On September 17th 2014, we held an open forum with Dominic Comonte from the Wadebridge Renewable Energy Network to explore ideas for Exeter’s energy future and what else ECOE can focus on.
After an inspirational presentation from Dominic and a vibrant conversation between everyone present, we identified four areas where we could take inspiration from WREN to move community energy forward in Exeter:
· Community accreditation
Creating a system where suppliers and installers of renewable energy and energy efficiency products can become ECOE accredited and recommended to the local community. This would help encourage uptake of home energy improvements, improve access to good quality products and services, benefit the local economy and create an income from referral fees.
· Energy shop
Establishing a physical presence in the community where people could drop in for energy advice, access to accredited companies, advice on switching suppliers, reducing bills and accessing funding, and more. This could potentially be shared with other Transition initiatives such as the Exeter Pound.
· Membership
Should we offer people in the local community a lifetime membership of ECOE for a nominal fee? Would this increase active participation and how would it work in tandem with a share offer for Solar PV1 where every investor becomes an ECOE member with voting rights?
· Community engagement
What else can we do to increase awareness in the community and bring more people into the process? Ideas discussed included tapping into more localised communities within Exeter, recruiting more Directors and volunteers from key constituencies (eg local authority, chamber of commerce, local champions etc), making links with existing community groups, seeking funding to employ a volunteer co-ordinator and running events that attract a wider range of people.
