Churches and Chapels Energy Guide

The project was originally instigated when individual building owners sought advice from SWEA on energy efficiency for older buildings. The intention was to produce sustainable energy case studies but this progressed once commonalities were identified; very many Welsh church and chapel buildings that were built or substantially refurbished during periods of significant church growth in the 19th century and key features of the buildings point towards similar solutions to the modern problem of rendering them comfortable for intermittent use today – at reasonable cost.

This is often true even though the external appearance of the buildings may vary dramatically. The guide provides low carbon solutions to fit most circumstances. The project is relevant to approximately 3,000 buildings across Wales that are used as places of worship and for other community gatherings. Very many of these buildings are recognised as being of historic and/or architectural interest and thus the aims have to take into account this very significant constraint. The objectives are:

• Reduction in energy consumption
• Increase in the use of low carbon and/or renewable energy
• Render the buildings more comfortable in winter and thus increase use
• Provide a heating system that respects the building and its contents

The project commenced in the autumn of 2010 as surveys of the first buildings were undertaken. The generic guide was completed in the summer of 2011. Download a free copy of the guide here.

Training and awareness-raising for tradesmen interested in entering the domestic renewable energy business

Encouraged by the results of Severn Wye Energy Agency hosting an event for professionals considering engaging with microgeneration, the Energy Saving Trust (commissioned by the Welsh Assembly Government) embarked on the Supply Chain Development Programme - a scheme that aimed to support Welsh SME installers in entering the market, achieving quality accreditation and tendering for public sector business. The purpose of the project was to remove barriers to Welsh SME’s achieving microgeneration certification scheme (MCS) accreditation and to ensure that Welsh public money being spent on renewables stayed in Wales. The scheme delivered the following support:

• Support installers to reach industry standards (Microgeneration Certification Scheme)
• Provide one to one guidance & support
• Provide interest free loan for certification fees
• Subsidised QMS Training
• Signpost to government funding for training & development
• Assist companies succeed in tendering and winning business
• Brokering business opportunities with lead contractors
• Signposting customers to certified Welsh installers

To date, the scheme has successfully supported an emerging market from 38 to 269 accredited MCS installers, hosted over 20 certification workshops and  facilitated over 68 loans to help companies to pay for certification. Many more companies are in the process of pursuing certification.  

The barriers to the success of this scheme include the low number of training providers across Wales offering technology training, the relatively low consumer awareness of microgeneration technology and the hesitant demand triggered by the recent uncertainty surrounding the feed in tariff rates.  

The success factors include the introduction of government led schemes such as the feed in tariff, Arbed and NEST and the availability of the interest free loan to installers to help with the costs of accreditation.

Extension of the micro-hydro power development scheme from the Brecon Beacons National Park to the remainder of Wales

The Green Valleys (TGV) Community Interest Company was set up by community members in and around the Brecon Beacons National Park in 2009. The CIC aims to inspire and support communities to work together to reduce carbon emissions, generate income and deliver social and environmental benefits within those communities. Local groups, through the support of The Green Valleys CiC have shown that by working together they can bring real and lasting benefits to the places we call home. TGV continues to operate in and around the Brecon Beacons National Park but within the last couple of years has aimed to develop micro-hydro schemes outside the area. With this in mind, a micro hydro workbook as been developed in partnership by Gwynedd County Council, Snowdonia National Park, the Innovation Partnership, the Welsh Government and the Rural Development Plan. Download a free copy of the manual here.

Renewable Energy Guides for Landowners

As a result of SWEA’s work within the community and dealings with stakeholders across Wales, it became apparent that plain language guides on renewable energy for land owners were needed.  Renewable energy production offers farmers a further opportunity to develop their businesses and add to their traditional roles of producing food and managing the countryside. Farmers now recognise that renewable energy can provide significant cost savings, and can generate additional income for their business.  

The guides  cover the following technologies:  Solar PV, wind, hydro and wood. Each one outlines the basic principles of the technology, how it works, how much energy can be generated, the costs, the feed in tariffs etc.  

The National Farmers Union is the largest farming organisation in England and Wales, and has over 63,000 members.  It is expected that these renewable energy guides will be accessed by a significant number of land owners.  Click here to download free Energy Guides for Landowners.

Dissemination both within each region and across Europe is key to the success of the project. Severn Wye will be delivering much of the dissemination activity within Wales and contributing to activity at a Europe-wide level. Within the partnership of regions there will be a strong emphasis on learning from each other. The opportunity for Wales to benefit from experience in other regions will certainly not be ignored.

Severn Wye Energy Agency has promoted the ENNEREG project at the following events:

• Community Renewables Energy Event - 8th December 2010, Builth Wells.
• Carmarthenshire is Greener Every Day week - 15th April 2011 - Carmarthen town centre.
• Smallholders Festival, Royal Welsh Showground, Builth Wells 21st and 22nd May 2011.

Twinning

Wales has been twinned with the Mid West of Ireland (http://www.mwra.ie/) and Andy Bull of SWEA attended a workshop in Limerick in October 2011. As a result of this, the region is now progressing towards a regional Sustainable Energy Action Plan (SEAP), albeit slowly due to the pressures on resources. However, at their June 2012meeting the Regional Authority board signed off on the proposal to develop a Sustainable Energy Strategy/Action Plan for the region and officers are now working on developing the Terms of Reference for this work. The authority will be updating the Regional Biomass Strategy and the Regional Energy Balance and Climate Change Strategy and the plan is to combine them both into an updated and expanded Sustainable Energy Strategy. The Strategy should be ready for early to mid 2013.