Author Archive
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March solar eclipse to test Europe’s electricity system
European transmission system operators (TSOs) say they have been preparing for the 20th March solar eclipse for several months because of concerns over the impact of the eclipse on solar electricity generation. Under a clear morning sky on 20th March 2015, some 35,000 MW of solar energy might gradually fade from Europe's electrical system before being gradually re-injected: all in the space of two hours while Europeans and their offices begin a normal working day. TSOs are warning ...
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OS launches new digital map
Ordnance Survey (OS) is launching a new digital map, having already invited two hundred developers, innovators and entrepreneurs to trial some of the data in the hope that it will create fresh insights and innovative products and services. OS OpenMap, which will be available at the end of March 2015, has been designed to work with the latest mobile and web platforms. It incorporates some of the most sophisticated mapping data in the world and ...
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Go ahead for Yorkshire and Humberside wind farm
An offshore wind project has been given the go ahead by the Government and is expected to support up to 900 jobs in Yorkshire and Humberside, plus millions of pounds’ worth of investment. Dogger Bank Creyke Beck A and B wind project will include up to 400 wind turbines, around 130km off the coast of the East Riding of Yorkshire. With a maximum capacity of 2400MW it will generate enough electricity to power almost two million ...
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UK inflation down to 0.3%
The Consumer Prices Index (CPI) stood at 0.3% in the year to January 2015, down from 0.5% in December. According to the Office for National Statistics, falling prices for motor fuels and food were the main contributors to the slowdown in the rate of inflation, which is well below the Government's target of 2%. In the year to January, food prices fell by 2.8% and the cost of motor fuels fell by 16.2% - in total ...
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Cybercriminals steal $1bn from banks
During a joint investigation, Russian internet security firm, Kaspersky Lab, Europol and Interpol have uncovered an unprecedented cyber-crime operation in which attackers stole one billion US dollars from around 100 financial institutions worldwide. Experts believe that a group of cybercriminals from Russia, Ukraine and some other European countries, as well as China, are behind the attack. Unlike many other incidents, this robbery marks a new stage - now, cybercriminals can steal money directly from banks, rather ...
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UK industry guaranteed central role in Swansea tidal project
Tidal Lagoon Power, the developer of the Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon, has announced that British industrial components and expertise will be at the heart of turbine production, following the appointment of General Electric and Andritz Hydro as preferred bidders to the £1 billion project. The two companies, bidding together for the contract to supply sixteen bidirectional turbines to the world's first tidal lagoon power plant, have committed to a majority of British large turbine components, to ...
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Essential supplies guaranteed during business rescue
Under proposals laid in Parliament this week, essential suppliers of IT, water, gas, electricity and communications services will be prevented from cutting off supply or charging premium rates while insolvency practitioners seek a viable solution to rescue a business. However, suppliers will be guaranteed payment ahead of others owed money for services supplied during the rescue period and can ask for guarantees of payment from the insolvency practitioner. Commenting on the news, Giles Frampton, R3 president, says: ...
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Economic growth picks up
UK economic activity increased at the fastest pace in four months, according to the latest Growth Indicator from the CBI. The survey of 769 businesses across the retail, manufacturing and services sectors revealed that growth rose at a solid pace in the three months to January, with a balance of +23 compared with +14 in December, following slowing momentum over the second half of 2014. The figures reflect a bounce-back in the business and professional services sector, ...
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Mobile operators sign up to coverage improvements
The Government has secured legal requirements from the UK’s four mobile network operators to deliver improved mobile coverage across the UK. EE, O2, Three and Vodafone have also accepted amended licence conditions, meaning that for the first time, Ofcom will be able to enforce consistent signal strength from each operator across the area they service. The agreement will result in: A £5 billion investment programme to improve mobile infrastructure by 2017. Guaranteed voice and text coverage from each operator ...
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Emergency measures to protect sea bass
As of today (28th January 2015) fishermen using pelagic trawls will not be able to target sea bass. The ban follows emergency measures announced by the European Commission to prevent fishing from the southern North Sea in the east round the south coast of England to the Irish Sea in the west. Closures are now in place until the end of April, having followed sustained lobbying for action across Europe to improve bass numbers and fish more ...
