Project archive
Sustainability and Excellence in Design Workshops 2005
There has been a large amount of community interest in the development planned for the old Potterton Factory site on Emscote Road. In response to this Action 21 held two seminars in Leamington during March and April about how this development could be accomplished in a sustainable way. Around 50 people attended including experts in sustainable construction, technology companies, housing associations, local authorities, architects, developers and local people.
Speakers from a range of organisations spoke on subjects as diverse as car clubs, green roofs, sustainable housing estates in Sweden and London, solar water heating, and the positive effect sustainable design has on property values.
We were using the Potterton development as a case study for considering all these options. Our main achievement has been to inform housing associations, the council and local people about the huge range of ways to make housing better for the environment and society. Informing the right people is an important step towards better, more sustainable developments in future. Also as the developer for Potterton has been involved in this process, we will hopefully be able to influence this development to be environmentally sound as well.
The outcomes of the Sustainability and Excellence in Design programme include the public consultation prior to the workshops, the experience that individuals and organisations gained from the workshop process and finally the report. This elegantly layout report provides a meaningful analysis of the outcomes form the two part workshop. Copies of the report can be obtained from Action 21at £30.00.
Contact: Matthew Rhodes Action 21 Energy Group
Jo Taylor, BioRegional, presenting the BedZED Experience at the first of the
two part workshop on 22 March 2005
Engage
The project is to stimulate the community-led uptake of renewables and energy efficiency projects across the District. The initial stage of the project was a feasibility study that has gauged community support and identified a list of the top four priority projects that are most likely to secure maximum funding and public engagement.
The feasibility study was funded by the District and County Councils, Government Office and Action 21 working in partnership with the Energy Efficiency Advice Centre and Intermediate Technology. The first stage of the process was a community consultation inviting ideas for potential projects. This involved a questionnaire, a newspaper competition for a wind-up radio and a renewable energy event called 'Bright Ideas'.
The response rate from the questionnaires was amazingly high. 92% of responses were in favour of renewable energy. Solar was the most popular with 91% in favour and wind the least having 60% in favour. The four initial projects, representing a range of renewable technologies, which have been identified as suitable for the proposed Action 21 Community Energy Company, are
- Solar: All Saints Parish Church - Solar thermal
- Solar: Bath Place Community Centre - Solar thermal.
- Wind power: Oakley Wood Crematorium.
- Hydropower: Re-commissioning the Victorian hydroelectric plant still hidden in Jephson Gardens.
Now that the feasibility study has been completed the Engage team is applying to funding organisations and energy companies for funds to implement the project. The scope of the project exceeds the four projects listed above and could potentially involve thousands of homes throughout the district. 'Warwick District Engage Project Potential' on p.35 of the report gives details.
To promote the Action 21 Community Energy Company at the Peace Festival, the Energy Group designed and made a big poster detailing how an individual household may benefit from the proposed scheme - looking back from 2007. For further information or involvement with this project contact Matthew Rhodes or Jenny Sansom.
- Click to download the Feasibility Report (1.4Mb PDF)
- Click to download the Engage Poster (230kb PDF)
Matthew Rhodes, Encraft; and Jenny Sansom, Action 21. Photograph courtesy of the Courier, from the energy competition feature on 16 January 2004
Renewably powered public art
The idea is to commission an artist to undertake a public work of art incorporating renewable energy. The product is to have all the merits of a fine piece of art as well as making the idea of renewable energy sources attractive. If you are interested in the project or are an artist with an idea we would be please to hear from you.
Hydroelectric generator at Mill Bridge
In Mill Bridge Weir, Jephson Garden, Leamington Spa, there was an original turbine which was opened in February 1904. It was designed to pump water for use in watering the streets, sewer flushing, the railways and for supplying the swimming pool (in summer). A feasibility study was carried out in 2000 with the original intention of supplying electricity to the new Riverside Restaurant and temperate greenhouse. The options under consideration include a waterwheel in old boat pass or a turbine in bridge abutment (site of the original turbine) with the electricity being used to supply the local community.
