Cheshire & Warrington Enterprise Commission (CWEC)
along with partners and stakeholders in the sub region produces a
number of feasibility studies and reports funded by the North West Development
Agency (NWDA) and others, to increase capacity in the area on
climate change issues and support projects. Details of these can be
found below:
2010-11
1. The Mersey Forest - Off Gas Grid Study - Phase
II
In Cheshire & Warrington lots of businesses are "off
grid" meaning they don't have access to mains gas and
therefore use coal, oil or other fuels which can be expensive, may
be in shorter supply in the future and are more damaging to our
environment. This study by The Mersey Forest has targetted these
businesses (identified in Phase I - see further down the page for
the Phase I report) to let them know about the potential
opportunities of switching to biomass (naturally grown fuels like
wood chips or pellets) or other lower carbon technologies.
From April 2011 a new initiative called the Renewable Heat
Incentive (RHI) is due to start which means businesses can earn an
income for using heat derived from renewables sources such as wood.
Please click below for a copy of the Phase II Report - June 2010
Off Gas Grid Study Phase II - Mersey Forest
Jodrell Bank Case Study
Taylor Business Park Case Study
2. Energy Projects Plus - Cheshire Renewables Cluster -
Phase II
Phase I of the project identified a number of high
profile private and public sector sites that would be good for
installation of renewable energy technologies as they are of high
visibility or have a high traffic pass or footfall. Phase II
consisted of exploring these sites further to determine their
suitability for a range of renewable technlogies including business
location within a site, type of technology and potential costs of
the technology.
Please click below for a copy of the Phase II Report - August
2010
Cheshire Renewables Cluster Phase II
3. Cheshire Fire & Rescue Service (CFRS) - Climate
Change Business Engagement pilot
CFRS visits around 2000 businesse per year to carry
out fire safety audits with businesse and are a trusted source of
information. The pilot in Warrington piggybacked on these business
visits by also speaking to companies about climate change
adaptation and mitigation issues. The pilot was a success and the
scheme is being rolled out in Cheshire too. For more information on
the pilot please click on the the case study and leaflet below.
CFRS Climate Change Business Engagement Case
Study - Sept 2010
CFRS Warrington Leaflet
4. Business in the Community - Business engagement in Warrington project - coming in Dec 2010
5. Groundwork Sustainable Business Parks study - coming in Dec 2010
2009-10
1. Blacon Parade Energy Study:
Blacon is a relatively deprived, largely
residential area to the west of Chester. The Sustainable Blacon
project led by Blacon Community Trust is attempting to decrease the
carbon footprint of the area and increase overall sustainability. A
feasibility study is examining a range of renewable energy
technologies that could be installed at Blacon Parade, a mixed
residential, commercial and community use location at the heart of
Blacon. This may include energy solutions such as solar, biomass,
air and ground source heat pumps. The site will be used to showcase
the technologies, reduce carbon emissions and act as a hub for the
Sustainable Blacon project.
Please click below for a copy of the final report
Blacon Parade Energy Audit - Sept 2009
2. Ashton Hayes Microgrid Study
The Ashton
Hayes Going Carbon Neutral Project, an active and nationally
renowned low carbon community project near Chester, is exploring
the possibility of a microgrid for the village. This would enable
the use of renewable technologies such as solar, wind and biomass
to generate energy that was retained and utilised within the
village as part of their own microgrid using existing networks. A
study has been commissioned to design and scope this microgrid
which would be centred at Ashton Hayes primary school and which
would be a hub for the microgrid and link the different
technologies to the National Grid.
Please click below for a copy of the final report - please note
this report is 11Mb
Ashton Hayes Final Report - Oct 2009
3. Energy Projects Plus - Cheshire Renewables Cluster
EPPlus are looking at the feasibility of a project
to develop a cluster of sites and/or buildings belonging to
commerical, public and third sector organisations to act as a
showcase for a range of renewable technologies throughout Cheshire
and Warrington. These sites would act as exemplars for others to
visit and utilise when planning their own projects, providing the
opportunity to physically see the technology in action as well as
to discuss issues and barriers to installation, such as funding,
grid connection and planning consents. The sites chosen will be
highly visible or on buildings of significant importance to raise
the profile of renewable technologies.
