Members' newsletter 13th May 2016
This week sees the announcement of the dates for Community Energy Fortnight 2016. CEE are taking a more hands-on role this year and will be supporting the Community Energy Coalition in the administration of events. We are also pleased to confirm that Co-operative Energy and CEE will be working together again on the annual Community Energy Conference. It is already shaping up to be an exciting day and will be more interactive than last year. If you have any particular themes/workshops that you would like to be explored please let us know.
We will be holding this year's Community Energy Awards following the conference. More details in the next newsletter but get your thinking caps on ready for who you think should be celebrated this year. For a recap of last year's winners click here.
For further information on the Fortnight and also an opportunity to shape the development of the Community Energy Apprenticeship Standard, please read on...
Emma Bridge
Chief Executive
Community Energy England
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Community Energy Fortnight dates announced
Community Energy Coalition has announced the dates of the fourth annual Community Energy Fortnight, which this year will run from 3rd - 18th September.
As in previous years, the Fortnight is supported by The Co-operative Energy. This year it will be structured through four themes that will explore the main issues currently facing the community energy sector. The themes are:
- Exploring New Approaches - new business models for community energy?
- Stories From Abroad - inspiration from other countries
- Seeing and Celebrating - showcasing successful projects and initiatives
- Powering Up - training, skills-building, learning events and workshops
The Fortnight will begin on 3rd September with the annual Community Energy Conference which will be run jointly again this year by Co-operative Energy and CEE. It will be followed in the evening by the Community Energy Awards.
For more information on the fortnight and to get involved, please see here. You can follow @CEFortnight and get involved with conversations online with #CEF16. And please promote the Fortnight to all of your networks.
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Community Energy Apprenticeship
A Trailblazer group consisting of community energy companies, local authorities, housing associations, large energy companies and CEE has been created to design a national apprentice standard for a Community Energy Specialist. This apprenticeship will provide a national framework for advancing into a career in the community energy industry, and will teach participants the knowledge and skills to implement and manage:
- The delivery and operation of a community-owned renewable or low carbon energy project
- The installation of energy efficiency measures
- The delivery of educational and awareness-raising programmes, or
- The delivery of collective energy purchasing initiatives.
As community energy specialists may work in a range of organisations with differing needs, they would like to invite relevant parties to contribute to the development of the apprenticeship standard to ensure that its content will match the requirements of the community energy sector as a whole. Once the standard has been approved, this will be the only apprenticeship that can be taken for a career in the community energy sector. This is therefore the only chance to influence the content and structure of a specific apprenticeship and make sure that a quality training programme is developed that meets the needs of the industry.
Below are the current drafts of the apprentice standard and assessment plan; please send your comments and feedback to James Robinson of Oldham Council at James.Robinson@oldham.gov.uk. To discuss the apprenticeship and find out about opportunities to further support the development, please call James Robinson on 0161 770 6577.
Please see the Assessment Plan and Apprenticeship Standard for more information.
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Member news
Advice and training opportunities for co-ops and social businesses
The Hive has been created by Co-operatives UK to support organisations and provide mentoring online. For advice on how to strengthen, start up or convert into a co-op please see the link. Applications for mentoring opportunities are currently being sought, deadline for applications is 13th June.
Carbon Co-Op are offering Retrofit Advocacy Training to volunteers and members who want to communicate more confidently on both energy efficiency and retrofit.
The training is free and will be delivered over both 11th and 25th June in Manchester. For more information please see here, or too book onto the course follow this Eventbrite link.
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Events
Cultures of Community Energy Parliamentary Reception, held by the British Academy, 7.30pm - 9.30pm, 24th May, House of Commons.
The British Academy has sponsored a long running programme exploring the conditions and culture needed to enable community energy projects to thrive. Their final findings will be launched at this reception. The report authors and Academy leads will be in attendance along with Lisa Nandy MP, Shadow Energy and Climate Change Secretary. The reception has been sponsored by Angus MacNeil MP, Chair of the Energy and Climate Change Select Committee.
To RSVP please contact Tara Vernhes
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Other News
The M&S Energy Community Energy Fund is back for 2016
Marks and Spencer have £12,500 available in each region that could be used to help your organisation make a positive impact on the environment.
Applications are open now and M&S have provided the following advice for application preparation:
- Make sure Planning Permission or Permitted Development Rights has been approved prior to application.
- You will need to submit cost quotes from your installer so have this document ready to upload.
Applications Close on May 31st, for more information see here.
Horizon 2020 Energy Efficiency Call
The DECC funded EU Energy Focus offers a service to help UK organisations with their project proposals. The European Commission is seeking proposals in the following areas:
- Engaging consumers
- Removing barriers to renovation of buildings
- Innovative financing of energy efficiency investments
The deadline is 15th September, see here for further information.
What Uses Watt?
A useful new guide which showcases the cost of different appliances in the home can be seen here.
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