The impact of poor air quality on children, the elderly and local residents will be explored today as a Holyrood Committee visits one of Scotland’s most polluted streets. The Scottish Parliament’s Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform Committee will visit St John’s Road in Corstorphine as part of its inquiry into air quality. Continue reading Locals who live on one of Scotland’s worst polluted streets meet Holyrood Committee
Delighted to send you a prompt for our next Saturday event, this coming Saturday (writes KAREN BATES of Wardie Bay Beachwatch). Last month’s Great British Beach Clean weekend had us change our pattern a little bit, but we’ll slowly get back to normal and go back to the original beginning of the month plan. How do people feel about December, January, February? Happy to brave the elements?
Continue reading Wardie Bay Beachwatch this Saturday
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/
Friday 13 October 10am – 2pm
Ferry Road Drive and Crewe Road Gardens
Edinburgh College — which added two Nissan e-NV200s to its expanding fleet in March — has been awarded the Green Fleet of the Year title at the BusinessCar Awards. Beating off stiff competition from four other nominees, Edinburgh College were crowned champions at a glittering ceremony at London’s Park Plaza Riverbank Hotel. Continue reading BusinessCar Green Fleet award for Edinburgh College
The Scottish Government has announced that it will not support the development of Unconventional Oil and Gas in Scotland, meaning there is an effective ban on fracking in Scotland. The decision has been given a qualified welcomed by local campaigners Our Forth while Northern and Leith MSP Ben Macpherson is delighted that the government is ‘putting communities first’. Continue reading Scottish Government says NO to fracking
This article by city council Transport Convener Councillor Lesley Macinnes was published in the Edinburgh Evening News last week:
Last week Edinburgh’s councillors approved the Outline Business Case for taking the tram to Newhaven, signalling a desire to move towards a transformed vision for transport in the Capital. Continue reading Making the case for trams to Newhaven
Families across the UK are being asked to comment on their walk to school throughout October’s International Walk to School Month to help build up a picture of our streets. Living Streets, the UK charity for everyday walking, hopes to use the month to identify the barriers which prevent families from walking to school, with the help of their ‘Rate Your Walk’ online tool. Continue reading October is International Walk to School Month
Transport minister announces another £1.4 million for green public transport initiatives
Transport Minister Humza Yousaf (above) announced the details of this latest round of funding for public bus services during a visit to Lothian Buses Annandale depot this week. It was an opportunity for the Minister to see Lothian’s new all-electric vehicles which take to the roads this weekend. Continue reading Lothian to introduce first all-electric buses to Edinburgh
West Pilton’s Parklife group had much to celebrate at this month’s annual general meeting – the group’s first. They now hope to build on successful events by encouraging more local people to get involved. Continue reading ParkLife: Breathing new life into West Pilton Park
