News
Thursday 14 December 2006
Edinburgh Tenements Project Scoops Top Renewable Energy Award
Images available
Full project report available
Changeworks' Top of Tenements Project has won the Best Environmental Initiative category in the Scottish Green Energy Awards 2006.
From l - r: Jackie Bird - host of the Green Energy Awards 2006, Robert Barnham from Changeworks and Jonathan Fair - Director of BRE Scotland, sponsors of the award. Photo: Peter Devlin
The day before scooping the top prize, the project was also a finalist in the National Energy Efficiency Awards in London.
Robert Barnham, Senior Project Development Officer in the Warmburgh Unit at Changeworks, received the Scottish Green Energy Award trophy on 7 December at the awards ceremony in Edinburgh.
Robert said: “We are delighted with the recognition of this partnership working between Changeworks, the City of Edinburgh Council’s building control and planning officers and the project funders - the Energy Saving Trust. It is a real success story in the use of green energy in hard-to-treat properties.”
Councillor Sheila Gilmore, Executive Member for Community Safety and Housing said: “Changeworks has again shown vision and commitment within the increasingly important energy conservation arena and justly received this award in recognition. I am pleased that the Council’s financial support of the Warmburgh Unit and technical assistance via our Building Design Services division contributed to this achievement.”
The Scottish Green Energy Awards are hosted by industry trade body Scottish Renewables, and the Best Environmental Initiative award was sponsored by BRE Scotland. The awards highlight the achievements of those in the renewables field, who have made a significant difference to Scotland’s green energy production.
Jason Ormiston, Acting Chief Executive at Scottish Renewables, added: “The breadth of nominations from all sectors of the renewables industry at this year’s Green Energy Awards just goes to show how emerging technologies are developing in offshore, marine, solar, heating and transport fuels. It is only fitting therefore that the industry takes time each year to reflect and honour these green energy heroes.
“The Top of Tenements Project is a perfect example of good practice of planning and renewable energy technologies working together to create solutions in reducing carbon emissions and fuel bills. It just goes to show that everyone can play their part in tackling climate change challenges.”
The Top of Tenements Project installed heat recovery ventilation, solar water heating and loft insulation in seven top floor flats in pre-1919 stone built tenements in Edinburgh. The participating households saw their energy use for space heating and hot water cut by half.
In the longer term, the project outcomes may lead to the development of technical guidance to encourage individuals understand and embrace renewables technologies and increase their take-up, ultimately reducing the installation costs.
The project will benefit anyone looking to install similar energy saving measures in their property, with experience gained in design and planning, as well as increased technical knowledge.
The project was funded by the Energy Saving Trust and delivered by the Warmburgh Unit at Changeworks. The Unit implements the Warmburgh Plan, the City of Edinburgh Council’s domestic energy efficiency strategy. The Warmburgh Unit is supported by the City of Edinburgh Council.
To find out more about the Top of Tenements Project, click here or contact Changeworks on: 0131 555 4010.
For general energy saving advice, contact the Energy Efficiency Advice Centre FREE on: 0800 512 012.
This award is the third for Changeworks – in three months. In October, LEEP Recycling – a Changeworks company – received the Best Partnership Award at the ‘Eventful Scotland’ Waste Management Industry Awards for its work with Waste Aware Business on the ‘Our Boxes Mean Business’ campaign, and in November Changeworks’ Fuel Billing Advice Team won the prestigious EAS EnergySavers Award.
For more information please contact:
Helen Peacock
Marketing and Communications Manager
Changeworks
T: 0131 555 4010
E: hpeacock@changeworks.org.uk
www.changeworks.org.uk
Notes to Editors:
1. The Warmburgh Unit, which is part of the sustainable development charity Changeworks, implements the Warmburgh Plan. The Unit helps all households in the city to keep warm and make their energy bills more affordable. The Warmburgh Unit is supported by the City of Edinburgh Council.
2. The Warmburgh Plan is the City of Edinburgh Council’s strategy for improving the energy efficiency of Edinburgh homes by 30.9 per cent over 10 years. The strategy was developed in response to the Home Energy Conservation Act (1995).
3. Changeworks exists to improve quality of life and to protect the environment. We work with passion, integrity and in collaboration to develop and deliver innovative projects and businesses in energy, waste prevention and transport that inspire and empower people and communities to make a difference.
4. CHANGEWORKS Resources for Life Ltd. is a company registered as a charity in Scotland and limited by guarantee. Charity No. SC015144. Company No. SC103904. Registered Office: 36 Newhaven Road, Edinburgh EH6 5PY. VAT Reg. No. 703521966.
