Monthly Committee Meeting Yields Encouraging News

Monthly Committee Meeting Yields Encouraging News

By Belinda | Published: April 10, 2012

Things were looking up at the PETRA Monthly Committee Meeting held on 28th February 2012. A long awaited response had been received from Havering Council in relation to a handful of PETRA energy efficiency proposals that form part of the Money Saving Estate project. Committee Chair, Mike Davis, enthusiastically reported that the council had indicated their commitment of financial assistance in the replacement and upgrading of windows at the estate. Encouragingly, PETRA representatives had been invited to attend Havering Council’s Capital Program Policy Meeting on the following day, and were eager to have an opportunity to discuss funding and timescales for the PETRA proposals. Read More »

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LEAF Funding Awarded to MSE (PETRA)

By Belinda | Published: April 10, 2012

Thanks to the swift response and hard work of some of its dedicated volunteers, the PETRA team was able to prepare a grant proposal for the Local Energy and Assessment Fund (LEAF) funding in time to meet the Department of Energy and Climate Change’s tight submission deadline on the 22nd December 2011. Their valiant efforts paid off as the bid has been successful and PETRA has been awarded £18,000 to put toward a feasibility study and a community engagement event.

The commencement of the feasibility study heralds the start of the Money Saving Estate (MSE) project at the PETRA estate. The MSE PETRA team will be conducting a number of surveys, including thermography and air tightness testing as well as roof structural surveys, to determine the best building improvement methods to implement. Results of the study are due to be released toward the end of March.

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Community Energy Coalition

By Helena | Published: April 3, 2012

Giles Bristow talks about the new Community Energy Coalition’s vision for the UK, where currently, 99% of electricity is generated by just six companies. This video has been produced by the Community Energy Coalition, which includes some of Britain’s best known and trusted national organisations including The Co-operative Group, The National Trust, The National Federation of Women’s Institutes and The Church of England, who want to start a revolution with communities at its heart which will drive a clean, affordable and secure energy system.

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Repowering South London: the movement has commenced

By Helena | Published: April 2, 2012

ITV featuring the story of Repowering South London first successful project delivery: Brixton Solar 1. This is just the beginning…
http://www.itv.com/news/london/update/2012-04-01/new-solar-project-in-brixton/

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Brixton Energy Co-op: Launch Event

By Joanne | Published: March 16, 2012

What a fantastic turnout for Brixton Energy’s Launch Event last night at Electric Social in the heart of Brixton. Carbon Leapfrog was delighted to be there to support the Brixton team and help kickstart community energy in London!

Brixton Energy came through Carbon Leapfrog’s Project Steering Group in November last year and has already received legal support from Carbon Leapfrog partner Simmons & Simmons LLP. This pro bono, professional support was instrumental in assisting Brixton Energy get to investment readiness.

Brixton Energy is a social enterprise seeking to achieve real social and environmental outcomes. Investing in the Co-operative means you will be joining this collective, democratic, community-based effort to bring about critical change! Brixton Energy offer a modest financial return on investment but the wider social and environmental return your investment will bring is where the real value lies.

Listening to Brixton Energy Director, Agamemnon Otero speak about the vision for Brixton Energy and the ambitions this group of inspirational Londoners have beyond Brixton Solar 1 was fantastic.

Carbon Leapfrog’s recommendation: Watch this space!

To find out more about Brixton Energy and to help the team achieve their community share offer target, please visit the website: www.brixtonenergy.co.uk

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Student Switch Off update

By Davina Patel | Published: March 8, 2012

The Student Switch Off continues to have great success this academic year. The latest stats are as follows:

- 18,765 students have pledged to save energy (19% of those in halls)

- Average reduction in electricity usage of 7%

- 609 tonnes of CO2 kept out of the atmosphere (enough energy to make 39million cups of tea!)

- Over £100K saved by participating Universities

- 6,658 entrants in the Student Switch Off climate change quiz

- 873 attendees at communication skills training events

- 1,172 energy-saving photos submitted by students

Check out www.studentswitchoff.org to get involved at your University!

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GVEP – Uganda Clean Cookstoves Producers

By Gurkirit Thiara | Published: February 2, 2012

A five-year programme rewards entrepreneurship across East Africa by supporting micro-businesses to establish energy services and create employment opportunities in rural areas.

Willy Bamwenyena’s story shows how one can turn a need into a business opportunity. Willy's energy efficient cookstovesThe GVEP-led Developing Energy Enterprise Project (DEEP) has boosted his business – and that of hundreds of other entrepreneurs across East Africa – to make and sell energy efficient cook-stoves.  

Firewood burning stoves are made from locally available materials such anthill soil and clay. The stoves are popular with many householders in Sissa, and up to 90% now own one. A key reason behind their success is that they are affordable and more energy efficient compared to the traditional 3-stone fireplace. In the long run, stove-owners save money that would have been spent buying firewood; and time – spent drying or collecting firewood. The stoves also reduce indoor air pollution considerably, hence decreasing the chronic health illnesses associated with the emission of harmful fumes from open fires.

To read Willy’s story visit the GVEP website.

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Volunteers Wanted – Bristol Green Doors

By Gurkirit Thiara | Published: February 2, 2012

 

Bristol Green Doors are looking for volunteers to assist them in two main areas:

1) Promoting the next open homes event by distributing event fliers, maps and posters to shops, bars, markets, notice boards, faith and community centres in neighbourhoods around Bristol to help us spread the word and get as many visitors as possible. This help is needed now.

2) Supporting householders at their homes during the weekend of 17-18th March 2012 as an Event Steward. The role could involve welcoming and admitting visitors, supporting the householder, serving refreshments, facilitating visitor feedback, directing people around the home and answering simple questions. If you have a particular expertise in energy advice this could also be an opportunity for you to engage with the public too. You can volunteer for either Saturday or Sunday or both. Homes will be open from 12noon-6pm on both days.

If you are interested http://www.bristolgreendoors.org/volunteers for more information!

 

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Busy Start to 2012 for Ashton Hayes!

By Gurkirit Thiara | Published: February 2, 2012

On the 10th January 2012, Chester Mayor Eleanor Johnson opened new low carbon classrooms built with CWAC funding and PV panels at the local primary school. Thanks to the help and support provided by the community the school will receive free green electricity when opened with the village Community Power Company, thereby generating revenue from the surplus.

Following this, Ashton Hayes was one of 6 Carbon Leapfrog projects to have been selected by DECC for funding under its LEAF programme, please visit news for more information on the other successful projects. Congratulations again to all the team! Please click here for more information on DECC’s plans.

In recent news, thanks to the ScottishPower Energy Networks (SPEN) monitoring system, the residents of Ashton Hayes can now see how much energy the village is using. The web portal will provide residents with detailed data on electricity use across the community. Here is an idea of the initial site residents will be using, and over the next couple of weeks Ashton Hayes should be in a position to upload the community reports for October, November, December and January. The aim of the research will help SPEN see the impact that PV panels, electric cars and other renewables have on their network and help the community plan for the future.

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Date for your diary! 17-18th March 2012, Bristol Green Doors Event!

By Gurkirit Thiara | Published: February 2, 2012
The event on March 17-18th 2012 will feature 40 homes across Bristol open between 12.00 and 6.00 pm on Saturday and Sunday.
 
The event is free though donations are welcome. Bristol Green Doors have a great selection of homes participating showcasing a whole range of measures and technologies.
 
See http://www.bristolgreendoors.org/events/march-2012 for more information and keep visiting their site for updates.
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