With support from
If you are interested in exploring community energy in your local community, the links below will help to provide more information on how this works. These resources were compiled by the organisers of the 2023 Reimagining Community Energy Event. Note these resources are external pages not moderated or managed by Cambridge Carbon Footprint.
Centre for Sustainable Energy
CSE supports people and organisations across the UK to tackle the climate emergency and end the suffering caused by cold homes. Works with organisations of all sizes, from city councils to community groups, to help shape net zero ambitions, set priorities and put plans into action.
Ethex Webinar: Community Energy – Who Benefits?
“Hosted by Ethex, a webinar that examines the broad range of benefits generated by the community energy sector and how, with sufficient investment, the community energy model can be replicated in communities across the UK, providing a continuous cycle of funding for local carbon-cutting initiatives. We believe that now is the time for everyday people to step up and support Community Energy initiatives, and our mission is to help more people understand the massive potential of these grassroots projects to create impact not just within the energy sector, but across society as a whole.”
Panellists Lisa Ashford – CEO, Ethex (chair) Alan Whitehead, MP and Shadow Minister for Energy Security Phil Coventry, Head of Operations, Community Energy England Will Walker, Climate Action Manager, Power to Change Michela Cryar, Head of Younity Ant Flanagan, Community Energy Together.
Future Energy Landscapes Toolkit
This community consultation method helps local planning authorities and civic society accelerate renewable energy deployment, by helping people understand what renewable energy is and whether or where a project could be placed in their community.
NetZeroGo for Local Authorities
Tools, resources and guidance to start your first energy project, build a successful business case, and deliver a portfolio of local energy projects.
Community Energy Map
Comprehensive UK dataset of community energy groups, projects and their locations
Action on Energy Cambridgeshire
“Action on Energy is a partnership between Cambridgeshire County Council, Cambridge City Council, East Cambridgeshire District Council, Fenland District Council, Huntingdonshire District Council and South Cambridgeshire District Council. Together we provide our communities with advice on how to maximise the energy efficiency of their homes, save money on their energy bills and cut their carbon emissions. Our authoritative advice includes information on the energy efficiency measures available, practical guidance, funding opportunities and support to find an installer.”
Association for Environmentally Conscious Builders
“Set up in 1989 for pioneers working in the building industry, we are a long lived and resilient collective intelligence network. We have a dynamic constituency of over 2,000 members. Our boldest success has been to create the Passivhaus Trust, a wholly owned subsidiary, with over 250 members.”
Centre for Sustainable Energy Community Retrofit Guide
“Our free community retrofit guide covers everything community groups need to get started on retrofit projects”
Cosy Homes Oxfordshire
“The service centres on a whole house approach to home retrofit, providing a full, one-stop-shop service to help you increase the energy efficiency of your home. Once you register your home you will be looked after by our dedicated Retrofit Coordinator team.”
Government Home Energy Advice Service
If you own a property in England or Wales you can get recommendations for home improvements that could make your property cheaper to heat and keep warm. For each recommendation you can see:
Greater Southeast Net Zero Hub
The Greater South East Net Zero Hub is funded by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. We work with public sector organisations and their stakeholders to support the development and financing of local net zero projects in the region. If you need help with your project, please contact us for FREE support.
Green Hat Construction
“We undertake all general building projects, new builds, extensions, renovations and alterations, and hard landscaping in Cambridge and the surrounding area. However, wherever possible, we aim to use ‘green’ construction methods to find solutions to suit your needs and budget.”
Green Heat Coop
Green Heat Coop is a non-profit, co-operative company focused on the transition away from fossil-fuels to high efficiency, low carbon, high comfort home heating systems. We offer a local and personalised approach to support householders through this change. We can help you understand and navigate the options for your home, including heat pumps and energy efficiency measures.
Local Energy Transition Initiative (LETI)
“LETI is a network of over 1,000 built environment professionals, working together to put the UK on the path to a zero carbon future. The voluntary group is made up of developers, engineers, housing associations, architects, planners, academics, sustainability professionals, contractors and facilities managers.”
