FIT review not a good fit

With the latest bombshell the government has dropped on the world of renewable energy – that changes to the FIT rates are both reduced and the deadline brought forward to December 12th from March 31st - TRESOC directors are working out what impact this will have.
Members gave their approval at the last general meeting for TRESOC to go ahead with solar PV projects that would provide an immediate return on investment. Recent developments have made the situation fluid almost on a daily basis now the government has thrown a virtual spanner in the works.
Fortunately, TRESOC is not committed to any projects that are at risk of falling between the two dates – the former being the original March 31st cut-off and the latter being the new revised December 12th cut-off for maximum FIT.
Members will be updated as soon as concrete information becomes available, but rest assured, TRESOC funds are not in jeopardy as a result of this shock FIT review. It does mean directors will have to work a little harder to secure the right deal in these changing times.
We are getting more involved with groups like Co-operatives UK and Low Carbon Communities Network who are actively lobbying on community energy and will be attending a couple of key events this week in Bath and Bristol to make sure we are up to date on the latest information and/or call to action, for example lobbying for a community tariff.

For more information on the FIT review, click here.

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Community tariff?

In the light of the FIT review, Low Carbon Communities Network are calling for a community tariff, which we support along with Co-operatives UK, but would like to see any definition of community energy on which this would be based encompass more than not-for-profit enterprises, otherwise many co-ops, which distribute profits to their members, could be excluded. Let us know what you think: admin@tresoc.co.uk.

Here are some encouraging stats from Co-operatives UK:
• 19 trading energy generation co-operatives. Wholly owned installed capacity of 19.6MW and part share in larger schemes which themselves have a total installed capacity of 1.22GW.
• 6 energy co-operatives at launch stage – currently undertaking or just completed a community share issue. Potential installed capacity of 0.9MW.
• A further 14 registered energy generation co-operatives which are still undertaking or planning to undertake feasibility studies. Potential installed capacity of 7.5MW.
• Total share capital raised to date £15,928,900

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We are delighted to say that all 190 applications for shares in this year's Share Issue have been approved by the board, and we welcome 124 new members to TRESOC.  Share certificates are being prepared and will be sent out next week with the notices regarding the AGM and Christmas Party.

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Any Questions on Renewable Energy?

A panel of experts chaired by Jonathan Dimbleby, will answer questions about Renewable Energy.
You can ask about:
• renewable energy technologies - wind turbines, photovoltaics, solar water heating, biomass and hydro systems
• the use of renewables in the South Hams
• domestic systems and community and commercial enterprises
• Feed-in Tariffs, the Renewable Heat Incentive and the potential for income
• South Hams planning policies, grants and loans

For more information and to register questions contact:
Vivien Napper, tel: 01584 842405, email: viv@rathlyn.eclipse.co.uk
or Flo Stathers, tel: 01548 857567, email: flostathers@hotmail.co.uk
or visit their website: www.southhamssociety.org

The event is supported by the South Devon Coastal Renewable Energy
Network (SDCREN) and Towards a Sustainable Kingsbridge (TASK)

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Totnes Community Wind Farm Open Day

Following on from our informative Site Visit Day, we are now organising what we expect to be a very popular event...the environmental surveys are now complete for the Totnes Community Wind Farm, so do come along to:

Community Open Day
Saturday 19th November 2011
Harbertonford Village Hall, Woodcourt Road, Harbertonford, TQ9 7TR
General Exhibition 2pm-8pm
Noise Workshop 10:30am-12:00pm for anyone with a special interest

If you are keen to attend the workshop, please register by:
• email to info@totnescommunitywindfarm.co.uk
• letter to Freepost Infinergy Ltd (no stamp required)
• a phone call to 0800 862 0309
www.totnescommunitywindfarm.co.uk

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Ian and Jane attended the fantastic tour on Oct 11-12, joining folks largely from the South West of the UK and Tipperary, Ireland. The tour began with 3 technical presentations at O.O. Energiesparverband’s Energy Academy and continued with 5 site visits, which enabled us to see woodfuel boilers hard at work providing heating to companies and communities. It was very inspiring!
The tour covered:
• the role of the state government and the region in developing legislation and providing funding
• the role of the energy agency for Upper Austria, O.O. Energiesparverband, in shifting awareness, promoting energy efficiency and renewable energy and providing services such as energy advice (15,000 sessions per year)
• how to get a biomass heating market started
• fuel types: log, woodchip and pellets
• working case studies of district-scale heating systems
• renewable heat contracting
• boiler manufacturing

The Renewable Heat Incentive looks like a remarkable opportunity for the UK to lessen its reliance on gas and oil by installing woodfuel heating systems (air source heat pumps are an option, but they use electricity). In the first phase, long-term tariff support will be targeted in the non-domestic sectors, at the big heat users – the industrial, business and public sector – which contribute 38% of the UK’s carbon emissions.

Click for more information on the Renewable Heat Incentive

Click for more information on woodfuel heating in Austria

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** A Point of View: In praise of wind turbines **
The countryside is often a man-made landscape, not a natural idyll, and wind turbines are just part of that tradition, writes Will Self.

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** We were wrong about wind turbine noise admit protestors **

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** Powerful music performed under a wind turbine **

The 'If Not, Then What?' campaign led by young people aim to challenge anti-green energy movements.

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