Plastic waste > East Devon's "high quality recycling now being transported to processing plants across the UK and Europe" > but where exactly does my recycling go?

Back in 2015, the District Council were looking at how to upgrade their recycling systems:
Futures Forum: Trialing new rubbish and recycling services in East Devon >>> for Feniton and Exmouth >>> report to Scrutiny Cttee >>> 'the improved recycling service with reduced residual waste collection is viable'

Earlier this year, they announced one such new system:

East Devon invests £420,000 in new recycling machinery

4 May 2018

High quality recycling now being transported to processing plants across the UK and Europe

East Devon District Council has invested in a giant sorting and baling machine to separate more than 5,000 tonnes of recycling a year collected from residents across the district.

The council’s new machine at the Greendale Resources Recycling Centre has been built specifically to handle the high amounts of recycling that East Devon residents collect every day. Fifteen months ago the district was recycling 43% of its waste every week. Today, residents recycle an average 57% of their waste every week thanks to a new service introduced last year.

Using the latest technology, including a system of magnets and conveyors, the machine carefully sorts the recycling into individual types of materials and efficiently packs them in to bales. The bales are then sent direct from East Devon to processors across the UK and Europe to be turned in to new items.

Prior to the new plant being installed, mixed materials collected in the green sacks were transported loose and unsorted to Avonmouth, but only eight tonnes could fit in each lorry. Now that the materials are compacted and baled, up to 20 tonnes can be transported in a single load saving money and carbon emissions.
4 May 2018 - East Devon invests £420,000 in new recycling machinery - East Devon
East Devon invests in sorting and baling machine - letsrecycle.cm

And on 17th October this year, they updated their web pages, with the very pertinent question:

Where does my recycling go?

Plastics

Household Plastics collected from the kerbside are taken by various companies to be recycled. The plastic is cleaned, shredded and used to remake other materials such as garden furniture, bins, insulation and fleece clothing. Plastic is lightweight and bulky so it is better if the bottles are flattened for recycling.

Where does my recycling go? - East Devon

This is what happens at the new system:

Materials recycling facility

5. Plastics

An optical sorting unit separates out different types of plastics and plastic bottles then pass along a manual inspection line as a final quality check.

The plastics are then baled for transportation to a specialist recycling facility.
SUEZ UK | Materials recycling facility
East Devon Materials Recycling Facility, Unit 54, Greendale Business Park, Woodbury, Salterton, Devon, EX5 1EW, – Utility Locations

The trouble is that this is still very vague: where exactly are these bales destined for and how much gets made into other materials by the 'processors'?

Back in February this year, the head of Exeter City Council's facility questioned where we're at:

Matt Hulland, operational manager at the recycling centre, welcomes the new surge in public awareness, but says it's not enough. "There aren't enough mills that can process it. That's why it's exported, whether it be to Europe or the Far East. When you're looking at the circular economy package, rhetoric is great, plans are great, but the UK needs to put its money where its mouth is."

Brits roll up their sleeves to tackle plastic pollution | Environment| All topics from climate change to conservation | DW | 23.02.2018 

Futures Forum: Plastic waste > behind headline-grabbing gestures from government, citizens are taking the problem into their own hands

But why aren't we dealing with this ourselves?
Futures Forum: We should be following the "proximity principle" and dealing with our own recycling waste at home

See also:
Futures Forum: Plastic recycling and greenwashing
Futures Forum: SidEnergy visit to Exeter waste-to-energy plant >>> report: very positive and encouraging but still questions about recycling plastic waste... 

And:
Sending plastic to the correct reprocessor - to EDDC - a Freedom of Information request to East Devon District Council - WhatDoTheyKnow
.
.
.

SidEnergy visit to Exeter waste-to-energy plant >>> report: very positive and encouraging but still questions about recycling plastic waste...

