Carbon Co-op

Net Zero for 2038 - the role for Community Energy in Greater Manchester
2021-06-16 10:00 - 12:00 (Europe/London)
How we can we drive community action across Greater Manchester to achieve Net Zero in 2038? A Community Energy Fortnight Event #WeThePower

About this event
A Community Energy London/Community Energy England/Carbon Co-op event
Manchester has a growing number of community groups involved in the delivery of local sustainable energy projects. These groups are part of the 400 groups nationally within the community energy sector working in their neighbourhoods to reduce emissions and support households with their energy bills.
A growing number of cities – such as Oxford, Bristol, London – have active community energy programmes in place which are supporting groups deliver renewable energy, energy efficiency and energy advice project to their local communities.
This event will look to highlight work already underway in the Greater Manchester area and examine routes to boost community energy activity over the coming decade and set Manchester on the right trajectory to to achieve its Net Zero by 2038.
AGENDA
Session 1: The need for greater community action in the climate crisis
10am. Welcome Chair (Syed Ahmed, Chair, Community Energy London (CEL)

Andy Burnham, Mayor, Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) [TBC Invited]
Kate Gilmartin, Rural Community Energy Fund North West
Cllr Abdul Jabbar MBE, Cabinet Member – Finance and Low Carbon, Deputy Leader, Oldham Council
Emma Bridge, CEO, Community Energy England
Helen Seagrave, Electricity North West

Q&A
Session 2: Community Energy in Action 11am Chair Syed Ahmed

Jonathan Atkinson, Director, People Powered Retrofit and Carbon Co-op
Kate Eldridge, Director, Greater Manchester Community Renewables
Phil Barwood, Prospects Foundation, Accrington
Tanuja Pandit, Power Up North London (PUNL)

Q&A
12pm Close
#WeThePower #CommEnergyManchester

Background
The UK has a 2050 Net Zero target in place and Greater Manchester has a more ambitious trajectory of achieving this goal by 2038. The Committee on Climate Change has highlighted the significant role that the public will need to play in helping achieve these targets. The shift to new heating technologies (heat pumps/heat networks), electric vehicles, increased use of public transport, and even dietary choices will all need public acceptance.
Community –led energy projects can not only play an important role in bringing forward these new energy solutions, but community groups are also trusted intermediaries better able to ‘hand hold’ households as these technologies are rolled across streets and neighbourhoods.
A Client Earth survey of August 2018 found that “Almost three quarters of consumers would be interested in joining a community energy scheme if the government made it easier”.
Cover photo: St John’s Sunshine solar PV project, Old Trafford
Below: Oldham Community Power

Heat Pumps with Florence Collier
2021-06-23 17:30 - 18:45 (Europe/London)
We are pleased to be joined by Florence Collier from Humbletee for an ‘Ask the Expert’ retrofit construction webinar.

Florence is a mechanical services engineer by training, and a certified Passivhaus designer. She has advised architects and clients on how to reduce energy demand in buildings and at a larger scale masterplan level, how to use energy efficiently in the buildings themselves (all sectors) and renewable technologies, as well as broader aspects of sustainability, such as wellbeing, social value, acoustics, water conservation and green infrastructure, for example – whether through recognized protocols such as LEED, BREEAM and WELL, or using a holistic design approach.

Florence regularly runs webinars on heat pumps for Carbon Co-op and works as an energy consultant.

Florence will give a 10 – 15 minute introduction to her experience in the sector leaving us with 45 minutes for a Q&A and discussion. Please be aware that Florence cannot give advice on specific aspects of your building project (this isn’t a free consultation) but she can help you understand key principles and widen your understanding of heat pumps.

This event is for main contractors, general builders, joiners, designers, architects and consultants keen to deepen their knowledge around retrofit.
This is the fourth in a series of retrofit construction webinars with top industry experts on topics ranging from airtightness to heat pumps, sustainable building materials to insulation. It will be a chance for you to get your questions answered and meet other construction professionals.
Other events in the Ask the Expert Retrofit Construction series:

Wednesday 31st March 2021 – Airtightness with Paul Jennings
Wednesday 28th April 2021 – Solid Wall Insulation with Nick Parsons
Wednesday 26th May 2021 – Sustainable Building Products with Neil Turner, Ecological Building Systems
Wednesday 23rd June 2021 – Heat Pumps with Florence Collier

See recordings of previous sessions and others here.

About us
This event is a part of People Powered Retrofit supply chain development work. We support businesses to connect with people keen to retrofit their homes. To find out more visit www.retrofit.coop.
If you are a contractor, consultant, or a building professional register your interest in People Powered Retrofit here.

People Powered Retrofit - Community Shares launch
2021-09-06 13:00 - 14:00 (Europe/London)
Join us for the launch of the People Powered Retrofit community shares issue.