National Retrofit Hub
The National Retrofit Hub will address the complex challenges of retrofit, by engaging with and bringing together all stakeholders across the UK to support local retrofit delivery. It is a non-profit programme working collaboratively across the retrofit sector.
Open Eco Homes
“Every Autumn Open Eco Homes runs tours and talks to give you ideas and information to get started with your own eco home. Our tours are run by homeowners who show and discuss how their homes are low carbon. Some are new-build and some retrofits. Get ideas for what suits your home. Our talks are run by experts on practical topics to help you go further.”
Open Eco Homes: Supplier and Installer Directory
Browse local trades and suppliers used by Open Eco Homes hosts
Peterborough Environment City Trust
If you live in Fenland, Huntingdonshire, Cambridge City or East Cambs, PECT (working in partnership with Cambridgeshire ACRE) can help you with its Cambridgeshire Home Energy Support Service thanks to funding from the Energy Industry Voluntary Redress Scheme. PECT is also offering this service to residents in Cambridge City in partnership with the City Council.’
Transition Cambridge Energy Group
“Our aims are wide ranging. We hope to:
Community Energy England
“We are a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to helping community energy organisations create and implement new projects by advocating for a policy landscape that will support community energy and providing opportunities for community energy practitioners to connect, learn, share business models and help each other overcome obstacles.”
Community Energy South (CES)
“Community Energy South (CES) was established in 2013 as an umbrella organisation and regional hub enabling its members (local community energy groups and community organisations) to grow as sustainable low carbon businesses in the South East of England.”
Essex County Council/Community Energy South Community Energy Roadmap
Pathway for Community Energy
Greater South East Net Zero Hub
“The Greater South East Net Zero Hub is a collaboration of eleven Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs). These LEPs are working together to increase the number, scale and quality of local energy projects being delivered across the greater south east region of England.”
UKPN Community Energy Strategy
“We work with community energy groups, charities and local organisations to share and learn from examples of best practice, provide energy efficiency advice and advise on the most efficient way communities can reduce their carbon emissions.”
Power Circle
“Power Circle is a social enterprise dedicated to supporting social housing providers, private house owners, communities, and the private sector access affordable, low carbon energy by helping them establish smart, local energy systems.”
Sharenergy Co-op
Sharenergy helps communities to set up and own renewable energy societies
Younity’s Community Energy Connect Scheme
Whether you’re a passionate volunteer, or a group in need of an extra pair of hands, this platform will plug you into the wonderful world of UK community energy.
East Cambs CAN
A not-for-profit community group responding to the climate emergency. We focus on taking practical steps to locally reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, speed up the transition to a NetZero Carbon Emissions society and restore spaces for wildlife.
Gamlingay Community Turbine
“A group of Gamlingay residents has installed a single 33m diameter wind turbine just outside the village. This is a local project, by the community and for the community that is significantly offsetting the village’s carbon footprint. Part of the profit from the turbine’s operation will be used to provide a regular income to the village – to be spent on local charities and community projects, hence the title ‘Community Turbine’. The project was funded entirely by local residents and businesses.”
Littlebury Energy Project
“Uttlesford District Council and Essex County council are supporting Littlebury Parish Council and Saffron Walden Community Energy in the development of an overview plan to help the village move from oil heating to lower carbon options.”
PACE Manningtree Community Energy Scheme
Scheme to install rooftop solar on homes across 3 parishes and provide the energy directly to the community.
Reach Solar Farm
“We’ve built a community solar farm near Reach. The solar farm is owned and run by a co-operative of local people, and generates enough clean, green electricity to power 50 houses – about half the village.”
Swaffham Prior Heat Network
“Swaffham Prior has led the way in the UK, to be the first village to develop a rural heat network. The mix of air source and ground source heat pumps have capacity to supply 1.7MW of heat to 300 homes located in Swaffham Prior.”
CommuniHeat
“CommuniHeat is a partnership between the people of Barcombe, local community energy group Ovesco, engineering practice Buro Happold and electricity distributor UK Power Networks to develop the roadmap which aims to understand how rural communities can switch to low-carbon heating using electricity in a way that ensures comfort, affordability and a smooth transition.”