The SidEnergy trip to Exeter's waste-to-energy plant happened earlier this week:
Vision Group for Sidmouth - SidEnergy visit to Exeter waste-to-energy plant

Here's a write-up from the Sidmouth Plastic Warriors:

Trip to Exeter Energy From Waste Facility April 24 2018

Posted on April 25, 2018

Some of the Warriors joined up with Sid Energy (thanks to Graham for organising) and a few other interested parties to have a tour around the Exeter Energy From Waste Facility in Marsh Barton yesterday. I must admit I went along with the same feeling I did when I visited Hinkley Point Nuclear Power Station 20+ years ago with my university – scathingly pessimistic about what I was going to find, and ready to fire off questions. BUT…it was all very interesting, very well managed, very positive and encouraging to see the steps taken to make it all safe, non-toxic, much better than landfill ever was.

We asked lots of questions of Bobby, our tour guide; she proved to be very knowledgeable with an environmental rather than a corporate background, and I think she quite enjoyed the meandering her talk took us on, rather than the planned PowerPoint presentation she started with! 

[It was great also to meet up with Lin from Dawlish Against Plastic and hear how they are getting on over the other side of the Exe, working alongside Teignmouth. If we all join together we are now covering quite an area of coastline…maybe we can all organise one specific day to really blitz the beaches, from at least Teignmouth round through Seaton to Lyme Regis as we are all organising ourselves.] 

It’s always great to network with other interested parties, and also to find out about all the stuff the council are doing and are able to help with – for example, the Waste Management Education Department of DCC have 150 children’s litter pickers which we are able to borrow, so that’s organised for May 12th’s SAS SeaFest Beach Clean Up.

It’s difficult for the council to really make inroads into getting some people to change their habits. They want to increase recycling rates but just looking over the massive pile of rubbish below us in the control tower showed just what a lot of stuff we throw away – much of which could be recycled with a bit of care. How to engage those members of the public who just don’t care?

One question that yesterday’s tour through up was the question of recycling. It seems that there are no facilities in Devon or nearby to recycle plastic…it still goes onto empty container ships to go elsewhere…I am researching this but even Devon CC’s official website points me to RecycleDevon.org where I get told this very vague information, with a video that I do not have permission to watch apparently…

What happens: plastic is sorted into different grades and then sent to the correct reprocessor where it is turned into new plastic items such as bottles, fleeces and food containers.

I have sent a message to them on their contact page to find out. I will update you if I hear back. If anyone has any information please do let me know on info@sidmouthplasticwarriors.org

Trip to Exeter Energy From Waste Facility April 24 2018 – Sidmouth Plastic Warriors
.
.
.

Latest SidEnergy newsletter > Sid Valley's community energy project

SidEnergy has been active:
Futures Forum: Surviving Winter Appeal
Futures Forum: Save money on energy bills > free advice Tuesday 17th October > with SidEnergy @ Kennaway House
Futures Forum: Renewable heat & heat networks @ Exeter > Tues 4th July

More so over the coming weeks:

_{Hello SidEnergy Supporters, and a belated Happy New Year and welcome to 2018.}

_{Firstly, a big thank you to all of those who gave to the annual Devon Surviving Winter Appeal.  The Appeal raises donations for local vulnerable people suffering during the winter months from the effects of fuel poverty.  This year so far, £7,000 has been donated, which can obviously help many households, so many thanks.  The appeal is still open for donations (http://devoncf.com/give/surviving-winter/), so please help if you are able.}

_{A reminder that anybody struggling to keep warm or pay energy bills should go to their local Citizens Advice (https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/ ) centre or could alternatively contact Devon Communities:- https://www.devoncommunities.org.uk/western-power-distribution-affordable-warmth.}

_{I was interested to see just how much wind there was over Christmas period (please make up your own jokes), and that on Christmas day many of our turkeys were getting cooked using wind powered electricity.  You can see that at times wind turbines were producing between 20% and 40% of the electricity we were using:- http://electricinsights.co.uk/#/dashboard?start=2017-12-25&&_k=as9anr.  This is a huge change from previous years, partly due to the large increase in off-shore wind turbines being installed.}

