Energy Saving Week 2009

Energy Saving Week is an annual event hosted by the Energy Saving Trust. This year the event runs from 19th – 25th October and will be important for our pockets as well as the planet.

In the spirit of the event, the EcoSearch team brings you their top tips for saving energy;

Debby Lloyd, Managing Director

“for all those with teenagers - outsource them to university and watch your electricity bills halve! If you have latch-key kids - when you arrive home from work to find they have used the "advance" heating button on the boiler and the thermostat is set on 30 degrees! Open your wall thermostats and set the stopper at 18 degrees - force them to use jumpers! Oh, and turn off the gas on the gas fire so they can't use that either. Use a slow cooker in the winter instead of the oven - Lakeland has a great little gadget called a Remoska that literally uses the energy from a light bulb to effectively cook food!”

Phillip Clement, Director

“Work longer hours - this has numerous energy saving benefits. You use the lights and heating at work not at home. Your drive into the office and home will be in less traffic so you will use less petrol. When you get home you're so knackered you'll want to go to bed without any dinner which means you won't use the cooker and you won't need to put the lights on and you have to get up so early you won't feel like breakfast and you can wait till you get to the office to have a cup of tea so you won't need to boil the kettle.”

Mark Sawyer, Senior Partner

I recommend taking the Home Energy Check questionnaire via the Energy Saving Trust website. Considering my home working, mother and child at home all day every day with the heating on, I was surprised to get the results back and find that on an A-G rating I am currently a C. I have currently done everything possible that they suggest in their report email to reduce my carbon footprint except for getting thicker loft insulation and changing some more light bulbs... A worthwhile use of 5 minutes, especially if you are very new to thinking about saving energy.”

Clare Buxton, Wind Energy Sector Lead

“Don’t leave appliances on Standby and remember not to leave laptops and mobiles phones on charge unnecessarily. I always find myself going around the house behind the rest of the family turning off the things they’re finished with like computers, the TV and games consoles.”

Katharine Robinson, Research Associate

“Don’t put on any laundry unless you have a full load – one full load uses a lot less energy that two half loads – it’s better to wait. I have never used a tumble dryer either. I try to dry as much clothes as possible outside on the washing line, or if it’s just too rainy use an indoor airer.”

We did a series of blog posts last year for Energy Saving Week – you may find there interesting too;

• Energy Saving Week - Saving energy around the office and at home
• Energy Saving Week - Greener Driving
• Energy Saving Week - Greener Shopping
• And as the end of October approaches, check out this post on Greening your Halloween.

We hope you save lots of pennies this week

The EcoSearch team

All-Energy ’09 Round-up

The EcoSearch team had a great time in Abredeen last week at the All-Energy ’09 conference and exhibition. Some of the team give their thoughts on this coming together of the Renewables community in 2009.

Debby Lloyd:
Managing Director

“This year's show was markedly different to last year’s - a broader range of technologies on show representing the maturing renewable energy markets. Many businesses were in attendance that are not in mainstream renewables but were clearly looking for an angle to come in on it. Now the "mighty" are throwing their weight behind technology development it will be interesting to see what happens. Interesting views from the Oil and Gas community, who in general were surprised at the "low tech" approaches encountered ... not surprising when oil and gas technology is priced for the BPs of the world - and that's clearly not been in the renewable energy budget to date!”

Clare Buxton:
Sector Lead for Wind Energy

“What a busy week! All-Energy was a stimulating and informative exhibition and conference with some interesting and considered presentations from industry experts. It was noteworthy that whilst some of the largest contributors to the (UK) industry and utility companies had chosen not to exhibit this year, many new (even potential) members of the renewable energy community were exhibiting for the first time. As observed by Adam Bruce of BWEA at the Connect networking event on Tuesday, the growing number of legal, marketing and recruitment organisations providing services into the sector are a sign of the sudden maturity of an industry that was only in its infancy five years ago.”

Steven Rogers:
Sector Lead for Carbon and Renewable Energy Engineering“All-Energy is always one of the busiest and most enjoyable weeks in my calendar and this year’s show proved to be as good as its predecessors.

