Energy efficiency in community facilities
If you want to lower the carbon consumption/fuel bills of a community building that you are connected to, then the following is a great guide to conducting your own energy audit, identifying areas that need improving.
Energy Efficiency in Community Buildings (NEA)
For all improvements that you indentify, contact Action Surrey to arrange a quotes through our network of installers.
Funding
Between February and September 2016, Action Surrey allocated grants totalling £50,000 towards the improvement of community facilities within Surrey. This scheme is now closed, but you can keep up to date on future funding by signing up to our newsletter.
From time to time there is funding to help local organisations lower carbon emissions/become involved in energy or low carbon related projects. Currently, Surrey Community Action are administering a Community Buildings Fund which may be able to help in this regard.
Community renewable energy projects – investment opportunities
Community renewable energy projects raise capital by issuing shares to potential investors from their local community. The resulting profits from the sale of the energy to the grid/Feed in Tariff are then shared between the landowners, shareholders, with the remainder put into local community benefit projects.
An example of such a project locally is Wye Valley Solar Schools, who installed 560 kW capacity of solar PV panels across nine school sites. Another good and active renewable energy co-operative is Energy4All who often have details of new community energy schemes ready to be released.
Education
Are you working with young people, and would like to run a fun session to help inspire them to learn more about energy, how we use it, and its impacts?
Then download our free lesson plan resources:
All About energy (6-11 year olds)
All About Energy presentation slides
All About Energy 'Pros and Cons...' sheets
Action Surrey also has a pack of resources available to hire for free (subject to a deposit) to help you to deliver the session. Please contact John Scott at john.scott@thamesweygroup.co.uk to find out more.