_{UK built half of Europe's offshore wind power in 2017 (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/feb/06/uk-built-half-of-europes-offshore-wind-power-in-2017), approximately 1.5 gigawatts, similar to the output from a conventional coal fired power-station.  You can see a simple graphic showing the output of wind power on the 10:10 campaign’s wind dial:-   https://1010uk.org/winddial.}

_{This increase in wind generation, together with the rise of solar generation (now over 12 gigawatts installed) is having a positive impact on the UK greenhouse gas emissions.  This impact is also being felt on the UK’s coal fired power-stations and a further major coal power station, Eggborough in Yorkshire, is expected to close at the end of September (https://www.theguardian.com/business/2018/feb/02/yorkshire-coal-plant-to-close-with-loss-of-200-jobs-eggborough) after it failed to secure a government subsidy to provide backup power next winter.  This follows other coal powered power-stations that have closed in recent years.}

_{Finally, a date for your diary, RegenSW are again this year organising the “Smart Energy Marketplace” at Sandy Park, Exeter on 19th June.  Please check the Regen website for details:- https://www.regensw.co.uk/Pages/Events/Category/key-events or sign up for Regen newsletters.}

_{Many thanks for your support and best wishes,}

_Graham

_SidEnergy

Vision Group for Sidmouth - SidEnergy
SidEnergy | Co-operatives UK
.
.
.

Surviving Winter Appeal

SidEnergy is supporting the Surviving Winter Appeal - with a newsletter from its chair:

Hello everyone,

This year SidEnergy is helping spread the word about the annual Surviving Winter Appeal. The Appeal raises donations for local vulnerable people suffering during the winter months from the effects of fuel poverty.

This can be serious - the South West has the highest rate of excess winter mortality of all English regions and over 1,000 people die in Devon each winter due to the weather. 

Usually the campaign focuses on asking pensioners who do not need their Winter Fuel Payment of £100 to £200 to donate it through the county's Community Foundation to people who are less fortunate. However anyone can donate any amount.

In Devon, donations are made to the Devon Community Foundation, who claim Gift Aid if the donor is eligible, and the money is channelled to Citizens Advice centres who give it out as small means-tested grants.

The main webpage is at:   http://devoncf.com/give/surviving-winter/   and I attach a leaflet and Gift Aid form produced by Devon Community Foundation, and two pages of background by SidEnergy.

Many thanks for your support and best wishes,

SidEnergy

Surviving Winter - Devon Community Foundation
.
.
.

Save money on energy bills > free advice Tuesday 17th October > with SidEnergy @ Kennaway House

Another very useful event from SidEnergy coming up this week - open and free to all:

Vision Group for Sidmouth - SidEnergy
SidEnergy - Kennaway House events
SidEnergy | Co-operatives UK
.
.
.

Vision Group for Sidmouth > looking for new leaders for new ideas

Things are moving forward with the Vision Group:
Futures Forum: Vision Group for Sidmouth > looking for new blood

If you'd like to help fashion the future in the Sid Valley, get in touch with:
Vision Group for Sidmouth - Contact or 
visionforsidmouth@gmail.com 
to get involved.

Here's the full press release from the VGS:

NEW LEADERS for NEW IDEAS

This year the Science Festival – which opens on Tuesday 3rd October – will be bigger and better than ever before. Originally founded 6 years ago as a weekend event, by members of the Vision Group for Sidmouth (VGS), the Science Festival has expanded to involve the whole valley and appeals to students, families, as well as professors of various disciplines.

Dave Bramley, Chair of both the Science Festival and the VGS says, “The Science Festival and other local projects, such as the Farmers Market, Food Festival and SidEnergy, started life within the VGS group. The two main aims of the VGS have been to incubate appropriate community projects and to provide a place where Sidmouthians could be informed about and debate community issues.

The unintended consequences of the success of such activities – especially the Science Festival - demand a major voluntary effort which impacts on the VGS. Having served continuously for over 5 years, the officers of the VGS would prefer that the VGS continues under new leadership. They are seeking new volunteers to introduce to the group before they stand down in June 2018.

