WREN – March Update

In March we ran a number of events in the WREN Energy Shop. These included an Energy Clinic in collaboration with Community Energy Plus and a Family Drop in Day on the 27th March. Again in collaboration with Community Energy Plus we ran two sessions on fuel poverty for WREN volunteers and staff from local organisations. At the end of the month Cornwall CAB delivered Energy Best Deal Training.

We received grant funding from the DECC LEAF (Local Energy Assessment Fund) programme. We are using the funds profile the local housing stock from an energy standpoint. Cornwall has a high proportion of hard-to heat homes with solid wall or prefabricated structures. The profiles will help guide the way to cost effective improvements in insulation and household energy management. We are also using the funding to identify and engage the top 10 heat users in our local area (prioritising community buildings) and to recommend cost effective heat solutions for them. Running alongside this work we are carrying out feasibility and initial development work for a large-scale (5MW+) community wind project.

In March WREN worked with two local schools ( St Breock School, Wadebridge County Primary School) and in conjunction with Camp Kernow delivered workshops focussed on household energy efficiency and solar thermal energy to approximately 240 young people. Activities kicked off in Camp Kernow’s giant sized Planet Earth with discussions about how saving energy in the home can influence climate change. Further activities encompassed building solar ovens (including testing different types of insulation) and melting chocolate!

Finally, our website (www.wren.uk.com) was given an excellent makeover and update by Inhouse Studios during March.