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How is our energy produced and how much do we waste? These were questions asked by Chris Rowland, Director of Ovesco, at a renewable energy evening organized by the Scaynes Hill Sustainability Group at the Inn on the Green last week.
Village Renewable Energy evening with
06 May Posted by Helen Hicks
Ovesco (Ouse Valley Energy Services Company), based in Lewes, specialises in promoting energy efficiency and the provision of alternative sources of energy through community energy projects. Chris's interest in the field developed after the Lewes flooding of 2000. The floods led him to think seriously about the impact of climate change on our lives and the contribution of carbon emissions from burning fossil fuels. Ovesco's long-term aim is to make the Ouse Valley self-sufficient in energy using a variety of renewables including sun, wind, water, anaerobic digestion and biomass
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Photovoltaic cells on roofs are by far the easiest form of renewable energy to develop as there are fewer regulatory hurdles to overcome, and Ovesco has helped to set up community energy projects using photovoltaic cells on the roofs of Harveys Brewery, two schools, a farm and Barcombe nurseries. Community Energy co-operatives such as these are relatively rare here despite the support of the government's Community Energy Strategy. Chris Rowland’s presentation may be viewed by clicking here.
Close encounter with solar panel
Ovesco also take the message of renewable energy into schools with a bicycle which generates electricity. It helps to communicate how much energy is needed to do quite small things such as turn on a light bulb thereby encouraging the next generation to be careful about the energy they use.
One way of encouraging the use of renewable energy is to change your energy supplier from one of the so-called ‘big six’ to one that promotes renewable energy. Ovo Energy, Ecotricity, Good Energy and Co-energy were all mentioned as suppliers who do this without necessarily charging more than the big six, depending upon your circumstances.
Also present at the event, which was attended by 25 villagers, were Scaynes Hill company BSW who supply and install solar water heating, heat pumps and solar photovoltaic panels and Solar Advanced Systems, who are based in Edenbridge and supply and install solar photovoltaic panels. Their representatives were on hand for consultation about the relevant services they provide. These two companies kindly provided liquid refreshments for all while the Inn on the Green supplied some delicious hot snacks, so a big thanks goes to all those involved in making this a very interesting and enjoyable evening.
Nick Rowse, Ovesco’s Technical Director, gave a presentation on Photovoltaics Systems, covering a technical overview of a typical PV system, the advantages of PV over other forms of renewable energy and the site considerations to be taken into account when planning a potential installation. Chris and Nick rounded off the meeting answering questions from the audience and informal discussions continued while enjoying the refreshments provided.
Scaynes Hill Sustainability Group is an informal group who explore what it means to be sustainable and try to put sustainability into practice. Projects so far have included the development of this village website to aid communication, a fruit and vegetable share of local produce and a litter pick. The group's next challenge may be to explore how such a community energy project could be developed locally. For more information, go to the Sustainability Group page on this site.