Do you want to be part of ground level, community-based solutions to the climate crisis? This one-day masterclass will equip you with the knowledge and skills to make a difference in your local community and help to create a low carbon future and local green jobs.

During the day we will bring together some of the leaders in the community energy sector across the UK. We will give you step by step support on how you can join with people in your local community to start up renewable energy, energy efficiency and fuel poverty projects.

The day will include sessions on starting a community energy group, finding funding, developing projects and a technical crash course. We will tell you about inspiring projects that that will give you food for thought and explain the support that Community Energy South can offer you to make it all happen.

This masterclass is funded by Essex County Council and the LECSEA programme which includes further regional community energy support but this masterclass is open to all.

The LECSEA (Local Energy Communities for the 2 Seas region) programme is a cross border project funded through the Interreg 2 Seas programme. Interreg 2 Seas 2014-2020 is a European Territorial Cooperation Programme covering England, France, the Netherlands and Belgium (Flanders). The Programme is part-financed by the European Regional Development Fund

Schedule

10 am Welcome: Ollie Pendered, CEO Community Energy South (CES)

10.05 Support for Community Energy in Essex, Tom Day, Essex County Council

10.35 Getting a new group started; (including legal structures, project, team, governance business planning & business development support programme) Esme Donghi, CES

11.00 Partnerships & Engagement: Getting community buy in, Terena Plowright Greening Campaign

11.15 TEA BREAK

11.30 Making a project happen - project planning: where to start, Chris Rowland, CES

12.00 Solar PV technical overview: Chris Rowland CES

12.15 Renewable heat - the technical overview, Nicki Myers, CES

12.45 How to set up an EV project, technical basics and involving the local community, Gustavo Montes De Oca, Nadder Community Energy & Susan Ross, Derwent Valley Car Club

Q & A

13.15 LUNCH

14.00 Inspriring Projects, Damian Tow, Brighton Energy Co-op

14.15 Microgrids: Damon Rand, Bristol

14.35 Community Heat projects, Michael Beaven, Maid Energy

14.50 Finding Funding: Funding Overview, Esme Donghi CES

15.00 The Rural Community Energy Fund (RCEF), John Taylor Greater South East Energy Hub

15.25 How to raise funds through community share offers, Eva Goudouneix, North Kensington Community Energy

15.45 Where to go from here? Esme Donghi CES

16.00 Close