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4 | 3RD - 9TH JUNE 2016 | UTILITY WEEK Power from sludge could help close energy gap Advances in anaerobic digestion and combined heat and power mean power from sludge could help to fill a looming energy gap, according to Veolia UK. "Human sewage could make a significant contribution to meeting our renewable targets, while keeping the lights on and taking pressure from the National Grid," said chief operating officer John Abraham. 11bn litres of human sewage produced every day in Britain. 1.6GWh of energy could be generated annually using sludge- derived biogas. 66% proportion of British sewage currently treated using anaerobic digestion. STORY BY NUMBERS Ofwat to move to CPI as part of 'major' reforms Seven days... O fwat has published its Water 2020 decision document, setting out a series of "major reforms", including the announcement that it is moving away from the use of the retail price index (RPI) measure of inflation towards the consumer price index (CPI), or CPIH, measure. Following a consultation, Ofwat has confirmed that it will phase out the use of the RPI measure of inflation and move towards a CPI-based measure, in line with government and Office of National Statistics advice. The reforms also include: measures to create new markets in sludge and water trading, which together could be worth £1.6 billion; a strengthened role and remit for customer challenge groups to help give customers an "increased role in water companies' decision- making"; and encouraging water companies to use direct procurement to deliver benefits for customers. Ofwat chief executive Cathryn Ross said: "The challenges posed by climate change and population growth mean we need bold, creative and innovative action to ensure we have reliable access to resilient, affordable water services in the future. Today we unveil a package of reforms to help set the sector on the path to secure that goal." Pennon Group chief execu- tive Chris Loughlin told Utility Week that direct procurement would create the potential for water companies to win whole- sale business from areas outside their own patches. "There are opportunities if you are an efficient company, and we think we are, if you can deliver capital schemes efficiently, which we think we can, and focus on what customers need," he said. "There are opportunities out of that as well as concerns." LV National media Weed killer levels rise in Jersey water supply Higher levels of a weed killer have been found in the water supply in Jersey, a new report has said. Oxadixyl, which has not been in use for 13 years, has been found in a reservoir and stream on the island. Jersey Water said levels of the chemi- cal had risen because there had not been enough rainfall to dilute it. The company insisted the water was safe to drink, and that the levels are acceptable under World Health Organisation guidelines. BBC News, 29 May Majority of Australians back renewables The Australia Institute report Securing Renewables: How Bat- teries Solve the Problem of Clean Electricity said polling indicated that 71 per cent of Australians would be more likely to vote for a party that supported distributed small-scale solar and storage. Based on a national opinion poll of 1,412 people undertaken between February and March 2016, the study also found 63 per cent of respondents would be more likely to support a party that aims to transition to 100 per cent renewable energy by 2030. The Guardian, 31 May Poland aims to end reliance on Russian gas Poland does not plan to renew a long-term gas supply contract with Russia when its current deal with Gazprom expires in 2022, a govern- ment official responsible for gas and power infrastructure said. Polish state-run gas firm PGNiG buys up to 10.2bcm of gas a year from Gazprom, accounting for the bulk of Poland's annual consump- tion of nearly 15bcm. To reduce its reliance on Russian gas, Poland has built its first liquefied natural gas terminal. Reuters, 30 May "The EU is our biggest source of foreign investment in energy" Writing for utilityweek.co.uk, energy minister Lord Bourne has backed a remain vote in the upcoming referendum on EU membership, citing benefits in controlling energy costs, security of supply and investment. For the full article, visit: http://bit.ly/1UrhEs7