Community engagement in heat projects Matthew Black

Balgair castle caravan park biomass project The project provides affordable low carbon heat to 26 residential park homes within the community. The project is the first of its kind, being the first community renewable district heating project for park homes in the UK. Supported by DHLF, ECO & Stirling Council The scheme offers residents at Balgair Castle Caravan Park a 20% reduction in heating costs comparative to their previous expenditure on individual LPG combination boilers. Furthermore, residents will never have to get their boilers serviced again or arrange for gas deliveries. Reduces carbon emissions by 150 tonnes Alleviates fuel poverty Enhances environmental, economic and social sustainability of a rural community in Scotland Easily replicated across the UK

Balgair castle caravan park biomass project installed in 2015

Delivery stages Feasibility: - Scope, technologies and locations Development: Technical and financial, mitigating risks, costs, SPV’s, legal, funding, modelling Costs to householders, communications to householders and the rest of the community, how will the project operate Managing expectations Finalising: - Scheduling, H&S, points of contact, communications Installation: - The plan will change, how is this communicated effectively?

Operation Billing Breakdowns Remediation Servicing Local or central emergency call outs, leaks, power failures, fuelling issues, back up systems, controls, remote monitoring, performance modelling, weather events, communication issues Remediation Monitoring, reviewing and improving performance, control parameters and energy & cost efficiency Servicing - annual/biannual servicing of systems Change of home ownership or tenancy

Methods of engagement Will be specific to each scenario When? Newsletters, emails, community meetings, participant meetings, casual conversations When? When there is something significant to update the community on and notifications that the project is progressing During operational phase communication may be more ad hoc with scheme participants. Be prepared for out of hours calls! Unless there is a third party service provider.

Matthew Black matthew@fintrydt.org.uk Questions?