Communities for Renewables
A mission-led community interest company which helps to set up local energy enterprises and works with them to develop, finance and manage their own renewable energy generation.
Community Led Homes
Advice and support on community led housing and refurb projects.
Energy Garden Project
The Energy Garden Community Benefit Society has 500 members who have raised more than £1 million for solar development so far. Revenues from the sale of energy fund gardens and education programmes in London.
Energy Local
Energy Local has designed a means for local people to benefit from local energy through Energy Local Clubs. This enables households to club together and show they are using local, clean power when it is generated. They agree upon a better price for local generators and reduce their bills. It reflects local renewables’ true value and keeps more money local.
POWER
“POWER is a ‘show and do’ project building a solar POWER STATION across the rooftops (streets, schools, community buildings) of North East London via enacting a grassroots Green New Deal – working with art and infrastructure to tackle the interlinked climate/energy/cost of living crises.”
Power to Change
Our mission is to strengthen communities through community business. Funder of Community Energy Together Co-op
Repowering London
“Repowering London has been empowering communities to fund, install and manage their own clean, local energy for a decade. We believe that putting people at the heart of the energy system is the key to fighting the climate emergency, building resilient communities and promoting technological innovation that will democratise the energy system.”
Solar for Schools
Solar for Schools guides you through the journey to enjoy solar energy on your school’s roof, from funding, design, installation and operation. On top, we include an education package about energy and sustainability using the solar panels as the educational instrument.
Abundance Investment
“We get it. You need to make some money, but you also want to make sure there’s a planet left to spend it on. For the last decade we’ve been helping people use their money to take action on the climate emergency.”
Big Solar Co-op
The Big Solar Co-op is a not-for-profit, carbon-first and volunteer-led organisation. They’re solarising commercial and community buildings all over the UK from doctors surgeries to factories and everything in between.
Brighton Energy Co-operative
“Your roof is an invaluable resource to reduce carbon and bolster your pocket. We rent your roof space and then offer you cheap electricity from the solar panels overhead. This can save your business thousands of pounds a year on electricity bills, just as we do with our fifty current partners – and a large chunk of your energy goes carbon-free.”
Bristol Energy Cooperative
“At Bristol Energy Cooperative we develop renewable energy and energy efficiency projects, with and for the benefit of the community. We’re responsible for the equivalent of 33% of Bristol’s solar energy generation. Our projects are funded by investor members, who receive interest on their investment from the money we receive for the energy we produce. As a cooperative, decisions are made on a one-member one-vote basis at our AGMs.”
Brixton Energy
“Brixton Energy is a group of not-for-profit co-operatives based in south London. Co-operatives are not-for-profit organisations that are jointly owned and operated by a group of people for their mutual benefit. They are democratic enterprises, operating with a one member, one vote policy. We have completed three projects installing solar panels on social housing, generating clean renewable electricity, a financial return for our investors and income for our community fund”.
Community Energy Together
Community Energy Together (CET) is a group of Community Benefit Societies in the UK. Together, we believe in the power of community energy to generate returns for people and the planet.
Energy4All
“Energy4All supports a family of 33 independent renewable-energy co-operatives. Our Co-operatives have 17,308 individual members. Founded by the Baywind Energy Co-operative (the UK’s first renewable energy co-operative) in 2002, Energy4All demonstrates the power of co-operation in the renewables sector. We work with communities to develop innovative renewable energy projects, we then raise the funds those projects need to go forward, we bring high-quality project managers to support the construction process and finally we work with directors to help them manage the projects over the long-term.”
Ethex
“Ethex helps everyday people make ethical investments that fund extraordinary organisations. Make your money a powerful tool for change and get a fair return.”
Ripple
“Ripple is about people coming together to do incredible things for our planet. The company has been crowdfunded by nearly 4,000 individual investors who share our vision of making clean energy ownership affordable and accessible for everyone, everywhere.”
Schools Energy Co-operative
“The Schools’ Energy Co-operative installs community funded solar panel systems on schools free of charge as well as paying all its profits to its member schools. As a social enterprise, we are dedicated to supporting our school members and providing an alternative to the prevailing commercial rent a roof or leasing model. Central to this is our aspiration to retain as much as possible of the benefits for the schools, their students and the surrounding communities. We also work with our school members and local community groups to maximise the environmental, educational and community impact of the solar installations.”
