Network Update – February 2014

Welcome to February’s Network Update. This month; Ride The Wave; Solar and AMR competition; LED case study; Go ultra low; Breakfast event details; Don’t waste it, WARPit!

Don’t Miss! Heat-Pump, Solar & Low-Carbon Technology Events

Our next three events examine energy efficient and renewable energy technologies, looking at the pros, cons, costs and practicalities:

• Sustainable Business Breakfast – 27th February, 08:00 to 10:00, Newhaven
  Air source heat-pumps, energy management systems, best practice case study

• Low-Carbon Technology Showcase – 4th March, 09:00 to 13:00, Crawley
  Innovative energy saving technologies developed by local businesses

• Sustainable Business Breakfast – 19th March, 08:00 to 10:00, Burgess Hill
  Solar PV special. Topic expert, council planner, case study business

We’re expecting 30 to 40 delegates at each event! The breakfast events cost £20 or £30 for two. The Low-Carbon Technology Showcase is free thanks to the ERDF-part funded RE:Start Local programme.

To book your place email us or call 01444 477501 or 07807 588887.

Coming Soon… Furniture Reuse Portal

The Sustainable Business Network has joined up with an innovative new project that helps organisations rehome unwanted furniture, fittings and stationary instead of paying for them to be disposed of. Items can be uploaded to the WARPit website and are available to other network members free of charge. It’s a win-win idea, reducing costs for both parties and environmental impact.

For starters we are looking for organisations with unwanted furniture. Contact us for a WARPit login.

Innovation Competition: Solar PV and Energy Monitoring

The Institute for Sustainability has launched a competition to find innovative metering and monitoring and solar photovoltaic solutions to help some of the UK’s biggest commercial and retail property owners and investors, including Sainsbury’s and Land Securities, to reduce the environmental impact of their buildings. Deadline 7th March. Competition details.

Free Course: Sustainability in the Workplace

Are rising energy costs reducing your margins? Are customers questioning your green credentials? Then don’t miss this free half-day workshop which will help you decode your utility bills and identify opportunities to save money through improving energy efficiency and reducing waste.

As part of the Brighton & Hove Chamber of Commerce Ride the Wave programme, two courses are being held at the Jubilee Library in Brighton. Bookings: 11th March – 1st April

LED Lighting Saves Village Store £245 Per Year

Ninfield Village Stores have reduced their energy consumption by 2,175 kWh per year by updating ageing fluorescent tubes to LEDs. With an annual saving of £245 expected, the new lamps will pay for themselves in 3.5 years. Owner Chris Moore is also pleased with the “brighter, cleaner light” they produce. They did not need to change the lamp fittings to accommodate the LEDs, but just disconnect the fluorescent tube control gear. The village store received a grant to help cover the cost of the upgrade from the Energy Efficient East Sussex programme.

Support for East Sussex Businesses to Reduce Travel Costs

Sustrans, the national charity championing sustainable travel, has launched a new project to help small businesses based in East Sussex reduce the cost and environmental impact of business travel.

The Smarter Small Business Travel Project offers a range of free services from advice or short courses to a tailored programme, including a review of current travel habits, the development of a travel plan, staff engagement activities and monitoring and evaluation tools to review progress made. Full details.

Roofs Sought for Community Solar

Repower Balcombe are a recently formed community energy co-operative. They are looking to install solar PV on roofs of community buildings, business and farms in and around the Balcombe area. There are no costs for the host sites and discounted electricity for 20-25 years. Email: hello@repowerbalcombe.com

And finally…

Go Ultra Low! – Visit website
All you need to know about electric vehicles

Subsidised training for small rural businesses – Details
At Plumpton College. Wide range of topics. EU part-funded

Final £10 million Energy Entrepreneurs Fund opens – Application forms
Competitive funding scheme to support energy efficient product development

Grants for Green Deal Installer Certification – Full details
Up to £1,000 for West Sussex businesses to become authorised Green Deal Installers

The Big Energy Idea – Read more
Competition to find 10 energy social entrepreneurs. Deadline 28th February