SARP - South Abingdon Resident's Plan

South Abingdon Resident's Plan - which took place on Saturday 24th September 2011 at Reynolds Ways shop from 2pm-5pm
Free refreshments were provided with lots of fun on the day. There was a play bus and other attractions, with people taking in part the Planning for Real Model and shared views on how to improve the areas of town
http://www.sarp.org.uk/

Jobs and prospects for young North Africans:

Jobs and prospects for young North Africans: Two new Desertec projects support regional development The sun-rich North Africa is ideally suited for the generation of clean power from the desert, but often lacks the necessary expertise in the field of renewable energies to fully profit from this solar resource. North African experts from the Desertec Foundation are working together with partners from Germany and the Mediterranean region to address this skills gap through two new projects. In order to enable the people of North Africa to benefit from the construction of solar and wind power plants, these projects will initiate master degree programs, train technical personnel and help to create suitable conditions for the further development of renewables in the region. With more than 3 million Euros in funding, these projects are supported by the European Union, the Kingdom of Morocco and the Federal Republic of Germany. Stability through jobs in Egypt and Tunisia The unrest in North Africa and the Middle East has shown how important, especially to young people, participation, employment and prospects are. This is the focus of the project "RE-Generation MENA" funded by the Foreign Office of the Federal Republic of Germany. "The objective is to focus on a greater involvement of students in Egypt and Tunisia, equipping them with the skills to contribute fully to the democratic process and to demand the necessary conditions for the expansion of renewable energies," says the German-Egyptian Nagi Siam, head of the project at Desertec Foundation. Support comes from the Desertec University Network, a network of around 20 universities in North Africa and the Middle East, which is committed to the development of know-how and the implementation of programs related to renewable energies. Until now, Desertec has often been seen as a great vision, consisting solely of the construction of many solar and wind power plants in deserts and electricity exports to Europe. According to project manager Nagi Siam, the Desertec concept can offer significantly more: "It can strengthen the region by building a sustainable industry and economic stability through job creation. In addition, it offers an abundant supply of energy, more than enough to generate electricity for North African countries’ own consumption, for exports to Europe and for much needed sea water desalination." Knowledge transfer between Morocco and Germany The second project is a co-operation between Morocco and the German Federal State of Schleswig-Holstein. Called “WEREEMa”, it aims to consolidate through knowledge-transfer Moroccan expertise in the field of renewable energies. "Morocco is ideal for the implementation of the Desertec concept," said Dr. Meriem Rezgaoui, Moroccan Project Manager at the Desertec Foundation. "Morocco is one of the most stable countries in the region. In response to the Arab Spring, the King did not rely on confrontation but on far-reaching reforms. In addition, the country already has plans in place to invest several billion Euros to create jobs and reduce dependency on imported fossil fuels by greatly expanding its renewable energy production. Crucially, a transmission line linking the Moroccan and Spanish power grids, already exists. This means, in a few years, renewable energy generated in Morocco could begin to flow to Europe, as well as meeting the country’s own needs.” The "WEREEMa" project is funded by the European Union and the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety to the tune of 3 million Euro. The Moroccan Energy Agency will contribute another 600,000 Euro. The project was initiated by the Ministry of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Areas of Schleswig-Holstein. Under the lead of the Schleswig-Holstein Investment Bank, the Desertec Foundation, the research network CEwind, the University of Flensburg, the Center of Excellence for Biomass Utilization in Kiel and the Moroccan Energy Agency (ADEREE) are working together to create the foundations for the implementation of Desertec in Morocco. The project will provide institutional support for the Moroccan Energy Agency and the state grid operator. Furthermore, the project will establish master degree programs in cooperation with German universities and provide training for technical personnel. At the same time, German entrepreneurs will gain the expertise and know-how to operate in the renewable energies sector in Morocco.   Further information About the DESERTEC Foundation: Sufficient clean power can be generated in the world's sunny deserts to supply mankind with enough electricity on a sustainable basis. DESERTEC is an integrated concept which includes energy security and climate protection as well as drinking water production, socio-economic development, security policy and international cooperation. The concept was originally developed by a network of politicians, academics and economists around the Mediterranean, from which the DESERTEC Foundation has evolved. The non-profit DESERTEC Foundation promotes the fast implementation of its concept in all suitable regions of the world. In 2009 the DESERTEC Concept gained a lot of attention when the DESERTEC Foundation founded the industrial initiative Dii GmbH together with partners from the industrial and finance sectors. More information: http://desertec.us1.list-manage2.com/track/click?u=e5fa28fc1ddf56118ef63a71c&id=1e76f5ecc1&e=0873a1f6b7 Pictures: http://desertec.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=e5fa28fc1ddf56118ef63a71c&id=86a637e0ce&e=0873a1f6b7 Press contact: Michael Straub Head of Communications DESERTEC Foundation Tel.: +49 (0)40 3250 7795 E-Mail: press@DESERTEC.org

European Future Energy Forum 2011

The different discussions around climate change have shown the importance of the introduction of new energy sources and the development and management of existing ones. The challenge of the coming years will be to identify innovations that will make a difference, how to implement them and to understand what will be the disruptive developments in this field.