Thrive Renewables
“Thrive Renewables connects people to sustainable energy. Thanks to our thousands of investors – large and small – we’ve been building and operating renewable energy projects in the UK for 28 years”.
Younity
“All around the country, community groups of all shapes and sizes are working together to change the way we produce and consume power, through locally-led renewable energy projects. With the support of our friends at Your Co-op Energy and Octopus Energy, Younity is here to make sure they succeed. In fact, we won’t rest until community energy has earned its place at the heart of sustainable power.”
Affordable Warmth Scheme
“The Affordable Warmth Scheme is part of the Government’s ECO Scheme which was introduced in January 2013 to fight fuel poverty and to help reduce carbon emissions and the effects of climate change. First Time Central Heating Grants were introduced on 1st January 2020 for householders who live in home which have never had central heating fitted before. Central Heating Grants are still available under ECO4 which started on 1st April 2022 and is expected to run until March 2026.”
Aviva Community Fund
Provides match funding to funds raised through Crowdfunder for projects on:
Cambridgeshire County Council New funding to improve community facilities
Opens later this year, decisions early 2024, up to 40K
Cambridgeshire County Council Energy Support
Community Energy England Funding page
The Community Energy Fund
“Rural and local communities across England will be supported in setting up local energy projects that will provide local jobs and deliver energy security, thanks to a new £10 million government fund.”
CORE Partners
Community Owned Renewable Energy LLP (CORE Partners) is a £40m investment programme targeting operational, ground mounted solar farms in England, with the principal objective of turning these into community owned assets, whilst maximising the financial, environmental and social impact within the community.
Great British Insulation Scheme (formerly eco+)
“The “Great British Insulation Scheme started in April 2023 and is expected to run until March 2026. Scheme grants will target the installation of cavity wall insulation and loft insulation, although grants will also be available to fund the installation of: Solid Wall Insulation (internal and external), Pitched Roof Insulation, Flat Roof Insulation, Under Floor Insulation, Solid Floor Insulation, Park Home Insulation, Room-in-Roof Insulation, Smart Heating Controls. The Great British Insulation Scheme will be aimed at households who ARE able to pay, unlike the Affordable Warmth Scheme which is aimed at households who are less able to pay.”
Funding is available to anyone in EPC grade D-G and council tax bands A-D. The scheme runs until 2026 and hopes to help 300,000 people, including funding private renters as long as their landlord permits the work. People on low incomes may also qualify to have their boiler or heaters replaced if they are inefficient. They won’t be converted away from fossil fuels though.
Good overview from Money Saving Expert
How to Get Your Local Clean Energy Funded
This publication produced by Thrive Renewables provides guidance on how to get funding, including case studies of how local communities set about doing this. They are a renewable energy company and have been working to reduce emissions and tackle the climate emergency since 1994. It was established as the Wind Fund plc by Triodos Bank at the time less than 2% of electricity was produced by renewables.
National Lottery Community Fund
https://www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk/funding/programmes/partnerships-england#section-4
Or
https://www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk/funding/programmes/climate-action-fund-energy
Ongoing, 16-week lead time
PWLB Lending Facility
“The PWLB lending facility is operated by the UK Debt Management Office (DMO) on behalf of HM Treasury and provides loans to local authorities, and other specified bodies, from the National Loans Fund, operating within a policy framework set by HM Treasury. This borrowing is for capital projects”.
“Major local authorities (e.g. metropolitan, borough, county, city and combined authorities) may take out PWLB loans…Minor local authorities such as town and parish councils (in England) and town and community councils (in Wales), may also borrow from the PWLB”.
SALIX (Public Sector Decarbonisation Funds and more)
Administers public sector funding schemes to enable the delivery of capital energy efficiency and heat decarbonisation projects within public sector non-domestic buildings, including central government departments and non-departmental public bodies in England. Only public sector organisations are eligible to apply, for further eligibility information view the individual scheme details.