The Vision Group was formed in 2005 when the Town Council and Sid Vale Association set up a team to make sure Sidmouth’s voice was heard in the putting together of the Local Plan. Now the Neighbourhood Plan steering group which includes Vision Group members, guided by the Town Council, are developing a plan specifically for Sidmouth.

The VGS has gone on to achieve Transition Town status for Sidmouth and has worked with this concept on various projects, including the community energy group SidEnergy and the Science Festival. The group embraced transition aims - first to incubate and launch projects such as the monthly Farmers Market – secondly to inform and encourage debate about key local issues affecting the future of the Valley, such as housing, recycling, transport, the future of Port Royal. Jeremy Woodward has provided the formidably informative Futures Forum web news, and the group has organised independent meetings, such as the hustings sessions.

The time has now come for the Officers of the group to stand down. All have contributed hugely to the events, discussions and ideas, and now all - Chair, Treasurer, Secretary – are inviting others to take things forward. As Dave Bramley explains “Time demands from both family and the growing Science Festival mean I am unable to continue in the role of VGS Chair"

If you would like to help take the Vision Group’s projects forward, or have inspiration for other projects – indeed, if you would like to help take the Valley forward please contact Dave Bramley in the first instance on visionforsidmouth@gmail.com

Vision Group for Sidmouth - Home
.
.
.

Renewable heat & heat networks @ Exeter > Tues 4th July

SidEnergy is going to an event in Exeter tomorrow night:
Futures Forum: The latest from SidEnergy > the community energy group for the Sid Valley

If you'd like to go along - just go along!

 Renewable heat & heat networks:
Current opportunities for Exeter & Community Energy groups 

July 4th 18.45 to 20.45, Meeting Room,
Stephens Scown Solicitors LLP, Southernhay, Exeter, EX1 1RS Come along to ECOE’s next event and find out more about renewable heat and heat networks.

Larger public authority heat network projects seem to be having more success than smaller community energy projects. Our speakers will talk about their varied experiences with heat projects to help our understanding regarding what projects are viable nowadays.

Refreshments will be provided. The flyer for the meeting and loads of other info can be found on our website
https://wp.me/p4b7tX-16q

 

Hydro-electricity Project

ECOE is investigating the possibility of a community-owned hydro electricity project at Trews Weir and have met with Exeter City Council (ECC) to discuss it. ECOE may have to bid against commercial companies in order to pursue the project, although this has not been definitely decided yet.

Your support might be able to influence ECC’s decision. Please write or email your ECC councillor asking them to contact The Deputy Chief Exec: Mark Parkinson (who deals with Energy) and ask him to take into consideration the additional social benefit which would be provided if the contract for Trews Weir goes to ECOE and factor this into their evaluation of any tenders. Otherwise, there is a danger that this decision will purely be made on cost grounds and the social impact and value of the community dimension will be overlooked.

Find out more and a sample email here:
www.ecoe.org.uk/newsevents/support-ecoes-trews-weir-project/

Exeter Community Energy, ECoE, coordinates renewable energy projects
Transition Exeter
.
.
.

The latest from SidEnergy > the community energy group for the Sid Valley

Things have been happening with SidEnergy: here's the latest newsletter:


Dear SidEnergy Supporters,

Firstly, we hope you are well and enjoying the summer.

Secondly, I have taken over as chairman from Phil Grove, so a big thank you to Phil for all the work he has done !

Below, please find a few stories with links, if you need more detail or information.


Biodigester Visit

The beginning of June, six SidEnergy members had an interesting and informative visit to the Biodigester at Clyst St Mary.

Seemed quite impressive regarding the amount of gas produced (enough for 80,000 houses) on a smallish site and which we learnt was fed into the gas grid. Gas was generated using a range of agricultural waste and food crops.

