Severn Wye Energy Agency

FASTER Project
Forest Action on Sustainability Training and Energy Reduction

Working with Community Halls in the Forest of Dean

The FASTER project was launched in summer 2010, and has so far worked with 25 community halls in the Forest of Dean district. The project comprises a structured programme of energy audits, follow-up advice and support to the most promising sites to help them become exemplar sustainable community facilities. We are no longer looking for new sites, but support is still avaiable for all sites already engaged in energy improvement activities - just contact us.

The FASTER project is funded primarily via RDPE funds, through the South West of England Regional Development Agency, with Defra as the managing authority. The project is delivered through the Forest of Dean Local Action Group (LAG), and runs until August 2012.

Project Update - Winter 2011/12

The initial support phase, involving initial energy audits and action plans, closed as of April 2011. Other sites wanting to be involved in FASTER should still contact us using the details on the right.

Now that the project is deep into the follow-up phase, we are beginning to see significant actions at some of the sites supported earlier. Many energy efficiency improvements, and potentially some renewable energy installations, are well into the planning and fund-raising stages now, and the results should bear fruit within the months ahead.

The FASTER project team are continuing to engage with all sites, getting regular updates from halls and providing assistance as necessary to help drive forward progress.

Support Stages

Once sites were registered, Severn Wye's community and renewables team contacted the committee to arrange appropriate support, which continued until the spring of 2011. 20 visits and energy action plans have already been completed under the energy audit phase of FASTER, and future engagement will focus on implementing real and lasting improvements on the ground.

Using a hand-held wireless energy monitor (of which one has been supplied to each Phase 1 hall to keep), energy consumption was illustrated in real-time during the visit. The wireless monitors have proved popular with committees in many other halls with which Severn Wye has worked. The walk-round audit encompassed building fabric, heating, lighting, other building services, appliances, water conservation and an initial screening for suitability of small-scale renewable energy technologies.

Following the walk-round audit, a brief written action plan was developed with the hall committee, listing simple, no-cost, low-cost and important first-step measures. All halls will then be expected to undertake these win-win 'Level 1' measures. The aim is to work with committees, training them and developing their skills in energy management and empowering them to make further improvements into the future.

A particular aim is to see the identification and development of 2 or 3 exemplar sites, defined as 'Level 3', which will be supported end-to-end at the highest level through a programme of more major works, including renewable energy systems, to become local beacons of sustainability.

Funding

This project is part financed by the European Agricultural Fund for European Development 2007-2013: Europe investing in rural areas.

Match funding is being provided by the Gloucestershire Environmental Trust.

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Severn Wye Energy Agency Ltd, Unit 15 Highnam Business Centre, Highnam, Gloucester, GL2 8DN
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