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“Many thanks for arranging the team of volunteers from the chartered surveying company. They completely revamped the garden and created a fantastic new orchard!”
Liz Davis, Brighton Housing Trust

Network Update – August 2015

Welcome to August’s Network Update. This month: Raising Green Investment; ESOS looming; Uckfield breakfast; Arctic drilling; Biogas map; Roffey Park tour; Brighton share scheme; Mitie breakfast; Wireless TRVs; Next Level Thinking.

Autumn events programme – three not to miss…

On the 15th September join us for a tour of the Roffey Park Institute near Horsham where a 400 kW ground-source heat-pump has helped reduce carbon emissions by 60%.

Arlington ReservoirOn the 18th September our focus is water, with a visit to the state-of-the-art Arlington Reservoir and Water Treatment Plant in East Sussex.

On the 7th October it’s breakfast in Uckfield with case study Ringmer College, who have installed solar PV, a biomass boiler and rainwater harvesting, plus sustainable buildings expert Duncan Baker-Brown.

For other upcoming seminars and breakfast events please click here.

Wireless TRVWireless Thermostatic Radiator Valves

In busy or large buildings the need to regularly check manual thermostatic radiator valves to ensure rooms are not being heating unnecessarily can sometimes be difficult. Wireless TRV’s could present a solution, and a number of systems have now come to market. They allow the temperature and hours of use of each radiator to be set remotely, through an internet platform.

At a guesthouse for example, it would be possible to ensure from the front desk that rooms are not being heated after customers have checked out or to warm a room for a customer’s expected arrival time. Some systems also offer sensors that will automatically switch off the radiator if a window is opened or if no-one is present – useful for meeting rooms. Prices vary, with a set of three wireless TRV’s and a control unit typically starting from around £120.

An introduction to… Enterprise Investment Schemes

The Enterprise Investment Scheme and its younger sibling the Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme are designed to help smaller companies raise finance to bring (possibly great) ideas to fruition by offering investors income tax relief of 30% and 50% respectively of the cost of purchasing new shares. This means that if the company falls in value, the Government effectively takes the initial hit. Various rules apply so ensure to obtain specialist advice prior to investing.

If you would like to learn more about raising finance to launch a new green product or service or fund a large-scale project, a free, impartial seminar – Raising Green Investment – is being held on the 11th September in Chichester.

Tendering-HastingsFree sustainability workshop for larger organisations

The Sustainable Business Partnership are holding a half-day training course exploring energy and water efficiency, waste reduction and environmental best practice, in Redhill on the 1st October. Thanks to the support of Sutton and East Surrey Water, who are keen to help organisations in and around their catchment area improve sustainability, it is free to attend for those with large premises and utility costs. All course content is fully impartial. For full details and to register your interest please click here.

Less than four months until ESOS

Large companies have until 5th December 2015 to complete an Energy Saving Opportunities Scheme (ESOS) compliant assessment and notify the Environment Agency. A large company is defined as one that has 250 or more employees or an annual turnover over €50 million and an annual balance sheet total over €43 million.

The assessment must analyse at least 90% of a company’s energy use, including by buildings, industrial processes and transport, and identify reduction opportunities. Companies with an ISO 50001 certified Energy Management System (covering at least 90% of their energy use) do not need to undertake a further audit,  although still notify the Environment Agency. Find out more.

Eco-briefing

Latest Brighton Energy Co-op share scheme now open – Details
£1,000,000 target to install 950 kWp of new solar PV in Brighton & Hove.

Green Deal done for – Guardian article – Government release
Government to no longer fund Green Deal Finance Company. Replacement energy efficiency scheme yet to be announced.

Adur & Worthing Business Awards – Categories
Who’ll win Green Business of the Year 2015? Deadline 23rd September 2015.

Biogas Map – View on-line
Shows all operational anaerobic digestion plants in the UK (excluding water treatment facilities).

Shell liveWIRE Smarter Future Programme – Visit website
£5,000 awarded each month to a 16 to 30 year old entrepreneur with a business idea to help meet the demands of a growing global population. Plus an annual overall award of £25,000.

…Shell also to start Artic oil drilling – Article
Having gained approval from US Government.

Green Alley Awards – Enter
Europe-wide competition looking for new services, products and technologies that can turn waste into a resource. Deadline 15th September 2015.

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Lewes Climate Action Forum

We’ve joined up with 3VA in Eastbourne to help start a new forum for action on climate change in the Lewes District Area. Check out www.climateactionforum.org.uk for more details
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Utilise Plus Case Study: Park Cameras

Based in Burgess Hill, Park Cameras sells photography equipment, as well as offering printing services and photography courses. In early 2019, Park Cameras received a Utilise Plus grant from the Sustainable Business Partnership CIC to install energy-saving LED lights. This followed a fully-funded Utilise Plus energy audit they received in late 2018. Funded by the […]
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