We submitted our application form for funding to the Energy
Savings Trust on the 16th November. We hope to know whether we are
successful by the first week in December, but as the final decision
is in the hands of Greg Barker of the Department of Energy and
Climate Change (DECC) it may be later.
We have selected three installers to partner us for this
project. The three installers can cover the four technologies (
solar thermal, air source heat pump, ground source heat pump and
biomass) included in our application. We have also contracted with
the Devon Association for Renewable Energy (DARE) to carry out
renewable energy assessments and home energy performance
assessments on the currently 22 households who have expressed an
interest in our scheme. These assessments will help the households
in their decision making.
It is not too late to join in by expressing an interest even at
this late stage. We can add you to our list and get the installers
to give you quotes for the renewable heating technologies of your
choice without any obligation on your part at this stage.
Read more about the project
21 participants and four organisers/demonstrators braved the
terrible weather on Saturday 24th November to take part in the
Energy Group's woodfuel from hedges demonstration event. It turned
out to be inspired planning to arrange the event around the Crown
& Sceptre Pub in Newton St Cyres. One of the options we had
considered was a gazebo in the field next to the hedge for the
talks and refreshments. I don't think that would have worked last
Saturday !
We started off in the pub with three short talks on why have a
wood fuel group and how it might operate (given by Andrew Shadrake
of Bovey Climate Action) , a talk on tools and how to use them
safely (Nick Dawe Devon Rural Skills Trust) , and finally a short
safety talk specific to where we would be going to watch some hedge
laying (Dave Dann Devon Rural Skills Trust).
Then we car shared the two miles to the field where some
preparatory work had been done on a piece of hedge not managed for
40 to 50 years. The group assembled around Nick Dawe who explained
what he and Dave Dann had done earlier. Nick then laid some pieces
of hedge and finished off by fixing them firmly to the ground with
a wooden crook prepared from wood cut from the hedgerow. Dann Dann
gave a short talk on the conservation of Devon hedgerows and we
high tailed it back to the pub for lunch.
After lunch Dave Dann spoke eloquently and passionately and
about the various motivations people might have for joining a group
: to get free wood, to get fresh air and exercise, to be part of a
group of like minded people, to conserve hedgerow for biodiversity.
Then Andrew and Charles wrapped up the event with a request for
people to join the fledgling group if they were interested and at
least 12 did which was absolutely wonderful.
Wind Turbines
The Energy Group has drafted up its position on wind turbines.
We are definitely in favour of them and would love to hear your
views as well. Take a look at our statement
and let us know what you think by making a comment on the
Statement's webpage.
Read this blog from Friends of the Earth's Andy Atkins to learn
what all the fuss is about regarding the proposed Energy
Bill.