….but not the kind you’d expect! This guy has found a novel way to entertain himself on a rainy day.

Have a great weekend everyone!

BP announced yesterday in their annual Energy Outlook report that over the next two decades the renewable sector will continue to be the fastest growing in the global energy market.  Growth is expected at an average of eight per cent a year up to 2030 which is much higher than the predicted growth for natural gas at two per cent a year. However, despite the increase in demand for energy, which is predicted at 39 per cent over the period, renewables will still only account for 19 per cent of the global energy output compared to fossil fuels 81 per cent. The report warned that, without major technological breakthroughs, the roll-out of green technologies will fail to deliver net reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. Global CO2 emissions could rise by 28 per cent over the next two decades, although with more aggressive policies we could see a decline by 2030. “This report is by turns challenging, fascinating and stimulating for anyone in the energy business. It helps us to be both realistic and optimistic,” said BP chief executive Bob Dudley in a statement. “It shows there are things we can’t change, like the underlying drivers of energy demand, and things we can change, like the way we satisfy that demand.”

The north-east of England has been congratulated by transport minister Norman Baker, after it was found to have the most charging points for electric cars. The North East was one of the first three areas in the country to provide charging points and by the end of January, 300 points will have been installed running all the way from Middlesbrough to Berwick. The aim of the Charge Your Car project, launched in 2010, is to have over 1000 charging points installed by 2013 in residential areas, at businesses and in public car parks.

Mr Baker said: “These cutting edge vehicles have the potential to revolutionise motoring in this country but they will only be a truly viable option if drivers are able to easily re-charge.” If more initiatives like the Charge Your Car project are introduced, electric vehicles could become more common throughout the UK.

A slow start for the Plug-In Car Grant scheme has not caused it to be scrapped as the government has today reassured the green car sector will continue until 2015. The scheme which offers 25% off the price of eligible electric and plug-in hybrid cars up to a value of £5,000, is costing £300m to run. It was also announced that the scheme was being extended to include plug-in vans at a discount of 20% up to the value of £8,000.

“Car buyers have had a year to take advantage of our grant and now it’s time for van buyers to get their chance to go electric,” said Transport Minister Norman Baker in a statement. “This is great news for businesses given the lower running costs of these vehicles – fleet buyers tell us that this is one of the most important factors influencing their decision on what to buy.”

Freight operators and their customers can breathe a sigh of relief as TfL are introducing support packages to help them operate effectively during the London 2012 Games. The Freight Advice Programme includes free workshops to businesses in Games transport ‘hotspot’ areas who are either receiving freight deliveries or those that deliver. These workshops will start at the end of January and run up until the end of April to allow plenty of time for companies to make sufficient plans. Sessions are not limited to London, but will also be taking place in Southampton, Manchester, Cardiff and Birmingham due to the high concentration of businesses that supply London.

Some of London’s famous markets including Covent Garden market, Spitalfields, Billingsgate and Smithfield will also benefit from the programme. Starting this month, each market will be assigned an advisor who will ensure that tenants, customers and suppliers are aware of the transport challenges of the Games and are given support to put the necessary plans in place to help them continue to run smoothly during the summer. Advisors are also available for smaller local businesses including retailers, restaurants and pubs in the ‘hotspot’ areas.

London’s Transport Commissioner Peter Hendy said, “Ensuring that London’s supermarkets, restaurants and pubs remain stocked this summer will be critical to the overall success of the London 2012 Games. Businesses based in transport ‘hotspot’ areas that make or receive freight deliveries need to start planning now to ensure they continue to operate effectively – and profitably – next summer.

Yesterday we showed you how to control certain functions of the Ford electric car via a smartphone app, today we show you how to drive your car remotely from an iphone!

Have a great weekend everyone!