Short Cuts for:

IAAAE

RDES is supporting the IAAAE, an international charitable organisation, which aims to use alternative technologies to supply energy to areas where it would not usually be accessible, focusing on Africa.

RDES supplied an engineer to install pilot wind and solar hybrid systems in remote areas of Burkina Faso, West Africa.

Three systems were successfully installed in a two period during April 2006.

Here We Are

Here We Are is a community-run charity providing educational and environmental information about the parish of Cairndow in western Scotland. Here We Are commissioned RDES to assess the potential to integrate renewable energy systems of all scales into the Cairndow area. The local renewable resources were examined and initial feasibility studies were completed for several hydro, wind and biomass technology options. From this initial study it was decided by the local community at a community meeting that a woodchip biomass combustion plant providing heat for a local business would be the best way to advance. A detailed feasibility study was then carried out to produce a preliminary design, costing and business case for the project.

RDES are now designing and developing the installation of a 1 MW biomass heating plant on a local business site, which is scheduled for installation in November 2007. The biomass boiler will be owned and operated either by Here We Are or by an independent third party. The local business will buy the heat from the boiler on a long-term contract. This will help reduce energy overheads to a stable and predictable long-term value, something which is important in this increasingly volatile energy market. This is therefore a truly sustainable project which will significantly reduce the negative environmental impact of the local business and improve its financial performance. This is socially important since the business employs many local residents.

FCA

Fetterangus is a rural community located approximately 15 km west of Peterhead in Aberdeenshire.  Fetterangus Community Association (FCA) oversees, organises and raises funds for various community projects for the benefit of Fetterangus village.

RDES has been assisting FCA in fulfilling their ambition to become the first mainland community to independently own and operate a renewable energy facility for the benefit of the whole community.

Following a feasibility study, carried out by RDES, the community has chosen a single wind turbine as a first phase in their renewable energy program. The wind turbine will be owned and operated by FCA and is set to generate the equivalent electricity demand of 250 homes and offset 550 tons of CO2 per year. The revenue generated by the wind turbine will be reinvested in the local area to improve energy efficiency in homes and the town hall and to improve leisure and other facilities in the area.

RDES have played a key role in the development of this project, providing a range of services to the community including:

• System design
• Wind monitoring and resource assessment which enabled FCA to secure grant funding
• Turbine selection
• Grid connection offer
• Financial appraisal
• Stakeholder contact
• Community engagement
• Visual impact assessment
• Noise assessment
• Preparation and submission of planning application

This project has generated a lot of interest and enthusiasm from communities throughout the UK.  If you want to find out more about how your community can benefit from renewable energy then click here…