Course Material
Embedded Files
Module 1: Learning the basics of home energy
Our journey begins with the essentials. You'll learn how to decipher your energy bill and understand your home’s energy metre and plan. We place special emphasis on understanding the energy units, and the Building Energy Rating (BER).
Content:
Overview of home energy use.
Understanding your energy bill, metre, and plan.
Importance of Building Energy Rating (BER) and how to improve it.
Module 2: Easy ways to save energy for less money
Saving energy doesn't always require big investments. Learn about simple, low-cost measures like upgrading to LED lighting, draft-proofing your home, and using energy-saving habits.
Content:
No/low-cost measures to increase home energy efficiency, such as lighting upgrades, draft-proofing, and behaviour changes - how, and when, we use our appliances.
Understanding C02 and how to reduce and capture it.
Module 3: Keeping your home warm and cosy
Next, we delve into the heart of your home’s warmth: insulation, ventilation and heating. This module explores the importance of effective insulation and ventilation, and what the role and options of renewable heating systems are, starting with wood and ending with heat pumps.
Content:
Insulation and ventilation improvements, efficient use of solid fuel burning (wood), and renewable energy heating systems.
Module 4: Powering your home with solar
Harness the power of the sun! Module 4 demystifies solar energy, contrasting photovoltaic systems with other solar energy setups. We include real-life case studies, showcasing the benefits, and pitfalls, of solar energy in diverse households.
Content:
The role of solar in our energy make-up and understanding a Solar PV system for electricity generation and water heating.
Case Study: A real-life homeowner experience.
Module 5: Using cool tech to track your home energy
Embrace technology in energy management with Module 5. We introduce you to energy monitors, showcasing how modern tech can optimise your home’s energy use - or not.
Content:
Tracking and controlling household energy use with energy monitors.
Technology Focus: Latest tools and devices for energy management.
Module 6: Sustainable transportation
Transportation is a key piece of the energy puzzle. This module provides an overview of electric vehicles and eco-driving practices, along with ideas for community transportation projects.
Content:
Overview of electric vehicles and eco-driving, community impacts, and initiatives promoting eco-friendly transport.
Community Project Ideas: EV charging points and shared transport schemes (Clare Local Link).
Guest speaker: Cillian Griffey, Clare & Limerick Local Link.
Module 7: Livelihoods opportunities in energy
In all the above, there is room for those inspired to turn their passion for energy efficiency into an income, or even a career. We explore the burgeoning job market in the energy sector.
Content:
Exploring employment opportunities in the field of energy efficiency, sustainability, and renewable energy.
Where people can get help to advance; options & opportunities for career starters; option & opportunities for career change.
Guest speaker: Triona Lynch, Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board.
Module 8: Helping your community with renewable energy
In this last module, we expand our scope to how to apply what we learnt to date to community-level initiatives. Discover the potential of renewables like wind, solar, biomethane and micro-hydro projects, and start the road to create a step-by-step guide on starting your own community energy project.
Content:
Overview of renewable energy options (solar, wind, small hydro-projects, biogas & compost), how to create and set up community energy projects and Co-ops.
Practical Guide: Steps for setting up a Community Energy Partnership (including SEAI’s Community Energy Community).
Guest speaker: Colm Garvey, Clare Community Energy Agency
Module 9: Bonus - Exploring an energy smart island
A unique opportunity to join a virtual tour of Samso Island in Denmark to see how they have addressed both their home energy and community wide needs in a way that has totally reinvigorated their community.
Guest speaker: Søren Hermansen, Samso Energy Academy
For more information on Samso Energy Academy visit their website. For information on the island go to Visit Samso.
Module 10: Bonus - Introduction to Sustainable Energy Communities
A ‘Sustainable Energy Community’ (SEC) is a community in which everyone works together to develop a sustainable energy system for the benefit of their community. To do so, they aim as far as possible to be energy efficient, to use renewable energy where feasible and to develop decentralised energy supplies. A SEC can include all the different energy users in the community including homes, sports clubs, community centres, churches and businesses. Lorraine Power and Tom Golden will give an introduction to the SEAI-supported programme and answer questions.
Guest speakers: Lorraine Power (CLDC); Tom Golden (Cratloe SEC)
Watch the Zoom Recording
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