Appendix 5: Community Energy National Support Organisations

Action for Renewables campaigns for the development of renewable energy across the country. This site has information on common ways of using renewable energy in the UK, background resources, and campaigns for you to support. We know that the silent majority support renewable energy, and this campaign aims to help all these people have a say in where our future energy Action for Renewables comes from. http://www.actionforrenewables.org/

Our vision – to be the voice of rural communities – is supported by the wealth of evidence and intelligence on rural matters that we collect from our members. http://www.acre.org.uk/rural-issues/energy-fuel Fuel and energy is a specific policy area for them.

We use this evidence to influence national policy on rural issues, from housing, health and transport to broadband, services and fuel poverty. Action with Communities Rural England (ACRE)

The Biomass Energy Centre is the UK government information centre for the use http://www.biomassenergycentre.org.uk Biomass Energy Centre of biomass for energy in the UK

http://www.bioregional.com/retrofitting-the-green-deal/ Bioregional energy retrofit for buildings Report on Retrofitting the Green Deal

Guides on buildings and technologies + directory of accredited suppliers + http://www.carbontrust.com/ Carbon Trust footprinting services

Tools to assess barriers and a tool for strategic planning. The CLUES Project critically assessed the development of decentralised energy systems in urban areas in the light of national decarbonisation and urban sustainability goals. http://www.ucl.ac.uk/clues/CLUES_Tool Based upon national and international reviews, it examined the range and types of urban energy systems that have been and might have been installed. It further considered the issues raised by the need for such initiatives to integrate with energy systems at urban level in the UK, regional and national scales in CLUES inteeractive triangle tool order to deliver energy and carbon reductions to 2050 effectively.

CO2Sense specialise in financing renewable energy projects. The fund is a revolving fund with all capital repayments being returned and used for further investment. Surpluses are used to grow the fund. The fund was established by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills who continue to oversee CO2Sense activity. http://www.co2sense.co.uk/

CfR is a social enterprise that helps proactive communities harness the value of their renewable energy resources, and retain that value within the local economy. CfR provides investment, expertise and management capacity to help local energy cooperatives develop renewable electricity and heat generation projects in their locality under business models that enable local ownership, local income generation and where possible local energy supply arrangements. CfR also provides advisory services to community energy co-operatives, public sector bodies and commercial companies to help them develop and implement Communities for Renewables CIC community energy strategies. http://www.cfrcic.co.uk/

The Community Energy Coalition is a group of trusted and influential civic society organisations and sustainable energy experts, working to help enable communities take control of their energy. They coordinate community energy Community Energy Coalition fortnight. http://ukcec.org/

CED works with local trusted partners and Energy Smart Clubs and their champions to help households to manage their energy use and so minimise energy costs. We know that by working collectively together, consumers will be more powerful than they are as individual energy users. By working collectively they will be able to have an effective voice and be able to address energy issues affecting them and their community. Community Energy Direct http://www.communityenergy.info/

Community Energy England represents and supports those committed to creating the conditions within which the community energy sector can rapidly scale and grow across the country. Community energy includes the delivery of community renewables, energy efficiency, demand reduction and energy supply projects. Community Energy England was established in May 2014 as a not for profit organisation, set up to provide a voice for the community energy sector Community Energy England and help create the conditions within which community energy can flourish. http://communityenergyengland.org/

The Community Energy Practitioners’ Forum is a network that brings together the leading charities empowering and supporting action by communites on Community Energy Practitioners Forum sustainable energy across the UK. http://www.cepf.org.uk/

Community Heat & Power Ltd provides industry expertise, project management, advice and investment to help local communities maximise the benefits of Community Heat and Power renewable energy schemes. http://communityheatandpower.com/

Community Pathways helps you to find the right approach for your community to take action on climate change – based on real working examples from across Community Pathways the UK. http://www.communitypathways.org.uk/home The Community Shares Unit is supported by the Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG) until March 2015 and is delivered in partnership by Co-operatives UK and Locality. Modelled on the highly successful Asset Transfer Unit within Locality, the new unit works with partners to develop standards of good practice, encourage policy reforms and raise awareness to support the growth of community shares. It acts a central reference point for market intelligence, providing the latest information on community share Community Shares Unit activities nationwide, as well as producing regularly-updated guidance materials. http://communityshares.org.uk/

Funding by the Cooperative Group, gives free advice and support for Cooperative Enterprise Hub communities on forming cooperatives. Free access to specialist advisors. http://www.co-operative.coop/enterprise-hub/

A dedicated fund set up to support communities wanting investment by a community share issue. Applications are welcomed from all kinds of community owned ventures including renewable projects, community pubs and shops and Cooperative Community Shares Fund supporter owned sports clubs. http://www.communitysharesfund.coop/

Co-operatives UK is the national trade body which campaigns for co-operation and works to promote, develop and unite co-operative enterprises. It provides a range of services to new and existing co-operatives, including information on the co-operative form, registration support, legal advice and governance tools.

