Resources

The Centre for Sustainable Energy has developed an approach to community engagement, called Future Energy Landscapes to enable local planning authorities and communities to develop ambitious energy plans and policies, while maintaining community support. The resources for running this consultation approach can be downloaded for free from the Centre for Sustainable Energy website.

This guide emphasises the contribution community energy groups can make, not just to local authorities’ net zero objectives, but also to other objectives such as inclusion, fuel poverty, social justice, economic development and skills. It aims to help local authorities at all stages in their community energy journey, providing suggestions for those just starting out as well as new ideas and stimulus for those already well engaged with community energy.

This guide brings together the wealth of experience, knowledge and support available on good governance. It aims to support groups which are getting started with their community energy journey, as well as long-established groups looking to grow or improve some of their governance practices.

The Greater South East Net Zero Hub and sustainability consultants, Ricardo, have developed an interactive Google Map of waste heat sources in the region. The map provides strategic information to decarbonise heat across the area.

The map not only pinpoints the locations of waste heat but also provides information on their grades, originating sectors and available quantities. Visual presentation of this information improves its accessibility, making it easier to digest the data available on waste heat and identify opportunities.

The IRENES online GIS land use opportunities tool supports the search for suitable sites for renewable energy projects and other land-use development projects in an environmentally-compatible way. Greater South East Net Zero Hub co-funded the tool, which has been created by University East Anglia, Anglia Ruskin University and Geoxphere from an EU-funded Interreg project called IRENES.

Local authorities in the Greater South East region have FREE access to the tool for three years. To sign up to use the tool visit xmap.geoxphere.com then click the Try for free button on the home page and provide your name and email details. An individual account will then be created for you to use the tool.

The recording of a webinar demonstration of the tool

A copy of the slide deck used during the webinar demonstration

A Q&A document developed from questions asked at the webinar

How to use the IRENES tool

Hotmaps is a FREE open-source online software that supports local authorities to set up a strategic heating and cooling plan for their area. Strategic heating and cooling planning means to develop an action plan to achieve a long-term vision of the heating and cooling supply. Click the button below to learn more and access the Hotmaps toolbox.

SCATTER is a FREE tool for local authorities, to measure greenhouse gas emissions and build carbon reduction plans. It is recognised by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.

Impact is a free digital visualisation tool that helps you understand your community’s carbon footprint. Developed by the Centre for Sustainable Energy, the tool helps to identify the areas where taking action to tackle climate change can make the biggest difference. Impact works for parishes, wards and local authority areas.

An introduction to heat networks, including their benefits, challenges and what financial support is available to develop them. This guide is intended to provide inspiration and support to local authorities and developers that would like to provide a low carbon, income-generating alternative to conventional boiler systems.

A guide to assist anyone wishing to develop a low carbon heat project. This includes: understanding the requirements, use of the local area, lifecycle analysis, costs & benefits, identifying appropriate stakeholders, and key national funding sources.