May 2012
- 26th - 10th (All day)
- 26th - 10th 10:00am - 5:00pm
- 30th 6:30pm - 9:30pm
June 2012
- 5th - 10th (All day)
- 12th (All day)
- 15th - 17th (All day)
- 17th (All day)
Levels and Moors Energy - Somerset
Nature
This project aims to support community groups, small organisations and businesses in the Somerset Levels and Moors area with local renewable energy and low carbon schemes.
Help is available for identifying, planning and developing community-scale low-carbon and renewable energy projects, and providing the technical support and expertise in the sector that local groups and organisations may not have themselves or be able to buy in.
One of the reasons for setting up the project was informal feedback from people in the area that whilst there was enthusiasm for schemes, there was a lack of specialist and technical knowledge to get them going.
From work so far, it's clear that the cost of energy – and where it comes from – are concerns for local people, particularly in off-gas areas. Reducing energy use (for example by insulating buildings so that less energy is needed for heating) and generating renewable energy locally go some way to address these concerns. Within the Levels and Moors area, the project also aims to:
- Support energy stewardship (energy use and generation) in the community
- Raise awareness and improve potential for energy projects in the area
- Reduce CO2 emissions, energy use and waste output
Groups and organisations that join the project can access a range of support from CSE, including:
- Scoping out opportunities for energy saving and renewable energy technologies
- Help with carrying out community consultations
- Advice on funding and finances, business planning, legal structures and planning permissions
- Technical expertise and feasibility studies
Approach
Extensive negotiation with the Environment Agency, Natural England and Project ideas could be led by community groups, village halls, community buildings, and potentially also small businesses with strong local community roles (such as cafes or local food stores), and can sign up by completing a short Expression of Interest form outlining where they have got to so far.
Renewable energy technologies for community-scale development could include: a biomass boiler, solar water heating, solar PV panels, ground- or air-source heat pumps, a wind turbine or even small-scale hydro.
CSE is currently working with seven groups (listed below) in the Levels and Moors area on a number of different ideas for renewable energy schemes, as well as providing information and advice on both renewable energy and energy efficiency to a number local groups, individuals and organisatons.
- Sustainable Axbridge Network
- Transition Athelney
- Cheddar Action Network for a Greener Environment
- Transition Langport
- Sustainable Somerton
- Wedmore Green Group
- Cossington Village Hall
As part of the project, groups can access training on a range of topics related to setting up an energy project, and specific resources to support groups here (and elsewhere in the country) on particular issues related to energy projects are being developed – for example, this solar PV checklist, and this report on Common Concerns About Wind.
Community Involvement
See above. Building good relationships with community groups involved in the project and supporting them with their local plans for sustainable energy projects.
Case Studies
Related Photos
Location & Contact
Contact: Bridget Newbery
Somerset Levels and Moors
TA7 9
TA7 9
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