Workshops

Syndicate services and shared resources to manage community energy schemes
This workshop will discuss the possible opportunities for community energy groups to collectively engage more affordable support and administration services for helping to run the community energy schemes, including financial and back office support.
This workshop will be run twice.

Harnessing the wind – new opportunities for community wind energy
This workshop reflects on the Ambition Community Energy turbine project, exploring how its blueprint inspired the “Sustainable Financial Foundations For Turbines” initiative (with partners Community Power Solutions, funded by the West of England Combined Authority). The workshop will cover the core principles for developing community onshore wind projects of community engagement, collaborative planning, and working with consultancies for site identification. The session will also offer insights on how community energy groups can support communities to prepare to host an onshore wind turbine.
This workshop will be run twice.

Engaging your community in energy saving and retrofit
This workshop will explore opportunities for community energy groups to engage their communities in energy saving and retrofit. We will discuss ways to identify need and what role community energy groups can play. We will look at learning from examples across England and signpost tools and resources that can support this activity.

Top tips for applying to the Community Energy Fund

This workshop will provide tips for success when applying to the Community Energy Fund, using examples of successful applications and explaining common reasons why applications are rejected. Facilitated by the SW Net Zero Hub, who will be on hand to answer questions about your specific plans or projects.

Smart Energy

Smart Local Energy Systems (SLES) or Smart Community Energy Systems (SCES) are a joined up, strategic, systems approach to how the UK might transition to net-zero. It considers heat, transport, electricity generation and energy efficiency within a region. It is an approach that has been developed by academics and adopted by think tanks and being talked about in Government and Local Authority Circles. Bristol’s City Leap is an example of this kind of approach. It is one where the community is seen as a significant stakeholder in the net-zero transition, in partnership with the Local Authority and commercial stakeholders. This workshop will look at what a SLES is and the role communities might play.

Grid connections - unlocking the local energy network
Representatives from the National Grid will provide an update on grid connection plans and issues in the South-West and there will be a facilitated discussion and Q&A session.

Registrations are closed

October Network Meeting - Working Together to Accelerate Community Energy