1. TRANSITION ST ALBANS IS A GRASSROOTS INITIATIVE, HELPING ST ALBANS BECOME A SUSTAINABLE, LOW CARBON COMMUNITY, LESS RELIANT ON FOSSIL FUELS

2. COMMUNITY ENERGY TRANSITION ST ALBANS

3. EMMANUEL - WORK EXPERIENCE AT BRIXTON ENERGY SOLAR ‘This experience showed me how much people are willing to work together to bring about positive change within their communities.’

4. AGENDA What is community energy? How does it start? Why do it? Presentation from Grand Union Community Energy Q&A Networking

5. Community Energy in Germany accounts for almost 50% of renewable generation. In the UK its less than 0.5%. Thursday 3rd October 2013: Solar & wind power installations produced almost 60% of Germany’s electricity demand or 34.6 GW, as much as 27 nuclear power stations. 3.5GW potential for community energy in the UK

6. WHAT IS IT? Low or zero carbon initiative that could involve a school or business, a street, housing estate or a whole village/town Locally generated decentralised power and heat Usually renewable energy based, such as Solar PV, Wind or Biomass Different types: Reducing, managing and purchasing energy Raises money through donations, grants and share offers and in some cases bank loans

7. HOW DOES IT START?

9. FINANCIAL INCENTIVES Feed in Tariff Renewable Heat Incentive Export tariff Power Purchase Agreement Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) 30% tax relief Seed EIS - 50% tax relief Social Investment tax relief 30%

10. LEGAL STRUCTURE Industrial and Provident Society (IPS) for the benefit of the community - based on cooperative model Community Interest Company (CIC) - Asset lock - More scope for funding - can help setup IPS

11. GRANTS Rural Community Energy Fund Urban Community Energy Fund Community Energy Saving Competition Peer Mentoring Fund (Dec 2013) Big Lottery Fund Foundations (Esmee Fairburn)

12. WHY? Reduce dependence on centralised and imported energy Less need for unsustainable energy sources such as shale gas Empowers communities to take ownership of their energy supply Provides path to greater self sufficiency Benefits the local community Lowers energy bills Educational resource Work experience/internship or employment possibilities