Co-operatives UK http://www.uk.coop/ Cooperatives UK have a free select-a-structure tool to assist with decisions on governance/ incorporation options http://www.uk.coop/our-work/select-structure-tool

Cooperatives UK's Simply series of publications cover the set up and governance of cooperative and community enterprises http://www.ukcoop/simplystartup

Collaborative project development and funding marketplace for community Crowd Generation energy. http://crowdgeneration.org/

CSE The Source Guides and tools for community energy covering a number of specialist areas http://www.cse.org.uk/thesource

Department for Communities and Local Government - https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attac Planning practice guidance for renewable and low carbon hment_data/file/225689/Planning_Practice_Guidance_for_Rene technology Planning practice guidance document for renewable and low carbon technology wable_and_Low_Carbon_Energy.pdf

Government guide to Community Energy for groups considering setting up a community energy project - covers lots of aspects https://www.gov.uk/community-energy

Guidance on community benefits and engagement for onshore wind farm developers, https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/community- communities living in the locality of a wind farm and local authorities. benefits-and-engagement-guidance-for-onshore-wind Department of Energy and Climate Change https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attac hment_data/file/31881/12-593-guide-for-community-buying- Guide for Community Buying Groups https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attacgroups.pdf hment_data/file/36699/5368-collective-purchasing--guidance-for- Collective switching and purchasing: guidance for consumers consumers.pdf https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/collective- Collective Switching: guidance for scheme organisers switching-guidance-for-scheme-organisers

Offers resources to support community owned renewables. Has a membership of community energy cooperatives and supports and enables community share Energy4All offers to fund projects. http://energy4all.co.uk/

Working together local communities can pool their locally owned generation and manage local demand to reduce bills and carbon emissions. Energy Local believes that communities should be able to benefit from moving their use of Energy Local energy to cheaper times of day and matching it to local generation. http://www.energylocal.co.uk

Energy Mentoring is a new programme providing mentoring support to the growing number of community energy groups and enterprises across the UK working to generate energy and to reduce demand through energy efficient products. The programme is being delivered by Co-operatives UK with support from Esmée Fairbairn Foundation (EFF) and the Community Shares Unit (CSU).

Energy Mentoring http://energymentoring.org.uk/

Provide advice and support on setting up community energy projects especially those around saving energy. Their website has case studies and other sources of http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/organisations//organisation Energy Saving Trust information. s/content/getting-involved-community-energy-project

energy share is a cutting edge digital marketing and communications agency specialising in innovative engagement and behaviour change around energy. They have carried out numerous marketing campaigns in support of renewable Energy Share projects and the sector as a whole. http://www.energyshare.com

Early stage guidance on hydro schemes. https://www.gov.uk/harnessing-hydroelectric-power Environment Agency - Hydro Power schemes https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/hydropower- Guidance on developing hydro power schemes. schemes-guidelines-and-applying-for-permission

Fit for the Future is a solution-based network for organisations that want to reduce energy bills and better manage environmental impacts. Through sharing and collaboration, we enable practitioners to move forward with energy Fit for the Future efficiency and generation projects. http://fftf.org.uk Gen Community is working with schools, councils and third sector groups across the UK. We intend to develop community funded projects which deliver maximum social impact for the communities where they are based. Gen Community http://www.gen-community.co.uk/projects

Partnership to provide a turnkey solution to deploy community energy solar Gen Community, British Gas and Social Finance partnership projects for local authorities and housing associations. http://www.gen-community.co.uk/laha/

The National Heat Map was commissioned by the Department of Energy and Climate Change and created by The Centre for Sustainable Energy. The purpose of the Map is to support planning and deployment of local low-carbon energy projects in England. It aims to achieve this by providing publicly accessible high- Heat Map for England resolution web-based maps of heat demand by area. http://tools.decc.gov.uk/nationalheatmap/

The Heat Networks Delivery Unit within the Department of Energy and Climate https://www.gov.uk/government/policies/increasing-the- Change (DECC) will support local authority-led heat network projects in England use-of-low-carbon-technologies/supporting-pages/heat- Heat Networks Delivery Unit and Wales. networks

Locality is the leading nationwide network of development trusts, community enterprises, settlements and social action centres. It supports organisations to exchange ideas and best practice on community asset ownership, community Locality enterprise and social action. http://locality.org.uk

Our aim is to encourage the adoption of low carbon and zero carbon technologies and lifestyles at a community level, and to enable groups engaged in this to be as effective and efficient as possible. We are dedicated to making the most of the opportunities that the web presents in building communities and Low Carbon Communities Network sharing information online. http://www.lowcarboncommunities.org

The Low Carbon Hub is a social enterprise tackling the big issue of climate change in Oxfordshire. We work with communities, schools and businesses to scale-up renewable energy generation to put local power in the hands of local Low Carbon Hub people. Has very useful and comprehensive resource library. http://www.lowcarbonhub.org

Microgenius is a website you can use to make your community share offer much easier. We know share offers are lot of work, because communities have told us. With Microgenius you can collect money and your new members’ details securely and electronically instead of via lots of paperwork. We also hope this means you can set your minimum offer lower, and attract a wider range of Microgenius members. http://www.microgenius.org.uk

My Green Investment' is a Community Interest Company with the primary ambition of increasing renewable energy installations by assisting communities to identify, develop and invest in their own renewable energy projects.

