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Internet’s Energy Consumption:

Felipe — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 04:04:01 +0000

The Internet’s Energy Consumption and Its Carbon Footprint

Over the past few years there has been an ongoing debate about the growing amount of energy needed to power the World Wide Web, a.k.a the Internet, and the impacts on our environment. Many have tried to pin down the exact amount of energy needed to power the internet and its carbon footprint. Recently The Guardian published an article saying that the Internet’s carbon footprint was around 300 million tonnes of CO2 per year, equivalent to every person in the UK flying to America and back twice over.

The article was published in August and with the number of internet users growing by the day worldwide I wouldn’t be surprised if these figures were higher nowadays. According to the UN by the end of the year there will be 2 billion world internet users, that is 1/6 of world population.

Hypothetically, if these growth rates remain the same, the entire world would be online by 2020.

To measure the Internet’s exact power consumption and then determine its carbon footprint we would need to know the precise number of computers, laptops and mobile phones that are online these days (which we don’t). Add that to the amount of energy consumed by all the Data Centres worldwide to then determine the internet power consumption and its carbon footprint.

Scary isn’t it? But we gathered some data just to give you a better understanding of roughly how much energy is needed to power the World Wide Web these days.

Back in 2006, data centres in America consumed a total of 61,000,000,000 kWh (yes you read it right 61 trillion kWh), which is enough to power the UK for 2 whole months.

A single Google search produces 0.2g of CO2. Not that much right? But now, 3,100,000 Google searches emit enough CO2 to power an average house for a whole month.

The monthly searches processed by Google produce 260 tons of CO2 which is equivalent to power an American fridge-freezer for 5,400 years. This consumes 3,900,000 kWh of energy, which is equal to washing 5.57 million loads of laundry.

But wait, it gets worse! A single spam message produces the equivalent of 0.3 grams of CO2. Multiply that by 62 trillion pieces of spam circling the World Wide Web each year and we have the emissions equivalent of driving around the Earth 1.6 million times.

Despite its huge energy consumption the internet is likely to play an important role as we move towards a low carbon economy. Thanks to advances in communication technologies an estimated 40% of the working population could work from home. If 40% of American workforce worked from home twice a week, carbon emission would be reduced by 53 million metric tons year, equivalent of taking 10 million cars on the road.

If you would like more information on our range of energy broker services or would like to find out how this could benefit your business, simply call our energy team today on 0870 710 7560 or request a call back at time to suit.

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Facebook,Thanks For Higher Bills:

Catalyst Commercial Services Ltd — Sun, 14 Nov 2010 19:20:10 +0000

Is Facebook Responsible For Higher Energy Bills?

As a market leading energy broker we have noticed that the current generation is more committed to discovering and reducing its carbon footprint than ever before. But despite this growing awareness and our need to conserve and reduce our energy consumption, there is one thing that has changed our lifestyle, and increased our energy consumption like nothing else we have ever seen before. Facebook, the social networking site accounted for 1 in every 10 internet visits in September – up 4% from the same month last year, now overtaking popular search engines such as Google in the rankings.

Astonishingly Facebook now attracts 55% of all visits to social networking sites but others such as Twitter, Linkedin and Tumblr have seen visits at least double in the last 12-months, a recent report suggested.

With all of this increased online activity comes an obvious need for an increased supply of electricity, both from the millions of online users, to the huge new data centers needed to host all of this data. With its membership now passing the 500-million mark back in July, the storage and transmitting of messages, pictures and other information through Facebook uses a vast and still rapidly increasing amount of energy, as the network continues to expand its worldwide operations.

And with 4.5 billion updates posted to Facebook every week, the vast amount of energy needed for all of this online activity is enormous.

One of the pricing fundamentals of any commodity is the supply and demand factor, and with any increased demand, we see an impact on the supply and eventually the cost.

Because of Facebook’s rapid growth, their new hosting facility will need to be twice the size of its previous data centre, and to compound this issue the main source of electricity for the site is from coal fired power stations, the largest source of global warming pollution.

But this problem isn’t just limited just to Facebook, as the demand for cloud based applications grows Google, Facebook, Yahoo and others are investing billions of dollars to build new data centers to meet their growing demand for Web services, adding to the world pollution from computing.