For more detail, please read a longer report on the SidEnergy website (coming soon):-

https://www.visionforsidmouth.org/sidenergy.aspx

Britains "Coal Free" Day

Despite the decrease in "Feed In Tariff" rates for home produced solar electric, there have been some good news stories in the national press, including the first of many coal free days:-

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/apr/21/britain-set-for-first-coal-free-day-since-the-industrial-revolution



Britain's Electricity Demand and Generation

If like me you are interested to see what is occurring to electricity demand, generation and carbon emissions, you can look at near real-time generation by different fuels:-

http://electricinsights.co.uk/#/homepage?&_k=owih4n

Try the "Explore the Data" button and look in detail at graphs for each fuel and for different days.


Exeter Community Energy invite

Exeter Community Energy (ECOE) have kindly invited us to a meeting on "Renewable Heat and Heat Networks". Switching our houses and other buildings away from gas and oil to renewables is vital to meeting our carbon reduction targets, so will be interesting to look at current opportunities for Exeter and community energy groups.

Meeting is, July 4th 18.45 to 20.45

Meeting Room, Stephens Scown Solicitors LLP, Curzon House, Southernhay, Exeter, EX1 1RS

https://www.ecoe.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/A5_2pp_Email.pdf


Saving Energy Bills event

For information, SidEnergy are organising a "Saving Energy Bills" event for the end of October (date not yet fixed) for the public to learn simple steps to energy and money saving.

Anyone wishing to assist with this event, please let us know.


Look forward to seeing you at one of our events and best wishes,

Graham Hutchinson

Vision Group for Sidmouth - SidEnergy
.
.
.

SidEnergy trip to biodigester > Tuesday 6th June

A couple of years ago, permission was given to build a 'biodigester' near Clyst St Mary, near Exeter:
14/0858/MFUL | Construction of agricultural anaerobic digester plant for production of renewable energy | Enfield Farm Oil Mill Lane Clyst St Mary Exeter EX5 1AF
Enfield Farm, Clyst St Mary anaerobic digester – permitted « CPRE Devon

This is how it works:

Biodigester - Surrey Docks Farm London

And if you want to see one such plant in operation, there's a visit to Clyst St Mary planned.

Here's a message from SidEnergy:

Dear SidEnergy supporter,

SidEnergy have arranged for us to visit a "biodigester" at Enfield Farm, Oil Mill Lane, Clyst St Mary, Exeter, EX5 1AF, on Tuesday 6th June at 10.30 a.m.

This is a good opportunity for the group to visit relatively new technology that is producing electricity and gas for the grid, from agricultural material.  Operated by Greener for Life Energy Limited.

This is an busy operating site with some risks, so high visibility vests and hard hats will be provided but please wear suitable footwear (e.g. boots).

If possible, we will try and car share, so please let me know if you are willing to drive. The 9, 9A bus also stops near to the site.

We have limited spaces, so please let me know if you would like to come (first come first served basis).

We hope to see you soon.

Best wishes,

Graham Hutchinson (on behalf of SidEnergy)

hutch1ina1000000@hotmail.com 


Or contact via the VGS site:
Vision Group for Sidmouth - Contact

See also:
Futures Forum: District heating systems run on waste... from Scandanavia
Futures Forum: Food for fuel... anaerobic digestion... and farming in Devon
.
.
.

SidEnergy is wound up as a community enterprise ... ... ... but lives on as the Sid Vale Energy Action Group

SidEnergy met up last week to consider where to go next:
Futures Forum: SidEnergy > AGM > Thurs 16th June

This is the message which accompanied the minutes to the meeting:

SidEnergy AGM

Attached  are the minutes taken during the recent SidEnergy Ltd AGM. You may be aware that at this AGM a motion to “Voluntarily wind up SidEnergy Ltd” was voted on, this motion was unanimously carried. This means that SidEnergy Ltd is no longer in existence and is in the final process of being wound up.

We would like to thank you all for your support and although SidEnergy Ltd may have gone the SidEnergy Community Energy group will continue to promote renewable energy and efficiency through programmes like the Open Homes and energy switching workshops and we look forward to your continued support.

