Making a fair energy transition for everyone isn't easy, and it shouldn't just be people who understand - and can afford - new low carbon technologies that benefit. Find out more about smart energy at our latest webinar: 🎥 Recording: https://ow.ly/naFF50ZWOEP ✍ Blog: https://ow.ly/KcZY50ZWOGf

Energy prices are going up (yes, again) 👎 This is, of course, bad news - but we're not completely powerless as consumers. Here's what you can do to help yourself or others 👉

💡Renewables are easily the cheapest form of electricity, but the UK's reliance on gas and oil means that when global gas prices rise, so do our bills. A more decentralised energy system with local renewable generation and storage can help protect against price spikes.

💚 There's actually lots of positive things happening in the energy sector! Here's some of our favourite bits of news that have come out in the past month 👇

Who actually benefits from renewable energy projects? 🫂 With more people living closer to generation than ever before, it's crucial we ensure that communities hosting projects are fully involved. That's why more community-owned energy is a must for a fair transition 👇

Sorry, asparagus lovers 🙃 Per average KG, it's one of the most carbon-intensive foods on the planet, but all is not lost! Just make sure you're eating your asparagus from local sources, in season, and it's much less harmful.

We hear lots of questions about how solar parks affect wildlife. 🦎 For many small species, these spaces can actually provide a safe haven, on land that has often been intensively farmed. These are just a few of the species that have been spotted at our own Ray Valley solar park 👇

🤔 Smart home energy can be - let's face it - more than a bit confusing. If you want to find out more about smart energy in your home, then join us for our next webinar on 17 September here 👉 https://cutt.ly/XyzqqEvs

🏫 Did you know that we have solar installations on 31 schools in Oxfordshire? As well as generating clean energy throughout the year (even when school's out for summer), these provide a substantial saving on energy bills. It's a win-win! Find out more about our portfolio 👉 https://cutt.ly/GylDMSEe

🤝 If you're great at making and maintaining positive connections, then we want to hear from you! Apply to be our Local Authority Liaison 👉 https://cutt.ly/Ayj9kNvi 📅 Deadline for applications is midnight, 10th September.

⚖️ A lot of people think we're waiting for an energy 'tipping point', where we have the right tech to power the world with renewables. In reality, we already have all the right technologies and techniques, but we're just not deploying them effectively.

🤝 We all need some positive news sometimes! Here's some stories from the past month 👇

☀️ This summer has been brutal for a lot of people, so it's no surprise that searches for houses with air-con have doubled. But is there a greener, more effective solution that you might not be aware of? Meet the air-to-air heat pump 👉 https://bit.ly/4qcy3WB

We recently took a historical tour around the solar panels generating clean energy and community benefit for the community. Find out more about what secrets it holds 👉 https://bit.ly/3UxW0eV

🌊 Our Sandford Hydro plant is now a famous character on the Lasher Weir. It's generating even more clean energy this year thanks to solar panels over the turbines. 🐟 It's not just about energy - the pass next to the hydro means that fish can move up the river for the first time in 400 YEARS!

☀️ Millions of us enjoyed watching the eclipse this week... ...but the energy aficionados amongst us might have been worried about what it means for solar generation! Find out more about our own battery plans here 👉 https://bit.ly/4lJrBE0

I call myself an energy transition optimist. 30 years ago renewables were niche and EVs barely existed. Sceptics keep underestimating the pace of change. Globally we're too slow but regionally, the shift is real. Optimism isn't naive. It drives change. janrosenow.substack.com/p/why-im-an-...

Why I'm an energy transition optimist

The case for energy transition optimism has never been stronger.

janrosenow.substack.com

🎚️ One (greener and more future-proofed) solution to extreme heat is an air-to-air heat pump. But how much do they cost? And do they really work? We spoke to people who actually have them to find out 👉 https://bit.ly/4qcy3WB

Thinking about getting air conditioning? - Low Carbon Hub

Thinking about air conditioning? An air to air heat pump costs about the same but heats in winter too. Real UK case studies and costs inside.

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🤔 What does ‘smart energy’ really mean? And why is it so important that we get it right? 👉 https://tinyurl.com/266b2ykt We'll hear from the Centre for Sustainable Energy's Dr Emilie Crossley on why we believe fairness needs to be at the heart of this fast-moving area of the energy transition.

🎉 There's currently not just one, but two opportunities to work with us! We're looking for a talented Local Authority Liaison Officer and a passionate Energy Systems Data Analyst, to help us on our mission to create a fair, sustainable energy future. 👉https://tinyurl.com/2clt6rdn

Obviously we're a bit biased... but community energy might be more important than ever 👇 With more communities living at the edge of large-scale renewables projects, it's crucial that people feel the benefits of them directly.

🫂 Yesterday we hosted some of our wonderful community groups, who found out more about the new Homewise tool. Developed by the @energysavingtrust.bsky.social and available via @oxfordshirecc.bsky.social's website, Homewise offers energy saving advice tailored to user's home, lifestyle, and budget.

Join us and the Centre for Sustainable Energy for an introductory session exploring what ‘smart energy’ really means, how smart tariffs work, and why we believe fairness needs to be at the heart of this fast-moving area of the energy transition 👉 https://tinyurl.com/266b2ykt

We're hiring an Energy Systems Data Analyst 👉 https://tinyurl.com/22728vst# We're looking for someone who will play a pivotal role in shaping how data drives community-led net zero energy planning. 💻 Apply via our website.

🎉School's (finally) out for summer! But our solar panels will still be working hard on classroom roofs 👉 https://tinyurl.com/2bmhfot6 In 2025/26 our arrays have saved 249 tonnes of CO₂ emissions. That's equivalent to: 🏡 Powering 450 UK homes for the year 🚗 Taking 154 cars off the road for a year

📉 Curtailment of renewables sites sounds like a negative - and clean energy being wasted certainly is. But can the peaks and troughs in our energy system actually be made a positive for community energy groups thanks to batteries? Find out more about battery storage 👉 https://bit.ly/4vE0wWd

Battery Storage and Renewables Webinar

As more solar and wind projects come online across the UK, one chal...

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For homeowners or renters who aren't sure where to start on your energy efficiency journey, you can try out the new Homewise tool from Energy Saving Trust for free through Oxfordshire County Council here 👉 https://tinyurl.com/29hyghye

🔌Plug-in solar is coming to the UK, but what might it mean for households? Find out more 👉 https://tinyurl.com/2yygbdcl

What if the World Cup semi finals were decided by renewable energy generation stats 🤔 We took a look at the energy mix of the last four 👇

💸 We've now pledged over £126,000 towards energy efficiency measures, helping SMEs across the county save money on their bills, decarbonise their premises and protect users against extreme heat and cold. 👉 tinyurl.com/26hvfhna