GreenTEA - Energy

There are a variety of local resources and activities:

• *NEW* West Oxfordshire residents with concerns about heating their homes and paying energy bills this winter are encouraged to get in touch with the home energy service Better Housing Better Health (BHBH). The free helpline provides a range of support services to help residents improve the energy efficiency of homes, keep warm, stay safe and live well in their homes:
• Energy Savings Homes bite sized films from Communities for Zero Carbon Oxford - a series of video guides covering low cost energy savings advice, insulation, heat pumps, solar panels and storage, glazing and ventilation, financial assistance and opportunities for local contractors.
• House Warming program guides from Low Carbon Oxford North - a series of guides to support people with home improvements.
• Examples of simple measures which other people in Eynsham are using to save energy, and evidence of how one local resident has cut her bills and energy usage by installing insulation
• Support from the Low Carbon Hub with advice and funding in tacking fuel bills.
• Energy Solutions Oxfordshire: support for local businesses and organisations looking to lower their energy use.
• A free thermal imaging survey using an infrared camera which takes images which show the heat escaping from a building.
• Advice on draught-proofing, a cheap and easy way of improving the thermal comfort of your home, for which we can recommend local tradespeople.
• Advice relating to energy saving in private rented accommodation including advice for both tenants and landlords.
• Support for Community Buildings - we have taken images of several of the community buildings in the village and are happy to hear from representatives of any community buildings who would like advice on lowering their carbon emissions.

Generating greener electricity

GreenTEA is working with the Low Carbon Hub to contribute towards the vision of replacing Didcot Power Station with renewable sources of energy and energy saving as a way to galvanise community interest and activity. In 2012 we successfully brokered three solar photovoltaic (PV) installations on community buildings in Eynsham – two in partnership with the Low Carbon Hub and one installed independently by Bartholomew School.

Useful websites related to energy

The People’s Power Station is an online platform which shows renewable energy and energy efficiency projects which residents and organisations across Oxfordshire have installed. You can add your own project if you have one! 

Eynsham Smart and Fair Futures: 2020 - 2050

GreenTEA has been working since 2020 with the Low Carbon Hub and independent renewables and sustainability experts on the Eynsham Smart and Fair Futures Project, under Project LEO. The summary report for our Community Action Plan for Zero Carbon Energy (CAPZero) is now available and the full report will be published soon. The project has developed plans for the transition to a smarter, flexible, zero carbon electricity system with fair access for households, businesses, and communities to realise the opportunities and benefits it will bring. There are targets for 2030 and 2050. Look out for more news on the next stage soon.

Some of the items on our Project brief:

1. To develop a Zero Carbon Energy Action Plan for the whole Eynsham Primary Substation Area - old Eynsham, Garden Village, West Eynsham, Freeland, Church Hanborough, Long Hanborough, Eynsham Hall.
2. To develop the long-term stewardship proposals to govern the above plan, including its resourcing plan, whereby the community can ensure that Eynsham reaches the goal of a zero carbon energy system in advance of 2050.
3. To understand the magnitude of the gap between the current Outline Planning Application proposals for Salt Cross and the zero-carbon goals of the draft Area Action Plan.
4. To develop proposals and business models for bridging this gap, including proposals for the development of the Smart Energy Hub currently designated on the outline planning drawings and local supply options (eg a Community Energy Services Company and full microgrid study).
5. To apply learning from points 3 and 4 above to West Eynsham Strategic Development Area.
6. To ensure that the community benefits from new development and can influence the quality of the development