Neighbourhood Plan

Some of you who live in the SidValley area will be receiving through the letterbox a consultation form asking for your thoughts and input into the “Neighbourhood Plan”. We would urge you to complete this form and return it at the earliest opportunity. This is your chance to have your say on the development of our community.

We are advising people to include anything that they feel relevant to themselves like public transport, loneliness, support facilities for the aged etc but also to think about including topics like biodiversity; renewable energy and energy resilience.

The Sid Valley Neighbourhood Plan boundary agreed by the planning authority East Devon District Council includes the Sidmouth Town Council Wards of Salcombe Regis, Sidbury, Sidford and Sidmouth. More information can be obtained from

www.sidmouth.gov.uk/index.php/neighbourhood-plan or

http://locality.org.uk/projects/building-community

Kind Regards

The SidEnergy Team

Here are the minutes to the AGM:

.
.
.

SidEnergy > AGM > Thurs 16th June

In the context of changes to the support and funding of community energy projects, SidEnergy is having to rethink its future role:
Futures Forum: SidEnergy latest: lobbying for community energy
Futures Forum: SidEnergy latest: the impact of energy policy changes

SidEnergy will be meeting up to consider where to go next:

SidEnergy
.
.
.

Transition Exmouth and community energy >>> >>> Jurassic Coast Energy initiative

It is not exactly easy being a community energy group at the moment:
Futures Forum: SidEnergy latest: lobbying for community energy
Futures Forum: SidEnergy latest: the impact of energy policy changes

Nevertheless, Transition Exmouth is helping to launch a new initiative, called the JCE:

Jurassic Coast Energy (JCE) 

This is a new initiative by Andy Lock, welcomed as an Affiliated Group 

All of have an interest in our home energy supplies and a wish to have a stake, even ownership, has lead to the founding of numerous Community Energy Groups around the country. In our local area, regular readers of this newsletter will be aware of initiatives in Sidmouth (SidEnergy) and in Exeter (ECOE). Andy feels that it is time we set one up for ourselves, especially since energy is a core remit of the Transition Town Movement. One of the initial steps for a TT is to draw up an Energy Descent Plan; although much discussed, this was never done in Exmouth. 

With the future of renewables never out of the news and reduction of government support, now is the time for community action. Andy held a small meeting recently to discuss possibilities and we were pleased that Helen and Foad from Teign Energy Communities came over and gave us the benefit of their experience. Many others already active in the field have offered him help. Andy now needs to recruit helpers in our local area before setting up a form of community interest company to run the project. 

Andy says: 'There is clearly a great deal to study and learn here and any local initiative will require considerable commitment from a dedicated team. If you think you can help, we can keep this idea alive.' 

Recognising that many willing supporters just don't have time to spare, Andy would welcome contact with recently retired professionals; why let a lifetime's skills go to waste? You can contact Andy on andyadslock@yahoo.co.uk 

Transition Town Exmouth | Dealing With Climate Change and Peak Oil
.
.
.

Smart energy: the decentralised energy system of the future >>> The Smart Energy Marketplace in Exeter >>> Thursday 17th March

The latest news from SidEnergy is that community energy is having a really tough time at the moment:
Futures Forum: SidEnergy latest: lobbying for community energy

And one message in particular was that from RegenSW, urging those interested in developing local energy projects to attend the forthcoming Smart Energy Marketplace in a week's time:

We are having an open policy making session with Fiona Booth, head of community energy at DECC, and Emma Bridge from CEE, at Smart Energy Marketplace Renewable Energy Marketplace on the 17 March, so we very much hope you will join us to have your say.

