How would you like to be energy smart?

Households given expert advice in bid to be energy smart

Scores of residents in and around Edinburgh are set to benefit from free insight and advice on their energy use, as part of a smart technology research initiative.

Sensor technology that helps consumers to use less gas and electricity – and potentially save on energy bills – has already been successfully installed in 100 homes under the research initiative from the University of Edinburgh and Changeworks.

Organisers are now seeking a further 150 households from Edinburgh and the Lothians to take part in the scheme, known as IDEAL – Intelligent Domestic Energy Advice Loop.

Participants have discreet sensors fitted throughout their homes, which track how much gas or electricity is used, as well as, room by room, the temperature and humidity.

The system gives feedback to help households find convenient ways to save energy, and participants are provided with a tablet to track their usage.

Scientists will use powerful computers to analyse large volumes of data from the study, to inform the development of sophisticated smart meters. These could track energy use in detail, offering personalised insights into how electricity and gas use might be reduced.

To participate, volunteers should live in Edinburgh or the Lothians in postcode areas EH1-EH55. They must have broadband, a combi boiler and mains gas supply.

Helen and Mark, from Leith, took part in an early trial of the project. Mark said: “We had a hand-sized sensor fitted in each room and soon forgot they were there. We were surprised by some of the findings. It was really interesting to see what pushed up our bills.”

Drew Murphy, IDEAL project manager from Changeworks, said: “Smart technology allows participating households to see, in pounds and pence, how much gas and electricity they are using. Project findings will inform how we can use technologies, such as smart meters, to enable households to make changes in how they use gas and electricity to lower their energy use and bills.”

Dr Martin Pullinger, of the University of Edinburgh’s School of Informatics, said: “With support from volunteers across Edinburgh, we hope to inform the design of smart meters that could offer personalised, itemised details of gas and electricity use, helping to lower consumption, reduce household bills and cut carbon emissions.”

To find out more and become a participant, see changeworks.org.uk/projects/ideal, email IDEAL@changeworks.org.uk or call 0131 539 8610.

Have your say on on-street recycling bins

Edinburgh residents’ views sought on on-street recycling bins

Householders living in flats in Edinburgh are being asked for their views on the shared on-street bins used to collect rubbish and recycling in a survey carried out by Changeworks. The results of this consultation will help the City of Edinburgh Council identify current barriers to recycling and improve the service. Continue reading Have your say on on-street recycling bins

Research participants needed

University of Edinburgh research participants needed

Changeworks has partnered with the University of Edinburgh to deliver IDEAL, a cutting edge research project exploring how smart technology can help save energy in the home. They are looking for households in Edinburgh and the Lothians (EH1-55) with gas combi boiler heating to participate.
Continue reading Research participants needed

IDEAL research participants required

Local households needed to take part in energy research project

IDEAL_leaflet_low_res

Participants needed for home energy research project

University of Edinburgh research participants needed

Changeworks has partnered with the University of Edinburgh to deliver IDEAL, a cutting edge research project exploring how smart technology can help save energy in the home. They are looking for households in or near Edinburgh (EH1-35) with gas combi boiler heating to participate.
Continue reading Participants needed for home energy research project

Granton Gathers: street party in Granton Medway

Changeworks are organising a free afternoon of family-friendly fun and games in the Granton Medway BMX track on Saturday 18^th March from 2 until 6pm to celebrate the champion work of the residents increasing their recycling and keeping the street clean and tidy. Continue reading Granton Gathers: street party in Granton Medway

Cut energy bills? That’s IDEAL

Changeworks has partnered with the University of Edinburgh to deliver IDEAL, a cutting edge research project exploring how smart technology can help save energy in the home. They are looking for Edinburgh households (EH1-EH17) with gas combi boiler heating to participate.

The benefits include:

· Gaining insight into your home energy use

· Receiving a free android tablet used to display energy use information

· Receiving tailored advice from University of Edinburgh experts

· Hopefully saving money on gas and electricity bills

For more information visit changeworks.org.uk/projects/ideal

To get involved email your name, address, and contact details to IDEAL@changeworks.org.uk, or call 0131 539 8610.

