Energy Group
Contact: Chris Rowland, christopher.rowland@tiscali.co.uk
Mike Powell lewesgreenpeace@yahoo.co.uk
The energy group is forming to come up with a strategy for how we can reduce our dependence on imported fossil fuels, and increase our local resilience, by re - localising our energy supply, and massively reducing our current consumption.
There are many ways in which this will occur, and we will be working up a plan that plots a course to a lower energy and lower carbon future for our town and bio-region.
If you feel you have something to add, or are just interested in being involved, why not contact me with the details below.
First Meeting held 9th July 07
Meeting notes:
Purpose of the meeting to begin work on preparing an energy descent action plan for Lewes district.
As a group we read the energy section of the Kinsale energy decent plan to get an idea of the task that was required. We discussed the plan as a template for Lewes.
We discussed the subject of current energy use, and the split between conservation and renewable generation of energy
We discussed the subject of current energy use, and the split between conservation and renewable generation of energy
Briefly listed steps for energy conservation and production for a household: 1st reduce energy use: low energy light bulbs, fit good insulation 2nd consider installing: solar water heating. Also discussed solar electric and use of small wind turbines and concluded that these were not often very cost effective.
Discussed Biomass: burning timber, wood pellets, anaerobic digestion of waste.
In order to begin work on a plan for energy descent, we agreed that we needed to have a point to aim for in this and had a discussion around what our vision for this group and its work was.
As a group we decided to focus on the vision of making Lewes energy self-sufficient by 2023. This vision would encompass a re-localisation of our energy generation and resources, and would require a major energy efficiency program across our community.
Before we could begin work on any plan development, we felt that there was a need for research into where we currently are in terms of energy use, resources, and current developments that meet our aims as a group. We discussed completing a survey of Lewes and the possibility of council support for a survey.
Listed areas for further research (looking for existing information that has already been compiled first):
A - Local and National initiatives for energy efficiency.
B Large organizations and companies to look to for help.
C Survey of buildings: housing, commercial, local authority.
D Fuel Poverty.
E Local renewable resources particularly traditional ones (wind mills, watermills, woodland etc).
F Local companies and groups involved with supply of renewable energy or energy conservation.
G Setting up a Google or Yahoo group discussion site.
Useful information: www.upyourstreet.com, What Are We Waiting for DVD, Small Change survey
Second meeting
Support Glyndebourne wind turbine by contacting Hazel Mears
Third meeting
OVESCO formed see web site at www.ovesco.co.uk
Contact TTL Housing Group to invite them to join with the Energy Group for next meeting
Fourth meeting
Energy Decent plan for Lewes started.
OVESCo is issuing grants for renewables such as Solar Hot Water Panels, Wood Burning Stoves, Biomass Boilers and GSHP to local community.
Fifth meeting
Energy Decent plan produced and ready to submit to the TTL Decent Plan Group
MEETING ARE HELD MONTHLY PLEASE E-MAIL THE ENERGY GROUP CONTACT FOR CONFIRMATION FOR THE LOCATION AND DATE OF THE NEXT MEETING IN LEWES.
Useful web sites:
To check suppliers of sustainable energy try www.greenelectricity.org
Sign up to Good Energy via the OVESCo web site to support local energy programmes at www.ovesco.co.uk on the links page
Grants for insulation try www.heatproject.co.uk
National Grants for renewables try www.carbontrust.co.uk
Local Grants for renewables try www.ovesco.co.uk
District Council information at www.localsustainability.co.uk
Get involved: contact hello [at] TransitionTownLewes.org.uk
