Ecobuild 2011 March 2nd - 4th

Did you make it to this year’s Ecobuild at Excel, London? I visited the show for two days and was impressed with its size and attendance. Certainly bigger than last year’s show at Earls Court and possibly the biggest heating and energy show in the UK for the last few years since the recession hit.

I was amazed by the number of stands with Photo Voltaic panels and inverters on display, these tie in with the fact that this technology is supported by Government Feed in Tariffs (FIT) at present.

The Renewable Heat Initiative was finally announced on 10th March so most of the exhibitors could only discuss what they thought would be included. When Phase 1 scheme starts in July 2011 it will cover only certain technologies such as Biomass and Ground Source Heat Pumps on Commercial installations, Domestic installations and other technologies such as Bio Liquids will not be eligible untill Phase 2 implementation in October 2012 to tie in with the Green Deal programme.

EOGB has been working with OFTEC as a member of the Bio Fuel Taskforce in the development of a Bio fuel for the heating market, this was part of the original RHI proposals using a B30 Kerosene blend, and hopefully this will be carried over to Phase 2.

I certainly found some new opportunities for EOGB to follow up, the seminar programmes were extensive and presentations can be downloaded from the Ecobuild website at www.ecobuild.co.uk

Next year’s show will be 20th – 22nd March 2012 at Excel again, make sure you attend