Roseland Community Interest Energy Company

REACT are exploring renewable energy options and two funding opportunities could now enable a community energy scheme.

Whilst large wind turbines/solar farms can provide cheaper electricity and less carbon emissions than fossil fuelled systems, these are not appropriate on the Roseland; but smaller renewable energy systems are usually economically unviable.  However, new policy arrangements could address this situation.

To illustrate, a solar array exporting power to the grid may earn 5 pence/kWh, whereas purchasing electricity costs approximately 15 pence/kWh, so using power directly from the solar array is worth up to 3 times the export rate and this cost difference can be used to offset buying power:  Directly connecting your solar array to a new policy framework called a Local Generation Tariff enables a solar farm to sell power via the grid to a network of local users. These users will be on the same substation as the renewable energy installation(s) and will be able to buy the power generated for approximately 10-12 pence/kWh. This means the users, who become members of the Community Interest Company (CIC), save money and reduce their carbon footprint by buying power directly from the local renewable energy installation, with the installation owners earning 2-2.5 times more than if they simply exported to the grid.

The initial thought is for solar panels to be fitted to existing farm barns/industrial units/community rooftops with the property owners benefitting from either a rental payment or cost savings in the power they are currently purchasing but a mix of other technologies could also be used:  A Welsh scheme uses the same framework for hydro-power and energy from food waste collections or tide mills could also work.

Local users would be encouraged to use power when energy output is good, with web/phone apps offering “best time of day” guidance.  There are also automatic controls available to operate heat pumps/immersion heaters when local power is available.

For this scheme to be viable we need local consumers willing to join the CIC:  Residents/businesses/schools/shops/industrial units are all invited.  Annual cost savings could be a few hundred pounds per household, depending on your energy usage.

To enable us to apply for start-up funding we need to evidence interest for this scheme:

• Do you own/know of a building where installation could be suitable?
• Are you interested in becoming a CIC member?

If so, please contact richard@react.org.uk, tel. 07837 773661