WeSET is pleased to have helped deliver and support many projects; including several local, carbon-cutting initiatives.
WeSET and Radcot Hydro
Together with the Low Carbon Hub, WeSET supported Sustainable Faringdon in assessing the feasibility of constructing a micro-hydro plant to generate carbon-free electricity on the Thames at Radcot Weir.
The Swell Project
The ‘Shrivenham and Watchfield Energy Local with Longcot’ (SWELL) scheme ran from 2015 to 2017, recruiting 48 participants from three villages near Westmill to test an idea called Energy Local. The idea allowed a community to share the benefit of local, renewable electricity amongst themselves before any surplus is exported to the grid, keeping more of the benefit within the community. SWELL trial participants also benefited from a time-of-use tariff, saving money if they shifted some of their electricity use to times with lower electricity demand. SWELL was funded by Innovate UK and led by Energy Local. It involved private, academic and community partner organisations and looked at the technology, business and social aspects of making community electricity buying work. WeSET’s role was as Local Coordinator. SWELL took place in the Westmill area in order to make the most of an already engaged community.
WeSET recruited a fantastic group of trial participants and looked after them through the project. We wrapped up the project with a SWELL Celebration Event in Shrivenham Memorial Hall in March 2017, inviting trial participants, stakeholders and energy specialists to join us to hear about the trial results and next steps.
The SWELL trial was the first stage trial of the Energy Local idea and successfully showed that it could work in principal with all participants in the trial gaining a cost-saving benefit from participating. Energy Local has gone on to a further trial in North Wales which is testing it beyond just ‘principal’ and in a real, supply situation.
Green Energy in Watchfield
The Watchfield Village Hall committee invited WeSET to give advice on how to incorporate green technology into their planned extension. Once involved, WeSET assisted in the development of a wider green energy project for Watchfield; to incorporate the primary school (owned by Oxfordshire County Council) and sports pavilion (Watchfield Parish Council) as well as the village hall (Watchfield Village Hall Committee).
The idea was to generate electricity via photovoltaic panels fixed to south-facing roofs on suitable publicly-owned buildings and promote renewable energy equipment in each establishment in order to obtain some financial benefit to the organisations in question and to the village in general.
A photovoltaic array would provide Watchfield Village Hall with free electricity, whilst the Feed-in Tariff payments would provide ongoing long-term income to WeSET.
Our aim was to raise nearly £17,000 for the project. So, we launched a fundraising campaign to enable us to install the panels. We were delighted to receive donations from local residents and members of Westmill Wind Farm and Solar Park, as well as support from Watchfield Village Hall Committee and Westmill Solar Park directly.
WeSET also funded the installation of photovoltaic panels on the roof of Watchfield Sports Pavilion.
Warm support for Watchfield
In 2014, WeSET proudly funded extra roof insulation in Watchfield Village Hall. This not only saved energy and lowered the heating bills for the community, but made the hall warmer and more comfortable.
Helping hand for Shrivenham
WeSET advised on and financially assisted with a major roof refurbishment for the Memorial Hall in Shrivenham.
Solar Co-op launch
At WeSET’s Open Day in 2012, we hosted the launch of Westmill Solar Co-operative.
Solar Co-op Share Offer
For the local community, WeSET supports the promotion of the Share Offer for Westmill Solar Co-operative by holding a capacity-audience meeting in Watchfield Village Hall in November 2011.
Sustainable Surgeries
WeSET held a number of ‘Sustainable Surgeries’ in 2010, giving independent advice to homeowners on ways to reduce their energy use through altering behaviour, using devices that consume less electricity, insulating homes and installing solar water heaters, solar photovoltaic panels, wood-burners, ground- or air-source heat pumps.