Over the last few years it has been a real pleasure watching businesses grow from pre-development/‘model’ stage to where they are today, often at the technology deployment stage or business commercialisation stage. In simple terms we have gone from small scale models to these amazing technologies being in existence and use. My lasting impression is that real and quantifiable progress is being made in the renewable energy industry and that it is set to continue.”

Katharine Robinson:
Research Associate and Global Information Management

“My mission for this year’s All-Energy conference was to demonstrate the power of Twitter for building relationships in the Renewable Energy industry. All-Energy had taken me up on my suggestion to run a twitter account and managed to gain 120 followers in the run up to the event. I had managed to build a list of 30 twitter users, other than the folks at EcoSearch, which would be attending the show. The first person I met at All-Energy was a tweeter Clare and I have been following for several months. He came up and introduced himself right as the exhibition started on Wednesday morning. The team and I had some great chats with folks we had connected with via twitter and it was great to see the show covered on this additional layer.”

Phillip Clement:
Director

“Great to see an increasing number of companies dipping their toe into the market - bringing their own flavour and adaptation of their existing services, this is a step change in attitude and acceptance that "it's here to stay" and not a fad. As an engineer and investment manager I am however amazed at the number of Heath Robinson contraptions that are still being presented, perhaps the big boys will make a difference and finally put some weight and money behind some realistic and serious R&D.”

Did you attend the conference? What were your lasting impressions?

We Can’t Wait To Meet You At All-Energy '09

It’s finally here, All-Energy ’09, the UK’s largest renewable energy event. The EcoSearch team took an early flight to Aberdeen this morning, here’s some of the team looking bleary at Luton Airport as we gulp down the day’s first cup of tea.

We arrived in Aberdeen and were told by locals at the AECC conference centre that the best place to get breakfast was the van in B&Q car park. Unable to argue with local knowledge, we got straight back into our hire car (as packed as it was with seven people and all their luggage) and headed to B&Q. It was only a minute from the AECC and we were cooked up the best breakfast rolls of our lives! If you’ve got time to stop by before the conference, it’s well worth the tiny detour!
Back at the AECC and it was a hive of activity. The majority of stands were still spookily bare. It’s always difficult to believe that in less than 24 hours this cavernous empty space will be transformed into an immaculate display of the Renewable Energy industry at its finest.

As a quick reminder before you hit the conference, or if this is the first time you are reading about All-Energy 09, here are a few useful links to familiarise yourself with the exhibition and conference details:

All-Energy 09 home page
All-Energy 09 exhibitor list
All-Energy 09 conference guide
Follow All-Energy on Twitter @AllEnergy

And of course @EcoSearch will be tweeting live from the show via twitter.

Stand E15 will be the team’s home for the next couple of days. We would love for you to stop by and say hello.

See our previous article on using twitter for conferences here to learn more.

25 random things about EcoSearch

As you may have noticed, there has been a meme craze sweeping Facebook in the last few months, where users list 25 random things about themselves so their friends can learn more about them.

We liked the idea and thought you might like to learn 25 random things about EcoSearch;