In fact a recent study has estimated that the average user now spends at least 7-hours a month on Facebook alone, and reports suggest that this desire for social networking is set to increase further over the coming years.

Given that energy is an expensive and rising cost, these service providers do have a financial and environmental motivation to use as little electricity as possible.

But the implications for increased online activity is unlike anything that we have ever experienced before in our life times, and our desire and hunger for further social media interaction wont stop here.

Facebook is set to launch its latest Google taunting product on Monday, the long anticipated Facebook email system. The launch of an @facebook.com email is not itself a great surprise, as the existence of a secret project officially known as Project Titan has been circulating since February.

We just hope that our dwindling business energy supplies can cope long term with all of this increased use of energy.

More Facebook Facts

Facebook like served a billion likes in the first 24 hours after its launch
To put your friend count in perspective, the average user has 130
People spend over 500 billion minutes per month on Facebook, while the current active official user count now stands at over 500 million.
More than 2.5 billion pictures are uploaded to Facebook each month.
If Facebook were a country, it would be the fifth-largest country in the world, after China, India, the U.S., and Indonesia.
There are more than 800,000 developers building applications for Facebook.
70% of Facebook users live outside of the US.
Yahoo! tried to buy Facebook in 2006 for $1,000,000,000.
8,300,000,000 hours are spent on Facebook monthly.
Facebook was originally bankrolled by a co-founder of Paypal for $500,000

Please add your comments below as we would love to know your thoughts on this for you and your business.

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Energy Market Report Nov10:

Catalyst Commercial Services Ltd — Mon, 08 Nov 2010 01:46:14 +0000

Our monthly analysis of the UK gas and power markets is now available on line for the month of November 2010. The service is intended to keep you up to date with all the major news in Europe’s gas and power markets. It is also designed to keep power executives focused on market activity in an easy to digest format.

Your find our November 2010 report here and all historical energy reports can be located here.

If you would like more information on our services or would like to find out how this could benefit your business, simply call our energy team today on 0870 710 7560 or request a call back at time to suit.

Or you might want to subscribe for further updates direct from our site.

New Smart Water Meters:

Felipe — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 01:32:56 +0000

The new generation of Smart Water Meters is upon us

To measure and control your business water consumption in real time you will need to install a smart water meter. Also known as Automatic Meter Reading, these devices can bring numerous benefits to your business. The only down side to current water smart meters is that they are not as precise as an electricity smart meter, but this is about to change.

Sentec, the specialist smart metering company based in Cambridge, UK and Takahata, the precision engineering and water meter manufacturing company in Japan, are pleased to announce that the branding of their new joint venture, Aquiba (pronounced ‘Akeeba’), has been completed.

The Aquiba meter uses Sentec’s Sterling smart meter technology, applying electromagnetic sensing to create a meter with no moving parts, hence no wear or jamming. It provides unprecedented accuracy, even at low flow rates, enabling recording of all water usage and supports novel applications including precise leak detection. The smart technology features remote readout at frequent intervals, providing vital data to help utilities measure and manage their water networks efficiently.

Tom Fryers, Commercial Director at Sentec and leading the Aquiba team, comments, “This is an excellent partnership of two companies providing complementary skills – our Sterling water metering technology has already been proven in the market place and working with Takahata gives us the opportunity to manufacture some unique Aquiba branded products. We plan to trial with utility companies in Australia to ensure we incorporate all the smart features they need. We aim to provide utilities with a platform to build the intelligent networks that will be required in the future.”

Mr Yamamoto, CEO of Takahata Group says, “We are delighted with the progress our partnership with Sentec is making. This smart water meter and the future upgrades the technology allows opens up new, exciting markets. Aquiba smart water meters will be a valuable resource, especially in countries predicting water scarcity, where managing supplies is vital.”

Benefits of Smart Water Meters

Return on Investment typically less than 12 months
Billing on actual meter readings – reducing water charges
Rapid rectification of water leaks
Successful Monitoring and Targeting Programme reduces water consumption
Measure site against site
Control cost and manage future budgets

Detailed analysis of water usage can be broken down by building, department, tenant, equipment or shift. Automatic Meter Reading determines usage over time, identifies peaks, compares sites and correlates use with the offending equipment or personnel. It provides leak monitoring and helps leak detection and prevention.