Please click below for a copy of the final report
Final Report EPPlus Cheshire Renewables Cluster
- July 2009
Appendices - Cheshire Renewables Cluster
4. Cholmondeley Estate - Anaerobic Digestion with Energy
Transfer
Cholmondeley Estate near Malpas in South Cheshire is intending to
build a range of food units to support SMEs in the food production
sector. This study is examining the feasibility of using an
anaerobic digestion system, to take waste from the new food
business units as well as whey and slurry from local farms and
dairies, and turn the waste into energy to heat and power the food
units.
Please click below for a copy of the final report
Cholmondeley Estate AD Feasibility Study - Aug
2009
5. Mersey Forest - Off-grid gas study
A mapping study is being carried out to identify where businesses
within Cheshire and Warrington are currently "off grid"
i.e. are not currently connected to the mains gas network and are
therefore likely to be using oil, coal or other forms of fuel for
their energy source. This mapping process will then identify
individual businesses or business clusters that are potentially
suitable for biomass, bio-diesel, solar, wind, ground source heat
pumps, anaerobic digestion or other renewable/alternative energy
sources.
Please click below for a copy of the final report - please note the
report is 3.5Mb
Mersey Forest Off Grid Gas Study - Oct 2009
2008-09
1. Weaver Vale Housing Trust - Gadbrook Park CSR
Study
A feasibility study has been carried out to investigate the level
of support from businesses on Gadbrook Park, a business park near
Northwich, for projects that would fall under the banner of
Corporate Social Responsibility or climate change and that are
delivered very locally e.g. businesses could contribute to a fund
to support solar water heating for tenants of the Weaver Vale
Housing Trust that live close by and that may well be employees on
the Gadbrook Park site. The study has showed that despite the
difficult economic climate many businesses expressed an interest in
the idea or are at least keen to find out more. Several were
interested in the idea of a staff time contribution rather than a
financial contribution. Groundwork Cheshire and Weaver Vale Housing
Trust may use the results to link to a project with Foundation, the new climate fund for the northwest to
put some practical projects into action.
Please click below for a copy of the final report
Gadbrook Park CSR Study
2. Visit Chester and Cheshire - Embedding Climate Change
into the Destination Management Plan - April 2009
In the past year CWEA has worked alongside
Visit
Chester and Cheshire (VCC) to provide a range of support to VCC
members on a variety of sustainability issues including the Green
Tourism Business Scheme, the new British Standard BS8901 for
Sustainable Events, advice on resource efficiency and renewable
energy technologies. VCC was also supported to produce a fully
resourced action plan to assist with integrating climate change and
sustainability issues into the heart of the Destination Management
Plan. This will help VCC develop its offer to VCC members and
support them to move to a low carbon economy.
3. Economic Impacts of Climate Change Study - Feb 2009
Cheshire & Warrington Economic Alliance in
conjunction with Cheshire County Council, Warrington Borough
Council, Vale Royal Borough Council and Chester City Council has
commissioned a piece of work to look at the 'Economic Impacts
of Climate Change' for the whole sub-region.
The report examines current and upcoming Climate Change
legislation and looks from an economic angle to identify
opportunities for job creation and economic development as well as
reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The report also identifies the
carbon footprint for the sub-region and includes a range of
priority interventions for stakeholders to deliver in partnership.
Please click below for a copy of the final report
Economic Impacts of Climate Change for Cheshire
& Warrington
Alongside the main Executive Summary and Full Report we have also
produced three Executive Summaries that focus specifically on the
three local authority areas within the sub-region, namely
Warrington Council and the two new Cheshire authorities; Cheshire
East and Cheshire West & Chester.