1. EcoSearch can reach candidates across more than 82 different vertical markets in more than 32 countries.
2. We’re already planning our expansion in Australia and the USA as a result of some of specialist skills demand we’ve already been able to meet for our clients.
3. We were the first global Executive Search organisation to exhibit at the annual All-Energy conference in Aberdeen in 2007. See us at stand E15 this year in May.
4. Our wind energy team, led by Clare Buxton have been instrumental in the deployment of wind energy projects and wind technology development in the UK, France, Germany and Eastern Europe.
5. The cleantech team believe that the skill shortage in technology for operational development in the USA will stall any presidential investment.
6. The thermal energy team has been paramount in the creation of many new departments and new companies.
7. Phillip Clement is currently involved in putting a team together for a 200m euro green golfing complex in the Algarve.
8. The talent that we have provided to our clients is deployed in high profile projects from the Isle of Wight Eco Island Project and the European Space Agency.
9. We’ve just been shortlisted for the Recruiter Awards 2009.
10. We are not tofu eaters or tree huggers – although Debby does lay claim to having a productive wormery!
11. Many in our team enjoy environmentally friendly water based sports – all of us enjoy frozen water based sports (i.e. Snowboarding, skiing etc)!
12. We are a high growth SEEDA (South East England Development Agency) Portfolio Company and as such share many synergies with the high growth innovation companies we work with.
13. Between us we have 41 years experience in recruitment and executive search.
14. This blog is read by people across 33 countries/territories, as far afield as New Zealand and Singapore.
15. The EcoSearch team includes keen sailors with plans to sail around the world in the EcoSearch yacht.
16. We believe that it’s not all about “Recruiting”. EcoSearch is passionate about delivering added value to its clients and candidates, acting as a go-to point for ideas and relationship creation amongst the biggest and best “green” companies.
17. Between them, the EcoSearch team can converse across four languages.
18. The EcoSearch offices are located on the old Greenham common in Newbury. Rumoured to be an old haunt of Dale Vince, CEO of Ecotricity (maybe he would like to confirm this, we wouldn’t want to be accused of casting aspersions).
19. EcoSearch directors Debby Lloyd and Phillip Clement are honorary advisors to The Catlin Arctic Survey.
20. EcoSearch has a Facebook page. You can become a fan if you like, just follow the link on the right of this web page.
21. Steven Rogers’ first job was issuing cow passports.
22. The team’s favourite crisps seem to be Hula Hoops. We sometimes say that we are powered by tea and Hula Hoops.
23. Between us we will connect to between 150 and 200 renewable energy professionals in any one week.
24. Katharine Robinson knits. Her projects to date include a ball gown, suit and a cat-suit. If you are interested, there are details online... somewhere.
25. We are serious, but honestly, when the planet is falling apart around you, a sense of humour is essential.

Feel free to leave a link to 25 things about you...

One Month of the EcoSearch ‘Dot Green’ Blog

It has been my pleasure to administer the EcoSearch Blog over the last month. The team here have shown real commitment to creating content. I look forward to doing this for a long time to come.

Our most popular topics so far have been:

· Clare Buxton’s week-long series on the talent shortage facing the wind energy sector
· Steven Rogers’ post on entering the renewable energy market
· Debby Lloyd’s thoughts on Carbon Forum UK
· EcoSearch’s guide to your green career

This is a picture of some of our team at All-Energy ’08.



All the major blog contributors are here, from left to right: Phillip Clement, Katharine Robinson, Debby Lloyd, Mark Sawyer, Clare Buxton and Steven Rogers.

Big EcoSearch news includes:

EcoSearch are honorary advisors to the Arctic Survey - there are still corporate sponsorship opportunities left!
Debby Lloyd spoke at Carbon Forum UK
We are already getting excited about All-Energy ’09 in May; we will be there on stand C4.
EcoSearch visited the Energy Solutions Expo in London
Lots of hot jobs available on the EcoSearch website

Katharine Robinson

EcoSearch’s First 'Dot Green' Blog Post

Like many firsts this one has been avidly anticipated, but by who?

Those who knew it was coming of course! Those of us most acutely aware of this blog launch work in the EcoSearch office. We like to consider ourselves expert consultants in our various ‘green’ fields.

Take a moment to meet the team that will be regular contributors to the blog and find out their areas of expertise: 

Clare - Wind and Solar Energy

Debby – Green IT and Marine Renewables

Katharine  – Using Web2.0 to get your EcoJob

Mark – Sustainability and Climate Change Consulting

Steven – Carbon Markets & Low Carbon Technologies 

Guests – The people we meet every day working to make our world a cleaner place

Coming up over the next couple of weeks:

Our first posts will form a 5 day series discussing the talent shortage in the wind energy industry:

“A Working Week to Solve the Wind Energy Talent Shortage”

Clare Buxton, our resident expert, will take you through the issues step by step. Whether you are a company hiring or someone already working in the industry looking to be hired, you will find something here to help. The series begins on Monday 15^th September.

Stay tuned for more exciting and helpful content from our other industry experts.

We look forward to receiving your comments. Don’t forget to subscribe via RSS using the buttons on the right and get EcoPosts hot off the press.