Click for side view of north bridge abutment, showing original turbine and culvert.
Mill Bridge as it is today
Green library
The Green Party have a collection of books on a whole range of green issues. Part of the collection was lost in the 1998 flood, and insurance money from this is going to be used to restock with new up-to-date titles. The library has now been located in a section of its own, but as part of a larger collection, at the Brunswick Healthy Living Centre, Shrubland Street, Leamington Spa. If you have books to donate or require further information on this project please contact Janet Alty.
'Bright ideas' event - public talk
24 Jan 2004
Dr. Stephan Harrison spoke about this research on glaciers in places as far apart as Patagonia and Tien Shan. The accelerated melting of the glaciers over recent decades provides conclusive proof of global warning which he linked with the parallel rise in atmospheric CO2 concentrations. Richard Davies gave a comprehensive overview of renewable technologies from large scale wind farms to micro CHP units for domestic dwellings. David Jullien presented a graphical analysis of energy consumption and where the most fruitful areas lay for conservation. Ian Preston described the work of Community Action for Energy (www.est.co.uk/cafe) illustrated with examples from around the country. All relevant to the way in which the proposed Engage Community Energy Company is to function. To view Richard Davies' presentation click below:
Renewables and Sustainable Energy - Marches Energy Agency (1Mb)
The event attracted new membership and press interest, stimulated interesting discussions and gave added meaning to the Engage project. It is clear that much awareness raising is required and that both energy efficiency and renewables have a vital part to play.
Dr. Stephan Harrison, Oxford University; Richard Davies, Marches Energy Agency;
Ian Preston, CAfE and David Jullien, WEEAC; Steven Coulsting, Action 21 and Rona Wilkinson, ITDG.
Photograph courtesy of the Leamington Observer
Peace festival 2003
15 and 16 June 2003
Action 21 put on five stalls, one for each theme group with matching banners. The Energy Group's stall had posters on climate change, renewable energy, energy efficiency advice stands and so on. Rona demonstrated ITDG's solar lantern charged with a pv panel on what was a sunny and hot weekend. There was also the energy bike being pedalled to the sound of an attached radio powered via a dynamo demonstrating the principles of renewable energy. There were many entrants for the competition to win a solar powered wind up radio.
In the colourful atmosphere of the festival, many ideas exchanged with fellow Action 21 members and the public.
Behind Rona is an orange solar lantern with pv panel on the ground.
Jenny getting exercise and making renewable electricity aboard the energy bike
Library exhibition
3 to 14 March 2003
The Energy Group staged an exhibition of the work of Action 21 and its theme groups at Leamington library. There were posters of the Food, EcoHouse, Energy, Transport and Waste Groups on the left panel. Information on the Green Library and Action 21 leaflets was available on the right hand panel. A delightful portfolio of newspaper articles, photographs etc. assembled by Claire Summerton was on a small table in front. The exhibition is now on tour at various venues throughout the district.
'Energy and Climate' - public talk and discussion
10 February 2003
The Energy Group staged this event titled 'Energy and Climate'. The speakers included David Jullien of the Warwickshire Energy Efficiency Advice Centre and Dr Stephan Harrison, Lecturer in the School of Geography and the Environment, Oxford University. The highly informative talk was followed by discussion and exchange of ideas with refreshments served.
Now that the feasibility study has been completed the Engage team is applying to funding organisations and energy companies for funds to implement the project. The scope of the project exceeds the four projects listed above and could potentially involve thousands of homes throughout the district. 'Warwick District Engage Project Potential' on p.35 of the report gives details.
To promote the Action 21 Community Energy Company at the Peace Festival, the Energy Group designed and made a big poster detailing how an individual household may benefit from the proposed scheme - looking back from 2007. For further information or involvement with this project contact Matthew Rhodes or Jenny Sansom.