We are really excited to announce the launch of a Community Share issue for People Powered Retrofit on 6 September, the next stage in the development of our ‘One Stop Shop’ for retrofit.
This hour long event will outline the work we intend to do with the money we raise and the terms and conditions for the shares issue.
Developing out of the retrofit work we have been doing for the past ten years, this new end to end, householder retrofit service has been piloted over the past two years with our technical partners URBED. The pilot has gone really well and demonstrated significant demand for retrofit services from householders.
To create the capacity needed to meet this demand, a new, not-for-profit People Powered Retrofit charitable community benefit society has been incorporated with the involvement of Carbon Co-op and URBED as custodian trustees, which now plans to raise half a million pounds of investment via a ‘Community Shares issue’ to be launched on Monday 6th September 2021 on the Ethex platform.
We feel that taking People Powered Retrofit in this exciting direction will allow it to have greater scale and impact in achieving retrofitting at the rate essential for tackling climate change.
Click here to sign up for more information on the Community Shares issue as details are announced in the run up to the launch.
Full details, including all the terms and conditions associated with the offer, a full offer document and business plan will all be published on the Ethex platform shortly before the offer goes live on 6th September 2021.
More information about the share issue is here: https://carbon.coop/2021/08/people-powered-retrofit-community-share-issue/

Eco-Renovation for Builders Online - September 2021
2021-09-13 17:00 - 2021-09-25 12:00 (Europe/London)
Get ahead of the curve and be a part of the green recovery with this unique training course for Greater Manchester builders.

Over the last year, despite the pandemic, there has been huge demand from householders wanting to make energy efficiency improvements to their homes. People Powered Retrofit has had over 180 enquiries, over 60 clients in Greater Manchester planning their home energy improvements and looking for contractors. Jobs our clients are looking for range between £5,000 to upwards of £100,000, with the average around £45,000.

So, we know demand is there, but we don’t have enough builders to do the work!

This course gives you a starting point for getting into retrofit, the future of the building industry.

Large companies have to date taken the lion’s share of energy efficiency work in large social housing projects, but the majority of the UK’s homes are owned privately and will need extensive eco-renovation works done as a part of general improvements and extensions in the coming years. Those homes need your expertise!

“The strength of this course is [course tutor] Nick’s depth of experience. You learn from the problems he has solved.” Tim, Joiner.
Run by experienced retrofit contractor Nick Parsons, across four online sessions (and a COVID-safe practical session), this course will help you…

build on your existing knowledge and skill.
meet other small businesses and sole traders in Manchester.
keep up to date with the latest green building techniques and products.
find new opportunities in retrofit.

Who for
This course is for joiners, general builders, site managers at small firms who work on any building projects of which Part L applies.
A 50% discount for contractors who work in the Greater Manchester area and group discounts for group bookings, suitable for small firms looking to upskill their workforce.

This course is also useful for:

For people overseeing building works on site: a first step into specialist eco-renovation/retrofit techniques and considerations to meet new customer requirements from an experienced tutor with on site contracting experience
For business managers: what you need to know if you’re considering entry into this specialist area, with fast growing demand and a limited supply chain. Find out what skills you’ll need in your business with this simple to access, online course.
For building designers and architects: find out more about building fabric works and construction approaches that will be needed on many homes before thinking about building technology.
For retrofit consultants: this course gives Retrofit Co-ordinators and Advisors an understanding of how theory translates into the practical reality of a building site.
For enthusiastic DIY-ers: Learn about eco building considerations and techniques, find out what you’re capable of, and become an informed client to any contractors you might need to help you.
For community intermediaries: build a supply chain for retrofit in your area; if you have existing supply chain links this course will help them get ready for work; a simple, replicable course to get people interested; useful for enthusiastic DIYers in your networks/membership

Dates and Times
This is a four-part course and all parts must be taken together. The practical session is an additional session with limited space. Places are given on a first come first serve basis.
Online sessions:

Monday 13th September, 5 – 7pm
Thursday 16th September, 5 – 7pm
Tuesday 21st September, 5 – 7pm
Thursday 23rd September, 5 – 7pm

Practical session:

Saturday 25th September 10am – 12 noon

This will be a covid safe practical session in Islington Mill, Salford. Numbers are limited and those working as contractors in Greater Manchester will be prioritised for places. Please select the ‘Register your interest in practical session’ ticket when booking alongside a standard or discounted ticket. A video recording of the session will be available for those that cannot attend.
Attendees must complete all online sessions including end of session quizzes to receive a certificate of attendance.
Cost

Standard ticket – £129*
Greater Manchester Business discount 50% – £65
Group discount – Book 1 full price + 50% for every additional booking. Additional bookings must be from the same company.

*The previous runs of this course were highly subsidised. The current price more accurately reflects the costs of running the course.

Course Content
Session 1 – Understanding retrofit, the drivers and approaches

Drivers for retrofit
Base-line surveys and assessment
Key Metrics and Measurements
Taking a Whole House Approach
Incremental retrofit

By the end of this session, participants will be able to…

Identify the key drivers for retrofit clients and projects,
Identify ‘suitable’ retrofit candidates,
Recognise the need for a base-line energy assessment and a whole-house plan,
Understand the challenges of ‘incremental’ retrofit,
Identify key principles of the ‘whole house’ approach in fabric improvements: thermal bridging, thermal bypass, airtightness and moisture management,
Understand the importance of a ventilation strategy in a retrofitted home,
Awareness of impact of fabric improvements on sizing of heating systems.

