Autumn Newsletter 2009

newsletter Issue 6 Autumn 2009

in this issue

Social Enterprise Winner MEA has been rewarded for its progress and ‘honestbroker’ approach as a social enterprise through selection as one of only five ‘Flagship’ examples for the West Midlands. The Flagships were formerly announced by Social Enterprise West Midlands during its second birthday celebrations in Coventry on the 22nd July. As part of the Trading Knowhow project, MEA will benefit from promotional support whilst working with the Network for the next two years to support and mentor enterprises elsewhere in

the Region. Network Director of Social Enterprise West Midlands, Kevin Maton said: “Congratulations must go to all five organisations as well as all those who were shortlisted. They are all exceptional enterprises who encapsulate the fundamental principles of achieving difficult social goals through sound commercial work. “A great deal has been achieved in this region over the last two years but if the social enterprise sector is to win the business it needs to grow, we need more examples that have real meaning to people in the West Midlands. “We have ambitious goals and believe that the Flagship Social Enterprises have the potential to become well-known names that can join the likes of The Big Issue and Fifteen as examples of social enterprise.”

MEA Technology: p2 Community Energy Advice MEA Community: p3 Community Volunteers MEA Training: p4 Energy Workshops for N. Shropshire Schools MEA Events: p6 Light Fantastic Tops 8,000,000kg Target MEA Media: p8 Modelling Uganda’s future

Morgan Foundation Awards Shortlist MEA’s Director Richard Davies has been recognised for his entrepreneurial skills by being shortlisted for the Morgan Foundation Awards’ Best Individual Entrepreneur (working in a Charity or Social Enterprise). The Morgan Foundation Awards recognise entrepreneurial excellence in a geographical area comprising of North Wales, Shropshire, Cheshire, Merseyside and North Wales. Richard’s place as a finalist is recognition of the work done by him and MEA to combat climate change, and the forward thinking team structure which has been adapted by MEA. 1.

MEA Technology

Community Energy Advice in South Shropshire A thriving bustling community centre and two schools in South Shropshire received free energy audits. The resulting reports assessed current energy usage and looked at the feasibility (both technically and financially) of the use of sustainable energies. This project was funded by the Southern Shropshire Partnership through support from Shropshire Council, Bridgnorth District Council and South Shropshire District Council. At the busy Mayfair Community and Healthy Living Centre in Church Stretton, photovoltaics

and solar thermal technologies were identified as viable technologies. A PV array could save £236 per year from the annual electricity bill and an extra £250 saving from the annual gas bill by the use of solar thermal for heating hot water. These technologies could save an estimated 2.7 tonnes CO2/yr. Church Preen and Bitterley Primary Schools have also been provided with a report that identifies sustainable energy opportunities. Technologies that were found to be viable include photovoltaics, heating using a biomass boiler and use of heat pumps.

All building managers will be ‘hand held’ through the capital application process that could see these technologies installed and fitted with 100% grant funding. Installation of any energy efficiency or sustainable energy measures on any building will help in being a catalyst for communities in South Shropshire to identify with climate change and hopefully join in in taking action. For further information as to how your community building can save money, please contact [email protected] or call 01743 277110.

Historic Buildings Conference Around 50 people attended a public event at the Gateway Centre, Shrewsbury on 21st September to discuss issues surrounding integrating renewable energy technologies into historic buildings. The event was part of the European-funded SECHURBA project (Sustainable Energy Communities in Historic Urban Areas) which is looking into the issue of how to make older buildings more energy efficient Organised by MEA with support from teams at Shropshire Council, there were representatives from the council’s Planning & Sustainability Departments as

well as advice stands from the Waste & Recycling teams and Cycle Shrewsbury. Other stands at the event included local renewable energy installers, Friends of the Earth and the newly launched Transition Town Shrewsbury. Marches Energy Agency staff were on hand to carrying out carbon footprinting and give away free light bulbs. Nicole Solomons, Project Coordinator explained the issues surrounding the project and there were talks from a council Conservation Officer (discussing issues surrounding renovations to listed buildings and those in conservation 2.

areas), and a local green architect described how she renovated her Victorian home using sustainable materials. For more information on the project contact Nicole Solomons at [email protected]

