Going Green for Business : Waterford Chamber

As part of Waterford Chambers ‘Green Month’ in May, 3CEA took part in the Going Green for Business event. Grainne Kennedy, Energy Engineer for 3cea presented on the funding opportunities for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects for businesses, communities and homeowners in the Waterford area.

Mobile in May: Sustainable Energy Communities Webinar Series

It’s all about making your community a better place to be and live!

Thanks to everyone who participated in our Sustainable Energy Communities Mobile in May webinar series, where we looked at:
🚴Travelling sustainably to school
🚧Planning for better transport where you live
🚌Travelling on four wheels: EVs, Local Link and Car Sharing

Don’t worry if you missed out, you can catch up on our YouTube channel playlist below

Going Green for Business : Waterford Chamber

As part of Waterford Chambers ‘Green Month’ in May, 3CEA are excited to take part in Going Green for Business event. We will be presenting on funding opportunities for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects for businesses, communities and homeowners in the Waterford area.

You will also hear from Owen Power of Enerpower on the latest energy offerings and from Energia on practical implementation without disruption to business. We will also have a number of industry agencies and professionals on site to discuss your needs.

The event is free and will help you along your own sustainable journey. Waterford Chamber is committed to the UN Sustainability Goals and a key stakeholder of the Waterford Green Deal initiative. Please join us as we work together for a better Waterford for everyone.

Register for FREE here

 

Happy Earth Day from 3CEA

Sometimes we forget we’re floating through space on a giant rock. Let’s not forget that this rock is the only place we have to call home. This Earth Day, let’s honour our amazing little planet. The official theme of Earth Day 2022 is “Invest in our planet”, so why not get out there and make a change that will invest in the future health of our environment.

Although energy efficiency and reducing carbon emissions are our every day at 3CEA, our team are taking the time today to do something different that will help make our planet that little bit healthier.

What are you doing to celebrate earth day?

Here are some ideas
🚮Litter pick around your local area, recycling what you collect
🌼Plant some pollinator-friendly plants, vegetables or a tree
🚴No car day: ditch the car and walk, cycle or use public transport
🥬Go vegan or vegetarian for the day
⛰️Go outside into nature and appreciate it

Mobile in May: How Sustainable Energy Communities can influence transport for the better

Walking, cycling, public transport and car sharing are just some ways we can make our journeys more sustainable, but how do we improve access and infrastructure within our communities?

Join us for the Mobile in May information event series were you can find out How Sustainable Energy Communities can influence transport for the better.

The programme for this event is:
Session 1: 3rd of May at 11 am – Travelling sustainably to school

Session 2: 10th of May at 11 am – Planning for better transport where you live

Session 3: 17th of May at 11 am – Travelling on four wheels: EVs, Local Link and Car Sharing

Session 4: 24th of May at 11 am – Putting together a transport strategy

Please register here
All session recordings will be made available for anyone who registers to attend.

 

STEPS Engineers Week 2022

Run by the Engineers Ireland STEPS (Science, Technology and Engineering Programme for Schools,) the event celebrates the world of engineering with primary and secondary pupils. The main aim is to promote engineering, and show the importance of the profession.

As part of STEPS Engineer’s Week 2022, 3cea energy engineers Grainne Kennedy, Tracey Turner, Stephen McCormick, Johan Muller and Ketan Malik visited schools across the southeast to showcase the exciting world of energy engineering.

Pupils from Bennekerry PS, Queen of the Universe NS, Rathoe NS, Newtown NS, ST.Senan’s PS, Castletown NS, and Dungarvan College all engaged in a variety of exciting topics around sustainable energy engineering.

Energy Engineer Gráinne Kennedy visited Ms Rice and Ms Sullivans 5th classes in Bennekerry on March 9th to talk about all things engineering. Gráinne spoke to the students about all the different ways that engineering made our lives easier and then looked at what we will have to do in the future to save energy and produce cleaner energy. The students were full of great questions such as “can you use water to produce energy?” and “what will the tractors of the future use for fuel?”. The conversation went over time and it was decided that 3cea would have to come back and visit another day.

