Energy news in general

The_Green_Hornet

UK government may extend domestic energy grants to heat batteries

Scheme in England and Wales covers only heat pumps, uptake of which has been slow

The UK government is considering expanding the boiler upgrade grant scheme for England and Wales to cover sources of low-carbon heating for domestic homes other than heat pumps, the Guardian understands.

UK government may extend domestic energy grants to heat batteries | Heat pumps | The Guardian

QrizB

The_Green_Hornet said:

UK government may extend domestic energy grants to heat batteries

That seems an odd choice, considering a "heat battery" is just a variant of the storage heaters that have been common in the UK since the 1970s.

Lat time I looked, the Tepeo "zero emission boiler" is about £9k, which seems a bit steep when it stores about as much energy as two large storage heaters - which you can buy for around £1k a pop.

I appreciate that it takes a bit more effort to transfer heat safely into a wet CH system, but surely not £7k worth?

debitcardmayhem

Just seen this about connections to the grid https://www.standard.co.uk/business/business-news/ofgem-scraps-yearslong-queue-of-zombie-grid-projects-b1222510.html

The_Green_Hornet

Increased bills for higher earners could fund UK energy upgrade, Ofgem says

Regulator to consult industry on how to recover network costs via standing charge in a ‘more progressive’ way

Wealthier households could be made to shoulder higher costs for running and upgrading the UK’s network of energy cables and pipes to help low-income bill payers under new plans to be considered this summer.

The proposals could mean that high-income households will pay more via the standing charge on their energy bills, while those who are not in work or are on low pay are charged a discounted rate.

Increased bills for higher earners could fund UK energy upgrade, Ofgem says | Energy bills | The Guardian

GingerTim

The_Green_Hornet said:

Increased bills for higher earners could fund UK energy upgrade, Ofgem says

Regulator to consult industry on how to recover network costs via standing charge in a ‘more progressive’ way

Wealthier households could be made to shoulder higher costs for running and upgrading the UK’s network of energy cables and pipes to help low-income bill payers under new plans to be considered this summer.

The proposals could mean that high-income households will pay more via the standing charge on their energy bills, while those who are not in work or are on low pay are charged a discounted rate.

Increased bills for higher earners could fund UK energy upgrade, Ofgem says | Energy bills | The Guardian

That'll cost an arm and a leg to administer.

Sea_Shell

The_Green_Hornet said:

Wealthier households could be made to shoulder higher costs for running and upgrading the UK’s network of energy cables and pipes to help low-income bill payers under new plans to be considered this summer.

What if you're both 😉

Scot_39

Perhaps if they truly believed HH settlement and in Miliband's net zero savings - combined savings in the £100s supposedly - there would be no need for ideas like this.

And why income - why not council tax band (underlying ratable value ?) or house size - like unmetered water.

MeteredOut

The_Green_Hornet said:

Increased bills for higher earners could fund UK energy upgrade, Ofgem says

Regulator to consult industry on how to recover network costs via standing charge in a ‘more progressive’ way

Wealthier households could be made to shoulder higher costs for running and upgrading the UK’s network of energy cables and pipes to help low-income bill payers under new plans to be considered this summer.

The proposals could mean that high-income households will pay more via the standing charge on their energy bills, while those who are not in work or are on low pay are charged a discounted rate.

Increased bills for higher earners could fund UK energy upgrade, Ofgem says | Energy bills | The Guardian

So, er, like a tax then?

If that's what they want to do, just stick it on a tax and avoid the overheads of trying to get an energy industry that has shown itself to be lousy at administration to manage it.

I'll stick my head out and say we'll never get a standing charge that's directly tied to household income. A watered down version would be to, eg, tie it to council tax band, and I'll wait for that suggestion to appear soon.

What I can see is an additional standing charge for those with Solar export. I suggested a year or so back that this would be a natural progression for those that are benefitting from both inward and outbound use of the network.

Effician

This.....

MeteredOut said:
What I can see is an additional standing charge for those with Solar export. I suggested a year or so back that this would be a natural progression for those that are benefitting from both inward and outbound use of the network.

Combined with this .......

debitcardmayhem said:

Just seen this about connections to the grid https://www.standard.co.uk/business/business-news/ofgem-scraps-yearslong-queue-of-zombie-grid-projects-b1222510.html

Would just about see off the viability for new domestic rooftop solar for all but the highest consumers of electric.

Scot_39

Effician said:

....

Would just about see off the viability for new domestic rooftop solar for all but the highest consumers of electric.

It's difficult to forecast future.

If greens have their way - rather than the 40k domestic grant supported ashp installs last year - 600,000 the target for 2028 iirc.  Will see much more demand on local grid at least in winter.

And EVs sales were at just below 20% / 400,000 - just behind govts 22% last year - but iirc 28% this - did targets remain but just now softened £12k per vehicle fine ?  100,000s more will be running EVs - maybe some at home and charging off of local grid.

Be interesting to see how the leasing company rates reflect the financial problems they now face from higher than expected  depreciation due to in their trade body words low consumer demand for 2nd hand BEVs coming off lease deals (guess many be higher than average miles to boot) and whether that slows business purchasing.

Also bit difficult to tell how many of last tears c400,000 EV sales genuine - how many preregistered. My sister local Vauxhall dealer chain were selling and still trying to sell 100s of pre registered Corsas Astra and Mokka BEVs on 24, 74 and now have 25 plates for some models.  At near ICE pricing.  Reeves VED grab hitting the 40k plus list as well according to sales man.  So iirc the remodel mokka ultimate has been cut sub 40k  and other manufacturers might be doing the same.