Firewood from Hedgerows Group Update

During the summer four of the Firewood Group, Dave Dann, Eddy Kay, John Downes and Pete Mason have been on a week's chainsaw training and we now have fully qualified tree-felling members in the group. We have still to get the relevant insurance but that will be in place before the start of the cutting season in October. This training was paid for in part by our Awards for All grant, but the four trainees also made a contribution. With the remainder of the grant money we will be arranging some hedge laying training through the Devon Rural Skills Trust.

During September three of us, Dave Dann, John Downes and Charles Mossman, will be visiting at least two landowners with a view to expanding our operations into coppice management.

Attached is a link to a doodle poll to set up the first two sessions in October. As last February we'll probably set up two definite dates with a couple of dates in reserve for bad weather each month. To simplify matters once we have set the dates for October, these may give an  indication of a pattern of the most popular days we can use for the following months too, eg weekends or mid week etc. Please can you complete the doodle poll by Sept 14^th

http://www.doodle.com/5i5yd4u7bh6a8qu3

We'll set up a separate doodle poll for the hedge laying training once we've seen who will be participating in the work sessions

Tradewind Turbines Visit

John Boyle, Chris Tucker, Chris Dean and Charles Mossman visited Tradewind Turbines to see their revolutionary new small "square rigger" wind turbine in action in east Devon.

The Square Rigger is a small, innovative vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT) that combines cutting edge electronic control, with proven sailing technology.

The key benefits of the patented design are:

• Stands just 10m tall, but achieves high energy capture
• Runs quietly and has a low visual impact
• Operational at lower wind speeds than competitor products
• Printed sail surfaces - advertise, brand or camouflage
• High torque output for flexible power application
• Wildlife friendly - too slow for bird or bat strike

The Square Rigger maximises the range of wind speeds in which it can generate power by varying the size of the sails; in low wind speeds the sails are fully unfurled, but as wind speed increases so the width of each sail is reduced. This, coupled with intelligent dynamic digital load control, optimises the energy produced by the turbine.

We had a very close look at the design of the sails and wind turbine in the Exeter warehouse and were impressed by the simplicity of the design which is modular and made from readily available components in the motor industry such as chains, drives and bearings.

Then we visited the field site to see the square rigger in action. It was only when we were less than 50 yards from the wind turbine did we see it for the first time as it has camouflaged sails. Although it was a very still day, the sails turned the turbine in the slightest breeze and we were able to see the sails furl up as the wind picked up to keep the turbine spinning at a constant 15 rpm irrespective of wind speed.

The Company have very ambitious plans and see the turbine operating in several markets including in the developing world pumping well water and in the UK/Europe generating electricity. The Company will be seeking MCS approval for the design next year and are aiming to be selling into the UK market by the start of 2015. Tradewind Turbines are currently seeking crowdfunding of £100,000 to progress the production and commercialisation of the product.

We feel that this design of wind turbine overcomes many of the objections people have about large wind turbines and would be an ideal small turbine to supply a farm or large detached house set in a large plot of land with their electricity supplies. Certainly it could be considered for a community energy scheme.

CREDITON'S OWN LOCAL ENERGY COMPANY

Sustainable Crediton wants to work with others on an exciting and challenging project to form a community energy company. We hope to reduce our area's carbon footprint and dependence on fossil fuels by developing, financing and managing community-owned renewable energy projects. Instead of profits going out of our area to big companies or just to private landowners, any surplus money would be for the benefit of the community.

There is an urgent need for much more renewable energy to replace the fossil fuels which drive climate change. Climate change is already evident in rising global temperatures, rising sea levels and increasing incidence of extreme weather. The Arctic sea ice is reducing at an alarming rate. This year saw the world's carbon dioxide levels reach 400 ppm - a record. We need both to reduce our demand for electricity and to generate energy from truly renewable sources such as solar and wind.

Charles Mossman, Energy Group Coordinator, said "We have run two successful projects in the last two years installing 72 sets of solar panels and several air source heat pumps on private individuals' properties. We are now considering how to set up community energy generation projects which will produce enough electricity for the needs of a significant proportion of the homes in our area. Our first focus will be on solar photovoltaic (PV) projects as this is a reliable technology with a long track record of success. We will look to install this on large buildings owned by local businesses, including farm businesses. We will raise finance for the projects through a combination of member subscriptions (shares), bank loans and financial partnerships. A significant share of the profits from projects will be put into a Community Fund which can be used to finance more local, low carbon projects. Businesses housing the projects can expect to receive guaranteed lower cost electricity for project life. Subscribers will receive interest payments or dividends on their shares."

Linda Lever went on "If we are to develop this project, it will depend on finding a group of people with the skills and commitment to take it forward. We already have the beginning of a group in Sustainable Crediton but will need more people. People with legal skills, experience in writing business plans, submission of planning applications, etc would be especially welcome, but enthusiasm and commitment are probably more important!

We are very keen to get the views of as many people as possible before we take this idea any further. We have produced a very short questionnaire which will take just two minutes to complete. It is available on our website at /5389.aspx

Please download the survey, complete it and then email the completed document to info@sustainablecrediton.org.uk

We are aiming to have a meeting for those interested in helping in the autumn."