EFEF 2011, 10-12 October, Geneva will address these questions.  Featuring a conference and a cleantech exhibition its themes are;

·                     Inspiration – building the vision

·                     Innovation – changing the future

·                     Policy and regulation – creating the framework

·                     Finance – assuring return on investment

·                     Infrastructure – feeding the need

·                     Future Energy Mix – a recipe for success

For a special Eco Architecture Planning & Permacultural Planning CIC delegate rate visit www.europeanfutureenergyforum.com/pceap11

http://www.europeanfutureenergyforum.com/

Festival of Life Saturday 24th September 2011

We had a stall at the Festival of Life this year, and we met up with old friends and also met new ones. we were busy on the stall fro most of the day with lot of groups, organistaions and indiviuals enquiring on various projects. wehope to work on some of them
The Festival is a unique one-day event with over 50 free talks and workshops and over 60 stalls covering: Self-healing and Self-empowerment • Natural Parenting and Nature Cures • Healthy Vegan Organic Meals and Whole-foods • Permaculture and Environmentalism • Musical, Poetic and Artistic Expression • Simple and Non-consumerist Living • Creating Community and Networkhttp://www.festivaloflife.net/s • Celebration and Connection.

vibrant, jampacked, holistic event, running from 10.30am to 11.30pm
with a parallel daytime event in nearby Red Lion Square.
Doors open: 10.30am • Talks and Workshops: 11am-8pmStalls: 10.30am-6pm • Conscious Dance Party: 7pm-11.30pm
Ticket price for full event: 10.30am-11.30pm: £15 /£10 (concs) at the door.
Late ticket price - from 4pm onwards: £10 /£8 (concs) at the door.
Accompanied under 16's free. Entrance to Red Lion Square - free.

The European Future Energy Forum will now be held 10-12 October 2011

EAPP will not be attending the European Future Energy Forum which is taking place 10-12 October 2011 Geneva. We were invited last year 2010 ExCEL London and which was Europe's largest exchnage of knowledge on the future of energy. Eco- Architecture and Permaculture Planning CIC hosted a round table session. We also had a exhibition stand at The Masdar Future Urban Zone - where you found the most innovative construction projects being delivered by architects from across the world on the drive to build energy efficient living spaces. Our stand show cased some of Healthy Home Care Range, also the ICC building, and other projects.
we attend the

• The International Exhibition. we products and services from over 200 leading Companies in the future energy industry.
• The Masdar Future Urban Zone. discover the most innovative construction projects being deliverd by architects from across the world in the drive to build energy efficient living spaces.
• The UKTI Igoo. Uk's renewable energy objectives, capabilities, investment and development opportunties in the UKTI energy Igloo.
• The Siemens Green Tchnology Theatre. From power generation and transmission to distribution and consumption looked at Siemens green portfolio which influencing the new energy age.
• The Schneider Electric efficiency Threatre. we were able to participate in free programmes of dicussion on the following topics: Save energy, share energy, challenges of the smarter grid: Exostruxure solutions.
• Eco Transport showcase: tested out some of the lastest eco-friendly vehicles, concepts and technologies driving green transport solutions.
• Green IT and Communication Zone. Looked at how energy efficent ou working life is. Saw demonstrations on sustainable IT and communication solutions that can make a real contribution to reducing the creation of CO'2 in our working lives.
• Innovation zone. Saw the lastest energy saving technologies.

EAPP has joined Abingdon Business Alliance

http://www.abingdonbusinessalliance.com/
The Abingdon Business Alliance is an organisation for all businesses in Abingdon, both in the town centre and the surrounding area, including home based businesses. One of our key aims is to increase the numbers of visitors to the town, thus improving the vitality of Abingdon.
The Alliance will ensure effective communication to, from and between businesses in Abingdon, will listen fully to members' views and will represent them to the Councils and other relevant bodies

Abbey Shopping Centre and the Charter Area Development Brief

www.whitehorsedc.gov.uk/sods

The council is preparing a new development brief to help shape the redevelopment of the Abbey shopping Centre and Charter Area in Abingdon.
We are mainly concerned with the Abbey Shopping Centre.

Background: The Abbey Centre, formerly know as Bury Street Precinct and the Charter Area from a key part of Abingdon town Centre. 'Improving Abingdon town centre and its shopping provision is a longstanding council objective, as the buildings are now rather dated and not well suited to the requirements of modern retailing and community services.

This areas is located in the heart of the historic town centre. Any redevelopment will have to sensitively designed.

Content of the Development Brief: The Development Brief describes in detail the charactertics of the site; in particular the listed builings and the main routes through the town. Based on this analysis, the brief sets out development principles that developers should follow when drawing up a proposal. These intentionally allow scope for creativity and some flexibilty to ensure the final scheme is viable.

The Brief illustrates two scenarios with slightlt different arrangements of shops and other facilities. These examples of the different ways the design principles could be applied to create a viable successful development.

EAP will be viewing its view on the proposal and also will be advising on the concerns of the lack of renewable energy in the design, but also the examples of the development principles look very carbon copy, and this will make Abingdon look like any other town.