Please click below for copies of these summaries
Warrington Council Executive Summary
Cheshire East Executive Summary
Cheshire West & Chester Executive
Summary
Please click below for the background document reviewing climate
change legislation
Summary of Climate Change
Legislation
Although the consultation process has now ended we would welcome comments and input into the report as the interventions will be used to shape the Climate Change Action Plan for Cheshire & Warrington. If you would like more information or to make any comments on the final report please contact Kate Radford, Climate Change Programme Manager for CWEA kate.radford@cwea.org.uk 01606 734 191
2007-08
In 2007-08 Cheshire & Warrington Economic Alliance supported by the Cheshire & Warrington Climate Change Group funded 12 projects:
1 Blacon Community Trust:
Blacon Community Trust, working through its subsidiary BCT
Regenesis Ltd has engaged EA Technology Ltd to produce the Blacon
Energy Audit. Support for the survey from local agencies and
community groups has been extensive. This is part of wider
environmental work which includes improvement of Blacon's green
spaces, development of training and paid employment opportunities
including related social enterprises and engagement of local people
in sustainability issues. The researched has incorporated:
- previous and current energy efficiency and renewable energy initiatives in Blacon,
- energy consumption and social and economic data in this area of urban deprivation,
- potential technologies for implementation with best practice case material
- current pertinent policies (e.g. planning) and targets in relation to Climate Change and renewable energy technologies, and
-
potential infrastructural developments envisaged within the next three years in Blacon and the contribution to them that community renewable energy and energy efficiency projects could make.
For a copy of the final report please click below (please note
this report is 9Mb)
Blacon EA Tech Energy Report
2 Bollington Carbon Revolution
Bollington Carbon Revolution (BCR) engaged The
Crighton Carbon Centre to carry out "A Feasibility Assessment
of Micro Hydropower Schemes In Bollington" to review a number
of river drop sites in the town and examine the feasibility to
introduce hydro power initiatives.
For a copy of the final report please click below (please note
this report is 5Mb)
BCR Hydro Feasibility Study
3 Chester Zoo - Biodiversity Exhibition
The Life on the Lily Pad exhibition highlights climate change
issues in the context of the current amphibian crisis. It opened in
Chester Zoo's Joseph Banks Room on 15th March 2008. The
exhibition features live amphibian species, signage and electronic
interactives to deliver key environmental messages. By September
2008 over 100,000 people had visited the exhibition.
4 Chester University - Baseline data for carbon
footprints in Cheshire & Warrington
The aims of this project were to collect baseline
carbon footprint data from parts of Upton and Blacon in Chester and
to assess the efficacy of both a simplified carbon footprint tool
and different methods for its use. The data collection work was
carried out as part of a final year Geography Module at the
University of Chester and in conjunction with Upton Reducing Carbon
and Blacon Community Trust. Data collation, analysis and reporting
were carried out by university staff.
A simplified (two-page) carbon footprint questionnaire was
developed from the longer version used for the Ashton Hayes
baseline survey in 2006. The questionnaire was distributed to 450
households in a part of Upton, 50 via door-to-door survey and 400
via post-and-return. 274 questionnaires were distributed to
households in Blacon via year 5 and year 6 pupils at three primary
schools.
The data returned has been added to our database and a report has been compiled that compares footprints from Ashton Hayes, Westminster Park (Chester), Upton and Blacon and also compares these figures with local, regional and national per capita figures produced by Defra. The report also considers the relative success of the different methods of questionnaire distribution employed and makes recommendations for further work. Comparisons to Defra per capita data refer to the initial Defra data set for 2005 (which has subsequently been revised).
