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There is a growing appetite for the development of community energy programmes across the UK. Currently over 400 proactive programmes exist in the UK according to Community Energy England’s State of the Sector report, which  have generated over £3 million of community benefits.

In Derbyshire there are currently five second stage 1 Rural Community Energy Funded (RCEF) programmes, which have been supported by the Midlands Net Zero Hub. These include the Derbyshire Dales Community Energy programme in Matlock and the Derbyshire Dales, Arkwright Society programme at Cromford Mill, Hope Valley Community Energy, Solar electric vehicle (EV) charging in Belper, and a Heat network programme in Brassington. There are
at least two others being considered – a Hydro scheme in Darley Abbey and another similar scheme in Belper.

Just like the pioneering Georgian engineers such as Arkwright and Smedley – who used the abundant rivers and streams to power the industrial revolution in the Derwent Valley – these renewable energy democracy pioneers are now seeking ways to ramp up the application of solar energy in our schools and businesses.

1 Second Stage Programmes move from feasibility studies to the stage of implementation of solar panels on buildings – both community owned and commercial -who agree to being involved. Derbyshire has more RCEF programmes than any other County in England.

New investment partner energises and enhances plans for Derbyshire Dales community energy scheme. Plans for a social renewable energy scheme in Matlock have been supercharged by a new partner organisation which has identified potential to harness up to 1 million Watts of solar electricity from sites in the district. Derbyshire Dales Community Energy Ltd (DDCE) has enlisted the support of Shropshire cooperative Sharenergy to help guide the process, drawing on its experience of raising more than £20 million through community share offers linked to similar initiatives all over the UK.

The first two Matlock rooftop sites, Highfields School and Twiggs on Bakewell Road, have already passed feasibility assessments to install solar panels. These solar arrays will have an approximate capacity of 220 kilowatts, equivalent to the energy needed to power around 25 average households. But Sharenergy says there is scope to go far beyond that.
DDCE spokesperson and Chair of its board of directors, Dr Steve Martin, said: “Sharenergy has identified an ambitious opportunity for us to ensure the longevity and stability of the group. The plan is to take community energy in Derbyshire to the next level by installing 1MW worth of solar photovoltaics (solar PV) in up to nine or 10 different locations ( see first stage portfolio sites below).

“The project partners plan to install the first two solar arrays on top of buildings in Matlock in 2023. This will not only be providing a significant amount of renewable energy, but it will also make DDCE more resilient to the potential risks associated with small scale solar PV. We also believe this will help safeguard the future energy security of our schools and other community buildings as well as key businesses in Derbyshire.”

Dr Martin also added: “There are a growing number of other sites in the pipeline that could potentially work well, but they need further analysis and commitment from their owners and trustees. One of the main factors is that a good solar site doesn’t only need roof space for the PV installation. For a community project to be financially viable, it’s important that a large portion of the energy generated by the solar is also consumed on site.”

Derbyshire Dales Community Energy Ltd has gone out to tender to several local
and regional solar installers for the following sites:
 Twigg Stores 
 Highfields School Lower  
 Highfields School Upper  
 Hurst Farm Social Club 
 John Palin Fresh Produce 
 Peak Converters 
 Milner Off-Road 

Once the installation tenders are received, it will then be possible to move quickly forward on negotiating with each of these sites to establish some price options along with setting out the legal agreements for leasing their roof space. This will allow the programme to move forward on initiating a share offer both regionally and nationally. If all goes according to plan, DDCE expects to release shares this autumn, funding the first two installations in early 2023.

DDCE volunteers have also been busy working to set up a community energy hub which will link all the existing, and potential new, projects around Derbyshire, so they can coordinate resources and mutual support. The team is celebrating news that Derbyshire County Council have granted Derbyshire Dales Community Energy Ltd £50,000 to fund a Community Hub Coordinator to support the existing five Rural Community Funded Stage 2 programmes in Derbyshire and other community energy developments in Derbyshire. The aim is to widen the uptake of community energy activities across the county to realise the net zero carbon targets of county and district councils, in addition to acting as a catalyst to encourage wider community action and tangible engagement.

For more details, contact derbyshiredalescommunityenergy@gmail.com.

