building a low carbon alliance A talk by Chris Rowland OVESCO is working with:

Transcription

1 "Energy futures and civil society in the EU building a low carbon alliance Transition & OVESCO A talk by Chris Rowland OVESCO is working with:

2 Transition - a switch From centralised to decentralised power

3 Why do Transition? Our fears! As part of the creation of 'The Transition Companion', we asked those involved in Transition why they do Transition. Here are the most common responses... Because of Peak Oil Because of climate change Because of fear Because of the economic crisis

4 Why do Transition? Our hopes! But most common responses also included these positive responses... Because it feels way more fun than not doing it Because of wanting a fairer world Because it means people do the projects they've always dreamed of Because it feels like the most appropriate thing to be doing Because it gives me hope

5 one Transition Town in Totnes in Europe & over 900 world wide The Transition movement: Today Totnes... tomorrow the world

6 Transition Town Lewes TTL Some of the TTL Projects The Lewes Pound a local currency TT Pound & Better Banking Group Lewes Food Market for local produce TT Food Group Draught busting workshops TT REconomy Group OVESCO TT Energy Group

7 The Ouse Valley Energy Services Company or OVESCO Is a TTL response to our future energy needs

8 The need to reduce energy consumption! The current system wastes energy & produces vast amounts of CO2 emissions

9 We need to decentralise our energy supply A mix of local renewable power resources for homes, businesses, Community buildings and farms

10 OVESCO - a community owned renewable energy company Local empowerment to achieve greater success Local employment to stimulate the economy & build resilience to shocks Local ownership to increase the wealth in the community A Community Interest Company for community benefit to raise capital for projects

11 Council grants and loans OVESCO Supporting the Community MSC registered installers for microgeneration Help with the Feed-in Tariff (FiT) and Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) Help with insulation and making the right choices for the public Green Deal

12 One of the UK s First Community owned PV Power station?

13 How does it work? The Feed-in Tariff makes the project viable.

14 OVESCo as an IPS for community benefit All investors have equal rights Share issue from OVESCo ,000 OVESCO registered for Enterprise Investment Scheme Return on investment 4% from third year for 25 years Importantly investors can get involved and support local decentralised power Communities for Renewables and Regen SW are delighted to report a major success in our campaign to ensure that the government s proposals to exclude Feed in tariffs businesses from the Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) and Venture Capital Trusts (VCT) does not apply to social enterprises. Lobbying Government works! Make change happen for the benefit of your community

15 As a not for profit organisation OVESCo would: Give a any surplus profit to support future projects. Support the public with energy advice. Build a portfolio of local renewable energy projects We have 250 investors and have raised over 350,000 for our first project.

16 Benefit to Harveys Brewery? Free electricity in return for lease of roof for 25 years. Good will and community involvement. Reduction on CO2 emissions.

17 The project 98kWp PV array or 545 panels at Harveys warehouse

18 Making it happen in Lewes share launch night

19 Making it happen Installing the PV array

20 The completed project - 27 th July 2011

21 Our 2 nd project Priory School in Lewes 35kWp

22 Barriers & needs to succeed! Clear long term policy on renewable energy Support from all government departments A fair & free market place for community renewables A Community Feed-in Tariff & Renewable Heat Incentive or similar Funding for feasibility studies and set up costs Help to share knowledge Encouragement & help to scale up Other communities want to copy OVESCO

23 Making the transition to community power generation Every citizen should have the right to invest in & benefit from community owned renewable power Thank you