Whittonstall Public Meeting
January 26th, 2010 by jonathan On the 25th of January at the Anchor Inn, David Lacey of CES delivered a presentation outlining the plans for a renewable technology project at the request of UK Coal. The project has now moved into a consultation phase, where members of the community can talk to representatives of CES regarding renewable options for the village and individual homes. A copy of the presentation can be downloaded by clicking this link: public presentation. Please direct any queries to Jonathan Cripps (jonathan.cripps@communityenergysolutions.org.uk or 0191 537 7230) or Sharon Lashley (sharon.lashley@communityenergysolutions.org.uk or 0191 537 7232). |
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CONFERENCE ON HEAT-PUMP TECHNOLOGY USING MINEWATER
January 26th, 2010 by jonathan CES would like to publicize the following event, which will explore the use of heat-pumps using water in abandoned coal mines as a form of sustainable heating. The event is hosted by the National Coal Mining Museum for England in Overton, West Yorkshire (website) on the 22nd of February, 2010. If you are interested in attending this event, please download the information and contact details by clicking here: NCMM Heat Pump Conference. Please direct any enquiries to Maggie Heaton at the National Coal Mining Museum: maggie.heaton@ncm.org.uk |
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Community Energy Groups join forces to announce multi million pound contract
January 18th, 2010 by jonathan With the pressure of national and international targets to reduce carbon emissions and increasing levels of fuel poverty in the UK, two non-profit distributing organisations have joined forces to turn parts of the UK into renewable energy microgeneration hot spots. Community Energy Solutions (CES) and Renewables East, are celebrating the successful completion of a tender process for suppliers of air-to-water heat pumps. Both parties aim to bring affordable and environmentally-friendly warmth into up to 2,500 homes by introducing renewable heating systems and insulation measures. The contracts, for the supply and distribution of air source heat pumps, are worth an estimated £3.75 million and will result in the lives of a large number of households being improved by providing a cleaner and more cost effective source of space heating and domestic hot water, reducing the carbon footprint of whole regions. Air-to-water-heat pumps provide a low carbon, cost effective heating solution by extracting the heat from outside air and using it to heat homes. After receiving 33 expressions of interest, CES has partnered with Renewables East to nominate three suppliers of micro renewable energy technologies, creating a robust supply chain. The suppliers, Daikin, TEV (Heat King), and Mitsubishi have now entered contracts to provide an expected 2,500 air source heat pumps over the next two years. CES Chief Executive, Chris Leek outlines the impact the move will have on CES’s commitment to providing mass market renewable technology: “This will serve to drive forward our agenda to make a real difference to the carbon footprint of communities across much of England as well as help the UK meet its target of 15% of its energy coming from renewables by 2020. With a tender this size, we have been able to purchase the air source heat pumps in bulk, thus reducing the cost massively and enabling us to pass on this saving to communities.” Three years ago, when CES put their last provision of air source heating pumps out to tender, they elected just one provider, a reflection of the small number of suppliers operating in the UK at the time. Today, the fact that CES and Renewables East received over thirty expressions of interest, demonstrates the wide selection and competition in the market place. Clearly, renewable energy technologies such as air to water heat pumps are increasingly in demand and what was once a niche product is now becoming mainstream. CES Operations Director, David Lacey commented: “Electing more than one provider will not only ensure that we don’t distort the market place, but also guarantee a robust supply chain at our fingertips. The air source heat pumps produced by TEV, Mitsubishi and Daikin are quite different products and therefore we are now able to give our partners, local authorities, social housing providers and private householders, more choice.” Renewables East is an independent organisation, core funded by the East of England Development Agency (EEDA). Renewables East is closely modelling its own fuel poverty alleviation activities on the business model of both CES and GoWarm, based on the successes of CES in becoming a leading organisation in providing affordable, low carbon heating solutions. CES has already helped hundreds of people across the North East, Yorkshire and Humber by installing air to water heat pumps into communities which have no access to the mains gas network, where previously householders had been forced to rely on ineffective, expensive and carbon-rich heating and hot water systems. CES is a non-profit-distributing organisation, which is funded by the Government’s Department of Energy and Climate Change and regional development agencies, Yorkshire Forward and One North East. For more information about Renewables East, please visit www.renewableseast.org.uk |
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Tender for supply of Solar PV
January 6th, 2010 by jonathan CES is tendering for the supply of roof integrated solar photovoltaic systems. For further information, and to complete the pre-qualification questionnaire, please click here |
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Sunbeam House, Wallsend
December 29th, 2009 by jonathan This property was formerly the caretaker’s home at the Richardson Dees School in Wallsend. It was originally a small, two bedroom, detached solid wall house and prior to the refurbishment was heated by a conventional gas fired central heating system.
