Renewable Energy Installer May/June 17 | Page 24

Knowledge: Community Power Knowledge: Community Power Specialist support for community energy groups comes to Dorset A massive boost for community groups – which has already helped 18 groups in Devon get their hands on free training and funding for renewable energy projects – is coming to Dorset. Renewable energy expert Regen, which is running the ‘Peer Power’ initiative, is seeking individuals and communities in Dorset to come forward and take advantage of the free specialist help. The project aims to inspire groups in the county to join the network, then support them to develop new renewable energy projects that are owned by communities, benefit people in Dorset, and generate local clean energy. “We’ve already helped leverage £284,000 for groups in Devon via the Rural Community Energy Fund and local authority. These groups have developed 412 kW of rooftop solar, with more projects in the pipeline” said Jodie Giles, Communities Project Manager at Regen, “and we’d like to support similar groups in Dorset to achieve their renewable energy ambitions too.” “The potential for communities throughout Dorset to develop and complete their own renewable energy projects is huge, and we’re here to help by getting their projects on track, giving them independent advice, and putting them in touch with others that can directly assist.” Five events are already planned by Regen to help communities get involved and kick-start their renewable energy ideas. Starting in early March with a detailed tour of some of the best examples of renewable energy in Dorset, other activities include complementary tickets to the SW Smart Energy Marketplace on 28 March; the Dorset Community Energy Feast in summer; a Dorset Arts and Energy networking event in winter; and other free technical sessions throughout the year. In addition to the events, Regen will also be providing ongoing specialist support to community groups that join the network, and travel bursaries to enable community energy groups to participate “This programme is not simply networking and advice though,” added Jodie. “It’s about getting real-life projects up and running that are locally owned, and have local economic and environmental benefit. “We want to make it as straightforward and understandable as possible for communities to do this. “We’ll be measuring success by the number of projects developed, the megawatts of renewable energy installed, and the £s of investment raised.” Enfield Council invests £85m in community energy An ambitious plan to secure north London’s energy future was given the green light by Enfield Council last week. The local authority has approved the £85 million business plan for “energetik” to develop, own and operate a series of community energy networks to supply low carbon heat and hot water to more than 15,000 homes and businesses across Enfield and beyond. Enfield Council’s Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration and Business, Cllr Alan Sitkin, said: “energetik is a ground- breaking venture which will return £225 million of economic, environmental and social benefits to residents and businesses 24| www.renewableenergyinstaller.co.uk in Enfield and the wider community. “The heat networks are designed to expand, with capacity to double the number of homes and businesses receiving heating and hot water in north London.” The decision means Enfield Council is one of the first London boroughs to establish its own energy company. It is investing £58 million to support a high quality infrastructure and help secure the area’s future energy needs. The Council’s investment will be supplemented by the company’s own income, with energetik’s business plan funding the capital balance, bringing the total to £85 million over the next 40 years. Energy centres at Meridian Water, Arnos Grove, Ponders End and Oakwood will supply the heat and hot water through a network of highly insulated pipes. Community energy networks provide a local and adaptable energy supply, allowing use of waste heat and adoption of future heat technologies. Jayne Clare, energetik’s Managing Director said “energetik is using Scandinavian design standards to improve the service and the industry in an unregulated market. We are putting customers’ needs first, before rates of return. We want to revolutionise the local energy market and be the supplier to trust.” Stirling Council celebrates community solar PV milestone Above: Officials and contractors celebrate the milestone Stirling Council has completed its 1,500th solar PV installation - on a new build bungalow in Bannockburn. The installation is also one of fifty properties that are also piloting the addition of a battery storage system to maximise the energy efficiency benefits of a solar PV installation. The installation is part of an ongoing investment in renewable technology in the housing stock aimed at reducing fuel poverty, improving energy efficiency ratings and reducing the Council’s overall carbon footprint. Housing Portfolio Holder, Councillor Violet Weir said: “With electricity costs forming such a high proportion of household budgets, it’s important that we do all we can to reduce energy costs through a range of measures, and I’m delighted to witness this latest solar panel installation. Combined with the battery storage system, our tenants are benefitting from the latest technology to reduce their energy costs. The savings will actually increase each year as the cost of electricity is expected to continue to rise so, this really is an investment that will continue to benefit our tenants for years to come.” Overall, the 1,500 installations to date will generate nearly four million units of electricity each year, enough to meet the average annual electricity needs of 1,00 homes. The solar PV systems are also expected to result in an estimated annual saving of just under £300 for each household when it comes to electricity bills. Stirling Council has invested over £8m to date on solar PV to its housing stock and has committed to invest a further £4.25m over the next 12 to 24 months resulting in a further 1,200 properties to benefit from solar PV. This i nvestment will be complemented by further investment in central heating upgrades and window replacement programmes as part of the Housing Capital Investment Programme over the next two years Sustainable Energy Association welcomes housing providers Nottingham Community Housing Association (NCHA) has joined the SEA in its new ‘Housing provider’ membership category. The NCHA is among the East Midlands largest housing groups with 9,000 homes, properties worth over £500 million and housing more than15,000 tenants across Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Lincolnshire, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Rutland. NCHA have been developing new homes since 1973, and are working in partnership with 31 local authorities to build new affordable homes that meet local needs. This includes homes for sale, rent shared ownership, and ‘try before you buy’. Andrea Griffiths-James from NCHA said: “We are delighted to be members of the Sustainable Energy Association. NCHA is committed to providing healthy, sustainable homes and we take a whole house technology agnostic approach which is clearly aligned with the SEA. Our membership of SEA will allow us to benefit from the expertise of both its secretariat and it members and provide the opportunity to shape policy in areas important to our business and our tenants.” Lesley Rudd, SEA Acting Chief Executive commented: “We are pleased to welcome Nottingham Community Housing Association into our membership. Our Housing Provider membership category was established following interest from a number of providers who see value in joining an organisation focused on improving the quality and energy efficiency of our buildings and the heating systems within them. “The SEA has a reputation for developing innovative and solution focused policy proposals for our buildings. Housing providers can contribute valuable input to ensure those proposals work for the people living in these homes and offer an opportunity to trial new approaches and technology. We look forward to working with NCHA and policy makers to enhance existing policies and develop new ones which ensure our homes and buildings are healthy and sustainable.” www.renewableenergyinstaller.co.uk | 25