By assisting communities to install renewable energy projects not only can they save carbon, but also receive good rates of return on investment and provide an additional funding pot for further community projects. Their website contains links to lots of useful information and guidance. My Green Investment http://mygreeninvestment.com

National Energy Action (NEA) is the national charity which aims to eradicate fuel poverty and campaigns for greater investment in energy efficiency to help those National Energy Action (NEA) who are poor and vulnerable http://www.nea.org.uk

We're an independent, national charity based in Milton Keynes, and have been at the forefront of improving the use of energy in buildings since 1988. We aim to give people, organisations and government the knowledge, support and National Energy Forum inspiration they need to understand and improve the use of energy in buildings. http://www.nef.org.uk/

The Feed-in Tariff (FIT) scheme is a government programme designed to promote the uptake of a range of small-scale renewable and low-carbon electricity generation technologies. Guidance and factsheets available from this https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/environmental-programmes/feed- Ofgem - Feed In Tariff scheme website. tariff-fit-scheme

PlanLoCaL is a suite of resources including films, a resource pack and this website which aims to support communities and groups that are 'planning for low carbon living.' Developed by CSE, they have specific guidance on community renewables and planning. http://www.planlocal.org.uk/pages/renewable-energy

PlanLoCal PlanLoCal have an exercise to help identify the most suitable organisational legal http://www.planlocal.org.uk/planlocal-community- structure renewables/download_file/23

PlanLoCal have a video to provide an introduction to becoming an legally recognised entity http://bit.ly/ZToZJY

PlanLoCal have a series of introductory videos on the main renewable energy http://www.planlocal.org.uk/pages/renewable- technologies energy/renewable-energy-technologies-1

The Plunkett Foundation has been helping rural communities through co- operatives and community-ownership to take control of the issues affecting them since 1919. More focused on community owned pubs and shops and local food initiatives but has some relevant information for community energy. Has Plunkett Foundation network of regional advisors for communities. http://www.plunkett.co.uk/ Pure Leapfrog is the leading provider of social investment and professional support to community energy projects in the UK. We are a business led charity that works in partnership with Government, investors, and communities. We Pure Leapfrog bring together affordable finance and accessible expertise. Our mission is to ensure that community energy becomes a significant part of the sustainable energy mix in the UK. With CSE they manage and administer the Urban Community Energy Fund. http://www.pureleapfrog.org/ http://www.pureleapfrog.org/filelibrary/Scaling%20Up!%20series An introductory guide on community energy for local authorities /PLF_IntroGuide_LocalAuthorities.pdf

The REA was established in 2001 as a not-for-profit trade association, representing British renewable energy producers and promoting the use of renewable energy in the UK. The REA helps its members build commercially and environmentally sustainable businesses whilst increasing the contribution of Renewable Energy Association renewable energy to the UK’s electricity, heat, transport and green gas needs. http://www.r-e-a.net/

The RHI helps organisations including communities to meet the cost of installing renewable heat technologies. The scheme covers biomass, ground and water https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/environmental-programmes/non- Renewable Heat Incentive scheme source heat pumps, geothermal, solar thermal, biomethane and biogas heating. domestic-renewable-heat-incentive-rhi

The Rural Community Energy Fund (RCEF) is a £15 million programme, jointly funded by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and the Department of Energy & Climate Change (DECC). It supports rural communities in England to develop renewable energy projects which provide Rural Community Energy Fund economic and social benefits to the community. http://www.wrap.org.uk/content/rural-community-energy-fund

Scottish Government Community Renewables Toolkit http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2009/03/20155542/2 Sharenergy helps communities to set up and own renewable energy societies Sharenergy and publicises share offers http://www.sharenergy.coop/

The Centre for Sustainable Energy (CSE) helps people and organisations from the public, private and voluntary sectors meet the twin challenges of rising energy costs and climate change. They provide support and advice to community energy groups across the country to help them secure a more sustainable energy future for their area. They provide a range of services to engage people in their communities – from training volunteers and facilitating consultation to providing expert advice and project development. With Pure Leapfrog they manage and The Centre for Sustainable Energy (CSE) administer the Urban Community Energy Fund. http://www.cse.org.uk/

The Community Generation Fund is a social impact fund managed by The FSE Group (a Community Interest Company) which provides support in the form of loans for social enterprises looking to develop and retain ownership of renewable energy installations. A contingently repayable loan is available for project development costs, and a more conventional project finance loan is http://www.thefsegroup.com/social-impact-funding/community- The Community Generation Fund offered for the construction of consented projects. generation-fund

The Greening Campaign is made up of communities where one person raised their hand. The Greening Campaign supported them and taught them how to engage their community, taught them how to motivate their community, and best of all, supported them in beginning to reduce the energy their community uses and to live more sustainably. They offer a structured programme, toolkits, The Greening Campaign guidance and advice. http://www.greeningcampaign.co.uk/

The UK District Energy Association Supports development of district energy and heating schemes in UK http://www.ukdea.org.uk/

Transistion network information on community 'streetwise' energy efficiency Transistion Streets programme and training http://www.transitionstreets.org.uk/