Smart Energy Marketplace

The decentralised energy system of the future, 17 March 2016, 10am – 4pm, Sandy Park, Exeter

Book here  or call 01392 494 399

Conference and talks now confirmed at Smart Energy Marketplace 2016 | Regen SW
Renewable Energy Marketplace

This piece appeared last week in the Western Morning News promoting the event:

South West 'leading the smart energy revolution'

By WMNKRossiter | Posted: March 04, 2016

By Keith Rossiter


Didcot power station

Comments (2)

The South West is leading the way in the transition to more decentralised, smarter energy system based on renewable energy, a Westcountry renewable energy expert says.

Merlin Hyman, chief executive of Regen SW, was speaking after government advisers said the UK could save up to £8billion a year by using electricity better.

"The call from the new National Infrastructure Commission for government to back this energy revolution is very significant," Mr Hyman said.

The National Infrastructure Commission envisages a smart energy revolution with more cables linking the National Grid to mainland Europe and improved storage of power.

Its report, Smart Power, looks into ways the UK can better balance supply and demand in the energy market.

This would save consumers up to £8 billion a year by 2030, help meet the UK's 2050 carbon targets, and secure Britain's energy supply for generations, the report says.

It says Britain should become a world leader in storing electricity, and make full use of demand flexibility by improving regulation, and informing the public of its benefits.

Lord Adonis, chairman of the commission, said: "Quality infrastructure is fundamental to our quality of life. Better decision making, clearer planning, and more efficient and timely delivery can help create the world class infrastructure this country needs to succeed.

"To radically improve, we have to do more than simply adapt to a changing world – we must shape that change to our advantage. The developments in our electricity sector are a case in point.

"Our existing power stations are closing down and their replacements will be radically different as we decarbonise supply to reduce emissions.

"This represents an enormous challenge, but it also leaves the UK uniquely placed to benefit from three exciting innovations set to transform the global electricity market – interconnection, storage and demand flexibility.

"The UK can lead the world in harnessing these innovations, bringing jobs and investment into the country and cutting bills for consumers."

He added: "If we get this right, a smart power revolution could save consumers £8billion a year."

The commission says the UK needs to store much more energy from intermittent renewable sources like wind and solar.

Fridges, freezers and washing machines could play a part, they say.

Experts believe it is the first step to a full-scale "Internet of Energy", with web-enabled home appliances like freezers and washing machines linked to the grid.

Exeter is hosting a major Smart Energy Marketplace event on March 17 which will showcase to businesses and landowners the energy system of the future and South West leadership in the field. Find out more at www.smartenergymarketplace.co.uk."


South West 'leading the smart energy revolution' | Plymouth Herald
.
.
.

SidEnergy latest: lobbying for community energy

Tomorrow evening sees RegenSW launch the Climate Variety Show in Sidmouth:
Futures Forum: Climate Week in Sidmouth: The Climate Variety Show >>> Friday 11th March

RegenSW has been very supportive of Sidmouth's community energy project:
Futures Forum: SidEnergy latest: the impact of energy policy changes

However, community projects are having a hard time currently, as this latest bulletin from SidEnergy demonstrates:

Greetings from the SidEnergy Team

By now you should be fully aware of the changes made to the renewable 
energy market by the current government as outlined in our Newsletter 
No14. The changes to the “Feed In Tariff” (FIT) and the scrapping of 
the Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) has hit SidEnergy and other 
community energy groups hard; it has also had a devastating impact on 
the Solar PV market in the south west.

What happens next? Currently the directors of SidEnergy are in 
consultation with a number of organisations to discuss and clarify our 
various options. Once our accounts have been fully audited we will 
then call an AGM, at which we will announce our decision. Paid-up 
members will be urged to attend and have their say. It is important to 
us that we get as many opinions as possible.

RegenSW a renewable energy umbrella organisation continues to lobby 
the government on behalf of all community energy groups and a copy of 
their recent email is reproduced below.

The directors would like to thank you all for your support and we look 
forward to continuing to work with you in the future.

