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South West renewable projects

hh | 22.04.2004 13:28 | Ecology | Technology

Renewable Bulletin from Regen SW - Somerset renewable strategy, SW wind power plans, renewable education, Devon renewable energy guide

RENEWABLES SW - April 04
The e-bulletin for members of Regen SW
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CONTENTS

1. SOMERSET RE STRATEGY PUBLISHED
County aims for a "renewables friendly" culture

2. RDA APPOINT WAVE HUB PROJECT MANAGER
Cornish consultants to oversee feasibility phase for SWRDA

3. SW WIND PROTOCOL
Project to give guidance on public engagement and local benefits

4. GREEN HEAT SURVEY UNDERWAY IN SW
Regen SW looks at opportunities for biomass clusters

5. CHILDREN'S WIND CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED
Science Museum sponsors design competition "Catch the Wind"

6. DEVON RE GUIDE PUBLISHED
Practical advice for industry, investors and developers

7. FREE SOLAR PV ARRAY FOR ILFRACOMBE COLLEGE
Plan it Cool installs first device in North Devon

8. TRAINING COURSES ON EU PROPOSAL WRITING
Training to submit funding proposals


1. Somerset RE strategy published
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Somerset County Council (SCC) has moved quickly to develop a plan for how the county can meet its renewable electricity target of 61-81 MW by 2010. The plan identifies opportunities SCC has for using its own land to develop new RE projects. In addition, SCC says it intends to create a "renewables friendly" culture within the County. The strategy identifies existing proposals for 74MW of renewable electricity generation including 5MW of wind on county estate land. SCC says it is in discussion with a number of wind developers to try and develop projects which will secure low cost supply of electricity to its own buildings. To see the strategy go to: www.somerset.gov.uk/renewables

2. RDA appoint Wave Hub project manager
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Dr Mike Patching of St Austell-based engineers Scott Wilson Oceans has been appointed client representative for the Wave Hub project. He will project manage various pieces of work on behalf of SWRDA over the next six months. Following an advertisement in the Official Journal of the European Community, 20 expressions of interest have been received from consultants interested in carrying out the feasibility study. Invitations to Tender are expected to be sent out by SWRDA in the next few weeks. For more information contact:  kgillanders@regensw.co.uk

3. SW wind protocol project
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Regen SW has commissioned a project to outline how appropriate levels of community involvement can be secured from future wind energy proposals in the region. The output of the project is expected to take the form of a public agreement between wind developers and the South West Local Government Association (SWLGA), which will define responsibilities of the different parties and provide guidelines on best practice. The project will also look at the issue of direct local benefit from schemes that are approved. The project is being funded by the Government Office of the SW and supported by the SW branch of the RTPI, SW LGA and the BWEA. For more info contact:  ccowlin@regensw.co.uk.

4. Green heat survey underway in SW
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Regen SW have selected ADAS Bio-Renewables Ltd to carry out a study on the potential for small biomass power and heat generation in the region. The work is funded by Government Office SW. The study has three
objectives: (1) improving our understanding of the market for heat in the SW; (2) determining if the SW is capable of delivering commercial-scale biomass heat and CHP schemes; and (3) identifying regional actions to improve the uptake of schemes. The work involves a peer review meeting in early June and is expected to be completed and published later that month. For more information contact:  kgillanders@regensw.co.uk

5. Children's wind campaign launched
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The British Wind Energy Association, in association with the Science Museum, is challenging creative children throughout the country to draw, paint or take a photograph of wind energy in their design competition "Catch the Wind". There are two age group categories: 7-10 and 11-14 years and the deadline is May 31st. Go to  http://www.catch-the-wind.com for more details.

6. Devon RE guide published
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The guide provides advice for land-based industries wishing to develop renewable energy projects. It gives practical guidance on both technologies and the economics and outlines the grant, subsidy and investment programmes now available. It also features a number of case studies from the county including Holsworthy biogas plant. The guide was written by Renewable Heat and Power Limited and funded by Devon C C, South West of England Regional Development Agency and the Countryside Agency.  http://www.devon.gov.uk/index/business/regeneration/renewable_energy/a_r
enewable_energy_guide_for_devon_2004.htm

7. Ilfracombe college first to receive free solar PV array
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A pilot education programme, "Plan it Cool", installed its first free solar photovoltaic array in North Devon in March. As part of the programme, schools in North Somerset, Devon and London have received practical support from the Centre for Sustainable Energy (CSE) and Global Action Plan (GAP) to deliver the programme. The pilot programme
(2002-2005) aims to help them use energy efficiently, save money and cut carbon dioxide emissions, whilst providing students with a stimulating educational tool.  http://www.cse.org.uk/cgi-bin/news.cgi?full&live&&1152

8. Training courses on EU proposal writing
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New international training courses are being organised on how to develop projects under the various programmes of the European Commission.
The program is recommended for those who wish to take an active part in the development of future energy and environmental projects in Europe. The training may also be a good opportunity for SMEs and other organisations to build contacts in those countries that are going to join the EU on the 1st of May. Further information about the training courses is available at:  http://www.eucenter.org/training/training.php


If you have an item for May's bulletin please email  admin@regensw.co.uk. If you would like to unsubscribe please send an email saying UNSUBSCRIBE TO BULLETIN to the same address.

Core funding for Regen SW comes from the South West of England Regional Development Agency.

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