News

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The Sun Shines as the Fantastic Home Visits Keyworth Show

Mon, 23 July 2012

Despite a poor forecast the weather was glorious until five minutes from the end of the show and the people of Keyworth seemed determined to make the best of the day and enjoy their show. MEA’s volunteer Diane, Sheila and Jenny from Rushcliffe Borough Council, and Tim Baldwin of MEA were kept busy for most of the day. There was a great deal of interest in the WATT Bike with both parents and children battling to see who could generate enough to power their favorite gadgets for the longest.
 
There were several referrals for loft and cavity wall insulation and lots of interesting conversations about renewable technologies, especially about a switch that has been developed that allows a solar PV array to charge up the immersion heater in the home once there is enough sunlight. There was also a lot of interest in the government’s new Green Deal scheme and what it might provide for householders.
 
All in all a great day out!

Fantastic Home visits Chesterfield

Mon, 23 July 2012
The Fantastic Home visited Chesterfield on a warm sunny day, and we were luckily enough to have a local representative from WarmZone to assist us. We were swiftly very busy, fielding questions about the potential Green Deal, replacing boilers and solid wall insulation.
 
We had our large solar panel on display and this prompted a lot of discussion about renewable technologies, some people wanting to design and build their own units. We were even able to assist a new local installer wishing to break into the market.
 
Most people had already undertaken cavity wall or loft insulation but we were able to take three referrals for new installations.

Commmunity Strand of Renewable Heat Premium Payment to Launch

Tue, 17 July 2012

On Tuesday 24 July the Minister of State for Climate Change, Gregory Barker will announce the launch of the Renewable Heat Premium Payment (RHPP) Phase 2 Communities Scheme (subject to Ministerial business). This is a new and innovative funding mechanism to assist communities in England, Wales and Scotland to support domestic renewable heat installations in privately owned homes, in particular focusing on off gas communities.

A launch event will set in motion the process for community groups to register their interest with Energy Saving Trust by the beginning of September. Registered projects that pass the stage one application will progress to the development phase, where communities will be supported throughout the autumn to develop their ideas into project proposal bids. These project bids will be independently assessed and winners announced later in the year.

Location:

The event will be held in St. Martin’s Hall at:

St. Martin-in-the-Fields,

Trafalgar Square,

London

WC2N 4JJ

Location information can be found here. 

This event will be an excellent opportunity for you to gain more information about how you can get involved, the application process and to ask questions about the new scheme. The agenda for the day can be found here. There are a limited number of places available and these will be allocated on a first come first served - so be sure to apply early to avoid disappointment.

 

Please complete the online registration form available here to secure a place at the launch. Should you have any queries please don’t hesitate to contact Energy Saving Trust's communities team by emailing communities@est.org.uk or calling 02920 467 015.

Transition Belper Wins ‘Community Energy Challenge’ Funding

Tue, 3 July 2012
 Transition Belper in Derbyshire has won a share of £200,000 worth of support to help develop community-owned renewable energy projects. The group is one of just seven in the UK to win a national competition, set up by the Co-operative and the Centre for Sustainable Energy (CSE). The aim is to energise the community-owned energy sector and bring about a clean energy revolution across the UK.
 
The Co-operative wants to see a dramatic increase in community owned renewable energy generation and hope that the winning communities will demonstrate replicable technologies and the benefits of community ownership that can leave a lasting legacy for the next generation.
 
The expertise and support, which will include specialist mentoring, enterprise development and technical advice, will help the group to explore and develop community-owned and run hydro power projects in the Derwent Valley world heritage corridor between Cromford and Derby. The Community Energy Challenge will nurture community projects until they are ready for further investment and build. They will then be eligible for other assistance from The Co-operative including The Co-operative Enterprise Hub’s revolving £400,000 fund to underwrite community share offers, and finance from The Co-operative Bank which has ear-marked £100 million for community renewables.
 
www.transition belper.org