Our Powerdown Projects
SKDT has identified a range of project outlines that it wishes to see advanced under the Powerdown initiative including:
- A pilot community tidal power generation scheme;
- Providing practical advice and support on energy efficiency and renewable energy to local residents;
- Reduction of food mileage;
- Making local recycling more sustainable in the current economic climate.
Although these projects are the main focus, SKDT is open to other project ideas that the members of the South Kintyre community wish to see progressed.
SKDT aims to work with Community Energy Scotland and local partners to submit a phase 2 project funding bid by September 2009. Malcolm McMillan, the community powerdown project officer, is in place to ensure that these projects benefit from the next bid.
What have we been doing?
SKDT have were awarded £25,000 in funding from the Climate Challenge Fund to investigate the potential for deploying tidal turbines in the Sound of Sanda. The funding was used to carry out a feasibility study and training of the trusts staff and members.
The feasibility study was carried out by marine energy developer Aquamarine Power, who also carried out a workshop on implementing the deployment of tidal energy devices. Aquamarine Power is a leading marine energy device developer based in Edinburgh, who has extensive experience of consenting and site development for wave and tidal energy projects in Scotland. Last year they successfully installed their full-scale ‘Oyster’ wave energy converter at the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) in Orkney.
SKDT were assisted in this project by Ocean Flow Energy Ltd., a tidal stream device developer, who have been working on their device, the Evopod®, for the last four years. The Evopod® is a semi-submerged, floating, tidal energy device. They have successfully deployed a working prototype in the Strangford Narrows in Northern Ireland and are hoping to exploit other niche sites around the UK.
Ocean Flow Energy recently announced that they would be deploying a tidal energy device in the Sound of Sanda thanks to funding from Scottish Enterprise.
SKDT have also been working on progressing the recommendations on a recent local food report and hope to progress the project through raising awareness of the many benefits of local food. You can find out more about Campbeltown's community garden at:
SKDT is also working with Kintyre Recycling, our local recycling company. Kintyre Recycling have been operating since 2006 and provide a kerbside and commercial waste collection scheme as well as providing services to 30 community 'bring banks'. Kintyre Recycling is a not for profit company who employ 10 full time staff and 11 part time staff, many of whom have special needs or learning difficulties. At present Kintyre Recycling are exploring the possibilities of running their vehicles on biodiesel. You can find out more from:
SKDT have decided to work wih the Energy Saving Trust to help provide energy efficiency measures to householders in the area. We mail dropped 2,600 homes in the area recieving an 8% return rate. By returning the HEC householders recieved a free survey to establish if they are eligible to install cavity wall or loft insulation in their homes for a reduced price. Certain eligible householders will recieve the insulation measures for free.
SKDT is delighted to be a part of the Community Powerdown project and hope that through it the South Kintyre community can benefit greatly. The Community Powerdown project officer is located in an office at 3 Harvey's Lane, Burnside Square, Campbeltown.
