It is a bit depressing to see how old this video is…. but it is has an excellent and inspiring message about the possiblilities of a decentralised energy system.
This sums up the energy situation very concisely and makes some constructive propositions, based on case studies of best practice in Europe.
Workshop presentation 1st March 2012 LEAF project
Click on the link above to download the presentation shown by Nicole Solomons earlier this month, on the key ideas and technologies for energy efficient buildings. Nicole of Sustainable Buildings is an energy expert with the bulk of her experience on working with historic buildings. There are many new materials on the market, appropriate for use in specific circumstances as well as opportunites to combine older and new materials to achieve the much higher standards expected in modern buildings.
The project is also undertaking some solid wall insulation work on a house in the village, to illustrate the possibilities of combining new breathable, organic materials with standard materials. The house we are working on is owned by a fully mutual housing cooperative, with the specific aim of offering affordable, eco-efficient housing. It is a combined 500 year old farm house, with a modern breeze block extension. There are significant issues of cold, damp and poor ventilation as well as insufficient insulation. We hope, with a budget of £20,000 to be able to transform the internal conditions of this buildings to a much higher level and in doing so illustrate what is possible for people to achieve in their own homes. Details of this work will be published here on completion.
Llanrhaeadr Publc meeting, all welcome
Here is an fun animation from the Centre for Alternative Technology, looking about the possibilities of working towards a Zero Carbon Britian. How are the ways we use energy in our homes and for transport likely to change? Dependence on oil and gas is the cause of both climate change and is the reason for rising energy costs; developing our infrastructure to use energy much more carefully and efficiently seems an imperative. Energy efficiency is the gift that keeps on giving!
Here is a leading oil geologist talking about Peak Oil. Typically it is the long seerving senior oil geolgists, with a perspective of the whole industry who can best understand what is currently happening in the world oil industry.
World production of oil has been flat since 2006, this is pushing prices ever higher and putting increasing pressure on economies around the world. Colin Campbell is a very clear and thoughful voice, expressing a deep concern for our energy futures. we would be wise to listen carefully.
There are several really good leading writers and thinkers talking about our energy future, here ar some links to some key Websites and talks.
Peak Oil how big is the risk? indistry task force report from 2008
Richard Heinberg, is a leading writer and speaker on the subject. Here is a short clip of him speaking on the subject of Peak Oil.
Free energy audit poster
This brand new local initiatve has come about quickly in response to a government energy programme known as LEAF, the Local Energy Action Fund. The aim of this fund is to support communities to take the initiative to develop energy efficiency and renewable energy projects that meet the needs of their community. We only heard about this opportunity in the New Year and the deadline for applications was Jan 22nd, so we had to move quite quickly. All projects have to be completed by March 31st 2012, so most this this part of the initiative will be happening over Feb and March.
The aim of the project is to offer informed and impartial advice on energy efficiency and alternatives, it is not linked to sales and there is absolutely no commitment.
It been initiated by a local social enterprise: Permanent Housing Cooperative, who are working with local sustainability consultants Sector39 and Sustainable Buildings to deliver this project. See the More about this project page for more info.
This Website and blog will publicise the project and share the results and findings.
Energy prices are set to rise and rise
Noone has a crystal ball but in all likelihood energy prices will continue to rise faster than inflation as global demand is high for oil and gas – our main sources of energy and of course they are finite resources and are getting harder to extract all the time. As well as supply pressures there is of course a lot of pressure for people everywhere to reduce their carbon emissions because of the impact on the environment.
The Department of Energy and Climate Change are providing a new fund which is available to communities in England and Wales who are playing an active role in the development of a low carbon society. Money is available to finance projects that increase understanding and uptake of energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies and help to make energy supply secure and affordable for everyone in your community.
This programme is part of an on going process to support the transition to more sustasinable energy use/
As a local social enterprise with a background of work with the Centre for Alternative Technology and the Permaculture Association, Permanent Housing Co-operative hope to be able to make a useful contribution to the community of Llanrhaeadr YM via this project.
Energy priorities
Energy advice generally follows the following hierarchy of importance:
1. Insulate, use the energy that you have as efficiently as you can,
Make sure you thermostat works and you know how to use it etc.
2. Upgrade to the best appliances possible. Make sure you are using the most efficient appliances, eg. central heating boilers, water heating, washing machines, fridges etc.
3. Generate. Once you have considered the first two options, then it is time to think about installing energy generation technologies like solar water heating, solar PV, and biomass heating.
The government will be offering grant schemes over the coming year to support all three of these strategies.Hopefully this initiaitve will be part of process whereby we can move towards a much more sustainable energy footing over the coming years.
Efficient use of energy and more local generation from clean and sustainable sources will make Llanrhaeadr YM much more resilient to changes in global energy markets whilst keeping costs affordable.