North Tyneside Council wanted to create a showcase dwelling with the smallest possible carbon footprint, and to show what can be done with older, hard to treat properties, so it was decided to utilise the maximum amount of renewable energy technology. The first stage was to construct a highly insulated, sustainable, timber extension on the south elevation to provide an extra bedroom with en suite and more living space. At the same time to internally insulate and dry line the original structure. Double glazing was installed throughout. The next task was to replace the elderly gas boiler and radiators. CES supplied a Baxi air sourced heat pump, which was installed in conjunction with under floor heating through out to maximise the operating efficiency and Vaillant supplied a solar thermal domestic hot water system. Energy efficient lighting and electrical equipment was installed as well as rainwater harvesting.
The works are now complete and the property is about to be let. During the coming heating season when fully occupied, the energy consumption levels will be carefully monitored. |
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Tender for installers
December 23rd, 2009 by penny CES are tendering for companies with experience of installing gas central heating systems, air source heat pumps and solar thermal hot water systems to form a list of approved installers. Approved installers will design and install the heating systems and be expected to be experienced in working in both social and private housing. CES will recommend approved installers to our customers and partners. The approved installer will have a contract with the private householders and our project partners who will be social housing providers and landlords. The deadline for return of Pre Qualification Questionnaires (PQQs) is 12:00 hours on 30 January 2010. For details, and to download the PQQ forms, please click here |
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Outrage at rising toll of excess deaths in winter
December 22nd, 2009 by penny Published in the Yorkshire Post, 25 November 2009
By Simon Neville
Unnecessary winter deaths shot up 43 per cent across Yorkshire last year, leaving the Government’s commitment to tackle fuel poverty in tatters, charities have said.
The number of “excess” deaths across the region, 3,500 between December 2008 and March 2009, was the highest in almost 10 years.
Nationally, there were 21,400 excess winter deaths in women and 15,300 among men – an increase of 49 per cent on the 2007-08 figures. The largest increase, 59 per cent , was in men aged 75 to 84. In Yorkshire the most vulnerable age group was the over-85s, accounting for almost 50 per cent of all excess winter deaths. In the region 200 people under 65 died last winter unnecessarily while 500 were between 65 and 74, 1,200 were between 75 and 84, and 1,700 were 85 and over. Charities blamed the Government for the high figures and claimed it was failing the elderly and most vulnerable. The head of policy at Age Concern and Help the Aged, Andrew Harrop, said: “It’s a national scandal that the UK has more older people dying in winter, compared with the rest of the year, than countries with more severe weather such as Sweden and Finland. “Excess winter deaths of older people have remained stubbornly high in recent years, but last winter’s huge spike sounds a deafening wake-up call about the older population’s well-being if we have another cold snap. “To end this national scandal, the Government must do much more to tackle fuel poverty, which currently affects one in three older households.” The chief officer for Age Concern in North Yorkshire, Alex Bird, said: “We’re not surprised by these figures. “The key factor for older people is to stay active and socialise, but for people in North Yorkshire, because of the demographic, this can be difficult. The elderly should go to the local lunch clubs and activities in the community because this can be the best way to stay healthy. “We need to make sure more older people can be entitled to benefits because at the moment there are too many on the margins who need help.” More than 520,000 households in the Yorkshire and Humber region cannot afford to heat their homes, according to fuel poverty charity National Energy Action (NEA). Its chief executive Jenny Saunders urged the Government to increase the budget for the Warm Front Scheme, which provides a package of insulation and heating improvements up to the value of £3,500, to £530m next year. She said: “The Government needs to step up action that will end these shameful statistics and comprehensibly tackle fuel poverty in the UK.” A Department of Health spokesman said: “The causes of excess winter deaths are very complex. Last year was a colder than average winter, which explains some of the extra deaths seen. “The Department is working in partnership with the Department of Energy and Climate Change and Warm Front to increase the uptake of grants to improve heating systems, insulation and increase the uptake of benefits.” |
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Air source heat pumps take the Apple!
