Network Update – September 2014

Energy Efficiency Grants for West Sussex Small Businesses

NEW! Funded by West Sussex County Council, grants of up to £2,000 are available to help small businesses (<50 employees) with commercial premises in West Sussex reduce energy consumption at their premises.

Eligible projects may include such as LED lighting, heating controls, boiler upgrades or insulation. No match funding is required, just a sensible project plan with quantifiable savings. There is a total of £20,000 to be awarded. If oversubscribed, grants will be awarded on a competitive basis, judged by a panel. Deadline 17:00 Friday 24th October. Details and application forms.

Upcoming Breakfasts: Hastings & Brighton

In November our focus is on commercial solar in Hastings, then sustainable buildings in Brighton. Sustainable Business Breakfast events are held in partnership with the Green Growth Platform.

Round the Bend – A Trip Down Brighton Sewers

Earlier this month the Sustainable Business Network took 20 businesses down into Brighton sewers to find out what happens to our wastewater. The visit was held as part of the Green Growth Platform ‘Industry Insight Tours’. Delegates learnt about the storm tunnel that runs under the beach to prevent sewerage overflowing in heavy rains and how there is a state-of-the-art control room beneath the Volks Electric Railway station. There are just four places left for our next visit, to Hollingdean materials recycling facility on the 22nd October. Full story. Hollingdean bookings.

New to Public Sector Tendering? Help is at Hand

For environmental sector businesses that are keen to tender for public sector work for the first time, free one-to-one support is available through the ERDF part-funded RE:Start Local programme. “Without the clear and honest feed back from you, we would not have been able to develop the documents needed to pass their strict criteria.” said an East Sussex based company who received guidance. Contact Jo Southernwood.

Low-E Window Films – Clear Savings?

Transparent low-emissivity (low-e) films can reduce heat loss at windows by absorbing and re-radiating infrared heat back into the room. Manufacturers’ quote that this reduction can be as high as 30% at single glazing and 20% at double glazing (with the Carbon Trust stating that around 26% of a building’s total heat is typically lost through its windows). Savings will be dependant on a wide range of factors however, such as wind exposure. A typical cost of around £20 per square metre, plus installation, can be expected. When investigating, do check that your glazing was not already manufactured with a low-e coating. For air-conditioned premises, films to reduce solar gain and overheating in summer months may also be more cost effective.

Profitnet – Sustainable Building & Energy Group

Places are still available on the new Profitnet group exclusively for companies working in the sustainable building, retrofit or energy sectors. Profitnet is run by the University of Brighton, and offers facilitated monthly meetings for business owners and decision makers to discuss in confidence real business challenges as well as opportunities for growth. The next meeting is on the 30th September in Hickstead. Joining fees and more details.

Not to mention…

Rampion Windfarm Gets Go-Ahead – Eon Newsletter
Consent given for between 100 and 175 turbines to be installed off the Sussex coast.

Water Source Heat Map – Open
Which urban rivers have the highest potential for water source heat pump deployment?

Green for Go! – Article and video
First Formula-E, all electric Grand Prix, held in Beijing