While electric systems are the cheapest to buy they are the most expensive to run and are the largest source of climate pollution for most households. Across our region, water heating can be upwards of a third of a household's energy bill. If you’ve got an inefficient hot water system it’s costing you money, and it’s costing the environment. 
 
ENERGY EFFICIENT HOT WATER SYSTEMS
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REGIONAL BULK BUY OFFER

Renewable Energy Benalla is partnering with Indigo Power (Community Energy Retailer) to offer two best price energy efficient hot water systems in Benalla.
 
The two systems being offered are a Reclaim Energy 315 litre CO2 Heat Pump system or an Apricus 315 litre Evacuated Tubes Solar system.
 
Both of these systems are up to five times more efficient than electric element hot water tanks and will reduce your carbon emissions by up to 80%, as well as significantly reducing your energy bills.
 
This is part of a regional bulk buy that is being offered through many renewable energy groups across all of north east Victoria and thus has the benefit of cheaper prices for these products
 
The Victorian government is encouraging people to replace their electric hot water systems with solar hot water or heat pump systems by making a rebate of $1000 available.
 
By taking advantage of this bulk buy offer you will be able to replace your aging electric hot water system with an energy efficient system at a significantly reduced price.
 
Because this is a ‘one off ‘ bulk buy, with the suppliers offering significant  discounts (approximately 20%) it  is only open for a few weeks and  this offer will close by Christmas.
 
More details are available on the flyer below  including how to register your interest.
 
Renewable Energy Benalla
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"