————-
Session 2 – Taking airtightness seriously

Heat-loss through air-leakage
Air-tightness in retrofit
Ventilation, where and why it is necessary

By the end of this session, participants will be able to…

Recognise common air-leakage points in buildings,
Understand how to measure airtightness,
Understand which products are available to achieve high levels of airtightness,
Understand how to minimise air-leakage around common areas,
Understand where ventilation is necessary and how to balance heat loss with ventilation needs.

————-
Session 3 – Insulation – walls and roofs

Fabric heat-loss
R, K and U values
Explore insulation options for walls, roofs

By the end of this session, participants will be able to…

Establish the usefulness of U values as a tool for assessing building performance,
Recognise ‘Lambda’, Resistance (R) and U values,
Recognise ‘vapour-permeable’ and ‘vapour-control’ methods of insulation,
State Building Regulations target U values for retrofit and extensions,
Recognise the insulation options available for (particularly solid) walls
State the relative advantages and disadvantages of various insulation methods and materials,
Recognise and overcome practical and detailing problems in insulating rooms in the roof,

————-

Session 4 – Insulation – floors, windows and doors; thermal bridging and thermal by-pass

Insulating ground floors

Selecting and installing doors and windows

Identifying and understanding thermal bridging and by-pass

By the end of this session, participants will…

State the relative advantages and disadvantages of various floor insulation methods and materials

Understand statutory requirements re windows and doors

Understand how to minimise peripheral heat-loss when installing windows and doors

Understand what is meant by thermal bridging and thermal bypass

————-
Session 5 – Practical ‘onsite’ session

Demonstration of managing airtightness in loft eaves
Demonstration of dealing with tricky junctions in Internal Wall Insulation and External Wall Insulation
Handle and apply specialist materials including: airtightness products, wood fibre insulation, EPS insulation, lime rendering, lime plastering.

By the end of this session, participants will…

Gain practical experience of using specialist materials to install airtightness and insulation measures on walls, roofs and floor/ceiling junctions.

Course Tutor
Nick Parsons
“Nick is a fountain of retrofit knowledge.” – course participant 2019
Nick has a wealth of experience in energy-efficient sustainable building and renewable energy having worked in the industry for 25 years. Nick is the lead tutor on the Eco-Refurbishment course at the Centre for Alternative Technology. For 10 years from 2000 – 2010 he ran a community-sector project in Sheffield promoting and demonstrating all aspects of sustainable building, based in an eco-refurbished terraced house, before going freelance in December 2010.

This course is run by People Powered Retrofit, a Greater Manchester-based home retrofit service.

Exploring Retrofit models - opportunities for Community Energy
2021-10-15 13:00 - 14:00 (Europe/London)
Exploring models for community driven retrofit.

With 20% of carbon emissions coming from homes there is increasing interest in finding replicable models for retrofit that can be driven by Community Energy organisations.
In this lunchtime webinar, two community energy organisations share their experiences in devising and delivering retrofit models.
Jonathan Atkinson of Carbon Co-op and People Powered Retrofit will be talking about their owner occupier retrofit model and the green skills training required to match demand.
Nadia Smith of South East London Community Energy will be talking about the retrofit work SELCE have been doing as part of schemes in London.
Followed by Q&A.

PowerShaper Monitor - accessing your smart meter data for climate action
2021-10-20 18:00 - 19:30 (Europe/London)
Discover our new PowerShaper Monitor service and find out how data from your smart meter can help reduce your carbon impact.

Our new PowerShaper Monitor tool gives you easy access to your home energy data. Join our event to learn more about the tool, how it works, how you can use it and how other users have managed to reduce their home energy consumption and carbon footprint with the tool.
The event will provide a showcase and demonstration of the service, as well as hearing from existing users about how they have benefited from and used the tool to monitor their home energy use.
Find out more about our new tool, how you can unlock your smart meter data and our plans for next steps and future improvements.

Eco-Renovation for Builders Online - November 2021
2021-11-02 17:00 - 2021-11-20 12:00 (Europe/London)
Get ahead of the curve and be a part of the green recovery with this unique training course for Greater Manchester builders.

Over the last year, despite the pandemic, there has been huge demand from householders wanting to make energy efficiency improvements to their homes. People Powered Retrofit has had over 180 enquiries, over 60 clients in Greater Manchester planning their home energy improvements and looking for contractors. Jobs our clients are looking for range between £5,000 to upwards of £100,000, with the average around £45,000.

So, we know demand is there, but we don’t have enough builders to do the work!

This course gives you a starting point for getting into retrofit, the future of the building industry.

