News
Biomass Power Station on Site of Former M1 Cooling Towers
Thu, 8 December 2011
A biomass power station is to be built on the site of the famous former cooling towers close to the M21 flyover near Sheffield. Formerly used to generate power from coal, the site will now have a biomass power station which will use waste wood to provide energy to homes and businesses. The £120m renewable energy plant will be set near the site of the old Tinsley Towers, adjacent to Meadowhall, and when operational will generate up to 30MW, enough to power 40,000 homes, by converting recycled waste wood into electricity.http://sheffieldismyplanet.co.uk/news/2011/11/biomass-power-station-on-cooling-towers-site
Presentations from Engaging Communities in Low Carbon Planning Events
Thu, 8 December 2011Presentations from two community events delivered in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire in October are now available online. These events aimed to help communities understand and influence local planning decisions on renewable and low carbon developments in their areas. Guest speakers included Patrick Allcorn from DECC and representatives from local community renewable projects.
Community Buying Scheme for Heating Oil in Nottinghamshire
Thu, 8 December 2011
Householders in Nottinghamshire who heat their home using oil can benefit from a new bulk purchase scheme set up by Rural Community Action Nottinghamshire (RCAN).
The scheme involves households, community buildings and businesses clubbing together to purchase their oil on the same day once a month, thus allowing them to access cheaper rates. A similar scheme in Oxfordshire scheme has saved members an average of 4p per litre on their fuel over the last year. Members can save also save on Red Diesel (1-2p per litre saving).
Orders are placed on the last Thursday of each month with deliveries being made approximately 5-7 days later. There is no need to order every month, and orders can be for as little as 500 litres.
Members placing an order in November paid 55.5p per litre compared with an average price that day of 61.5p per litre. The scheme has an annual membership fee of £20 for individuals (more for businesses and community buildings) to cover administration costs. Households should be able to save at least this much on their first order. A member can volunteer to act as a co-ordinator, collecting orders from others in their village and passing them on to RCAN. Anyone volunteering to do this will receive free membership.
Anyone wanting to take part in the scheme should contact: oil@rcan.org.uk / 01623
727600 or visit: www.rcan.org.uk/projectlist.php?id=35.
Transition Chesterfield Need Your Plant Cuttings
Thu, 8 December 2011Do you have healthy gooseberry or currant bushes or a healthy apple tree? Transition Chesterfield are looking for people living in the Chesterfield area who are willing to allow them to take cuttings from their gooseberries, black currants, red currants and white currants and, from mid-December, apple trees.
The group will plant the cuttings and look after them before finding places for them to be planted out in a year or two when they’re bigger. The group are currently working with the local council and other local organisations to find land to plant food in. They need the plants to help them get going.
Instructions on taking cuttings can be found here: www.gardenorganic.org.uk/todo_now/archive/nov/fruit_gard_now.php or email the group: and they’ll see if they can help: food@transitionchesterfield.org.uk.
£10 million Local Energy Assessment Fund Launched
Wed, 7 December 2011 The Energy Saving Trust and the Department for Energy and Climate Change have launched a new fund which aims to support communities across England and Wales to play an active role in the development of a low carbon society where energy supply is both secure and affordable. The fund will resource work by community groups to understand their potential for improvements in energy efficiency and local deployment of renewable energy, alongside demonstrations of solid wall insulation. Organisations including parish councils, voluntary associations, development trusts and faith groups are all eligible to apply.
The grant fund provided by the programme is intended to help communities to prepare for new opportunities in sustainable energy and climate change arising from the Green Deal, Renewable Heat Incentive and Feed in Tariffs. The grants can be used to fund projects that follow the Energy Hierarchy (reduce energy use, use energy efficiently, generate renewable energy).
Up to 200 communities will receive funding, with an average of £50,000 available per community (maximum grant of £130,000).
There are two applications deadlines: noon on 22nd December 2011 and noon on 20th January 2012. All funding will need to be spent by 31st March 2012.
Find out more and apply: www.greencommunitiescc.org.uk