Junior Energy Engineer Tracey Turner talked with 5th and 6th Class students at Queen of the Universe school in Bagenalstown, Co. Carlow. They had a really nice time chatting about engineers in general to begin with and then focused on what Tracey does as an Energy Engineer. Tracey explained that she was pleased to hear that the majority of the 5th class girls said they liked and enjoyed maths. They also chatted about different forms of energy, both renewable and non-renewable, and the types of materials that go into buildings and how heated energy can be lost through different constructions. 5th class had made a circuit in class prior to Tracey’s arrival, they used a battery, copper tape and an LED bulb – simple but very effective. They finished by talking about how the stored energy in the battery transforms into light energy because as we know – energy cannot be created nor destroyed; it simply transforms from one state into another. It’s quite magical really.

It is safe to say the future is bright for budding energy engineers in the Southeast.

If your school would like to get involved and take part in the next Engineers Week, express your interest via contact@3cea.ie

Information Session on Community Energy Grant Funding

 

This online session offers a unique opportunity for organisations to learn how to cut harmful emissions and make significant energy and bottom-line savings. It aims to support small businesses in the South East as we discuss funding opportunities for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. What makes a good grant application?  Who is eligible for funding? What measures are supported? Our experienced senior energy expert Alex Hamilton will provide helpful tips and what you need to do to be successful. 

This event is the first step for interested organisations and businesses to understand what it takes to apply for energy grant funding for your project and what supports are available to achieve such a project.

Register on Eventbrite

 

Online Event schedule:

1st Session: Wed, 23rd of February 2022 from 1-2pm

Repeat Session: Wed, 2nd of March 2022 from 3-4pm

Agenda

  • Communities Energy Grant Overview
  • Funding amounts
  • Energy Audits / Technical Reports
  • Evaluation Criteria
  • Estimated Timelines
  • Documentation required
  • Project examples
  • Q&A

Target groups:

Businesses, SMEs, Farmers, Tidy Towns Groups, Co-operatives, Community Groups, Schools, Sports Clubs, Public Sector, Housing Associations and other groups are urged to attend the free information webinar as it is expected that the SEAI grant scheme will receive a high level of interest.

Grants are available through SEAI, who provide up to 50% funding for community projects, not for profits, charities, housing associations. And up to 30% funding for businesses, public sector, SMEs, industrial & commercial sector.

What’s involved?

Both online sessions are open to everyone with an interest in sustainability and community energy but will be of particular relevance to organisations and community groups looking to progress their identified energy projects.

3cea are accepting new grant applications for 2022 and we are urging people to get in touch with us now. In the south east region the SEAI grants & services are administered by the 3 Counties Energy Agency www.3cea.ie.

Register in advance for this event via this Eventbrite page. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the event.

Sustainable Energy Communities – South East SEC Webinar Series 2022

Online Information Events for Communities to be part of the Sustainable Energy Communities (SEC) Programme

 

The aim of these events is to provide basic information and introduce community groups from the South East to the SEC programme, highlighting the recruitment process, the experiences of other SEC community groups, energy efficiency upgrade options, grants, and funding opportunities. We will provide helpful tips on how to register as a Community for the SEC programme and what you need to do to be successful. This is a fantastic opportunity for community groups to learn how to reduce their carbon footprint, use less energy and lower electricity bills.

 

These informative webinars will take place online with each event focusing on a separate topic.

SEC Webinar Series

Session 1: 1st of February at 11 am – Preparing your community for a clean energy, vibrant future | Register here

Session 2: 8th February at 11 am – Improving your homes energy efficiency for comfort and energy saving | Register here

Session 3: 15th February at 11 am – What renewable energy options will work for me and my community | Register here

Session 4: 22nd February at 11 am -Funding | Register here

Session 5: 1st March at 11 am – Match-funding for housing upgrades | Register here

Session 6: 8th March at 11am – Match-funding for community projects | Register here

 

Kicking off the webinar series we have 3cea’s very own Grainne Kennedy introducing the SEC program in the topic ‘Preparing your community for a clean energy, vibrant future’. As part of this webinar, you will hear some of the stories from other South-Eastern community groups who have availed of support and grants from the SEC program and are leading their community towards a more sustainable future.
Your communities local actions can have a global impact!

Kilkenny Community and Voluntary Awards – 3cea delighted to sponsor the Environmental and Sustainability Category

The Kilkenny Community and Voluntary awards will take place on 2nd December 2021 and is a collaborative effort between Kilkenny Volunteer Centre and Kilkenny PPN with support from Kilkenny County Council and the Department of Rural and Community Development.

The aim of the awards is to recognise the commitment of the countless community and voluntary groups across Co. Kilkenny and the volunteers who work tirelessly to provide services to the old, the young, the isolated, the lonely, and the vulnerable in our community.