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Top Ten Energy Saving Sites:

Felipe — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 06:38:32 +0000

Ten of the best Energy Saving Sites for Business

Top 10 Energy Saving Websites for Business Owners

The UK energy industry is going through some very important changes and as usual who is paying for it is us, business owners. We all know how hard it is these days to reduce our energy costs especially when energy and gas prices vary all the time.

Energy costs represent one of the biggest slices in the expenditures pie of any given business, be it small, medium or large sized companies, a well planed energy management plan can help save money and reduce end costs.

With that mindset we have compiled a list of what we think are the top ten websites that can aid you in your quest to reduce your business energy consumption, therefore its costs.

Energy Saving Trust: The Energy Saving Trust provides a range of resources to help your organisation reduce carbon dioxide emissions. It also has a scheme to stimulate demand and supply of the most energy efficient products and services available in the UK.

http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/

http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/business

Money Saving Expert: is dedicated to saving you money on anything & everything by finding the best deals and beating the system. It’s based on detailed journalistic research, cutting edge tools and has one of the UK’s largest web communities.

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/

Energy Helpline: Claims to be the UK’s leading home energy price comparison service. An independent price comparison service, which provides customers with advice on the best gas and electricity deals for home.

http://www.energyhelpline.com/

UK Energy Saving: is a consumer resource on energy saving and related topics including renewable energy, alternative fuels, recycling and water saving as well as sections on fairtrade and organic products. Set up by environmentally concerned individuals, it is the intention of the founders that UK Energy Saving provides consumers with the information they need when researching energy saving and green living.

http://www.uk-energy-saving.com/

http://www.uk-energy-saving.com/map-business-section.html

The Renewable Energy Centre: is the only UK based website offering a practical and easy to understand introduction to renewable technologies, advice on installation, a directory of contractors, links to non-profit renewable organisations and links to sources of funding for those willing to invest in renewable energy generation.

http://www.therenewableenergycentre.co.uk/advertise.html

http://www.therenewableenergycentre.co.uk/

Carbon Trust: is a not-for-profit company with the mission to accelerate the move to a low carbon economy. It provides specialist support to business and the public sector to help cut carbon emissions, save energy and commercialise low carbon technologies.

http://www.carbontrust.co.uk/Pages/Default.aspx

Enhanced Capital Allowance: helps business to claim 100% first-year capital allowances on their spending on qualifying plant and machinery. Businesses can write off the whole of the capital cost of their investment in these technologies against their taxable profits of the period during which they make the investment.

http://www.eca.gov.uk/

Energy Saving Secrets: has a wide selection of articles offering energy saving tips, reviews about energy saving products, green energy and case studies. The site is frequently updated with new article written by energy industry experts making it a valuable source for business owners looking for fresh ideas on how to save precious pounds on their energy bills.

http://www.energysavingsecrets.co.uk/

Big Green Switch: like the Energy Saving Trust, it is a portal where users can make an online power-cutting pledge. Lacks the super-slick presentation and interface of the Trust’s site, but packed with content. Covers everything from travel and transport to water saving to waste reduction.

http://www.biggreenswitch.co.uk/

National Energy Foundation: assist organisations, individuals and communities to reduce their carbon emissions and save money through providing advice and services in the renewable energy, energy efficiency and sustainable training areas.

www.nef.org.uk

All these websites can provide valuable information to help your business reduce its energy and gas bills but nothing like a fresh pair of eyes with relevant experience of achieving tangible results to uncover areas where significant improvements that may not have been previously identified.

As one of the largest UK’s independent energy brokers Catalyst Commercial Services provides an independent and fresh approach to evaluating opportunities that can add value.

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Reduce Your Business Water Bills:

Catalyst Commercial Services Ltd — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 08:11:55 +0000

How To Reduce Your Commercial Water Bills

Other than fresh air, water is the most important commodity in the world. Whether or not you agree with that statement, you cannot deny the fact that it is something that’s needed on a daily basis, and that you just can’t do without it, no matter who you are or where you are.

In today’s business environment, water bills are beginning to show up as a significant contributor to operating costs. Quite naturally, reduction of your company’s water bills has become an important topic of discussion today.

While there may be some high tech and expensive means of reducing water usage, there are still some day-to-day and more down-to-earth ways of avoiding waste and making your water consumption more efficient, let’s look a quick look at some of them.

