The Community Role in Developing Renewable Energy
Improvements in energy efficiency and the development of renewable energy are essential to ensure that future energy supply is both secure and affordable. Communities can play an active role in achieving this.
At RCCE we aim to improve understanding of the challenges presented by peak oil and climate change, and raise awareness of the opportunities to create local sustainable energy solutions. We run training sessions about sustainable energy and we undertake energy audits of community buildings
Energy Hierarchy
Local initiatives should follow the Energy Hierarchy.
Reduce energy use.
Use energy efficiently
Generate renewable energy.
Energy Efficiency
Understand the potential for energy saving in homes and
community buildings.
Promote and encourage changes in behaviour and use of energy saving measures
(such as insulation).
Renewable Energy
Understand which renewable energy technologies would be most appropriate and beneficial for your community; for individual homes, for community buildings or for the whole setttlement.
Explore how renewable energy projects could be financed through Feed in Tariffs, Renewable Heat Incentive or the new renewable energy revolving fund.
Useful Links
Low Carbon Communities Network
Department of Energy and Climate Change
Best Practice for Oil Buying Groups
Energy Audits for Community Buildings
Improving the energy efficiency of community buildings can
increase the comfort, reduce fuel bills, lead to an increased use of the
building and an increase in awareness of the need to use energy efficiently.
A building improvement programme can achieve all of the
above, but a major difficulty for management committees is how to prioritise
the work to be carried out. An energy efficiency audit report by RCCE guides
you through the options available, enabling you to make accurate and
cost-effective decisions about your building.
We will inspect your building and produce a full report including
recommendations for steps to be taken to improve the energy efficiency, a
detailed action plan to guide you, possible sources of funding and an overview
of renewable energy options. We will also conduct an analysis of your energy
bills to spot patterns in use and ensure you are getting value for money.
Cost:
£500 + VAT for RCCE Members
and £700 + VAT for non-members
For more information please contact Sue Gibson: sue.gibson@essexrcc.org.uk or
call 01376 574330
Download an Energy Efficiency Audit Request Form
Energy Efficiency Audit Flyer
Smart Energy GB
Did you know that even though you are off mains gas you can
get a smart meter for your electricity supply?
We are working with our partners in the ACRE Network and
Smart Energy GB to raise awareness of the smart meter roll out. We’re promoting
smart meters to off mains gas residents in Essex County.
We are proud to be working with Smart Energy GB to ensure that everyone has the
same opportunities to engage in the smart meter rollout, regardless of personal
circumstance or where they live.
Smart meters and the rollout
Smart meters will replace the traditional meters we
currently have in our homes. Smart meters take regular readings and share these
wirelessly, through a secure network, with your energy supplier. You don’t need
Wi-Fi in your home for it to work and it won’t use your Wi-Fi if you have it,
and even rural locations will be covered by the network which covers 99.25 per
cent of Great Britain.
The smart meter rollout is an essential technology upgrade, unprecedented in
its scale, to improve Great Britain’s energy infrastructure. Between now and
2020, every home and micro-business across England, Scotland, and Wales will be
offered a smart meter by their energy supplier. Over four million smart meters
have already been installed.
What are the benefits of installing a smart meter?
A smart meter will enable you to see exactly how much energy
you’re using, as you use it, and what it is costing in pounds and pence. Once
you have a smart meter, you’ll only get accurate bills from your energy
supplier, just as you do with your phone bill. No more estimated bills. No one
from an energy supplier having to come and read your meter and there’s no extra
cost to you the householder.
In the future, smart meters will make switching between suppliers, or between
credit and prepay, quicker and easier. If you are a prepay customer, you will
also be able to top up online or via mobile phone.
Smart meters can only be installed by energy suppliers in a pre-arranged
appointment and you will not be charged for installation. When you are eligible
depends on many factors, such as the age of your existing meter and the type of
housing you live in.
To find out more please visit the Smart Energy GB website. smartenergyGB.org
Oil Buying Scheme
Want to save money on the cost of your heating oil?
Our Oil Buying Scheme is now even better and there is no membership fee. Click here for more details
To register and purchase oil please visit: www.af-affinity.co.uk/rcce