Last updated 15 March 2023

The group are looking for further volunteers to join them If you are able to give a few hours of your time each month to ‘Make a Difference’ please contact us by email on  derbyshiredalescommunityenergy@gmail.com.

Heat pumps are an amazing technology that generate heat using electricity. By using electricity ( and not fossil fuels) they will be a key step in decarbonising heating in domestic homes. They are incredibly efficient converting 1 kW of electricity into 4 kW of heat energy ( using 3 kW gained from the environment). This is a 400% efficiency conversion – compared to boilers which at best have a 90% efficiency conversion.

Heating the homes of the UK with Gas, as we do now, generates around 14% of the UK’s total Carbon emissions. Thats 56.77 million tonnes of CO2 annually, just from heating homes alone. As more and more renewable electricity is generated and the grid decarbonises, homes too need to change their heating methods to utilise these renewables and reduce carbon emissions. As we have seen recently, global gas prices can change rapidly, and can be affected by social and political situations. Switching away from gas heating could also be a step towards insulating ourselves against these global fluctuations in gas prices and reduce our reliance on importing expensive gas.

Key points to consider are :
Energy Efficiency
Ensuring houses are adequately insulated is essential. Homes need to be able to maintain and retain their heat ( meaning less energy is needed to maintain constant temperature).
A ”leaky home” will cost you more money, as the heat generated will be lost to the environment. This means more heat will be needed to be generated, costing more money, to maintain the homes temperature.

New homes Vs Retro fit
New homes should all be being built to a much higher standard meaning they are adequately insulated, less leaky and be ready for the future including having lower flow temperatures – which is beneficial for heat pump installation.
https://www.homebuilding.co.uk/advice/part-l

Older/ less-efficient properties will need more work to get them heat pump ready. Adequate insulation in the roof, walls and floor as well as stopping drafts and double glazing homes are all recommended to get the best efficiency from a heat pump. These changes are not necessary – but they will greatly reduce the energy and money needed to heat these homes. The cost of improving the home’s efficiency will undoubtably be made back in savings from heating the home more efficiently.

The flow temperature, radiator size and plumbing of older properties may need to be altered to let the heat pump work most efficiently too.
https://www.heatgeek.com/do-i-need-to-upgrade-my-radiators-for-a-heat-pump/

”Heat pumps are so hot right now”

”The energy-efficient appliances — which paradoxically can both heat and cool buildings — have been around for decades. They run on electricity, rather than fossil fuels, an important perk as climate change fuels more heat waves and Americans install more air conditioners.”

https://www.politico.com/newsletters/power-switch/2022/08/02/heat-pumps-are-so-hot-right-now-00049206

”Gas Boiler VS Heat Pump”

Heat Geek are an incredible company ( and Youtube channel) giving expert advice on all aspects of the heating industry. They have a wealth of knowledge on heat pumps, and the factors needed to get them efficiently and effectively installed, maintained and heating your home.
Check out their website: https://www.heatgeek.com/
And youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/HeatGeek
And have a look at this video for an idea of what they do.

Fully Charged Episode: “Air Source and Ground Source Heat Pumps”

Fully Charged is the world’s number 1 clean energy & electric vehicle channel hosted by writer, broadcaster and actor Robert Llewellyn along with Maddie Moate, Jack Scarlett, Helen Czerski, Chelsea Sexton and Andy Torbet.
https://fullycharged.show/
https://www.youtube.com/c/fullychargedshow

Here’s their episode on Heat Pumps:

Passive Housing

Let’s not forget, whilst heat pumps are an amazing step forward, we already have the technology and building methods to create homes that do not require any external heating or cooling. Passive houses can utilise the sun for all heating needs, shade for all cooling needs and maintain a consistent temperature. Passive home use smart design to absorb adequate sunlight for heat, thermal mass for heat storage and emission and utilise adequate air flow to maintain a constant environment. Homes have the ability to be warm enough / cool enough for humans to live and thrive in them, without the need of extra heating or cooling.

Passive housing can also be set up to Generate electricity ( more than is consumed in the property itself).

These two videos are from 10 years ago – both showing off homes that generate more renewable energy than they use.