Ensure That No Faucet is Leaking: Here are some salient but probably disturbing facts (if you’ve been ignoring a leaking faucet): when a faucet drips once every second and remains damaged for a month, it wastes about 260 gallons of water and this adds up to 3,100 gallons if it remains damaged for a year. Even if you can afford to pay for this, is it really necessary to waste all that water?
Check for invisible leaks: Occasionally, there could be a leak that is not visible to the eyes such as those in the main water line buried underground. One way of carrying out this test is to shut off all appliances that use water and then reading the meter. Leave this set up undisturbed for about half an hour, and read the meter again. If the reading increases during this time when it’s supposed to stay still, you know there’s a leak somewhere that weren’t previously aware of.
Use a Toilet Dam or Change the Toilet: Newer toilet models tend to use less water than the older ones. As a matter of fact, older toilets may sometimes consume thousands of gallons of water more than the newer models. Therefore spending a few pounds to buy the latest water-efficient toilet could result in significant long-term savings. On the other hand, if you use a toilet dam, it could block off a portion of the tank so that less water is consumed. This simple mechanism could also help you save hundreds of gallons yearly.
Avoid Flushing Every Other Item Down the Toilet: Do you know that every time you flush your toilet, you lose five to seven gallons of water. Is that much water really needed to get rid of an occasional facial tissue? Imagine the amount of waste that could happen in a place where there are a number of people doing this.
Water Audit: Ask us to conduct a free water audit on your current consumption. We can check for over charges and potential leaks that you may not be aware of.

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Aberdeen All Energy Show:

Felipe — Thu, 20 May 2010 07:30:16 +0000

All Energy Show in Aberdeen to Reveal Offshore Valuation Study

In its tenth consecutive year the All Energy show kicks off today in Aberdeen. According to the organisers this year’s show will feature 400 participating companies from the renewable energy sector representing 16 different countries.

Already a reference in the renewables sector the fair will feature a series of sessions about wind power, marine energy innovations and a few others all focused obviously in renewable energy generations. But one session in special is causing a lot of buzz.

For the first time ever a full economic valuation of Britain’s offshore renewable energy resources will be presented by the Offshore Valuation Group, a group of organisations from the public and private sector, chaired be the Public Interest Research Centre.

In short, the report said wind and wave power has the potential to generate the same amount of electricity as is currently achieved by North Sea oil and gas production. By achieving only a third of its full potential 145,000 jobs could be created and by 2050 the UK could export electricity.

Tim Helweg-Larsen, Director of PIRC, said: “To discover that we own a resource with the potential to return the UK to being a net power exporter, and on a sustainable basis, is genuinely exciting, and a wake-up call to those in a position to foster the further development of this industry.”

Such potential associated with Government incentives, private funding, technical expertise and development projects in hand is pushing the Highlands and Island into pole position globally when the subject is green energy generation.

The co-operative Bank, a bank specialised in small to medium renewable projects of up to £25m will use the event to launch a new Scottish renewables team. The Co-operative also announced that it has designated £200m for renewable projects which will be mostly spent in Scotland.

Meanwhile governing bodies are preparing the sector to avoid the same errors committed by the oil and gas industry. Brian Nixon, Chief Executive of Aberdeen based industry forum Decom North Sea wants companies planning to invest in renewable energy operations to present a decommissioning plans to demonstrate how they will fund these projects at the end of their life spans.

“Where the oil and gas industry did not always think ahead and consider what would happen to installations at the end of their lifespan, the people behind the ongoing wind developments can think about how they are getting infrastructure in place and how it will be taken away afterwards.” he said

And added:

“By taking this action, they will ensure future projects are truly sustainable and environmentally appropriate.”

If all the predictions made by the Offshore Valuation Study are met, Britain is on its way towards a low carbon economy not to mention that this is a huge boost towards meeting our Climate Change Bill agreements.

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UK Energy Market Review – Apr10:

Catalyst Commercial Services Ltd — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 11:24:32 +0000

The Catalyst Business Energy Market Brief – April 2010

The Catalyst UK energy market brief, is a brief analysis of short and long term key energy market drivers, effecting gas and electricity prices, market conditions and future energy price outlook. The monthly report helps you make an informed decision about your commercial energy procurement strategy.

Click Here for the latest Catalyst energy market brief.