MEA Community

Training for ‘Sustainable Wenlock’ Volunteers In September MEA’s ‘Low Carbon Communities’ team completed their first training course for volunteers from community environmental group Sustainable Wenlock. The training will allow the volunteers to carry out a oneto-one Home Energy Check for home owners in Much Wenlock and the surrounding area. The whole process has been designed to give interested householders the tools and information to start reducing their energy use. However it has also been structured to engage people over a period of time by making available smart meters, providing an on-line monitoring facility and bringing together householders on a regular basis. Sustainable Wenlock will also be planting a community orchard over the winter and

is planning a third series of film showings and eco driving events over the winter. It is hoped that a combination of all these activities will start to help people move positively towards a lower carbon future. Simon Ross from MEA who delivered the training said ‘The energy check is based broadly on the Energy Performance Certificate structure, but reduced to a question and answer exchange with the householder. It also includes a bespoke CO2 footprint an energy usage section. The report covers all the major energy efficiency headings from draught proofing to renewable technologies, and gives websites to allow the householder to follow up on the recommendations. Each volunteer will now undertake five trial checks with

friends and neighbours to build their confidence in the reporting procedure before a formal launch of the service in Much Wenlock, Shropshire, towards the end of October. ‘I certainly enjoyed the training, which was run over 4 evenings, and the volunteers did too. It was a very positive experience’, Simon Ross concluded. More information about the group can be found on their website: www.sustainablewenlock.org.uk

Leek is invited to join Low Carbon Community On the 25th of June, members of the public in Leek, Staffordshire Moorlands were invited to an inspiring event organised by a local community group, Transition Leek. The event, which aimed to raise awareness of the Transition Town movement and get people involved, included a presentation from Tessa Clark - Project Manager for MEA’s Staffordshire Moorlands Project Carbon (SMPC). Tessa explained about

how people could get involved with the emerging Low Carbon Community in Leek. The audience of around seventy five people living in or around Leek were invited to upcoming ‘energy efficiency workshops’ where attendees calculate their own carbon footprint and explore ideas to reduce energy usage in their home. Around fifteen people signed up for workshops and a number of businesses signed up for energy audits. 3.

Those attending the workshops will be invited to join the online monitoring website and to update sessions throughout the year. As part of the SMPC project, MEA is working with Transition Leek to help the town tackle the challenges of climate change and peak oil. This includes working with households, local businesses, schools and community groups.

MEA Training

Energy Workshops for North Shropshire Schools MEA have been awarded a grant by the North Shropshire Partnership to run workshops and provide learning resources for five Shropshire Schools. The workshops will give year 6-7 students a chance to find out more about how they can save energy and help hold back climate change. A range of activities, games and technology demonstrations will make for a fun day for all. Schools will also be left with two series of posters from MEA’s new Climate Change Museum Exhibition, which they can display at the school

allowing everyone to find out more. Staff will also receive a teacher’s pack, letting them explore the subject further in the classroom. The workshops are being offered on a first come first served basis. For more information about this project, or to recommend a school that might like to take part, please contact the project manager Nancy Lowe [email protected] 01743 277113

Free Renewable Installation Training With many industries still in the grip of the downturn, ‘green’ technology is seeing a marked expansion. £20,000 funding for training to expand the renewable energy installation industry has been allocated locally. Plumbers, electricians and central heating engineers in Shropshire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire have received funding to re-train as renewable technology installers. RE:think Energy, a renewable technology initiative, has provided grants for up to twenty businesses. This round of 4.

funding has now ended, but further funds may be made available in 2010. Keep an eye on the RE:think Energy website www.rethinkenergy.org.uk for more information. Successful applicants attend fully accredited training courses which enable them to install technologies such as solar panels, ground source heat pumps, and biomass heating systems. RE:think Energy was established last year with funding from Advantage West Midlands.

MEA Events

• • • • •

Visitors: over 100 Footprints completed: 20 Highest footprint: 33,680kg Lowest footprint: 5,468kg Average footprint: 12,374kg

carbon footprinting

Energy Expo, West Bridgford

MEA ran a carbon footprinting stall at the Energy Expo in West Bridgford. During a quiet period at the beginning of the day, we visited all the other stallholders and left them each with a carbon footprinting form. Several returned these towards the end of the day. One man in particular was rather shocked at his large footprint, but explained it was mostly due to his high mileage travelling the country selling renewable energy products!

Many more people took away footprinting forms to complete at home, and factsheets on renewable energy were also flying off the shelves. With both Rushcliffe Borough Council and the Energy Saving Trust at the event, we were able to signpost people for more local information and advice on grant funding and insulation.

Bassetlaw District Council Offices • • • • •

Visitors: approx 25 Footprints calculated: 18 Highest footprint: 35,233kg Lowest footprint: 7,269kg Average footprint: 12,203kg

MEA had a relatively quiet footprinting day at the Council Offices, but we had a reasonable flow of visitors and lots of interesting in-depth conversations about climate change and carbon emissions. Most footprints calculated

were for staff at the Council, though we did also catch up with a few visiting members of the public.