December 22nd, 2009 by penny East Riding of Yorkshire Council (ERYC) in partnership with Community Energy Solutions (CES) have been awarded a Green Apple Environment Award for their renewable heat partnership scheme and are delighted to have brought the coveted award back to the region. The Apple was scooped for a joint project which has brought hundreds of householders across East Riding warmer and greener homes through the provision of renewable heating and insulation measures, and advice. The Community Energy Renewables Project, lead by Community Energy Solutions (CES), aims to reduce levels of fuel poverty in rural East Riding of Yorkshire, to increase the profile of air source heat pumps and to encourage more people to see them as an alternative when their heating system needs replacing. Representatives from both CES and ERYC attended the Green Apple Award ceremony at the House of Commons where they were presented with their trophy. Jane Mears, senior environmental health officer for ERYC, accepted the award alongside Lee Cattermole, CES operations director and Tom Shepherd, CES project manager. She said: “East Riding of Yorkshire Council is delighted to have received a Green Apple Environment Award. Thanks to the great response from residents, we have been able to pilot this technology and offer an increasing number the chance of a more affordable heating system. ” By effectively, working in partnership with CES we have been able to swiftly unlock all the necessary funding and technical elements in order to help off-gas properties switch to state-of-the-art air source heat pumps, where extensions to mains gas supplies were quite simply not viable.” ERYC is a very large rural, unitary authority covering an area of 930 square miles and a population of over 300,000 residents. Some 27 per cent of these communities within the district are so remote that they have no access to mains gas supplies. Having worked together for over two years, CES and ERYC have reached hundreds of households who, due to their remote locations, have previously relied on coal, oil, LPG or storage heaters to heat their homes. By installing air source heat pumps, a low carbon, cost effective heating solution, into homes, the project reduces household heating costs, improves the warmth of peoples’ homes and assists in reducing fuel poverty. Tom Shepherd of CES said: “We are delighted to have been working with East Riding of Yorkshire Council on this project and it’s an honour to receive such official recognition for the joint work we have carried out. Not only are we at the forefront of helping people out of fuel poverty, but our project is fundamental in reducing the carbon footprint of whole communities. The Green Apple Awards are organised by the Green Organisation, an independent, non-political, non-activist, non-profit environment group dedicated to recognising, rewarding and promoting environmental best practice around the world. |
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New Wortley resident celebrates hat trick of fortunes in a year
December 22nd, 2009 by penny
A New Wortley resident has had the most memorable year in a long time… Not only has Diane Willey of Clyde Walk just retired from her council job after 34 years service, and celebrated her ruby wedding anniversary, she has also had gas fitted to her home allowing her to have central heating for the first time in her 65 years. New Wortley in Leeds is the first area of many that is to benefit from the partnership between Northern Gas Networks and Leeds-based community interest group Community Energy Solutions (CES). Working in conjunction with West North West Homes Leeds (WNWHL) the partnership is seeing up to 282 homes in New Wortley enjoying gas-fuelled heating and hot water systems before the winter. Work on extending the gas mains into the estate is now planned to complete by the end of this month and already nearly 60 of those homes have signed up to receive an efficient gas central heating system from WNWHL. A massive four out of five residents approached so far have taken up the offer, which can reduce fuel bills, and offer a more environmentally friendly way of heating their than the existing system and can give much greater comfort levels, meaning a warm and healthy home. Many of the homes have also been receiving ‘whole house’ energy efficiency measures, and free benefits advice from CES. Diane, who lives in her home with husband Keith and son Craig, is keen to urge other tenants to take up the offer both on her estate and as the partnership moves into other areas. Her family previously heated their home through under floor heating which they had to stop using after bills reached over £400 a quarter. Since then they have been managing with plug in radiators and an electric fire, plus the cost of an economy 7 system to heat their water. Diane, who was a cleaner in the Great