Events Calendar

Took place on Tuesday February 26 2008

Zero Carbon Workshop

Anna Francis, BioRegional gave an introduction to One Planet Living and the Zero Carbon principle. We also had presentations from Fulcrum Consulting on community-scale renewable energy; the Energy Saving Trust on efficiency; and Sutton Council on their climate change work.

We then broke into groups to discuss:

Energy efficiency - how can we minimise energy use in Hackbridge/ Sutton?

Micro-generation - how can we encourage uptake of renewable energy generation?

Community-generation - what are the opportunities for large scale energy generation?

The following Actions for Hackbridge were identified by the workshop participants:

Action 1.1
Expand the CHP at BedZED to serve nearby houses. This may also make biomass CHP more feasible.

Responsibility: The Peabody Trust, BedZED Residents' Association, potentially a new ESCo

Action 1.2
New renewable energy centres in new developments that also supply existing buildings.

Responsibility: Developers, ESCos

Action 1.3

Renewable energy for industrial estates and schools could be a quick win. There are ESCos that can offer energy performance contracts so that there are no upfront costs.

Responsibility: Site owners, schools and LB Sutton

Progress: LB Sutton already in talks with an ESCo called Self Energy to provide biomass to schools.

Action 1.4
Community scale energy generation from: Micro hydro power at Wilderness Island, River Wandle as a heat source, Energy from Waste at landfill site or sewage works (gas, liquid fuels and/ or heat), wind, biomass, aquifer thermal energy storage etc

Responsibility: Feasibility to be assessed by BioRegional/ Fulcrum as part of a Hackbridge Energy Strategy (subject to further funding)

Action 1.5
Offer micro renewables trials or demonstration projects so that residents can see them in action and better understand how they work.

Responsibility: Micro renewables companies, BioRegional, LB Sutton

Progress BioRegional and LB Sutton are applying for funding to set up a demonstration zero carbon retrofit house in Hackbridge that would be open to the public and feature micro renewables.

Action 1.6
Find out how countries with significant micro renewables did it and adopt their good ideas

Responsibility: BioRegional as part of an energy strategy for Hackbridge.

Action 1.7
Encourage uptake of micro renewables by providing interest free credit or other ways of spreading the payment.

Responsibility: Banks and renewables suppliers.
Progress: ZEDfabric (the supplier side of ZEDfactory, local architects behind BedZED) are in talks with building societies to offer a retrofit mortgage package so that residents can add the cost of renewables to their mortgage.

Action 1.8
Guidance to residents on renewables and energy efficiency - where to get grants etc

Responsibility: BioRegional, EST
Progress: BioRegional give advice on energy efficiency and micro renewables as part of our home visits and EST already provide this service nationwide. Call 0800 512 012 for free, independent and local energy saving advice or visit their website. EST have also indicated that they are prepared to visit community groups to give out information.

Action 1.9
Offer a council tax discount for homes that generate some of their own renewable energy.

Responsibility: Sutton Council

Contact: anna@oneplanetsutton.org

Type of event: One Planet Living

Related principles: Zero Carbon

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