Nick Hartley's Posts - Transition Kensal to Kilburn2024-03-28T23:34:10ZNick Hartleyhttps://ttkensaltokilburn.ning.com/profile/NickHartleyhttps://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/368019571?profile=RESIZE_48X48&width=48&height=48&crop=1%3A1https://ttkensaltokilburn.ning.com/profiles/blog/feed?user=06ek4kugc9hcj&xn_auth=noCapital City Academytag:ttkensaltokilburn.ning.com,2022-07-13:3499303:BlogPost:1644052022-07-13T09:48:18.000ZNick Hartleyhttps://ttkensaltokilburn.ning.com/profile/NickHartley
<p>The solar PV installation at Capital City Academy has been running since June 17 and they will be reaping the benefits of reduced electricity bills in the region of £15,000 p.a. There are still some details to be sorted out like a display system in reception to show solar data, etc. and an export power purchase agreement. After that we'll carry on with our next project or two. Possibilities are Preston Manor school Wembley, Gladstone Park school and Willesden sports centre. Ideally, we go…</p>
<p>The solar PV installation at Capital City Academy has been running since June 17 and they will be reaping the benefits of reduced electricity bills in the region of £15,000 p.a. There are still some details to be sorted out like a display system in reception to show solar data, etc. and an export power purchase agreement. After that we'll carry on with our next project or two. Possibilities are Preston Manor school Wembley, Gladstone Park school and Willesden sports centre. Ideally, we go for community sites with large roof areas and daytime use, such as schools, offices, community sports or medical centres. The other key factor is to find an on-site enthusiast for renewables, a 'local champion' who can help persuade the 'powers that be' that solar PV is a good way to combat climate change and reduce energy bills</p>
<p>More details available at brentpureenergy.org.uk By the way, we got an Eco award from Brent council for the Capital City installation!</p>Brent Pure Energy - updatetag:ttkensaltokilburn.ning.com,2018-03-17:3499303:BlogPost:873372018-03-17T09:42:43.000ZNick Hartleyhttps://ttkensaltokilburn.ning.com/profile/NickHartley
<p>If any of you reading this work at, have contacts or influence at these places, please get in touch with me:</p>
<p>Alperton, ARK Elvin, Capital City, JFS, Kilburn Park, Kingsbury, Leopold, Michaela, Preston Manor, Wembley primary, Wykeham (Schools) Wembley High Technology College</p>
<p>Chalkhill, Lonsdale, Wembley Health & Care, (Medical/Community centres)</p>
<p>Willesden Sports Centre</p>
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<p>Now read on to find out why.....</p>
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<p>Our first installation on Queens…</p>
<p>If any of you reading this work at, have contacts or influence at these places, please get in touch with me:</p>
<p>Alperton, ARK Elvin, Capital City, JFS, Kilburn Park, Kingsbury, Leopold, Michaela, Preston Manor, Wembley primary, Wykeham (Schools) Wembley High Technology College</p>
<p>Chalkhill, Lonsdale, Wembley Health & Care, (Medical/Community centres)</p>
<p>Willesden Sports Centre</p>
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<p>Now read on to find out why.....</p>
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<p>Our first installation on Queens Park Community School has been up and running for 18 months now. The 198 PV panels on their science block have produced 47,500 kWh of electricity in the first year of operation. The installer's model predicted 42,129 kWh, so that's good news! We get a guaranteed 12p/kWh Feed-in-Tariff for it plus 5p/kWh sale to the school, which makes our financial model work: we pay interest to our 35 member-investors and repay capital (up to 5% p.a. on demand) . Running costs include insurance, maintenance, accountancy and a fund to replace the inverters after 10 years. This still leaves some surplus for our community benefit fund which should total about £1000 a year. Applications for local green project funding will be considered. </p>
<p>Imagine then the problem when the FIT was reduced to 4.5p/kWh at the beginning of 2018! This time next year the FIT disappears altogether. So much for the government's environmental commitment. Well, we can still just about make the model work by increasing the sales tariff to 7.5 p/kWh and reducing the interest offered to members. We're trying to interest as many potential community sites in Brent as possible and have written to 14 schools, 2 medical centres and a sports centre. Sadly, there tends to be nil response in the first instance. Forget technical issues or fund raising, persuading organisations to lease us their roof space proves to be very difficult! Despite the offer of electricity savings worth several hundred or thousand pounds, an innate resistance to new technology, a search for trivial reasons to reject the offer (reflection of light from panels annoying neighbours has been cited), perhaps a climate change denial attitude or refusal to do anything about, it kick in!</p>