Large companies have to date taken the lion’s share of energy efficiency work in large social housing projects, but the majority of the UK’s homes are owned privately and will need extensive eco-renovation works done as a part of general improvements and extensions in the coming years. Those homes need your expertise!

“The strength of this course is [course tutor] Nick’s depth of experience. You learn from the problems he has solved.” Tim, Joiner.
Run by experienced retrofit contractor Nick Parsons, across four online sessions (and a COVID-safe practical session), this course will help you…

build on your existing knowledge and skill.
meet other small businesses and sole traders in Manchester.
keep up to date with the latest green building techniques and products.
find new opportunities in retrofit.

Who for
This course is for joiners, general builders, site managers at small firms who work on any building projects of which Part L applies.
A 50% discount for contractors who work in the Greater Manchester area and group discounts for group bookings, suitable for small firms looking to upskill their workforce.

This course is also useful for:

For people overseeing building works on site: a first step into specialist eco-renovation/retrofit techniques and considerations to meet new customer requirements from an experienced tutor with on site contracting experience
For business managers: what you need to know if you’re considering entry into this specialist area, with fast growing demand and a limited supply chain. Find out what skills you’ll need in your business with this simple to access, online course.
For building designers and architects: find out more about building fabric works and construction approaches that will be needed on many homes before thinking about building technology.
For retrofit consultants: this course gives Retrofit Co-ordinators and Advisors an understanding of how theory translates into the practical reality of a building site.
For enthusiastic DIY-ers: Learn about eco building considerations and techniques, find out what you’re capable of, and become an informed client to any contractors you might need to help you.
For community intermediaries: build a supply chain for retrofit in your area; if you have existing supply chain links this course will help them get ready for work; a simple, replicable course to get people interested; useful for enthusiastic DIYers in your networks/membership

Dates and Times
This is a four-part course and all parts must be taken together. The practical session is an additional session with limited space. Places are given on a first come first serve basis.
Online sessions:

Tuesday 2nd November, 5 – 7pm
Thursday 4th November, 5 – 7pm
Tuesday 16th November, 5 – 7pm
Thursday 18th November, 5 – 7pm

Practical session:

Saturday 20th November10am – 12 noon

This will be a covid safe practical session in Islington Mill, Salford. Numbers are limited and those working as contractors in Greater Manchester will be prioritised for places. Please select the ‘Register your interest in practical session’ ticket when booking alongside a standard or discounted ticket. A video recording of the session will be available for those that cannot attend.
Attendees must complete all online sessions including end of session quizzes to receive a certificate of attendance.
Cost

Standard ticket – £129*
Greater Manchester Business discount 50% – £65
Group discount – Book 1 full price + 50% for every additional booking. Additional bookings must be from the same company.

*The previous runs of this course were highly subsidised. The current price more accurately reflects the costs of running the course.

Course Content
Session 1 – Understanding retrofit, the drivers and approaches

Drivers for retrofit
Base-line surveys and assessment
Key Metrics and Measurements
Taking a Whole House Approach
Incremental retrofit

By the end of this session, participants will be able to…

Identify the key drivers for retrofit clients and projects,
Identify ‘suitable’ retrofit candidates,
Recognise the need for a base-line energy assessment and a whole-house plan,
Understand the challenges of ‘incremental’ retrofit,
Identify key principles of the ‘whole house’ approach in fabric improvements: thermal bridging, thermal bypass, airtightness and moisture management,
Understand the importance of a ventilation strategy in a retrofitted home,
Awareness of impact of fabric improvements on sizing of heating systems.

————-
Session 2 – Taking airtightness seriously

Heat-loss through air-leakage
Air-tightness in retrofit
Ventilation, where and why it is necessary

By the end of this session, participants will be able to…

Recognise common air-leakage points in buildings,
Understand how to measure airtightness,
Understand which products are available to achieve high levels of airtightness,
Understand how to minimise air-leakage around common areas,
Understand where ventilation is necessary and how to balance heat loss with ventilation needs.

————-
Session 3 – Insulation – walls and roofs

Fabric heat-loss
R, K and U values
Explore insulation options for walls, roofs

By the end of this session, participants will be able to…

Establish the usefulness of U values as a tool for assessing building performance,
Recognise ‘Lambda’, Resistance (R) and U values,
Recognise ‘vapour-permeable’ and ‘vapour-control’ methods of insulation,
State Building Regulations target U values for retrofit and extensions,
Recognise the insulation options available for (particularly solid) walls
State the relative advantages and disadvantages of various insulation methods and materials,
Recognise and overcome practical and detailing problems in insulating rooms in the roof,

————-

Session 4 – Insulation – floors, windows and doors; thermal bridging and thermal by-pass

Insulating ground floors

Selecting and installing doors and windows

Identifying and understanding thermal bridging and by-pass

By the end of this session, participants will…

State the relative advantages and disadvantages of various floor insulation methods and materials

Understand statutory requirements re windows and doors

Understand how to minimise peripheral heat-loss when installing windows and doors

Understand what is meant by thermal bridging and thermal bypass

————-
Session 5 – Practical ‘onsite’ session

Demonstration of managing airtightness in loft eaves
Demonstration of dealing with tricky junctions in Internal Wall Insulation and External Wall Insulation
Handle and apply specialist materials including: airtightness products, wood fibre insulation, EPS insulation, lime rendering, lime plastering.

