Sainsbury: benefits of kinetic supermarkets may not match hype

In attempts to gain a credible green image with consumers, UK retailer Sainsbury has installed kinetic energy plates at its new store in Gloucester. Through the technology, the retailer will harness 'people power', using energy from customers' cars to power its tills. However, while energy-efficient stores present a positive image to customers, their benefits may not match the hype.

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Alstom: surviving on handouts

The bail out agreement between the French government and Alstom [ALS.PA] brings to an end weeks of confrontation between Paris and Brussels over the issue of state aid. However, the deal represents only a stay of execution for Alstom, which must offload businesses if it is to survive.

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Alstom: slimming down to survive

Siemens has bought Alstom's industrial turbines business. At E1.1 billion, Alstom has secured a good price for the unit. The sale also means that its E3 billion disposal program is off to an encouraging start. Much work remains to be done, however, if the company is to survive its E5 billion debt burden.

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Siemens: ready to steal Alstom's jewel

As one of the few areas of the power generation market where it really excels, selling the industrial gas turbine business will be a major blow for Alstom. Siemens would be getting a business that fits extremely neatly with its current portfolio and would add significant extra value.

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Channel integration: banks invest in software and services

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Powergen: wholesale slide puts power plants on ice

Powergen has become another victim of the low wholesale prices, with the announcement that it will temporarily close 1800MW of generating capacity at Grain and Killingholme plants. With UK generators being crippled by prices at below the cost of generation, it is critical that the government addresses the issue as part of its Energy Policy review.

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Shell/Bechtel: exploiting internal synergies for InterGen

Shell should seek to integrate its power venture InterGen into Shell Gas & Power and sell some regulated assets. Then Shell could either invest further downstream in the US electricity market or use its extensive US gas business to exploit the spark spread - rather than being the victim of it.

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MTU Friedrichshafen: on the offensive

Germany's MTU Friedrichshafen plans to reveal its new genset engine at the PowerGen Europe conference in Milan next week. At a time when the industry is adapting following the tech and telecoms bust, this move will cement MTU's dramatic rise from niche market player to high volume producer.

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Nationwide: rolling out smarter ATMs

Following a successful pilot of this new technology, UK building society Nationwide will install intelligent ATMs, initially in 81 branches countrywide. This is likely to be one of the first of a number of developments in the ATM space. Although it will free up staff for sales of higher value services, not all consumers will welcome the longer ATM queues.

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UK electricity: budget boost for CHP

The combined heat and power generation industry has been lobbying for the exemption for some time, as a way of counteracting the impact of NETA restrictions. This latest tax break is one of several measures that will help improve the Labour government's green reputation and increase power generation efficiency.

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