Growth & Innovation Fund Launched

The second phase of the Government's Growth and Innovation Fund (GIF) has been launched. The fund supports businesses in the UK to develop their skills solutions tailored to their own needs, transforming growth in their sector, region or supply chain.

The Department for Business, Innovation & Skills (BIS) is providing £34 million during 2012-13, added to an existing budget of £29 million. With matched funding from businesses there will be approximately £60 million available under GIF this year.

There are no minimum or maximum funding levels cited for individual projects. However, the selection criteria include looking at the scale and impact of proposals and how well proposed solutions meet priority needs identified by bidders in their sectoral analysis of what can unlock growth potential. For that reason, applications with a very small value will not generally be accepted. BIS expects most successful proposals to be on a relatively large scale requiring investment greater than £500,000 per annum over a period of approximately two years.

GIF is able to invest in a wide variety of ideas and is actively seeking proposals that:

• deliver demonstrably employer-led, innovative and future-proofed skills solutions;
• support the drive to greater ownership of skills by employers;
• use GIF investment alongside employer investment; and
• build sustainable skills capacity and infrastructure.

Applications are invited from Sector Skills Councils, Industry Training Boards, formally constituted Sector Bodies, National Skills Academies, Employer Associations, Trade Associations and Professional Bodies in the United Kingdom. Collaborative applications are welcomed from multiple sector organisations. In order to ensure the fund supports businesses in the different ways they work together to secure growth, the programme has also extended its eligibility to apply to local enterprise partnerships.

The first deadline for receipt of applications under the Fund's current phase is 31 January 2012.

Renewable Heat Premium Payment Scheme Launched

The Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) is a new Government initiative providing finance to non-domestic renewable heat generators and producers of biomethane in Great Britain.

Designed to revolutionise the way heat is generated and used, this is the first financial support scheme for renewable heat of its kind. Under the scheme's terms, organisations may to apply for assistance and, if successful, receive payments on a quarterly basis for heat generated over 20 years.

£860 million has been made available from central Government funding to support the RHI over the period 2011-2015.

The following technologies are included in the scheme:

• Biomass boilers (Including CHP biomass boilers).
• Solar Thermal.
• Ground Source Heat Pumps.
• Water Source Heat Pumps.
• On-Site Biogas combustion.
• Deep Geothermal.
• Energy from Municipal Solid Waste.
• Injection of biomethane into the grid.

The scheme is being introduced in two phases. In the first phase, long-term tariff support is targeted within the non-domestic sectors, focusing on high energy consumers, including the industrial, business and public sectors. These energy users contribute 38% of the UK's carbon emissions. Under this phase there is also support of approximately £15 million for households through the Renewable Heat Premium Payment.

The second phase of the RHI will see the scheme expanded to include more technologies as well as support for households. Details about the introduction of Phase 2 are expected to be announced in early 2012.

Generators of heat and producers of biomethane that are based in Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) may apply to the RHI, providing they meet the eligibility criteria, at any time. For further information please visit:

http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/meeting_energy/renewable_ener/incentive/incentive.aspx

Low Carbon Construction Conference - Invite

Invitation

Low Carbon Construction : Retrofit and the Green Deal (part of the Norfolk - Constructing the Future Conference) 1^st December, Norwich

At the next in the series of events on low carbon construction promoted by UEA’s Low Carbon Innovation Centre (LCIC) and InCrops Enterprise Hub we focus on the retrofit agenda including the Green Deal and an example of a local retrofit project. 

This event forms part of the programme of Norfolk –Constructing the Future Conference taking place from 9.00 until 16:00 (full details here http://www.buildnorfolk.co.uk/events/?eventid=46).

These events are free to attend and will be of interest to those involved in construction.

1^st December 9.00 – 16.00, John Innes Conference Centre, Norwich

During the morning of the conference LCIC will be presenting an overview of the Code 6 homes at Trinity Close, Rackheath and LCIC’s associated Embodied Carbon Study.  There will also be an opportunity to learn about the Low Carbon Innovation Fund at one of the breakout sessions taking place during the day.

In the afternoon (13.30 – 15.30) Low carbon construction:Retrofit and the Green Deal

Hear about

·         UEA low carbon construction projects – Ben Binns, Business Innovation Manager,  InCrops Enterprise Hub

·         The Green Deal Appraised – an opportunity? – Martin Ingham, Associate Consultant, Low Carbon Innovation Centre

·         ‘Retrofitting Broadland Housing Association’s Stock-lessons learnt’ – David Daniels, Consultant, Low Carbon Innovation Centre

Registration

To register for the both the low carbon construction event and the Norfolk – Constructing the Future Conference please go to http://www.buildnorfolk.co.uk/ (http://www.buildnorfolk.co.uk/events/?eventid=46) , click on the ‘Events’ tab and book on-line.  Information and booking for the session is in the ‘additional information’ section.

More information available on the InCrops website (http://www.incropsproject.co.uk/events/55)