Abstracts: February 18th, 2009

This programme is now available to view on egovtv.tv, the online television channel for public service modernisation. It describes how Southampton City Council in partnership with Utilicom will provide a decentralised energy system to 60 businesses across Southampton.

The benefits are that the energy system is away from the national grid. It is a localised system built around the needs of the city. Low carbon emissions and cheaper bills are the initial gains, but the connection cost to the energy is 25 per cent cheaper than other providers and operating costs are cut by between 5-10 per cent. There is also a saving on real estate as the energy system does not require boilers or chillers to be installed within the buildings it serves.

GovTV is a dedicated web-cast television channel for governors of public bodies, council members and senior executives across all public sector organisations and is available free to an unlimited audience at anytime, at any location via the internet.

The programme can be viewed at GovTV. www.localgov.tv