it now has its first approved and funded projects coming on stream and is in discussion with more than 50 companies regarding technology development opportunities.
New Skills Resource for the O&G Industry
A new resource developed to help people source accurate information about the UK oil and gas sector has been unveiled in Aberdeen. HM Government’s Industrial Strategy, launched in 2013 to deliver long-term plans to secure jobs and growth in the UK’s key economic sectors, highlighted the need for one centralized online portal to provide a more proactive and co-ordinated approach to providing relevant information on oil and gas skills.
Scotland Gives Go-Ahead for Four Offshore Wind Farms
2.3 GW total capacity enough to power 1.4 million homes; Companies can apply for renewable subsidy scheme. The Scottish government has given the green light for four offshore wind farms to be built which would be capable of generating enough electricity to power more than 1.4 million homes. The approval means companies involved in developing them will be able to apply for cash in Britain's near 300 million pounds ($480 million) a year renewable subsidy scheme…
Solutions Store's Spence to Present at SPE Workshop
People development expert to present at unique event set to examine discrimination in the oil and gas industry. Emma Spence, the founder and director of the people development consultancy, Solutions Store, will present at the Society of Petroleum Engineer’s first of its kind event which is to focus on workplace discriminatory challenges affecting the oil and gas industry. The workshop, ‘Breaking the Cycle of Discrimination - Workplace Challenges in the Oil and Gas Industry’…
British Oil Revenue Forecast Cut in Blow to Scottish Separatists
Revenues from Britain's oil over the next 30 years could be around 25 percent less than previously predicted, the UK's independent budget office said on Thursday, delivering a blow to Scotland's campaign for independence. The Office for Budget Responsibility said in an annual report that since last year predicted combined revenues for the six years from 2013-14 to 2018-19 had been revised down by 8 billion pounds ($13.6 billion).
Sir Richard Branson Joins All-Energy 2014
Sir Richard Branson is a last minute addition to the list of speakers at All-Energy 2014. The U.K.’s renewable energy exhibition and conference is being held at Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre (AECC), May 21-22. Speaking live from his renowned Necker Island base, Sir Richard will be joining the conference on Thursday, May 22, through the medium of Skype; his presentation will take place at the…
Offshore Renewables Central to All
Offshore wind, wave and tidal all play key roles in next week’s All-Energy 2014 (Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Center - AECC, May 21-22). Nearly 11 hours of conference time at the U.K.’s renewable energy exhibition and conference is devoted to offshore wind –including 105 minutes to floating offshore wind; a further nine and a quarter hours to wave and tidal; and a 90-minute Marine Scotland session spans all three technologies in ‘Offshore renewable energy in Scottish Waters – policy…
Oil Firms Opt for Stability, Urge Scotland to Stay in UK
Reuters - Royal Dutch Shell has become the second energy heavyweight to urge Scotland to stay in the United Kingdom as the campaign for Scottish independence battles mounting opposition from businesses. Shell is a key player in the North Sea oil and gas fields off Scotland and its Chief Executive Ben van Beurden said a vote for independence on Sept. 18 would mean greater uncertainty for the energy industry.
Fergus Ewing Visits the Underwater Center
Minister sees new vessels and discusses plans for development. On Monday, October 21, 2013, the Underwater Center in Fort William hosted a visit by the Scottish Government's Minister for Energy, Enterprise and Tourism, Fergus Ewing. Ewing, who is also MSP for Inverness and Nairn, was visiting the subsea training and trials facility to discuss development plans and see first-hand the Centre’s work-class ROVs and two new barges…
Marine Renewables Commercialization Project Funded
The Scottish Energy Minister Fergus Ewing announced that the Scottish Government’s Marine Renewables Commercialization Fund (MRCF)Array Technology Innovation Program has made an award to a team of marine experts to undertake a research project on Turbulence in Marine Environments (TIME) for measuring and evaluating turbulent effects in tidal arrays in Scottish Waters. This MRCF project will be managed by the Carbon Trust. The team of U.K.