<p>We do have interest from The Avenues Youth Project and are awaiting confirmation.</p>
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<p>Many thanks,</p>
<p>Nick Hartley</p>
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<p> </p>Energy Coop Bluestag:ttkensaltokilburn.ning.com,2016-02-11:3499303:BlogPost:787282016-02-11T13:01:02.000ZNick Hartleyhttps://ttkensaltokilburn.ning.com/profile/NickHartley
<p>Following on from my last post (hopefully not the Last Post!), finally met with the decision makers at Preston Manor School, Wembley: Head, Chair of Governors, Business and Site managers. I presented our offer (Saving on electricity of around £2700 a year, no cost to school, 5% to investors) and got some awkward questions in return. What if a child were to climb on the solar roof and get injured? What if a hurricane were to blow a panel off and damage people or property? (answer: our…</p>
<p>Following on from my last post (hopefully not the Last Post!), finally met with the decision makers at Preston Manor School, Wembley: Head, Chair of Governors, Business and Site managers. I presented our offer (Saving on electricity of around £2700 a year, no cost to school, 5% to investors) and got some awkward questions in return. What if a child were to climb on the solar roof and get injured? What if a hurricane were to blow a panel off and damage people or property? (answer: our insurance would cover all of these and no, the child shouldn't have been on the roof in the first place!) What if the panel mounting damages the sealed flat roof causing leaks (has happened to them before)? The neighbours on Carlton Avenue East might complain at the appearance of the panels or reflections of the floodlights from them. Apparently this has been an issue before and aforementioned lights must now be switched off after 9 pm. I answered as well as I could and sent them insurance details and a list of 50 schools with solar panels the next day, but all to no avail, they decided against the project the following day. No specific reason given.</p>
<p>It seems there are people like us who recognise the need for bold action to alleviate climate change, then there are the deniers, fewer of them now, but dangerous. That leaves the vast majority in between who bury their heads in the sand, acknowledging it's a big problem, too big for them to act on or do anything about, but nonetheless unwilling to change their lifestyles or purchasing choices in order to reduce their Carbon footprint; who feel the need to buy a large 4WD and impress the neighbours rather than renewable technology or energy-saving appliances or insulation. Or maybe reduce the number of flights they make. How do we get through to them? It's particularly worrying when school staff are among that group. I don't think pupils or parents at PMS would be impressed by their leaders' decision.</p>
<p>Anyway, we're going ahead with QPCS. Hopefully a share offer in March and installation late July. In the meantime there is much discussion on how to make solar pay at the current minimal 4.5 p/kWh FIT + sales at 6.5 p. Watch this space.</p>
<p>Best Wishes, Nick</p>
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<p></p>Brent Energy Cooptag:ttkensaltokilburn.ning.com,2016-01-21:3499303:BlogPost:789062016-01-21T12:46:33.000ZNick Hartleyhttps://ttkensaltokilburn.ning.com/profile/NickHartley
<p>Just wanted to let you all know that there is an Energy Coop functioning in Brent!</p>
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<p>A group of us from TTKTK and Brent FOE started meeting about 18 months ago responding to FOE's campaign to get local schools to 'Run on Sun'. (i.e install Solar PV panels) We looked at the various ways of raising funds, ranging from local council money (no chance with the cut-backs) through donations (as e.g. organised by 10:10) to forming a Coop, which we have done. I attended a meeting…</p>
<p>Just wanted to let you all know that there is an Energy Coop functioning in Brent!</p>
<p></p>
<p>A group of us from TTKTK and Brent FOE started meeting about 18 months ago responding to FOE's campaign to get local schools to 'Run on Sun'. (i.e install Solar PV panels) We looked at the various ways of raising funds, ranging from local council money (no chance with the cut-backs) through donations (as e.g. organised by 10:10) to forming a Coop, which we have done. I attended a meeting organised by UCEF (urban community energy fund - part of DECC) in January last year and learned of the grants available to start an Energy Coop. I also spoke with Petra Morris of Cooperatives UK, who arranged for us to be mentored by Brighton Energy Coop.</p>