Subscribe for further energy market updates here:

Fears Of A Water Crunch:

Catalyst Commercial Services Ltd — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 16:22:38 +0000

Water and waste contractors are gearing up for “substantial challenges” after Ofwat’s final budget allowances for capital expenditure fell almost £2 billion short of what the largest clients claimed to need for the next five years.

The water regulator last week earmarked a total of £22.1bn for capital expenditure across the country’s 21 business water and sewerage and water-only firms under Asset Management Period 5.

A total of £20.7bn of the expenditure will come from the UK’s 10 largest water and sewerage groups – but the figure falls considerably short of the £22.4bn they told the regulator they would require for their 2010 to 2015 programmes.

The deficit had been much larger under the regulator and industry’s draft plans, with companies having originally claimed to need £27.4bn and Ofwat only promising £19.1bn. Contractors said the determinations were higher than they were expecting in the current climate, but were likely to mean the need for cost savings.

Black & Veatch managing director Chris Scott said: “Broadly speaking, the settlement is positive, but not without substantial challenges. “The increase in capital expenditure between the final determination and the draft determination is welcome.

However, it is important to remember that water companies are not a homogenous group; as a result, the determination will affect different companies in different ways.”

May Gurney chief executive Philip Fellowes-Prynne said it was most likely water firms would curtail their spending on the construction of new assets first, adding: “The likes of mains replacement and maintenance work will still be required, and obviously if you have water quality problems they need to be addressed.”

Costain’s group strategy and business development director Stephen Wells suggested that while water contractors had the right to negotiate deferrals for new projects, it was not the norm.

He said: “It would be wrong to say everything will go according to plan. The capital expenditure programmes will come under pressure but, under EU directives, the UK Plcs have an obligation to deliver assets.”

Mr Wells said contractors had expected the determinations to be tight. He added: “It is never ideal, but in our strategic planning we have taken account for these sort of eventualities.

“It is not about cutting margins, but clearly there are challenges for a lot of the Plcs to find efficiency savings, and it will be important to value engineer to help them get more asset for less cost.”

The water companies have two months to respond to Ofwat’s decision but some – including South West Water and Thames Water – have already highlighted funding deficits.

UK Water Leaks:

Catalyst Commercial Services Ltd — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 16:40:36 +0000

A mind boggling 3.3 billion litres of water was lost every day in 2007-8 from leaking pipes across Britain, figures out yesterday revealed. The amount is equivalent to more than 1,300 Olympic-sized swimming pools. The Liberal Democrats, who obtained the figures, want to give water regulator Ofwat the power to set stricter leakage targets and stiffer fines for water firms. Environment spokesman Tim Farron said: “Year after year, people have seen their water bills shoot up while a ridiculous amount of water is still being wasted.”

Water Savings:

Catalyst Commercial Services Ltd — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 22:33:55 +0000

Swimming pool owners, those with large gardens and those in areas prone to droughts should be moved onto water meters as a matter of urgency, with companies using satellite images from Google Earth and aerial photographs to ascertain heavy water users. These are just some of the recommendations put forward by Anna Walker, a leading civil servant, in her 220-page interim report into domestic water bills, commissioned by the Department for the Environment. It warns that all families should brace themselves for “substantially higher” water bills over the coming decade, as Britain’s water supply steadily falls because of climate change. It suggests a raft of radical changes to both the water industry and consumers’ behaviour, including:

Households struggling to pay bills in areas where tariffs are high should receive a “water benefit” of up to £170. Every household in Britain should eventually be moved onto a water meter, at cost of £3 billion. Lavatories with large cisterns and large shower heads should be banned from being sold.

Domestic appliances should carry water efficiency labels, with the least efficient washing machines and dishwashers outlawed. A spokesman for Anna Walker said: “This should be seen as a wake up call. Water is going to become much more scarce in summer because of climate change, and the population is increasing.

“We either spend billions on desalination plants and building extra water storage, or we do something about saving water now.”

Water companies have the power to force swimming pool owners to move onto water meters, but according to the report most do not enforce their powers and the majority of the estimated 210,000 pool owners are on rates – paying no more for their water than neighbours without pools.

The Anna Walker team believe “as a matter of urgency” legislation should be passed to make it mandatory for companies to move high water user customers onto meters, using – if need be – Google Earth and garden inspectors to find out who is using sophisticated watering systems, pools and ponds.

