Join Electrify Wangaratta at the Wangaratta Performing Arts & Convention Centre at 2pm Sunday 13 October for an exciting event focused on making homes more energy-efficient!
Learn how to optimize your home to reduce your energy bills and increase year-round comfort. This is an interactive, informative session includes:
Please register at https://events.humanitix.com/go-electric-slash-your-energy-bills
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A number of BSFG members participated in the 'Take Control of your Energy Bills' webinar livestreamed at Benalla Library and online in June, leaving enthused and with new low cost ideas for creating a cozy winter home without emptying their wallets. If you would like to watch or rewatch the webinar or share it with family or friends, you can find a recording of the webinar on YouTube: Resources recommended to complement the session include :
It was most enjoyable being with like minded others in the Benalla Library and watching the webinar on the new screening equipment donated by Friends of the Benalla Library. Thank you FOBL! For more information and to keep up with future webinars and grants, contact Louisa Marston Community and Partnerships Program Officer Hume Region | Regions, Environment, Climate Action and First Peoples | Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action E: [email protected] On 23rd, 24th and 25th May 2022 two of our members completed Voluntary Home Energy Efficiency Advisor training provided by the Hume Community Power Hub, https://www.communitypowerhub.net.au/hume/.
Community Power Hubs provide grants for community groups to install renewable energy and undertake energy audits, https://www.communitypowerhub.net.au/. Indigo Power https://indigopower.com.au/about-us/, and GV Community Energy https://www.gvce.com.au/ are jointly delivering the Hume Community Power Hub. Once endorsed our Voluntary members will be able to advise about improving Home Energy Efficiency. We hope to then have a contact form here to use this service. Peter Maddock A reminder about the final session of Renewable Energy Benalla’s 2019 Energy Efficiency workshops which is on tomorrow night 14th October at the Benalla Uniting Church, opposite the Coles car park from 7.30pm until 9.30pm.
This workshop on Energy Monitoring, Solar Power & Batteries will be presented by Kevin Smith. We didn’t get to cover this topic last year so I am also including some people who attended our workshops in 2018. We will also be mentioning an Energy Efficient Hot water Bulk Buy. Renewable Energy Benalla and Indigo Power are partnering to offer two best price energy efficient hot water systems. Reclaim Energy CO2 Heat Pump – 315 litre Standard installation with rebates - $2000 - $2200 Normal price fully installed approx. $4700 Apricus Evacuated Tube Solar Hot Water – 315 litre Standard installation with rebates – $3000 Normal price fully installed approx. $5600 Peter Maddock 0418 135 330 From the Web Team: REB is a small action group which is working on many aspects of Renewable Energy from a number of directions. With time at a premium we don't want to put on more pressure on them to write reports, so it seems like putting in the information they contribute at meetings via the minutes is a good idea! The work the group is doing is wide ranging and clearly requires considerable research and decision making.
From the August Minutes (20 August 2019) "1. Action Groups – report on action plan to implement key strategies 1.1 Waste to Energy – report from Adrian. Adrian has contacted Kelly Wickham at Sustainability Victoria to discuss whether there is any funding available to investigate feasibility of options. Adrian has made contact with Mt Alexander Sustainability Group and will try to meet with them to discuss their project. Still investigating plasma system which recycles plastic back to food grade pellets. Gasification to produce syngas, original company who were liaising with don’t have the capacity. Have found a Canadian company which is more progressed. Cruise ships using similar smaller systems. 1.2 Community Energy Project – report from John Account for Community Energy Fund is nearly established. John circulated advice received from the Bendigo Sustainability Group and Chuffed.org. Loan based approach would be much easier than PPA type arrangement. Need to work out fundraising and how to proceed and how to accept donations. If people are going to want to claim on tax return will need to get Deductable Gift Recipient (DGR) status. Initial project would be for the two kindergartens we have been liaising with. Mens Shed might also be interested. ACTION: John and Larissa to identify what are the steps and tasks needed and what skills might be required to progress with the community energy project, with the aim of seeking a few more volunteers to assist. Draft an email to go out to contact list and circulate to REB group for review. 