George Building for Leeds City Council until her retirement this month, said: “Many people shy away from this change as it is the unknown, but the team delivering the package are simply marvellous. The whole process both inside my own house and outside on the roads has been less disruptive than I could have ever thought. In fact, there was more disruption when we had the street lights replaced! “I am looking forward to welcoming my other two children along with my grand children Sadie (5) and Sam (2) to my home, especially at Christmas when we will be all snug and warm! I’ve never had heating in the bedrooms, so it doesn’t matter how cold it gets this winter, I know Keith and I will be nice and warm at home.” Northern Gas Networks’ Chris Arnold visited Diane in her home to see the difference for himself. He said: “Mrs Willey and her neighbours are just the first of what we hope are many community-based projects that we can deliver in partnership with Community Energy Solutions. Bringing affordable warmth to these communities is quite simply vital, and it is very rewarding seeing them being connected to the gas mains with their quality of life improved already.” Stuart Roberts, project officer for West North West Homes Leeds has been working with local residents and is delighted at the take up for the new heating systems. He said: “This is a truly ground-breaking project and it’s great that the first major project of its kind in the UK will be undertaken right here in the heart of Yorkshire. Whilst the external works are nearly complete, WNWHL will be around for many more months ensuring that those who want central heating receive it.” |
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Richmondshire is set to benefit from renewable heating scheme
December 22nd, 2009 by penny Householders in Richmondshire are to benefit from warmer homes following the installation of an air source heat pump in a Scorton home. The project, which aims to bring renewable heating systems and insulation measures into whole communities, will be lead by Community Energy Solutions (CES) in partnership with Richmondshire District Council (RDC) and Vale & Dale Home Improvement Agency. The council has given the project its seal of approval after CES arranged a demonstration installation for a council house in Scorton, thus enabling the partnership to move into selected wards within Richmondshire. Scorton resident, Mrs Duncan said: “I have lived with only storage heating for longer than I can remember and the air source heat pump is a welcome relief. The whole process has been explained to me by CES and I knew exactly what to expect every step of the way. The installation of the heating system was quick and easy, with little mess or inconvenience. I am looking forward to a warmer and cheaper winter!” CES and RDC will be targeting private housing in Council Tax bands A and B starting in the villages of Hawes in Wensleydale and Reeth in Swaledale, to fit the environmentally friendly air source heat pumps. Up until now, these communities have had to rely on expensive and impractical heating sources such as storage heating, oil, bottled gas and solid fuel to heat their homes and water. CES Project Manager, Tom Shepherd said: “This new partnership with Richmondshire District Council follows several similar projects throughout Yorkshire and Humberside which have been extremely successful. For instance, over 60 homes have been updated with fully funded or heavily subsidised new heating systems in a project with East Riding of Yorkshire Council. This is the first time we have worked in Richmondshire, and if the project is successful, we hope that it will extend to other areas in the future. “We are sending leaflets to selected privately owned and rented households in Hawes and Reeth which explain how we work and what financial support is available. Many residents are eligible to receive funding for the air source heat pump and its installation.” CES will be providing funding towards air source heat pumps, as the communities lie so far from the gas mains meaning that extending the gas supply into their homes is not a viable option. As well as being renewable and much more environmentally friendly than the current heating sources in these wards, the heat pumps are also cheaper to run. Councillor Peter Wood, spokesperson for housing at Richmondshire District Council was on site to see the final stages of CES’s pump installation in Scorton. He said: “We are working with CES as part of our commitment to reduce fuel poverty in the region. By updating heating systems, not only will the scheme create more energy efficient homes, but it will also substantially decrease their energy bills. With many residents being eligible for full funding for the heat pump and its installation, it seems like an opportunity too good miss.” |
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