Community Renewable Energy Project
This exciting initiative is helping to make the National Park a greener place to live. It is working with local communities to reduce their carbon dioxide emissions and encourage the use of renewable energy.
The project was launched in June 2004 and is the first of its kind for a UK National Park. It is supporting three local projects in Danby Parish, Appleton le Moors and Spaunton, and Botton.
Community Renewable Energy Team
The team supports the communities to implement renewable energy solutions. This includes developing Community Renewable Energy plans with short, medium and long-term goals for improving energy efficiency and introducing renewable energy. The groups receive a wide range of advice, training and information to help them find the most appropriate solutions for their communities.
Key Achievements
The project has already made an enormous difference including:
• Establishing Energy Action Groups in two communities who meet on a regular monthly basis
• Supporting Botton to apply for the Sustainable Communities Award
• Undertaking a baseline study to investigate energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions within the communities
• Organising a visit to the Centre for Alternative Technology in Wales to see how renewable energy is working elsewhere
• Helping Botton apply for a grant to install a ground source heat pump
The Projects
Danby Parish
The Upper Esk Community Energy Group includes local residents from Danby Parish and Botton Village. The group have achieved the following:
• Creating a “Community Energy Action Plan” focusing on energy conservation, energy efficiency and using local renewable resources
• Developing an energy efficiency programme and an energy education programme for schools
• ‘Greening’ the local public toilets
• Installing insulation and renewable technologies, including ground sourced heat pumps and wood-fired stoves, and forthcoming installation of solar hot water panels
New members are always welcome. You can find more information about the group on their website by clicking here http://www.eskvalleyenergy.org.uk/
Appleton le Moors and Spaunton
Appleton and Spaunton Community Energy Group are currently drafting a Community Energy Action Plan. This involves investigating the energy efficiency measures and renewable energy technologies available and assessing their suitability for the community. The group are organising a Village Energy Event in March 2006 which aims to raise awareness of energy issues within the wider community.
New members are always welcome. You can find more information about the group on their website by clicking here http://www.appletonlemoors.co.uk/energy.htm
Botton
Botton are already using heat recovery systems, solar hot water and biomass heating systems and have produced an Energy Policy. Its future plans include:
• Major refurbishment of some properties to make them more energy efficient
• Encouraging the wider use of renewable energy technologies
The group have recently installed a ground source heat pump and are working towards having this innovative system formally acknowledged and documented.
Intelligent Energy Europe, Sunflower Project
The Community Renewable Energy Project is a partner of the Intelligent Energy Europe, Sunflower Project. This project is coordinated by Camara Municipality de Moura (Alentejo Region, Portugal) with the support of Intelligent Energy Europe.
The Sunflower Project is a European network of 8 partners. The aims of the project are the promotion, dissemination and implementation of good practice examples of REnewable Energy Sources and their contribution to Local Sustainable Development. Increase the ratio of popular involvement in the project and thus start a long and durable "community energy vision" inline with European energy climate targets.
See their website for further details.
Find Out More
If you would like more information about these groups or are interested in getting involved, please contact Peter Jones or Judie Holliday on 01439 770657 or email p.jones@northyorkmoors-npa.gov.uk or j.holliday@northyorkmoors-npa.gov.uk