By the end of this session, participants will…

Gain practical experience of using specialist materials to install airtightness and insulation measures on walls, roofs and floor/ceiling junctions.

Course Tutor
Nick Parsons
“Nick is a fountain of retrofit knowledge.” – course participant 2019
Nick has a wealth of experience in energy-efficient sustainable building and renewable energy having worked in the industry for 25 years. Nick is the lead tutor on the Eco-Refurbishment course at the Centre for Alternative Technology. For 10 years from 2000 – 2010 he ran a community-sector project in Sheffield promoting and demonstrating all aspects of sustainable building, based in an eco-refurbished terraced house, before going freelance in December 2010.

This course is run by People Powered Retrofit, a Greater Manchester-based home retrofit service.

New Local Authority Approach to Person Centered Retrofit for Fuel Poverty
2021-12-03 11:30 - 13:00 (Europe/London)
We have been looking at how we can better fund whole house retrofit for those most vulnerable to fuel poverty. Come along to find out more.

Nottingham City Council and Plymouth City Council are working with Carbon Co-op through mPower, Horizon 2020 project, to investigate opportunities to develop a sustainable financial approach to whole house retrofit of fuel poor homes, using a person-centred approach.

With the introduction of Green Homes Grant Local Authority Delivery (LAD) and Home Upgrade Grants (HUG) being delivered through local authorities alongside existing Energy Company Obligation (ECO) delivery, grant funding for energy efficient retrofit is at the highest level for over a decade. Moreover, the security of future investment in this sector looks more certain than ever, as does a local authority-led delivery model for at least some of the funding.

While more retrofit is being delivered, these schemes are disproportionately failing to address the most vulnerable homes. Nottingham City Council and Plymouth City Council have worked collaboratively to investigate how whole house retrofit can deliver to those most vulnerable, and how this could be sustainably financed.

We are keen to share our learning with other Local Authorities in the UK and with stakeholders and institutions from the health, energy, employment, property development and education sectors who can see the benefits of working together to tackle fuel poverty.

Agenda
Introduction to mPower – Justin Bear, Project Manager, Plymouth City Council and Plymouth Energy Community.
Presentation on People-Centred Fuel Poverty Approaches – Dr Alice Jones, Impact Consulting Ltd.
Panelist discussion with:

Eleanor Radcliff, Senior Researcher from Centre for Local Economic Strategies on Local Anchor Networks
Bruce Davis from Abundance Investment on Community Municipal Investment.

[Due to UCU strike action Dr Mark Davis and Prof Lucie Middlemiss are no longer able to attend ]
Discussion

Stakeholder Workshop
This event will be followed by a Stakeholder Workshop, if you are based in Nottingham or Plymouth and are interested in talking with the team about their work and how it is relevant to your organisation please contact aneaka@carbon.coop.

Speaker Biographies

Justin Bear joined the PEC team in September 2017. He coordinates PEC’s energy team to install simple energy efficient measures and provide advice. He also works behind the scenes to develop new opportunities.
With a Natural Sciences degree from the University of Bath, he enjoys communicating technical information in an uncomplicated and engaging way. He has used these skills delivering fuel poverty projects at the Centre for Sustainable Energy in Bristol between 2013 and 2017 and before this worked briefly for Good Energy.

Ellie Radcliffe is a Senior Researcher at the Centre for Local Economic Strategies, having previously developed diverse experience across the third sector. Ellie delivers research, membership, policy and consultancy work at CLES, and has particular interests in deepening local democracy, climate change and community activism. She also delivers work exploring how to tackle environmental breakdown using community wealth building and was co-lead author on CLES and Carbon Co-op’s A community wealth building energy transition toolkit. Outside work she is involved in developing the circular economy and community growing where she lives in Manchester.

Bruce Davis is Cofounder and Joint Managing Director of Abundance Investment. Abundance were the world’s first regulated crowdfunding platform and have since raised more than £115m for green and socially positive projects and businesses in the UK direct from small investors – investing from just £5. Abundance worked with the University of Leeds and UK Government to create a new generation of “Community Municipal Investments” and launched the first two pilot bonds in 2020 with West Berkshire and Warrington. They are working with a number of councils across the UK to issue Local Climate Investments using the CMI structure with 5 further councils announcing intention to issue investments post COP. Islington are the latest authority to issue an investment aiming to raise £1m for 6 local projects. Bruce is also Visiting Research Fellow at the Bauman Institute, University of Leeds and has recently published a book – “Crowdfunding and the democratization of Finance” with Dr Mark Davis, via Bristol University Press.