1.3 Energy Efficiency sessions – report from John The draft proofing and insulation session was held last night with 10 people attending. Most that attended indicated they would attend the next session. Might need to get a list of handyman and trades people that could undertake retrofit work such as installing installation. 2.Mini Grant project: Designing to Engage Benalla in a Renewable Energy Future Documents were finalised and printed. The group discussed how the flyers should be used and distributed. Should promote at the Lakeside Market, will work on organising for 28 September market. Will also put some in West End Post Office, Library and Swanpool Cinema. 3.Hume Renewable Energy Roadmap 3.1.Launch – the document was recently launched in Wangaratta, John attended. John distributed a hard copy of the Roadmap. 3.2.John is organising a guest speaker to talk about the Hume Renewable Energy Roadmap for the September BSFG meeting. Discussed whether REB could use the opportunity to also promote the REB group. Agreed that this was a good idea. Meeting should be widely promoted. 4.Hot Water Bulk Buy John and Kevin have been liaising with Indigo Power on the hot water bulk buy. Draft flyer was circulated with indicative prices. Will need a plumber and electrician, John will speak to potential interested plumber and advise Indigo Power. 5.Community Engagement Strategy 5.1.Reports of discussions with stakeholders Peter discussed with Daryl Defazio who has some concerns around large scale solar. Hasn’t been able to get in touch with Tim Bowtell as yet. 5.2.John distributed Bendigo Council Community Engagement Toolkit which might be useful as we consider community engagement opportunities. 6.General Business 6.1.Annual Statement to Community Affairs Victoria is due the end of October. Peter will report as per the BSFG AGM. Motion: That Peter is to complete the online lodgement of the Annual Statement to Community Affairs Victoria based on the information presented at the BSFG/REB AGM. Moved: Kevin Smith 2nd: Peter Maddock All in favour 6.2.Still haven’t heard about the outcome of the funding application submitted with GVCE (Goulburn Valley Community Energy). Geoff Lodge would still like to progress with solar on community housing which isn’t dependent on this funding. May also be future discussion if GVCE are successful with Winton Solar Farm project, regarding community benefit sharing which would be from the outset (unlike others who may only commit once operational and making profit). 6.3.Kevin and Peter will attend the Lightsource BP Solar farm (Winton) session – looking at extending / increasing the size of the solar farm application. 6.4.Chelsea from DELWP wanted to gauge interest in screening of the film ‘2040’ as either a promotion or fundraising event for BSFG and REB. Everyone agreed it would be a good idea at either the DELWP Theatrette or BPACC. Peter suggested ‘Point of no return’ is another good film to screen. 6.5. Benalla Youth Action Society John sent email to the group to ask if they are thinking about the School Strike for Climate on September 20th. 7.Next Meeting Tuesday 17th September 2019 10am" Reduce Energy Bills and Increase Thermal Comfort More Comfort – Less Cost Renewable Energy Benalla is conducting a new series of free workshops on how to reduce energy bills and increase the thermal comfort of your home.
Session 1 August 5 - Understanding energy bills and getting the best rate Electricity contracts, understanding your usage, comparing retail rates Bring your electricity bills to discuss Session 2 August 19 - Draught Proofing & Insulation Locating and fixing draughts Insulation to improve thermal performance Session 3 September 2 - Lighting & Windows Energy efficient lighting Solutions to poorly performing windows Session 4 September 16 - Efficient Hot Water Systems, Heating and Cooling Water heating is a major energy user while heating accounts for 30% of energy bills Learn about efficient options Session 5 September 30 - Appliances & Cooking; Transitioning from Gas Appliances & cooking account for 30% of energy bills Session 6 October 14 - Energy Monitoring, Solar Power & Batteries Monitoring real time energy consumption Advantages of solar power & batteries These free workshops will be conducted fortnightly on Mondays in the meeting rooms at the Uniting Church in Carrier Street, Benalla, (opposite the Coles car park), from 7:30pm to 9:30pm. While attending all the workshops would provide the major benefit, some people may wish to only attend some of the sessions. It is important to register to attend these workshops by emailing [email protected] indicating the workshops you wish to attend or phone / SMS Peter on 0418 135 330. Download Flyer |
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Banner - launch of REB's Munro Avenue Pre School 'behind the meter' solar panel installation, May 6 '21
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