The SidEnergy Team

                 -0o-0o-0o-0o-0o-

Email from RegenSW:

Dear SidEnergy

On Wednesday Ian from TRESOC, Francis from South Brent Community 
Energy Society (SBCES) and I attended a meeting at Westminster with 
Andrea Leadsom, Fiona Booth, head of community energy at DECC, and 
Sarah Wollaston. We set out the amazing achievements and impacts of 
community energy so far and the challenges now facing the sector in 
light of recent policy changes.

We asked for:
* innovation funding for new business models (some of the £250million 
allocated) to be directed to community energy
* SITR for community energy – Andrea said, “I wasn’t aware there was 
an expectation for SITR”, which was surprising given the work 
Community Energy England (CEE) has been doing on this. She pointed out 
the EIS tax relief is for high risk investments and was removed for 
community energy groups because the mechanism was being abused by 
developers.  We explained that SITR was for social investments and 
asked if DECC could work on making this available to community energy 
groups
* a more stable policy environment – Andrea explained that from the 
government’s perspective our 8GW solar targets have been met and huge 
subsidies are being paid to private companies and community energy 
groups, at the expense of bill payers, her key focus is keeping energy 
bills down
* her public commitment and support for community energy – Andrea said 
she has stated her commitment to community energy on numerous 
occasions but we’d still like to see some public commitment
* we invited Andrea to visit us in the SW to see how community energy 
has additional benefits, like addressing fuel poverty.


**
A focus on fuel poverty and consumer bills
------------------------------------------------------------
Andrea spent a lot of time talking about the need for community energy 
to address fuel poverty, so this is clearly going to be a big focus 
for her and DECC. We explained that without a viable business model 
and income to a community energy organisation, we can’t pay for fuel 
poverty initiatives and grants and short term interventions are not 
sustainable. Andrea asked for more evidence to demonstrate how 
community energy helps address fuel poverty.

Her other big focus was protecting bill payers. We explained the 
community energy sector’s aspiration to generate local energy and help 
people save money on bills, and that communities are in a unique 
position, as we can generate and shift demand. However, for local 
supply 
(http://regensw.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=087cfaf09896aa1f0e6c03ffd&id=060655750c&e=90e068bab7) 
 to work, the regulatory framework and technicalities need innovative 
pilot projects if we are to enable communities to benefit from the 
distribution and supply margins.


** Meet your MP - tell them your story
------------------------------------------------------------
The government doesn’t appear to be aware of the impacts and wider 
social benefits of community energy. They seem to think it’s about middle 
class people getting a nice return on their investments,  
paid for by 'hardworking families'. Ian and Francis both highlighted 
how their projects are making a difference to everyone. With TRESOC’s 
panels on social housing and SBCES reinvestment in PV on community 
buildings enabling massive savings for community assets, making them 
more likely to stay open. We all need to share our stories with our 
own MP’s to help this government see that community energy is a 
movement delivering huge benefits to our society.

Have a look at our lobbying pack 
(http://regensw.us7.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=087cfaf09896aa1f0e6c03ffd&id=27e5b5d522&e=90e068bab7) 
 if you haven’t met your MP and don’t know where to start.
http://regensw.us7.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=087cfaf09896aa1f0e6c03ffd&id=1d86944ae1&e=90e068bab7

We are having an open policy making session with Fiona Booth, head of 
community energy at DECC, and Emma Bridge from CEE, at Smart Energy 
Marketplace 
(http://regensw.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=087cfaf09896aa1f0e6c03ffd&id=42d96885f0&e=90e068bab7) 
on the 17 March, so we very much hope you will join us to have your 
say.

We want to get as many community groups along to the event and we have 
specific community discounts available. We are also offering a special 
event partnership to allow communities to come along and exhibit, in 
exchange for promoting the event. If interested please contact 
Charlotte: cwallis@regensw.co.uk (mailto:cwallis@regensw.co.uk) .
Please get in touch if you have any questions.

Kind regards,

Jodie Giles
Senior project manager
‘Delivering sustainable energy’

Regen SW
New Regen report on future energy scenarios at local level | Regen SW
Supporting Communities
South West 'leading the smart energy revolution' | Plymouth Herald
.
.
.