<p>The process has felt like a hurdle race! First there was applying to become a CBS (Community Benefit Society or 'Bencom' - a form of Coop allowed to issue shares) with the FCA, next applying for a grant - up to £20k available (we got just over £10k as various items were disallowed, including money spent before receiving the grant!). Then this 'greenest government ever' decided to cut the Feed-in-Tariff for Renewables to an uneconomic amount (12p/kWh down to 4p approx.) in January this year. Next they decided to cut the pre-registration concession which allowed Coops to fix the FiT for a year ahead. That was in September last year, and was a very hectic time, with two of our members on holiday. We managed to sign up Queens Park Community School, Preston Manor School, Charteris Sports Centre and Manor School in time. Unfortunately we've had to drop the last two, as they have smaller roofs and shading issues.</p>
<p>I should explain the 'model' which originated in Denmark with community-owned wind power in the 80s. Capital for the renewable energy project comes from local people, who become Coop members with a say in running the organisation, regardless of their investment level. Some of the energy generated is consumed on site, the remainder is fed into the national grid. Income comes from the government's guaranteed FiT for all energy generated regardless of where it is used. It runs for 20 years. </p>
<p>Now here's the interesting thing: the electricity generated actually belongs to the Coop and can be sold, which we will do, at half price, to the schools. Essentially, the government is rewarding you for being a power station. Yes , it is a subsidy, and some have complained that it's unfair to charge electricity consumers for this. (Actually, all generators get subsidies, including gas, coal and especially nuclear - more in most cases). </p>
<p>To put some figures on it, we plan 50 kW installations on each school, costing about £1150/kW. They generate around 850 kWh/kW p.a. so total income will be about £15,000 p.a. So the panels generate about 13% of their cost p.a. (7.7 year payback) We pay investors back capital at 5% p.a. and interest of 5% p.a. We need the 3% for admin, maintenance , insurance, etc. Schools are advantageous for solar power as they have large roofs and daytime use. Data from Oxford low-Carbon hub predict more than 98% of the solar electricity will be used by the school. This means the school get 50 x 850 x 0.06 = £ 2550 p.a saving on electricity, assuming we sell at 6p and their supplier charges 12p. We think this is a useful saving for them and CO2 saving for all of us. In addition, the schools get to keep the panels after the 20 years. They still have useful life up to 30 years. By that time perhaps much more efficient panels will have come along....Oh, did I forget to mention that there is no cost to the school at any stage?</p>
<p>In order to secure the FiT, you have to apply to OFGEM, then get permission from UK power networks to connect your solar power system to the grid. These organisations don't move quickly, and we are still waiting confirmation for PMS after 10 weeks! Meanwhile the clock is ticking. We have to get both installations up and running and registered by the end of September. Our initial timetable was to do this during the Easter holiday so as not to disturb school life, as the installation which takes about a week and involves a lot of scaffolding!</p>
<p>Unfortunately, we have yet to meet with PMS and get the go-ahead from them. It has generally been very hard to persuade schools of the advantages of solar power. I suppose it's partly inertia, partly being very busy, maybe distrust of an outside organisation, unfamiliarity with the technology.....</p>
<p>A lot of this is work for the group, but in a few weeks we hope to launch our share offer and then we will need help in spreading the message: - please invest in our renewable energy project. I think we are short on social media experience, for example.</p>
<p>Anyway, enough for now. If any of you would like to get involved, have a look at <a href="http://www.brentpureenergy.org.uk">www.brentpureenergy.org.uk</a> and contact me via this site. Thanks.</p>
<p>Nick Hartley</p>G-wiz for saletag:ttkensaltokilburn.ning.com,2011-04-01:3499303:BlogPost:159022011-04-01T09:00:00.000ZNick Hartleyhttps://ttkensaltokilburn.ning.com/profile/NickHartley
<a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404522846?profile=original"><img width="640" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404522846?profile=original" class="align-left"></a>G-wiz for sale. 5 years old. 12,500 miles. New batteries at 9900 miles. One owner. £ 2900 ono. (as you all know, electric cars pay no road tax or congestion charge and are cheap to run - 4p/mile)<br />
<br>Contact Nick Hartley 8969 9030
<a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404522846?profile=original"><img width="640" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404522846?profile=original" class="align-left"></a>G-wiz for sale. 5 years old. 12,500 miles. New batteries at 9900 miles. One owner. £ 2900 ono. (as you all know, electric cars pay no road tax or congestion charge and are cheap to run - 4p/mile)<br />
<br>Contact Nick Hartley 8969 9030