The awards will celebrate the vibrancy of the community and voluntary sector in Kilkenny and recognise the contribution that volunteers make to the fabric of our county.

Nominations are now open, and the people of Kilkenny are being called upon to nominate community groups and local volunteer heroes who are making a real difference on the ground.

Community groups across Co. Kilkenny can be nominated under the following categories:

  1. Arts, Culture and Heritage
  2. Community and Civic Pride
  3. Social Enterprise
  4. Environment
  5. Health and Social Wellbeing
  6. Social Inclusion
  7. Covid 19 Group Support

All shortlisted nominees will be invited to attend the awards ceremony in Kilkenny Ormonde Hotel on 2nd December and the winners of each category will receive a unique trophydesigned by celebrated craftsperson Eimear Conyardand prize of €500 sponsored by generous local business owners.

We also have a special award on the night called the Covid 19 Local Volunteer Hero Award.

For outstanding work by an Individual in the Community throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.

 

 

New Date Confirmed! Free webinar to highlight local opportunities for renewable energy projects

Organisers have now confirmed a new date, the new event date is scheduled on Thursday, 2nd December 2021 at 9:30-11:30.

More communities than ever before are coming together to develop renewable energy projects in their own localities, according to a Kilkenny-based energy engineer. A recent study conducted by Mullan Grid Consulting, for 3cea with funding from Kilkenny Leader Partnership, highlights the electricity grid’s capacity for renewable energy projects in County Kilkenny.

Register here: https://webinar-on-the-kilkenny-grid-study-findings.eventbrite.ie

Agenda

• 9:30am – Part 1 – Introduction

• 9:40am – Grid Study Findings

• 10:20am – Q&A

• 10:30am – Break

• 10:45am – Part 2 – Introduction

• 10:50am – Community Renewable Project

• 11:30am – Q&A

• 11:45am – End

After registering, you will receive further information from the team about joining the Event.

The event will be hosted on Zoom.

If you would like to be updated on when that event will be please email events@3cea.ie

 


 

The first session, hosted by Rory Mullan of electrical engineering consultancy Mullan Grid Consulting, will discuss the findings of a recent grid study carried out in the Kilkenny area. All energy produced by a renewable energy project must be transported via the grid to homes and businesses across the country. For a community renewable energy project to be feasible, there must be capacity available in the grid to take the energy produced. This session will help attendees to identify if there is an opportunity to connect to the grid in their area. They can also see where the ideal location for a renewable energy project would be.

Part two of the webinar will be presented by Tom Bruton, of BioXl, an energy consultancy with expertise in renewable energy. It will look at the key steps and considerations a community must take in the development of a renewable energy project, such as securing land rights, constraint mapping, planning assessments and submission, grid application submission, payment milestones, qualifying and tendering for auction, preparing legal structures and community investment proposals.

Gráinne Kennedy of independent energy agency 3cea (3 Counties Energy Agency) said that, despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the organisation has experienced one of its busiest years on record in terms of the growing number of community groups that they are working with to reduce energy costs and cut down on harmful carbon emissions:

“What we have particularly noticed is a dramatic increase in community groups and organisations who are actively seeking information on how to undertake energy efficiency retrofits – be they community centres, sports clubs, parish committees, childcare centres, community health organisations such as organisations that provide accommodation and supports to the elderly, national schools …. the list is growing by the week.

“It’s a win-win situation for these groups and organisations. Through the SEAI Sustainable Energy Community programme that 3cea delivers, they’re supported with capital funding, partnerships and technical support on energy saving projects. And now, with the introduction of the government’s Renewable Energy Support Scheme, communities can set up their own solar farm or wind farm and sell that power to the national grid. Given that so many communities are taking an interest in their carbon footprint, the demand for information about community renewable energy projects has never been greater.”

To meet this demand, 3cea with the support of Kilkenny LEADER Partnership has organised a two-part online webinar aimed specifically at community groups in Kilkenny who are interested in developing a renewable energy project. The event takes place at 9.30am and 10.45am on Tuesday, June 22 through Zoom and community groups and representatives can register for this FREE online webinar at http://3cea.ie/event/

For more information on 3cea’s range of community programmes, visit: https://3cea.ie/sectors/community/

The Kilkenny Grid Study is available here for communities who wish to see the potential in their area for a renewable energy project.

To learn more about our community group projects, visit our communities page here.