1. KBCDA Sustainable Energy Community
Action Renewables and Kilanerin Ballyfad Community Development Association

2. Overview Introduction to Action Renewables
Sustainable Energy Communities (SEC)
The project
- Aims and objectives
- Working with the community/ what is involved
Energy Efficiency Savings
SEAI example: Better Energy Communities Grant

3. Action Renewables
Action Renewables was formed in 2003 to provide advice and guidance on renewable energy
Action Renewables work alongside a wide range of organisations including education establishments, community groups, local government and non-governmental organisations from multiple countries
Worked with another SEC over the past year to establish an energy master plan

4. Action Renewables Charitable Objectives
‘Advance to the benefit of the public, the protection and improvement of the environment, through the promotion of energy efficiency and renewable energy’ ‘Advance the education of the public in energy efficiency and renewable energy’ ‘Improve the quality and standards of renewable energy provision, by promoting quality assurance schemes and delivering quality assurance services’

5. Sustainable Energy Communities (SECs)
The Sustainable Energy Authority Ireland (SEAI) is Ireland’s national sustainable energy authority
SEAI established the SEC network
The SEC network involves over 230 communities around Ireland who are interested in community energy
SECs connect:
sustainable energy
local economic development
public wellbeing

6. Sustainable Energy Communities (SECs)

7. KBCDA Sustainable Energy Community (SEC)
Our objectives are focused on developing:
- An Energy Master Plan (EMP)
A Register of Opportunities (RoO)
This means that we will be understanding how the local area can reduce their energy and waste consumption and move towards becoming leaders in sustainability

8. What will this involve within the community?
Two elements of community involvement:
Household survey
Energy audits
In order to fulfil these objectives we will be working within the community
Understanding energy requirements and performance is an important part of reducing consumption and improving efficiencies. Each participants engagement with this project will range from 10 minutes to independently complete a household survey, to a half day spent on site completing an energy audit with Action Renewables.
*more information on surveys at the end*

9. Household Survey Household Survey covers 5 topics: - Electricity
- Heating
- Living space
- Transport
- Waste
The survey is available from our team this evening
Available online and in paper format
Approx minutes to complete
We have some copies with us – if you have any questions the team will be here after the meeting has finished to help
If you receive more than one copy of this survey, we apologise. In our effort to be sure ALL households are included, there may be overlap - we are sorry for any inconvenience
In order to fulfil these objectives we will be working within the community
Understanding energy requirements and performance is an important part of reducing consumption and improving efficiencies. Each participants engagement with this project will range from 10 minutes to independently complete a household survey, to a half day spent on site completing an energy audit with Action Renewables.

10. Why complete the survey and get involved?
Potential to identify individual households for inclusion in funding
Identify cost savings and reduce bills
Reduce environmental impact
- Reducing CO₂ emissions associated with transport and energy
Reduce reliance on fossil fuels
- Helping reach national targets
We have some copies with us – if you have any questions the team will be here after the meeting has finished to help

11. Energy Efficiency in homes
Energy saved for a typical home through adopting physical and behavioural energy efficiency measures:
Source: Domestic Energy Behaviours Framework, National Energy Efficiency Data framework
Source: Domestic Energy Behaviours Framework, National Energy Efficiency Data framework (BEIS, 2018)

12. Energy Audits
Also be completing energy audits, building a more holistic picture of energy consumption in the community:
- schools
- farms
- community centres
Energy audits will focus on:
- total energy consumption (kWh)
- current energy sources
- energy costs
- existing energy management techniques, if any
- Identify energy efficiency + renewable energy opportunities, cost savings and funding
Action Renewables will also be completing energy audits building a more holistic picture of energy consumption in the community

13. What will we do with the information collected?
Use data collected from survey and energy audits to compile a report and register of opportunities
Survey
- analysis of current energy and waste consumption
- identify energy efficiency, renewable energy opportunities, potential funding and cost savings
Energy audits
- identify energy efficiency, renewable energy opportunities from analysis, potential funding and cost savings

14. Examples of eligible energy upgrades
Technological improvements – e.g. boiler replacements
Fabric upgrades – e.g. wall insulation
Renewable energy – e.g. wind turbine, biomass plants and solar PV
Smart metering
EV chargers
Heat recovery solutions
Examples of eligible energy upgrades – under the SEAI community grant scheme
Renewable energy – where part of a broader retrofit

15. SEAI Better Energy Communities example
The Better Energy Community Roscommon Rural Project
The project involved carrying out energy efficiency upgrades to four public buildings, three commercial buildings and 19 homes within the community.
33% was the total energy savings estimated for the project.
SEAI funded just under half a million euro for this community project.
SEAI
Better Energy Communities Grant
The SEAI Community Grant Programme supports partnerships between communities, businesses and the public sector to deliver energy improvements in buildings across the country in response to tackling climate change.
To date €125 million in community grants has underpinned over €300 million investment in upgrades to 17,500 homes and 2000 non-domestic buildings. The annual energy savings are estimated to be in excess of €50 million.
The Better Energy Community Roscommon Rural Project
In 2018, lead project coordinator, Paul Kilmartin, who works with Midland Warmer Homes made the application to SEAI on behalf of the Roscommon Rural project. The project involved carrying out energy efficiency upgrades to four public buildings, three commercial buildings and 19 homes within the community.
The Grant funding requested was 50% of the total spend, which came to €900,048.62
33% was the total energy savings estimated for the project.
SEAI funded just under half a million euro for this community project.

16. We appreciate everyone’s contribution to this project
We appreciate everyone’s contribution to this project. We look forward to working with the community over the coming months.
Thank you!