Several people who found that they had higher than average footprints seemed to be quite deeply shocked and concerned about their high emissions. Many visitors found that despite insulating their homes and switching off lights, their footprints were huge as a result of flights or high car mileage. They were then faced with a very difficult dilemma about giving up holidays and travel to reduce their carbon emissions.

Another key issue raised during the day was the difficulty of making quick changes to lifestyles or properties. On a positive note, a number of people explained that they had plans to install new boilers, cavity wall insulation or more efficient appliances as soon as they had the cash available or other building work completed.

Jane Stevens (lowest footprint) recieving her prize of a local food hamper from the Bassetlaw District Council Chief Executive, David Hunter

As well as calculating footprints, we gave out some free lightbulbs and certificates, plus advice and information about insulation, renewable energy and recycling. The carbon footprinting stall was well supported by a display on sustainability, and awareness raising amongst council staff during the week, through emails and the intranet. The council employee with the lowest footprint was genuinely delighted to win a prize of a local food hamper at the end of the day. 5.

light fantastic

Light Fantastic at The Big Wheel, Nottingham • Visitors: approx 1200 • Bulbs distributed: 2520 • PowerDown Units

distributed: 160 • CO2 saved (lifetime): 361,157 kg • Retained economic benefit (lifetime): £131,326

There was a massive turn out to The Big Wheel event will all cross-sections of the community attending. MEA managed to secure a great location for their Light Fantastic exhibition trailer near the entrance, and this had an instant impact, leaving staff busy from the word go! Staff were able to help a number of people who had changed all but their halogen and dimmer switch bulbs, but largely most people had not got to this stage yet. In the afternoon, staff were able to give more in depth feedback and assistance to visitors, promote energy monitors and deal with some tricky questions about LED light bulbs.

Light Fantastic Tops 8,000,000kg Target Our Light Fantastic project tops the 8 million kg of CO2 target. So far the project has given away bulbs and Powerdowns which have equivalent lifetime savings of 8,437,000 kg and an impressive £3,750,001 for its visitors.

6.

Light Fantastic at the Keyworth Show computer powerdowns when it was explained how they worked. Many were shocked to discover how many bikes would be needed to power games consoles (three).

• • • • •

As usual we visited all the stall holders as well and had a quick chat with them. One chap, Peter, is a steam engine enthusiast who visits all the country shows in the area. He uses a light bulb display along with an ammeter and voltmeter to display the output of his engines. He had six 40 Watt bulbs in his display and was complaining about the amount of diesel he has to put in his engines to keep them alight. We gave him an 11 Watt and 15 Watt bulb to replace two of them. He was very pleased to see the instant change in fuel demand, and said he would change the rest of the bulbs to cut back on costs.

Visitors: approx 600 Bulbs distributed: 1500 Powerdown Units distributed: 220 CO2 saved (over bulb lifetime): 215,910kg Retained economic benefit (bulb lifetime): £99,380

Saturday 11th July at Keyworth Show was overcast, giving a slow start to the day. But people got braver and realised that the rain was not coming and the stall eventually got very busy in the afternoon. We had Rushcliffe Borough Council next to us giving away TV powerdowns and general advice, so Light Fantastic staff were able to focus on low energy lighting and more technical renewables questions. In particular, there were a lot of enquiries about solar thermal systems, which seem very popular in the area. The children (and some dads) loved the energy bike and many were really interested in the

MEA Media and Publications

Low Carbon Leadership Workbook - now available to download Our Low Carbon Leadership workbook is available as a pdf to download. This workbook for district and borough scale climate change action is now available from the resources area of MEA’s website www.mea.org.uk. Our website also now has copies of slides used in presentations and workshops, along with all of our videos and publications. 7.

MEA to build model of future for Ugandan Parliament A few months ago our Carbon Forum team produced a climate change exhibition for the National Museum of Uganda This included a model diorama (main image) showing a ‘Ugandan village of the future’ which was built by Richard Hammerton. The model generated a lot of interest and positive feedback, and Richard has been asked to go to Uganda to create a similar model for the Ugandan Parliament. He will be in Uganda for a month working on the project and hopes to maintain a blog during the visit – we wait with interest to see what happens next!

Marches Energy Agency is a registered charity #1070942

Main website:

www.mea.org.uk

MEA team websites:

www.carbonforum.org www.projectcarbon.org www.lowcarboncommunity.org www.keepshropshirewarm.org Switchboard: 01743 246 007 Email: [email protected] The Pump House, Coton Hill, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, SY1 2DP 8.