The report also believes that everyone in the south east, south west and areas of low rainfall should be moved onto meters, potentially pushing up bills for large families substantially.

The report was warmly welcomed by environmental campaigners, but consumer groups cautioned that some customers – who wouldn’t qualify for water benefit – could be hit disproportionately hard.

Tony Smith, chief executive of the Consumer Council for Water, said: “There are already a large number of customers struggling to pay their water bills and we have concerns they could suffer significantly.”

Water Flow Restrictors:

Catalyst Commercial Services Ltd — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 18:21:50 +0000

Thames Water has asked a group of MPs working on new legislation for the industry to consider the use of water flow restrictors. Flow restrictors, also known as trickle flow meters, are used in parts of Australia to disrupt a home’s water supply with the aim of inconveniencing non-paying customers into paying their bills.

However, in the UK water companies are not legally allowed to do this and Thames Water wants Parliament to explore the possibility. The key issue for the firm, which announced a profit of £435.1M earlier this month, is that gas and electric companies have the power to cut supplies to customers who don’t pay.

The group, which provides drinking water for 8.5m customers, also beleive bad debt adds £11-a-year to honest customers’ bills. David Owens, Thames Water’s chief executive, said: “First things first, no one is going to get cut off. “We don’t want to cut anyone off, and we’re not allowed to anyway.

A law change would be required before water firms could use flow restrictors, so they’re not going to be in action any time soon – if at all. “Even if they were used, there would be no health implications. These devices would simply reduce flow, not cut it completely. “We’ve currently got £45m of ‘bad debt’ – in other words, outstanding bills. “That adds £11-a-year to the bills of honest customers who do pay, and that can’t be right. “That’s why we’ve asked a group of MPs who are drafting some new legislation to make chasing down non-payers easier for water firms – so it’s fairer for the rest of us. “One of the things we’ve asked them to consider is restrictors, which are used in some parts of Australia to lessen the flow of water to non-payers in order to inconvenience them into paying.

“We don’t even want to use flow restrictors – and right now we’re unsure how we would use them anyway – but we do think they need looking at as a last resort for customers who are perfectly able to pay but refuse to do so. “But we’ll leave the final call on this to the MPs whose job it is to decide. And finally, let’s be absolutely clear: we’re after the won’t pays – not the can’t pays. “If you genuinely can’t pay your bill, we can discuss a range of ways to help you, including financial assistance through our Charitable Trust, a £5m fund set up to help customers in need.”

Water Meters:

Catalyst Commercial Services Ltd — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 14:31:18 +0000

As the Environment Agency calls for water meters in virtually all homes in England and Wales, we look at some of the issues for consumers. Most meters use a positive displacement chamber which has a fixed amount of water flowing through it that turns a dial to measure water usage for a household. Meters are usually installed in the most suitable location determined by the pipe layout, which may be in the road, garden or indoors. You local water company will then visit to check your water meter reading and calculate how much to charge, much like gas and electricity meters. All homes built since 1990 are fitted with water meters. It is estimated about a third of properties have them.

The argument in favour of a meter is straightforward: You pay for what you use. The Consumer Council for Water found customers considered metering to be the fairest billing method, but they still liked to have a choice. The Environment Agency makes the case that paying per volume is the fairest way to pay and that it gives people an incentive to use less water, benefiting the environment. To meter everybody regardless of their circumstances or how many children they have is absolutely a recipe for disaster

It is said homes with meters use on average 10% to 15% less water than those without. People who cut their water use often find other bills fall as well, as about 40% of energy bills go on heating water for washing dishes and clothes, bathing and showering. Another benefit is the meter allows you to see whether you have a leak. Domestic customers are entitled to a “leakage allowance”, so you do not have to pay for the water lost through a proven leak, according to the Consumer Council for Water. Water UK, which represents water companies, said metering also allowed the possibility to introduce more adapted tariff structures in the future. The disadvantages of meters are that your bills may rise.

The Campaign for Water Justice said the poorest and most lowly-paid households could end up facing higher bills. “To meter everybody regardless of their circumstances or how many children they have is absolutely a recipe for disaster,” said Neil Fishpool, from the campaign group.

