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Wednesday 24 April 2024 - Energy Conversation

In April our conversation was all things energy - energy efficiency, reducing bills, electricity, electrification, solar and consuming less energy! We discussed:

• energy security in Lismore along with challenges, obstacles and opportunities
• reducing energy consumption in homes and businesses through efficiencies, habits and urban design
• circular economy
• energy poverty and just access to thermal comfort and solar
• opportunities for renewable energy sources and electrification of homes, cars and public transport.

Actions pledged:

• 2 community members interested in getting a home energy audit done
• 2 community members to get to know their neighbours better and see what can be done and shared at a street level
• expert home energy audit workshops
  • Council to investigate opportunities to facilitate
  • Community to investigate individual or collective workshops
• solar investment reports
  • Council to provide a follow up report on the Renewable Energy Master Plan
• 1 community member to investigate how to engage youth in the conversation
• 1 community member to research and increase skills on communicating climate action
• communication on energy efficiency tips
  • Council to share information via the newsletter

Links to useful information that came up or was requested in the conversation:

• University Technology of Sydney's Energy Ready Guidebook and Toolkit and EOI to receive a physical copy in the mail - the guide and toolkit provides a framework and activities for hosting conversations with your neighbours or community on improving energy resilience.
• SunSPoT - a website to help calculate how much solar could fit on your roof and how long it might take to repay itself
• Find a NSW Government Energy Rebate
• Green Building Guide(External link) - lowest cost green rebuilding techniques, focusing on energy efficiency, water savings and indoor air quality
• Richmond Tweed Regional Library have a range of inspiring and informative books, ebooks and e-audiobooks available
• Scanlon Institute research on social cohesion and trust
• Transition Streets - Inspiring and supporting local communities as they build a sustainable future
• Sustainable House Day - provides the opportunity to explore some of Australia’s most inspiring homes, and learn from the people who designed them, built them, and live in them.

Photo: a glimpse of the Energy Ready toolkit, University Technology of Sydney