Members' newsletter 12th August 2016
In this issue we will be covering some of the member activity around share offers; many share offers have been fully subscribed, more have since been launched and groups are beginning to start planning the next phase of their projects. These are dynamic times for many of our community groups and we will keep you updated with progress.
However, it's not just our members who have been busy, as over the last few weeks I have been meeting with groups from all over the country. It has been a refreshing and exciting experience to see the activity and projects going on across England, as well as to hear some of your thoughts and opinions on the future direction of Community Energy England and the wider sector. Many of these ideas will be explored in depth at the upcoming Community Energy Conference and I am looking forward to seeing as many of our members there as possible.
Emma Bridge
Chief Executive
Community Energy England
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Community Energy Conference, Awards and AGM
There has been a lot of change in the sector recently, much of which was discussed in our previous newsletter. At Community Energy England we are now turning our focus to the future and the upcoming Community Energy Conference on 3rd September which is being organised again this year in partnership with by Co-Op Energy. The conference has been titled 'Powering Forward - rebooting the UK's community energy sector'. This is an apt theme when considering all the shifts within both the community sector and wider changes in recent months. The conference will be exploring the new models and opportunities open to the sector, as well as learning from European experiences.
Don't forget about the 2016 Community Energy England and Community Energy Wales Awards that evening. It's a great chance to catch up with other groups informally and to celebrate all the hard work and achievements over the last 12 months. Food and drink provided.
We are also holding our AGM at 9am that same day. Please get in touch if you are interested in standing as a Director.
We would encourage attendees to register as soon as possible and to book any accommodation necessary in advance, due to the busy time of year. We hope to see you there.
For more information on the Community Energy Conference and to register, please see here.
For more information and to register for the Community Energy England Awards please see here.
For more information on our AGM, please see here.
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Membership
We would like to welcome our newest member:
Derwent Hydroelectric Power - a company with over twenty years' experience in the hydro field and a dedication to small scale projects.
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Member news
Low Carbon Gordano have released this video of their first school project, Northleaze School in Long Ashton near Bristol. The solar PV system was installed at the end of 2015 and pupils from the school celebrated at the end of the summer term by forming a giant sun in the school field. Low Carbon Gordano has installed an on-line monitoring system at Northleaze and will be working with the school in developing a renewable energy and climate change programme to teach to pupils.
SELCE have released their Public Consultation Report on fuel poverty and how they can expand renewable energy in the South East London area. Read the full report here.
Sheffield Renewables have been successful in their bid to the Community Shares Unit / Power to Change Community Shares Booster Programme. They aim to use the money for the share offer they are planning for this autumn.
Energy4All have successfully fully subscribed their two recent solar share offers. When built, the solar farms will provide electricity for roughly 450 local households and a consultancy firm that employs over 300 people. Please see their Press Release for more information.
We are pleased to announce that Greater Manchester Community Renewables have reached their extended target and have begun installation. They will be installing solar panels on three schools and a community building and any profits will be held for the benefit of the community.
Low Carbon Hub have also reached their target on their Sandford Hydro project and they aim to get on site this month. Their Solar PV offer is still open.
Grimsby Community Energy have released their latest share offer. They aim to raise £148,000 through their share offer to install small solar power systems on local buildings. The offer closes on 9th September.
There is a lot of activity around share offers at the moment, so for more information around current offers, please see our website.
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Events
V3 Power will be hosting a Hand Built Wind Turbine Course in London on 15th - 16th October. Attendees will learn practical skills around welding and wood carving with experienced tutors. CEE members will receive a discount of £180.
For more information on community energy events, please go to the Community Energy Hub, where you can also register any of your own upcoming events.
The Community Energy Fortnight is less than a month away! But it's not too late to get involved! If you are planning an event please let us know!
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Other News
Smart Energy GB have published A Smart Route to Change: a paper which encourages practitioners working within the smart meter field to apply behavioral science when engaging with consumers. Smart meters can offer customers an opportunity to take more control over their gas and electricity use, as they provide more accurate readings in pounds. This paper hopes to encourage consumers to consider the amount of energy they use and lower the emissions created by households.
Energy Prospects Co-operative have releases a Press Release detailing their work and future prospects. Their aim is to raise the capital needed to help more community projects get off the ground.
Open Utility have released an update on Piclo, their peer-to-peer energy marketplace trial. The report contains predictions, case studies and general insights.
Please let us know if other people in your organisation want to receive our newsletter, or if you wish to unsubscribe from future newsletters.
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