Network Update – May 2014

This month; New Video Case Study; Green Growth Platform Launch; Welcome Emma; That Chiller Ain’t so Cool; Free Procurement Toolkit.

 

Booking fast! Green Growth Platform Launch Event – 18th June

Over 50 businesses have so far booked to attend the launch of the Green Growth Platform, next month at the Arora Hotel in Crawley. Following speakers including Kew Garden’s Millennium Seed Bank and the innovative Brighton based Enviroblinds, there’ll be a chance to find out about Green Growth Platform services and time to meet other local businesses, public sector and university representatives over wine and canapés. It’s not to be missed!

Wednesday 18th June, 15:00 to 18:00, Arora Hotel, Crawley. Free to attend but booking essential. Event details and bookings  –  Green Growth Platform website.

 

Welcome to our new Events Co-ordinator 

A warm welcome Emma Wilding, our new Events Co-ordinator. Emma joins us following a successful internship at Brighton & Hove Chamber of Commerce. She will be organising our networking breakfasts, workshops and training courses, and will keep you updated as new dates and venues are scheduled.

 

Video: Community Building Energy Savings

LED lighting, solar PV and wireless heating controls have helped three community buildings in Mid Sussex reduce their energy bills. In our latest video, the building managers share their reasons for installing the technologies, the cost of their projects and how much they expect to save. Watch the video.

Blog: That Chiller ain’t so Cool…

In a cafe in East Sussex we measured the operating power of various electrical equipment. An innocuous sandwich chiller was found to be operating at 800 Watts, and costing the business over £500 a year to run! As no perishables were left in the chiller overnight, we suggested fitting a seven-day timer so that it would switch off automatically out of hours. Annual savings of over £300 are expected. The importance of monitoring and measuring was highlighted – which is focus of this months’ blog.

 

Next Breakfasts: Energy Monitoring, LEDs & Electric Vehicles

Join us in Eastbourne on the 10th July for an Energy Efficiency Breakfast. We’ll have a demonstration of the latest LED lighting technology and hear about how sub-metering and energy monitoring can help you better manage energy usage and costs. Details.

On the 17th July in Chichester our focus is electric vehicles. Further details.

£20 or £30 for two. Call 07796 838592 or email network@sustainablebusiness.org.uk.

 

New Toolkit to Help Local Suppliers Compete for Big Business 

The Institute for Sustainability’s free Local Procurement and Supply Chain Toolkit provides detailed information to help SMEs benefit from the increasing focus on local supply chains by large buyers. The toolkit also gives both public and private sector procurers practical guidance on how to make it easier for local suppliers to work with them.

 

Profitnet Launch for Sustainable Building and Energy Companies

The University of Brighton’s popular Profitnet, business collaboration network, is back, and for the first time there will be a dedicated Sustainable Building and Energy Group. Profitnet brings together business owners and decision makers to tackle common challenges. For details and membership fees visit the Profitnet website.

 

And finally…

Environment Agency website moves to Gov.uk
New address: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/environment-agency

Horsham Cycle Challenge 2014 – Website
Free workplace competition to see who can get the most people riding a bike.

Don’t waste it, WARPit! – Register
Free on-line portal for Network Members to re-home unwanted furniture, fittings and stationary.

Flexible workspace opens in Bognor Regis – Website
The Core Business Hub offers hot desking, office space and meeting rooms.