Thrive Together Fund
This is a part loan/part grant fund for small charities which can be used to refurbish an asset. Always Open. £25 – 150K available, Blend of loan (75%) and grant (25%)
Triodos Crowdfunding
“We’ve been connecting investors directly with positive organisations for over 15 years. During that time, we raised over £187 million in social investments for more than 50 individual organisations. This included promoting the UK’s first bond to be issued by a charity. We launched the crowdfunding platform in 2018 to make it easier for our community of investors to find social investment opportunities.”
Younity Community Energy Kickstart
“Kickstart your Community Energy project with funding support from Younity. With £1.5m of funds available, this bridging loan is for projects across England, Scotland and Wales who are building and managing local renewable generation to benefit the local community while creating more cheap, green energy.”
Zero Carbon Communities Grant
“The Zero Carbon Communities Grant Scheme allows communities in South Cambridgeshire to take action on climate change at a very local level.”
Centre for Sustainable Energy
Report on how current legislations is holding up community energy projects
Power for People
“We have drafted the Local Electricity Bill and are campaigning for it to be made law. This would give electricity generators the right to become local suppliers.”
Public Policy Proposals, Community Energy England
“Thousands of local community energy volunteers and experts are waiting and wanting to support the government’s urgent energy transition locally. Without support from the government to enable them to act this vital asset will be lost as they find something else to do with their time.”
Acorn Union
Community union
Advice for Renters
They can “Advise and act for you to make sure that the landlord meets his or her legal responsibilities to keep your home in good repair, with adequate, and affordable, heating; help you to clear energy or other debts or to get a smart energy meter installed; or check whether you may be eligible for any grants to help you to make your home more energy efficient”
Batteries
Research on minerals/mining RE batteries
BBC Costing the Earth podcast on Community Energy
Climate change insights, families and households, UK: August 2023.
Quarterly publication bringing together the latest climate change-related statistics and analysis from a range of sources.
Global Sustainability Institute, Angela Ruskin University
Energy Communities: Insights from the Social Sciences & Humanities on advantages and challenges
Powering the Community Clean Energy Revolution – LCAW 2023
In this panel discussion as part of LCAW 2023, our panel discuss the massive potential that community energy has in the UK energy system of the future. We break down the challenges that community energy groups face, highlight the solutions and share positive examples of community energy in action.
Shared Green Deal (International research project led out of the Global Sustainability Institute at ARU)
https://sharedgreendeal.eu/local-partners
https://twitter.com/SharedGreenDeal
Working with 24 local partners on the social dimensions of topics including clean energy and retrofit
Impact tool
“Impact is a digital visualisation tool that helps you understand your community’s carbon footprint. It works for parishes, wards and local authority areas. It helps identify the areas where taking action to tackle climate change can make the biggest difference.”
The Non Gas Map
The non-gas map is a detailed map of Great Britain showing the distribution of properties without a gas grid connection across local authorities. It also provided a wealth of other information such as the types of house or flat; whether the properties are owned or rented; to the type of heating used, such as oil; and how many properties are fuel poor.
Insulation Heat and Postcode maps.
Carbon Neutral Cambridge have “created ‘heatmaps’ and detailed ‘postcode’ maps showing the areas of the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority that have concentrations of homes with either “poor” or “very poor” loft insulation, or uninsulated or partially insulated cavity walls”.
Bi-directional EV Charging
Turn your electric vehicle into an energy storage device and sell energy to the grid
Energy Local
“Energy Local has designed a means for local people to benefit from local energy through Energy Local Clubs. This enables households to club together and show they are using local, clean power when it is generated. They agree upon a better price for local generators and reduce their bills. It reflects local renewables’ true value and keeps more money local.”
How to get an Electricity Connection:
EPC Ratings
Energy Performance Certificates of Buildings can be identified by postcode. The site can be used to identify how many buildings with an EPC certificate have been classified in each energy rating classification band, by area. This may show where help with retrofitting may be most useful to improve EPC ratings.
Scene
Scene is a Social Enterprise focused on strengthening communities through consultancy, research and the development of low-carbon ICT products. They work across the renewable energy, carbon management, and energy access sectors.
