South Hill Association for Renewable Energy
Since the AGM in September, we have appointed two new directors. Astrid Fischer and Sue Skelton were invited to join the Board. Astrid will take the role of Company Secretary, and Sue will continue as Treasurer. We are still actively seeking a Finance Director.
At our first Management Committee meeting following the AGM, we welcomed Magda Gould and Mary Hardman onto the committee.
In October, we organised “Seedy Sunday”, together with Wyld Thyngz, who offer woodland workshops which inspire children to develop a lifelong love of the natural world. People brought seeds and plants to swap, and although this event was planned in rather a hurry, it was well attended. There may be some interest in a “Springtime Seedy Sunday” – what do you think?
Members of SHARE took part in the Tamar Energy Fest. Held in Tavistock Town Hall in October, the event brought together local businesses and volunteers in a celebration of local energy and other eco-innovations. If you missed out on this annual event, you can read all about it on the Tamar Energy Community website.
SHARE Wood Project More deliveries have been made this year than last, and there is still wood in store if you need it. Plus if you have trees to be felled or pruned, we’re working with Red Squirrel Tree Care. By working together we can get a better deal. Earlier this month 5 volunteers helped Matt and Tania of Red Squirrel to clear trees at Trevigro and Trewoodloe. THANK YOU TO EVERYONE INVOLVED.
Geoff Hardman is arranging chainsaw training. If you miss out on this group, put your name forward for the next session.
Taking The Power Back – an event by Regen SW and Plymouth Energy Community
We attended this event which was held at the spectacular Devonport Guildhall in November.There were talks from Regen project managers about Local Supply and Storage, which outlined the various models available and examined the pros and cons of each, with examples. One snippet of information we took away is that batteries on a commercial scale need to fall in price by about 30% in order to make financial sense. (The question was asked, what about domestic scale – they didn’t have figures but someone in the audience said it was more like 50%) However, this is just the financial aspect; in terms of carbon savings batteries are well worthwhile. They reckoned payback in carbon terms is about 2 years.
Also, we heard a talk by the CEO of Plymouth Energy Community who described their healthy homes case study. This was fascinating and the measured outcomes remarkable. They looked at households living in fuel poverty, especially those living with disability or illness, and helped many to improve their situation, including installing 62 boilers/heating systems. This was achieved with a grant from British Gas Energy Trust of £330,000 (from fines imposed by Ofgem!)
Anthony Walters, of Chase Community Solar and South Staffs Community Energy, told how they have worked with their local hospital trust to install solar PV, providing power for the hospital and improving health outcomes significantly by working with patients in fuel poverty. Stoke on Trent City Council were so impressed that they bought shares in this scheme.
What we took away from the afternoon is the knowledge that addressing fuel poverty can have a huge positive effect on people’s health and well-being, and save money for the NHS at the same time as helping to reduce carbon emissions. The speakers said more than once that Community Energy groups are ideally placed as trusted part of the community, to help people in this way. WHAT DO YOU THINK? Would you like SHARE to be able to offer advice on energy efficiency and fuel poverty?
Oh yes, and the “networking drinks and food” were excellent J
Sue Skelton
To know more about SHARE email SHARE@south-hill.co.uk or phone 382397