IDEAL: participants required for energy-saving project

University of Edinburgh research participants needed

Changeworks has partnered with the University of Edinburgh to deliver IDEAL, a cutting edge research project exploring how smart technology can help save energy in the home. They are looking for Edinburgh households (EH1-17) with gas combi boiler heating to participate. Continue reading IDEAL: participants required for energy-saving project

Conference to explore new approaches to tackling fuel poverty

‘Too many people are still living in fuel poverty in Scotland. A new action plan is required.’ – Teresa Bray, Changeworks

“Everyone involved in tackling fuel poverty needs to dig even deeper to wipe out this unnecessary hardship,” says Changeworks, the environmental charity organising this month’s Fuel Poverty Conference in Edinburgh.

The event on Wednesday 23 September will bring together policy makers, service managers and frontline practitioners to share best practice, rethink current approaches to fuel poverty and identify opportunities and improvements for the future.

Speakers include Margaret Burgess MSP, Minister for Housing and Welfare, David Sigsworth, Chair of Scottish Fuel Poverty Forum, Di Alexander, Chair of the new Scottish Rural Fuel Poverty Task Force, Ross Armstrong, Transition Manager for Warmworks Scotland and Amanda Britain, Lead for Housing, Joint Improvement Team.

A person is living in fuel poverty if they need to spend more than 10 per cent of their household income on fuel, to heat their home to a satisfactory standard.

Teresa Bray, Changeworks Chief Executive, said: “With 39% of Scottish households living in fuel poverty it is clear that the statutory target to eradicate fuel poverty by November 2016 will not be achieved. Too many people are still living in fuel poverty in Scotland. A new action plan is required.

“Changeworks has spent over 20 years working with the Scottish Government, local authorities and other partners to address fuel poverty. While many of these initiatives are helping to improve people’s lives, save money and reduce energy use – more needs to be done.

“Bringing together policy makers and practitioners is the only way to ensure any new action plan is built on the latest ideas and experience proven to make the most difference.”

The conference will take place on Wednesday 23 September from 9am – 4.30pm at the John McIntyre Conference Centre, Pollock Halls on Holyrood Park Road, Edinburgh. Cost £50 per delegate.

Book or download the agenda through Eventbrite(http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/changeworks-fuel-poverty-conference-2015-tickets-17763595392) or call Changeworks on 0131 555 4010.

Renewable energy comes to town

Edinburgh renewable energy project to receive funding

Communities from inner city Glasgow to western Harris are set to benefit from £500,000 in funding for demonstrator projects designed to encourage the use and local ownership of renewable energy.

A third of the 23 projects are specifically focussed on town and city areas, building on the already established trend for community ownership of renewable energy sources in more rural areas.

Energy Minister Fergus Ewing announced in June that community and locally owned energy capacity in Scotland could generate enough electricity to power approximately 100,000 domestic households.

This is the second allocation made from the Scottish Government’s Local Energy Challenge Fund, which confirms Scotland’s position as a global leader in renewables and low carbon development. Each project has received funding of up to £25,000 for feasibility work and, if successful, may be able to compete for significant capital support.

The 23 projects include Edinburgh-based UrbanLink. Led by ChangeWorks, the UrbanLink project will identify opportunities to install new hardware in 1000 households, including modern electrical and thermal energy domestic storage.

Other successful applicants include:

• Large Scale ASHP District Heating Exemplar: This project will provide an example of off-grid district heating to Glasgow Housing Association multi-storey blocks built in 1971 in South Glasgow. It will use a large scale Air Source Heat Pump (ASHP), an alternative to electric or gas heating.

• Heat from the Street: This Linlithgow project will use heat pump and solar panel technology to capture heat from the local waste water system and distribute it to town centre buildings.

Mr Ewing said: “The Scottish Government is defining a distinctive approach to Scotland’s future energy provision; putting communities at the heart of decisions about their local energy system; and empowering them to take an economic stake in new developments.

“Community ownership gives communities more control over their own energy and will help us tackle challenges like grid constraints and fuel poverty – while at the same time sparking economic revival.

“Onshore wind is our most successful technology for community benefits, but it is by no means the only game in town. I am excited by the breadth and depth of the work this funding will support and am equally pleased that the projects will explore the potential for ownership of renewable technologies to support all of the communities in Scotland, be they in Gala or Glasgow.”

Laura Campbell, Challenge Fund Project Manager, said: “Local Energy Scotland is delighted to be able to provide support through the Local Energy Challenge Fund to these 23 innovative and aspirational projects. We are looking forward to working with the projects over the next year to develop their proposals further. It’s exciting to think that these projects have the potential shape the future of Scotland’s local energy economies and act as demonstrators for other communities.”