Expensive Bottled Water:

Catalyst Commercial Services Ltd — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 23:38:13 +0000

The consumer backlash against expensive, bottled water is gathering momentum, according to two related studies this week which reveal that more of us are content with that plain old, dirt cheap stuff that comes straight out of a tap. First of all, the UK’s restaurant-goers overwhelmingly prefer to choose tap water over bottled, according to a brand new survey issued to tie in with UN World Water Day 2009, which fell on 22 March.

The research, commissioned by international charity, WaterAid reveals that tap water is the preferred choice for 63% of people when they dine out. Over 23.5 million people prefer to order tap water with their meals rather than bottled. Yet despite this, one in four people surveyed said they have felt pressured to order bottled water when dining out.

More and more UK restaurants are offering tap water to diners as standard, which is already the norm in the US. But you still often have to ask for it – with the associated embarrassment that can cause. WaterAid’s drinking water survey also shows that women are more likely to choose tap water, while men are more inclined to have bottled water with their meal. And where people live also seems to make a difference – people in Greater London and Scotland are the most likely to choose bottled water, whereas those dining out in the South East and East Anglia are happy with a good old jug of tap.

The popularity of bottled water soared in the 1990s and the early 2000s, but is now s-o-o-o yesterday, according to figures from market research company TNS. Last year the on-going year-on-year increase in sales was halted and sales actually fell by 9%. The Guardian has highlighted what an expensive and unnecessary adornment bottled water is, even singling out Bling H2O – in frosted glass bottles adorned with Swarowski crystals and a mere snip at $55 a bottle – as the ultimate eco-unfriendly product. Tap water costs around 0.1p a litre at home. Surely it’s a no-brainer?

Which do you drink – bottled or tap? Which restaurants would you single out for their refreshing attitude to offering tap water, and which are still swimming against the consumer current?

Oil Price Drivers:

Catalyst Commercial Services Ltd — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 22:18:16 +0000

Commodity prices could be caught up in a storm as recent volatility continued yesterday. Hurricane Gustav is threatening oil production in the Gulf of Mexico, and the potential disruption is starting to put upward pressure on oil and gas prices after recent falls. Yesterday gas prices in Britain dived but oil rose. Low demand and healthy supply drove down gas prices to 49p per therm from Friday’s prompt price of 65p, which had been caused by a drop in flows into Scotland. However a rebound in flows into Scotland over the weekend, as well as low demand for gas in the UK and in continental Europe, caused the 25% fall in price. “Gas has come back and the Europeans don’t seem to want any,” said one trader. “It’s low demand more than anything.” The price of gas on the forward market for this winter fell yesterday by about 5p to 96.5p per therm and summer 2009 slipped to 81.5p, as oil prices fell below $114 a barrel. Oil fell as the dollar hit a six-month high against the euro after weak German data highlighted a flagging euro zone economy. Investors see oil, and other commodities, as less attractive as an inflation hedge when the dollar is strong. However Hurricane Gustav, a category one hurricane which is strengthening in the central Caribbean, is threatening to disrupt oil and gas output off the coast of America which caused an afternoon rise to $117 a barrel. “Short term trading on oil should now be dominated this week by tracking Gustav,” said Olivier Jakob, an oil analyst at Petromatrix in Switzerland. Forecasters are predicting the hurricane will enter the Gulf of Mexico as a major storm by the weekend. The Gulf is home to about 25% of American oil production and 15% of its natural gas output. One of the largest oil and gas producers in the region, Royal Dutch Shell, has said it would begin evacuating nonessential personnel from offshore facilities later today. The conflict in Georgia has so far had little influence on oil prices, despite some disruption to Azeri oil shipments through the country. Edward Meir, analyst at MF Global, said: “Energy markets have not yet focused on what this latest escalation could mean for a potential disruption in energy supplies. “Until we get better clarity on this latter issue, we expect the price reverberations from this situation to be relatively contained.” The former chief executive of BP, John Browne, yesterday predicted that oil prices would bottom out at $80-$100 a barrel. “It is difficult to see oil prices much below $100, so $80-$100,” Mr Browne said at the ONS oil and gas conference in Norway. “As a flow, predicting the ceiling is difficult.” Oil has fallen sharply from July’s record high of $147, on the back of falling demand, however it remains up 15% in 2008.

The UK's Largest Energy Blog - Catalyst-Commercial.co.uk » Commercial Water

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