Banchory Energy Reduction Initiative (BERI)
UPDATED WEBSITE SEPTEMBER 2012
THIS SITE IS FOR INFORMATION AND ADVICE ABOUT REDUCING ENERGY USE
Read about the sucesses of the project this year.
PLEASE CONTACT US IF YOU HAVE A SPECIFIC REQUEST
BANCHORY ENERGY REDUCTION INITIATIVE (BERI)
BERI had funding from the Scottish government’s Climate Challenge Fund to deliver the aims of the project until March 2012.
The project had three general aims, energy efficiency in buildings, small scale renewable energy and helping reduce individual car use. The overall aim is the permanent and substantial reduction of carbon emissions in Banchory.
The average carbon footprint per household in the parliamentary constituency of Aberdeenshire and Kincardine is 25.02 tonnes of the greenhouse gas CO2. This is considerably higher than the UK average. (Experian 2007 report)
PLEASE CLICK HERE TO READ HEADLINE ACHIEVEMENTS OF PROJECT 2011-2012
Who are BERI ?
BERI is a local community organisation which is run by volunteers. It was established two years ago under the auspices of BDI. Our partners include the local Energy Saving Trust, NESTRANS and Aberdeenshire Council.
BERI ran a number of projects:
- Energy efficiency and renewable energy advice
- Events (CLICK FOR LATEST INFORMATION)
- Pledge campaign
- Work with schools and businesses
- Insulation in local halls
- Transport
- Resources PLEASE CONSULT FOR GENERAL ADVICE
We have fully trained advisors who can visit you at home. To get in touch either:
BERI advisers can provide detailed energy advice to householders in their own homes, with advice tailored to each household’s requirements and house construction type. BERI factsheets have been written on topics not otherwise easily available and more are planned.
We are still advertising local relevant events:
NEXT EVENT:
Renewable Energy show
for home owners and small businesses
Thainstone
29th September
The pledge campaign was a way for people to make focused promises to reduce energy use in their lives. We devised a set of pledges that could be taken, each with a corresponding reduction in energy use. All were chosen to require a change in behaviour but not to cost money such as changing energy supplier if possible to a green energy supplier. The pledge leaflet is still available if you wish to get simple ideas of things to do to reduce energy use.
We worked with schools and local businesses to take the message on energy efficiency and micro-renewable energy home. B.E.R.I. organised a series of Energy Information Open Days. We have an archive of the talks given and are still willing to give talks/short presentations if requested. Please contact us for further information.
BERI aims to be a catalyst for energy reduction projects within the schools and businesses.
BERI will enabled three local community halls to have insulation beyond the current building standards.
TO VIEW POSTERS ENCAPSULATING WORK DONE CLICK ON THE LINKS BELOW:
- WOODEND BARN
- BANCHORY GUIDE HUT
- CRATHES HALL
BERI promotes sustainable transport options by doing the following:
Raising awareness of alternatives to car use for short journeys, by publicising local bus services, cycle paths and walking routes.
- TRAVEL IN BANCHORY LEAFLET
- CYCLE ROUTES LEAFLET
The map of 6 Cycle routes around Banchory and the bBanchory transport leaflet have been printed and is available from the Library, Tourist Information, Town Hall and other outlets.
BERI is promoting improvements to town bus service, with publicity of local transport routes and options.
Promoting innovative methods to increase car sharing in the community. Car-sharing is being promoted through the “Get-about “ web link at www.get-about.com. Follow link to Lift share.
There is also an Aberdeenshire website which gives answers to Frequently Asked Questions too, at
Banchory residents were consulted on their views about a potential future community energy generation project, which would also provide financial benefits locally .
- 7. Resources – factsheets and useful websites
If you have any suggestions or queries please feel free to contact us at beri.banchory@hotmail.co.uk or tel 01330 823412
BERI Energy Saving Factsheets available to download
7) Lighting
Pledge campaign
Click here for a PLEDGE FORM
- BERI Pledges leaflet (to fill in and keep)
- BERI Pledges reply form (to return to us)
Additional factsheets for BERI Pledges campaign
P6 ) Solar thermal
P7 ) Car sharing
These factsheets will be updated when required. Please make sure you have the latest versions.
MICRO -RENEWABLES
Here are some basic fact files on microrenewable technolgies. These are not meant to be comprehensive but as an introduction only. The rule of thumb is that a house is as energy efficient as possible before considering microrenewables. The Energy Saving Trust have a very good website covering the purchasing of microrenewable technolgies. The microrenewables advisor would be an early contact and when looking for Government aid you may need to go through the EST and use a Microrenewable Certified Installer (MCS).
2. Solar PV
Useful Websites
We had another successful GLOW weekend where local residents very kindly made their homes available for visitors interested in their renewable energy systems. This idea has now been taken up by the Energy Saving Trust with their Green Homes Network. For information contact the web link at
http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/scotland/Generate-your-own-energy/Welcome-to-the-Green-Homes-Network
There are also some useful websites at:
Approved Installers for Renewable Energy
Greener Living website
Handy tools to help you cut down on carbon use. The online guide has a carbon calculator and covers the home, shopping, travel and other areas. See www.direct.gov.uk/greenerliving
Climate Change
For the carbon emissions you can’t prevent, there are only two carbon offsetting schemes that are guaranteed to work properly www.carbonretirement.com By buying these offsets you can stop big polluters from getting permits to pollute. If you want to get more involved with this issue www.sandbag.org.uk is highly recommended and they do similar carbon retirement.
Energy Saving Trust
has links to renewable energy, feed in tariffs etc
Green Electricity Tariffs
Teachers resources
http://teachers.guardian.co.uk and http://teachers.guardian.co.uk/resources.aspx?q=energysavingtrust
For other Energy Efficiency information
Technical documents by the Building Research Establishment. www.est.org.uk/bestpractice or www.est.org.uk/housingbuildings
Historic Scotland at www.historic-scotland.gov.uk go to Heritage and then the section for “ I want technical conservation advice”.
Other solid wall insulation information at www.inca-ltd.org.uk, www.insulationassociation.org.uk, www.bufca.co.uk
For a free widget for saving hot water in the shower, this can be fitted in under 5 minutes. http://www.waterwidget.co.uk/
For some of the best energy efficient appliances etc. www.est.org.uk/recommended
Heat-keeper panels: the Green & Easy website at http://www.greenandeasy.co.uk/categories/Log-Stores-and-Accessories.aspx or direct from the manufacturers at http://www.heatkeeper.co.uk/index.html
Shopping websites
Aberdeenshire Car-sharing
This also has a Frequently Asked Questions link. www.carshareaberdeenshire.com
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