For a copy of the final report please click below
Chester University- Baseline Carbon Footprint Report
5 Chester University - Community Carbon Footprint
Toolkit for Climate Change Pack
The aim of this project was to produce a Community
Carbon Footprint Toolkit for distribution throughout the sub-region
as part of a Practical Action on Climate Change Pack. The pack is a
joint production with Energy Projects Plus. The Carbon Footprint
toolkit is now complete and contains the following items:
- An introductory guide to carrying out a community carbon footprint survey,
- A survey form and associated carbon calculator with instructions for use,
- A feedback template.
The introductory document provides guidance on creating and expanding carbon footprint questionnaires referring communities to other sources of information. It also gives suggestions for promoting a carbon footprint survey, describes various methods for the distribution of survey questionnaires together with typical response rates It also provides suggestions for appropriate types of data analysis and makes recommendations on the provision of feedback.
For more information on the toolkit please see Number 6 below
6 Energy Projects Plus-Engagement with
Communities re Community Carbon Footprint Toolkit
EPPlus produced a folder and a CD that would enable
community groups and/or individuals to calculate their carbon
footprint and then take steps to reduce it. The main target was
community groups. 2 promotional events were held in Northwich and
Chester in April 2008 where the pack was demonstrated and there was
group discussion with staff from Energy Projects Plus and Chester
University. There are 2 booklets: one with the details of the
carbon footprint calculator and one with details of energy
efficiency measures and renewable technologies, the emphasis is on
the practical action that people/groups can take.
For more information on the toolkit please contact Tania Sayer at Energy Projects Plus tania.sayer@epplus.org.uk 01606 594 165
7 Energy Projects Plus-Data on energy losses from
residential properties
In Tattenhall in Cheshire 12 residential properties
were selected as representative of the types of housing in the
village. These properties had an energy audit carried out by an
Energy Projects Plus energy assessor. A thermal imaging camera was
then used to carry out a more in depth and detailed investigation
of the energy usage/wastage of the properties. The results of these
investigations were collated and presented to the occupants with
guidance as to where they need to reduce their energy usage and how
to go about doing it.
8 Energy Projects Plus-Work with LA's on guidance
for developers
Energy Projects Plus worked with and developed
protocol for Vale Royal Borough Council to assist them in meeting
their 10% renewables target. Other Councils were then contacted
with a view to offering this guidance to them and EPPlus held a
session with planning officers from several councils to support
them in developing this.
9 FWAG - audit of greenhouse gas emissions on farms
Jane Atkinson from Farming and Wildlife Advisory
Group (FWAG) attended one days training in Energy Use on Farms and
preparation of Energy Audits. Research was then undertaken in the
various farm energy audit tools. An article raising awareness of
farmers' role in climate change and energy use was written for
the Regional FWAG magazine which is sent to all NW FWAG members.
Five farms were selected to trial the energy audits and detailed
reports produced which gave each farmer:
- Total CO2 tonnes produced per year
- A breakdown of farm enterprises and CO2 emissions
- Benchmarking information
- Advice on where improvements and savings could be made
- Carbon sequestration opportunities
For a copy of the final report please click below
FWAG Carbon Audits on Farms Report June 08
10 Mersey Basin - desk top evaluation of Hydro Power
schemes in C&W
Evelyn Bateman, a Manchester University student
working for the Mersey Basin campaign completed an Evaluation of
Hydropower renewable energy in Cheshire & Warrington, including
a literature review, the identification of consultees, preliminary
data research and the production of a report.
For a copy of the final report please click below (please note
this report is 13Mb)
Mersey Basin Hydro Report
11 Crewe & Nantwich Borough Council - WetlandScoping
Study
The council carried out a feasibility study into
using an area of wetland as a site as an area for flood
alleviation.
For a copy of the final report please click below (please note
this report is 9Mb)
Crewe&Nantwich Wetland Scoping Study
Funding was provided to support the SMYLE (Support MY Local Environment) campaign - Billboards promoting reneweable energy were displayed in Vale Royal in May 2008 and this was followed up with some local roadshows with EPPlus.