Abingdon Hydro - River Thames

EAP Directors Sophie Christopher Bowes & Martin Bowes  Directors of Abingdon Hydro CIC Project talk about the project.

 

What is it?

A project to generate hydroelectric power from the Thames at Abingdon. The picture above gives a rough idea of how it might look.

Abingdon Hydro is the name of the Community Interest Company that we have formed to work on it. The rules for this type of company require that it must produce benefits for the local community. And that is important: this is a community enterprise, and we want a lot of local people to share in the ownership and the benefits.

Where would it be?

At the end of Abbey Meadow, by the entrance to the weir. Water would flow from the top of the Abbey Stream down into the Thames. There is a picture and more explanation on the More Info page.
Why do it?

Many people have looked at all the water coming over the weir and wondered why its power cannot be used. Although the power we can get from Abingdon's weir is modest compared with what we use, over the entire country it adds up.

Financially it looks like a good long term investment. However this is about more than just money. It is an opportunity for community ownership, and reinvesting some of the income in local renewable energy projects. If we do nothing, then before long some big company will come in and do it for their own shareholders.

Screws are a very visible advertisement for renewable energy, an educational resource, fascinating to watch, a visitor attraction. Local groups are working on other sites on the Thames, and work is well advanced in Windsor, Goring and Streatley, and Osney.

Is there a plan and a timetable?First we need all the approvals – planning permission, Environment Agency licence, etc. That is what we are doing. Also we have to decide on the final shape of the project – who runs it, how the earnings will be distributed, etc. Then comes the share offer, and we hope as much as possible of the investment will come from local people. The third stage is to get it built and running.

The feed in tariffs (in effect a bonus payment for renewable electricity) will be revised from April 2013. In case they get revised downward, we want to be generating before then, to get the present rate. Working back from there, construction would be Autumn 2012, when the river flow is low. So we would need a share offer several months before, to be able to place the orders in time.

Financial estimates

We do not yet have a reliable figure for the cost, but the estimate for Goring and Streatley is £1.4 million. The electrical power we get should average about 100kW, which is the power taken by about 200 average houses. With the present feed in tariff it should earn about £120,000 per year. That is an attractive return, but shareholders will not get it all because we want to set aside a generous amount for community projects - this is not a get rich quick scheme! However the technology is simple and robust, so we can expect it to keep working for many decades. Although renewables tend to be seen as risky, the river will keep flowing, and demand for electricity will not go away.

 

We will also need risk capital to pay for the approvals and the share offer - perhaps £20,000.

Invitation to Community Energy focus group 8 Sept

I will be accepting the invite to a focus group on the evening of Thursday 8
September to discuss scaling up community renewable energy in Oxfordshire.

As a Director of Abingdon Hydro project along with Richard Riggs.


This Autumn we plan to launch the Low Carbon Hub – a central organisation
where you can access resources, training, support and advice to help
communities manage carbon reduction projects. A central part of the Hub’s
strategy will be to aggregate renewable energy projects in a way that reduces
the costs per project and creates income and wider benefits to communities.
Barbara Hammond, Director of West Oxford Community Renewables and Julia
Patrick, Programme Manager of the Low Carbon Hub, will present their ideas
for how this could work and they are looking for some very honest feedback on their proposals.

The evening, starting at 7pm, will be relaxed and informal and will take
food and drinks and it will be a chance to meet people from other groups too!
 

Whats going on in our schools

   

• Who are the eco-inspectors?
• What will a school veg garden produce?
• How much electricity can a school roof produce?
• What is a compost assembly

Abingdon Carbon Cutters is a “Community Action Group”  aiming to help reduce the carbon footprint of Abingdon in response to climate change, and to promote a sustainable and resilient lifestyle for our town

7.30pm Wed 21^st Sept 2011 

St Ethelwold’s House,

30 East St Helen Street, ABINGDON OX14 3EB

- Bring a friend ,£3 donation towards costs welcome !

Choose Abingdon @ Abingdon Business Park

EAP will be attending a major exhibition at the Abingdon Business Park from 30th Sep - 4th October 2011 With free exhibition space for local businesses.
Choose Abingdon is offering all local businesses the chance to put themselves in the spotlight when they hold a major exhibition at the Abingdon Business Park from 30th - 4th Oct.
The exhibition is backed up by special events designed to bring people in as well as being open conveniently over lunchtimes to encourage local business park staff to pop in.

• Friday 30th September 2011: is the Choose Abingdon loyalty card first anniversary celebration with wine tasing and music, an event for local shopper and customers. There will be a few freebies so the evening will incluse competitions with great prizes, news about the lauch of Abingdon video on U-tube and the new Choose Abingdon website. Be part of the shop local drive in Abingdon
• Monday 3rd October is the business networking event hosted by Abingdon Business Alliance working co-operation with Abingdon on Thames Chamber of Commerce. If your bsuiness needs other businesses, then taking part in the exhibition and attending this evening event is a must-do. There is also links with Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce and business clubs all over the region to make this event the premier networking event of the season.Evening includes brief presentations and the cahnce to ask questions about the new Enterprise Zone and the Abbey Shopping Centre development.