About
This event is being hosted by Carbon Co-op in partnership with Nottingham City Council and Plymouth City Council as a part of a European Funded Horizon 2020 project, mPower.

Ask the Expert with Nick Parsons
2021-12-14 17:30 - 18:45 (Europe/London)
We are pleased to be joined by Nick Parsons, a leading trainer and retrofit consultant for an ‘Ask the Expert’ retrofit construction webinar

Nick Parsons has worked for over 30 years in energy-efficient and sustainable building and renewable energy. For 10 years from 2000-2010 he ran a community-sector project in Sheffield promoting and demonstrating all aspects of sustainable building based in an eco-refurbished terraced house, before going freelance in December 2010.
Nick is a regular tutor in sustainable building and renewable energy at the Centre for Alternative Technology in Machynlleth, Wales and with the Carbon Co-op.
In addition he carries out home energy surveys to assess potential energy efficiency improvements and renewable energy installations and provides consultancy and project management services to individuals, small businesses, and community organisations.
Nick will give a 15 minute introduction to his experience in the sector leaving us with 45 minutes for a Q&A and discussion. Please be aware that Nick cannot give advice on specific aspects of your building project (this isn’t a free consultation) but he can help you understand key principles and what to consider when retrofitting a building.
This event is for main contractors, general builders, joiners, designers, architects, and consultants keen to develop their knowledge around retrofit.
This is a part of the ‘Ask the Expert’ retrofit construction webinar series with top industry experts on topics ranging from airtightness to heat pumps, sustainable building materials to insulation. It will be a chance for you to get your questions answered and meet other construction professionals. See recordings of previous sessions and others here.

About us
This event is a part of People Powered Retrofit supply chain development work. We support businesses to connect with people keen to retrofit their homes. To find out more visit www.retrofit.coop.
If you are a contractor, consultant, or a building professional register your interest in People Powered Retrofit here.

EcoHome Lab: Monthly meetup and skill share
2022-02-10 18:00 - 19:30 UTC, 2022-03-10 18:00 - 19:30 UTC, 2022-04-14 18:00 - 19:30 (Europe/Paris), 2022-05-12 18:00 - 19:30 (Europe/Paris), 2022-06-09 18:00 - 19:30 (Europe/Paris), 2022-07-14 18:00 - 19:30 (Europe/Paris), 2022-10-13 18:00 - 19:30 (Europe/Paris) | Online event
———————————————————————————
Now in our regular monthly slot – every second Thursday of the month. A hangout for people taking control of their home energy usage and generation. We use open-source hardware and software to gain a better understanding of energy in our homes, how to make the best use of the energy we generate and reduce energy wasted.
This is a CarbonCo-op (https://carbon.coop/) initiative working close together with OpenEnergyMonitor (https://openenergymonitor.org).

Topics will include:
• Home energy monitoring.
• House energy performance assessment
• Sensors – electricity, gas, temperature, humidity, air quality…
• User interfaces, dashboards
• Smart houses and automation
• Aggregation of data sources
• Taking the power back! – Making better use of the surplus power we generate
Who is it for?
• Anyone with skills in physical electronics, web development or programming who wants to use that knowledge to reduce energy and carbon!
• There will be open space for small groups to focus on adding new sensors or hacking the user interface, there will always be a ‘newbies’ group for people interested in finding out more.

PowerShaper Flex Webinar
2022-04-13 12:30 - 13:30 (Europe/London)
PowerShaper Flex Lunchtime Webinar

Agenda:

Overview of next phase and PowerShaper Flex goals
Workshopping ideas from survey 1
How To – Set up a Time of Use Automation
Open Questions

Joining the Zoom Webinar:
ID: 896 2709 7312
Passcode: [REDACTED]

How much insulation do you need to fit a heat pump?
2022-04-28 13:00 - 14:00 (Europe/London)
How much insulation do you need to reduce space heating demand to install a heat pump?

With large scale installation of domestic heat pumps identified as a key technology to support UK decarbonisation targets, there is increasing discussion about how to install them in a way that maximises their efficiency and performance.
Lower home heating demand means a smaller heat pump is required, but does the typical home need to be a super insulated Passivhaus or can we get away without improving a house at all? Opinions differ!
In this best practice webinar, we will hear from three experts in the field to get different views on the subject and attempt to answer the question: How much insulation do you need to install a heat pump?
Marianne Heaslip is a retrofit architect and technical lead at People Powered Retrofit, Leah Robson co-owner of heat pump installers Your Energy Your Way, and Matt Fawcett is Energy Systems lead at Carbon Co-op and project manager of the Heat Pump Challenge and will discuss heat pump performance monitoring and evaluation approaches.
The presentations will be followed by an opportunity for Q&A.
This webinar is suitable for practitioners, installers, engineers, architects, policy makers, Community Energy groups and householders with high levels of technical knowledge. The session will be recorded and made available after the event.
It is part of Carbon Co-op’s Heat Pump Challenge project funded by MCS Charitable Foundation and Electricity North West Powering our Communities Fund .
Organised in collaboration with People Powered Retrofit.

