Published Research
Here you can find and download all of the published research and articles generated since the inception of WREN.
OUTLINE SUMMARY:
A WREN member's account of choosing and installing a wind turbine.
AUTHOR: Grant McAlpine
MSc Renewable Energy: CAT, June 2012
Grant details the process for siting, choosing, installing and monitoring a GAIA 133 (11kW) wind turbine. He identifies the selection criteria and outlines the rationale for choosing the GIAI.
Incorporating early post-installation performance data, Grant offers a very useful, first hand account of the principal issues and challenges that were experienced'.
OUTLINE SUMMARY:
The WREN model: A template for community energy schemes in the future?
Author: Bertie Redhead
MSc Energy Policy and Sustainability: University of Exeter
September 2011
Bertie explores three principal issues: 1. WREN’s strengths and weaknesses; opportunities and threats. 2. Motivations of WREN’s principal stakeholders. 3. Required trade offs for securing a low carbon reality.
Bertie comes up with three key findings: Vision and competence; limited engagement and resources / Commercial return (private sector); local engagement (public) / Collaboration – based on trust and transparency – is key
Bertie concludes by noting “…while it is good that money is being made it is equally important how it is shared.”
OUTLINE SUMMARY:
Photovoltaics in the home: Exploring the role of domestic PV in the future of UK Energy
Author: Dan Goodchild
MSc Sustainable Development: University of Exeter
September 2011
Dan asks three important questions: 1. Why do people install PV? 2. Can and do PV/smart meters raise energy awareness? 3. Does having PV change behaviour?
Dan comes up with three key findings: Raising energy awareness influences energy usage / The more people know the less they waste / Despite the Feed In Tariff high initial investment is a barrier
Dan concludes by recommending “…that policy should encourage adoption across wider social groups…”
Creating Low Carbon Towns
In ‘Creating low carbon towns’ Stephen Frankel (chair of WREN) and Jerry Clark (WREN technical director), outline how WREN came into being and its vision for the future.
The article was published in the Spring 2011 issue of ‘Green Building’.
WREN Flies
In ‘WREN flies!’ Jerry Clark, WREN’s technical director, offers an overview of WREN’s achievements in the past 6 months.
The article was published in the Autumn 2011 issue of ‘Green Building’ and is a follow up to ‘Creating low carbon towns’.
Workplace Behaviour
In this 2011 paper Dr Tom Hargreaves (University of East Anglia) analyses approaches to changing behaviour in the workplace.
He argues that understanding an organisation's structure, culture and internal power relations are key to securing
sustained behavioural change.
He concludes by findng that an individual focus is likely to be less effective than a broader based approach. However, further research is required before firm conclusions can be safely drawn.'
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Smart Meters
In this 2010 paper Dr Tom Hargreaves (University of East Anglia) summarises the experiences of 15 UK householders trialling different types of smart meters.He explores, for example, the importance of their location, ease of set-up, use and interpretation as influencing household energy consumption.
He concludes by commenting that installing smart meters can have both positive and negative outcomes and that understanding the household is key to assessing their impact on energy consumption in the home.'
OUTLINE SUMMARY:
Space heating demand of Cornwall – maps and methodology
Author: James Miller
MEng Renewable Energy: University of Exeter & Camborne School of Mines
February 2010
Cornwall Council commissioned James to compile a space heating energy demand map of the whole county in order to gain a greater understanding of energy use and locate areas suitable for district heating systems.
Space heating is the energy used within buildings to raise the internal temperature to a level that is comfortable for its occupants.
This report calculates the average annual space heating requirements of buildings and concludes by identifying alternative methodologies for mapping future energy use in identified growth areas.
Author’s note: For domestic power use, I have used 'MW/km2/a' (this is annual energy use, not power); this should instead read 'MW/km2' (which is power). But, ignoring the rogue 'a', all the calculations were checked and are correct.
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OUTLINE SUMMARY:
A Community Approach to Tidal Power in Cornwall and South Devon
Author: Sophie Stevens
Sophie has just graduated from Exeter University with a first class BSc (Hons) degree in Renewable Energy. Her dissertation 'A Community Approach to Tidal Power in Cornwall and South Devon' explores the potential for tidal energy exploitation and examines the possibilities for a community involvement approach in areas around Cornwall and South Devon. The WREN model and research is explored and assessed and Sophie concludes by highlighting the need for future investment to ensure that tidal energy income remains within the community.
Latest News
Excitement is building at WREN as we await the decision of the judges for this year’s Ashden Awards.
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Sustainability expert joins WREN
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The town of Wadebridge in Cornwall has been short-listed as one of Britain's top eco-towns.
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