Business models for able to pay: Community-led Approaches to Retrofit
2022-05-09 13:00 - 14:00 (Europe/London)
Community-led Approaches to Retrofit – knowledge sharing webinars – Business models for able to pay

In this session we look at new and emerging business models for community energy groups to deliver retrofit services to the able to pay. Examples include assessment services, advice services and One Stop Shop services such as People Powered Retrofit.
In a series of lunchtime hour-long webinars, three leading Community Energy organisations explore emerging models and best practice for the delivery of retrofit and energy efficiency projects.
Funded by the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust, SELCE, BHESCo and Carbon Co-op have engaged in a 12 months knowledge sharing and research project to identify successful models for retrofit across different tenures and approaches.
Free to attend, each session will address a different theme and be led by one of the partners. Suitable for staff, board or members of Community Energy groups as well as other stakeholders such as local authorities, retrofit practitioners, academics and researchers.
All webinars take place at 1pm and last one hour. You must book onto each session individually.

9th May: Business models for able to pay
16th May: Business Models for fuel poor and landlords
23rd May: Supply chain engagement
30th May: Community Outreach and Engagement

Business Models for fuel poor & landlords: Community Retrofit Approaches
2022-05-16 13:00 - 14:00 (Europe/London)
Community-led Approaches to Retrofit – knowledge sharing webinars – Business Models for fuel poor & landlords

In this session we will look at ways that Community Energy groups can get more involved in helping communities and individuals in fuel poverty or work with landlords to enable them to retrofit their properties. We’ll highlight a number of existing and prospective models in the sector.
In a series of lunchtime hour-long webinars, three leading Community Energy organisations explore emerging models and best practice for the delivery of retrofit and energy efficiency projects.
Funded by the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust, SELCE, BHESCo and Carbon Co-op have engaged in a 12 months knowledge sharing and research project to identify successful models for retrofit across different tenures and approaches.
Free to attend, each session will address a different theme and be led by one of the partners. Suitable for staff, board or members of Community Energy groups as well as other stakeholders such as local authorities, retrofit practitioners, academics and researchers.
All webinars take place at 1pm and last one hour. You must book onto each session individually.

9th May: Business models for able to pay
16th May: Business Models for fuel poor and landlords
23rd May: Supply chain engagement
30th May: Community Outreach and Engagement

Supply chain engagement: Community Retrofit Approaches
2022-05-23 13:00 - 14:00 (Europe/London)
Community-led Approaches to Retrofit – knowledge sharing webinars – Supply chain engagement

In this seminar we will look at how Community Energy groups can engage with energy efficiency supply chain companies and organisations. Using real world examples, we will take a look at the kinds of supply chain relationships Community Energy groups might want to establish and the priorities and needs of those companies.
In a series of lunchtime hour-long webinars, three leading Community Energy organisations explore emerging models and best practice for the delivery of retrofit and energy efficiency projects.
Funded by the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust, SELCE, BHESCo and Carbon Co-op have engaged in a 12 months knowledge sharing and research project to identify successful models for retrofit across different tenures and approaches.
Free to attend, each session will address a different theme and be led by one of the partners. Suitable for staff, board or members of Community Energy groups as well as other stakeholders such as local authorities, retrofit practitioners, academics and researchers.
All webinars take place at 1pm and last one hour. You must book onto each session individually.

9th May: Business models for able to pay
16th May: Business Models for fuel poor and landlords
23rd May: Supply chain engagement
30th May: Community Outreach and Engagement

TEST
2022-05-23 19:00 - 22:00 (Europe/London)
TEST

TEST

Community Outreach & Engagement: Community Retrofit Approaches
2022-05-30 13:00 - 14:00 (Europe/London)
Community-led Approaches to Retrofit – knowledge sharing webinars – Community Outreach & Engagement

In this session we will examine models and tools to assist community outreach and engagement to support energy efficiency and retrofit programmes and projects. We’ll look at how Community Energy groups can benefit from word of mouth recommendations or engage in more structured approaches such as Community Based Social Marketing.
In a series of lunchtime hour-long webinars, three leading Community Energy organisations explore emerging models and best practice for the delivery of retrofit and energy efficiency projects.
Funded by the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust, SELCE, BHESCo and Carbon Co-op have engaged in a 12 months knowledge sharing and research project to identify successful models for retrofit across different tenures and approaches.
Free to attend, each session will address a different theme and be led by one of the partners. Suitable for staff, board or members of Community Energy groups as well as other stakeholders such as local authorities, retrofit practitioners, academics and researchers.
All webinars take place at 1pm and last one hour. You must book onto each session individually.

9th May: Business models for able to pay
16th May: Business Models for fuel poor and landlords
23rd May: Supply chain engagement
30th May: Community Outreach and Engagement

GMLEM Citizens' Jury Findings Feedback Session
2022-06-27 18:00 - 20:00 (Europe/London)
An opportunity to hear from jury members on how they think GM’s local energy market should be governed.

You are invited to attend this workshop on the GM Local Energy Market (GMLEM) citizens’ jury.
This session will bring together citizens’ jury members, GM Local Energy Market (GMLEM) partners and key stakeholders to hear the jury’s findings, and discuss the next steps for what the GMLEM looks like in terms of governance and ownership decisions.
This event is also an opportunity for members of the public, with the help of members of the jury, to understand its findings.
This is a free event but you must register to attend. Joining instructions and a Zoom link will be sent to you prior to the event.
For more background on the jury process, including the recruitment methodology and how the sessions were structured, visit the dedicated page on the Carbon Co-op website:

Greater Manchester Local Energy Market (GMLEM) Citizens’ Jury

We, our jury members and the GMLEM partnership hope that you can join us!

PowerShaper Flex - Home Assistant automations
2022-06-29 17:00 - 18:00 (Europe/London)
PowerShaper Flex and Home Assistant automations

The webinar will look at creating automations in Home Assistant to control smart devices connected to the HEMS.

PowerShaper Flex Introductory Webinar
2022-07-13 12:30 - 13:30 (Europe/London)
PowerShaper Flex – Introductory Webinar

A welcome webinar for participants new to PowerShaper Flex!
Agenda:

What is PowerShaper Flex?
Why is the trial taking place?
When will things happen?
Q & A – your questions about the trial

Powershaper Flex webinar – intro to DSRs
2022-09-26 17:00 - 18:00 (Europe/London)
A session on what to expect from DSR events and how to get in contact with us.

We’re really excited to begin demand side response (DSR) events in October.
But first we thought we’d hold an intro webinar for PF participants on what to expect from DSR events and how to get in contact with Carbon Co-op for whatever reason.
This will also be an opportunity for you to ask us questions about the service and to meet other participants!
Meeting link: https://meet.google.com/qpm-raom-sqj?authuser=0

Beginner’s Guide To Retrofit
2022-10-03 18:30 - 20:00 (Europe/London)
This online beginners guide explores basic ideas and concepts of retrofit and home energy efficiency.

Z﻿oom link for joining the webinar: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86552129352?pwd=[REDACTED]
What do we mean when we talk about energy efficiency and retrofit? We are returning with an established introductory session, exploring the basic ideas and concepts of retrofit, helping you get to grips with how you might reduce energy bills, improve your property and make your home a little bit greener.
Useful for householders, housing association staff, housing co-ops and landlords interested in learning more about energy efficiency and domestic retrofit.
This session is followed by an online Q&A with Greater Manchester homeowners that have undertaken retrofit on their homes. More information and tickets are available at: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/virtual-green-homes-qa-with-homeowners-tickets-419705148397
We will email out the link to join this online session. Auto-closed captions are available and copies of the slides can be shared before (and after) the session. If you have any additional access needs, please email Marlo at marlo@carbon.coop and we’ll do what we can to help.

Beginner’s Guide to Retrofit
2022-10-03 18:30 - 20:30 (Europe/London)
In this online beginners guide, we explore basic ideas and concepts of retrofit and domestic energy efficiency.

What do we mean when we talk about energy efficiency and retrofit? We are returning with an established introductory session, exploring the basic ideas and concepts of retrofit, helping you get to grips with how you might reduce energy bills, improve your property and make your home a little bit greener.

Useful for householders, housing association staff, housing co-ops and landlords interested in learning more about energy efficiency and domestic retrofit. No prior knowledge is required.

This session is followed by an online Q&A with Greater Manchester homeowners that have undertaken retrofit on their homes. More information and tickets are available at: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/virtual-green-homes-qa-with-homeowners-tickets-419705148397

We will email out the link to join this session. Auto-closed captions are available and copies of the slides can be shared before (and after) the session. If you have any additional access needs, please email Marlo at marlo@carbon.coop and we’ll do what we can to help.

Virtual Green Homes: Q&A with Homeowners
2022-10-06 18:30 - 20:00 (Europe/London)
Ask homeowners in and around Greater Manchester about motivations, decisions and outcomes of their home retrofits.

Z﻿oom link for joining the webinar: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89803966213?pwd=[REDACTED]
This online Q&A session gives an opportunity to ask homeowners about their retrofit projects and journeys.
‘﻿Case studies’ of each home are presented on the Green Open Homes website: https://carbon.coop/2022/09/virtual-green-homes-meet-the-householders/
We advise you take some time before this session to look through the case studies, familiarise yourself with the different retrofit projects and think of some questions you may want to ask the homeowners.
This session is preceded by our introductory Beginner’s Guide to Retrofit online webinar, useful if you are new to retrofit and home energy efficiency.
More information and tickets are available at: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/beginners-guide-to-retrofit-tickets-419698157487
We will email out the link to join this session. Auto-closed captions are available. Microphones and cameras are not required to take part in the session. If you have any additional access needs, please email Marlo at marlo@carbon.coop and we’ll do what we can to help.
