Melbourne Melbourne A responsible community project reducing oil A responsible community project reducing oil

dependency and “shrinking the footprint”dependency and “shrinking the footprint”

Presented by Presented by

Graham Truscott Graham Truscott Melbourne Area TransitionMelbourne Area Transition

This morning’s agendaThis morning’s agendaIntroductionsIntroductionsThe context: - climate change The context: - climate change - peak oil/energy security - peak oil/energy security The local response and (reversible) church PV schemeThe local response and (reversible) church PV schemeSite visitSite visitFurther refreshment/summing upFurther refreshment/summing up

It’s nice here. We’re OK. Big economic, political, environmental issues will never affect us much… ….will they ?

Context for today’s “heritage” Context for today’s “heritage” In the 1860s – or even 1911 In the 1860s – or even 1911 Melbourne:Melbourne:

- 3,500 acres with all kinds - 3,500 acres with all kinds of industryof industry- produced its own food- produced its own food- educated its own children- educated its own children- brewed its own beer- brewed its own beer- made its own clothes- made its own clothes- built its own buildings with built its own buildings with local materialslocal materials

A very, very different context from today…

Climate change – feedbacks Climate change – feedbacks kicking in…kicking in…

Upsala Glacier, Argentina

…are so obvious that legislation at international and national level aims to solve the problem

No glacier here but Melbourne’s carbon emissions contribute to the problem…

What do we use oil for ?What do we use oil for ?

Transition Training 2009

Oil has given us the equivalent of seven-league boots – enabling every aspect of our “modern” lives, but making us very vulnerable…

So what makes us different from 1860 ?So what makes us different from 1860 ?

And it’s not sustainable…And it’s not sustainable…

ClimateChange

End of Cheap Energy

Energy Security

End of cheap energy: Peak oilEnd of cheap energy: Peak oilDr M. King Hubbert, Shell Oil geologist

In early1950s, Hubbert predicted that US oil production would peak between 1965 and 1970

64 countries have peaked…64 countries have peaked…

Source: BP Statistical Review of World Energy 2009

Remaining oil is increasingly concentrated in fewer and more risky places… The IEA now (Nov 2010) says the

world passed peak oil production in 2006…

Growing energy shortfall…as Growing energy shortfall…as production declines… production declines…

45 mb/d deficit even if demand remains linear

2010

Near-term shocks and crises Near-term shocks and crises on the energy descent…on the energy descent…

Oil price began rising in 2003/4

Energy securityEnergy securityWhere will Melbourne get its energy?

• From Russia with love ?

• Invade an oil rich country ? • Cosy up to

dictatorships ?

Layers of necessary action…..Layers of necessary action…..

So what will happen here …So what will happen here …as energy becomes scarce…?as energy becomes scarce…?

Transport and land use will change

Energy consumption will change

The community – where it works and

plays - will change

Changes will be driven by near–term shocks…

…but we can begin to reduce our vulnerability NOW !

So what can we do here ?So what can we do here ?Melbourne people anticipatethe possible future scenarios…

We take responsibility for the transition to a low-carbon, energy- constrained near future

We cooperate with our neighbours

We reduce our vulnerability and build our resilience to shocks ?

Using the resources in our community…

We can act responsibly here…We can act responsibly here…

Older style panels installed at Sleaford Church (also Grade 1 listed) giving massive benefit to the community.Panels will be anchored to south facing

nave and aisle roofs – invisible from below. A monitor screen in the church will give real time power-generation data. Installation will last 25 years, be unobtrusive and totally reversible.

A responsible project A responsible project • No risk to conservation area

(vigilant planners will easily ensure that future schemes also balance extensive community and energy benefits against any genuine amenity loss).

• The only viable renewable energy option for the church (the church’s only asset with south-facing roofs – we cannot do this elsewhere).

• Significant community support and benefit – will become even more evident as fuels crises hit.

PV project: benefits and featuresPV project: benefits and features• Shrinks carbon emissions by up to 4.5

tonnes a year (nothing else can)• Demonstrates best practice• Reduces energy vulnerability• Eliminates electricity bills • Produces a modest income for church heritage

• Totally reversible • Does not damage the building• Does not alter any elevation• Does not alter setting or view• Protects the lead underneath• Silent, passive, unobtrusive

One demonstration panel on the

nave roof

Two men in bright

fluorescent jackets on the

nave roof

One man in a bright

fluorescent jacket on the

aisle roof with a solar panel

Classic view across the lake Classic view across the lake (Noon: 27 Jan 2011 (50mm lens, human eye equivalent)(Noon: 27 Jan 2011 (50mm lens, human eye equivalent)

Three demonstration panels in position on the nave roof here…

Man in a bright fluorescent

jacket on the nave roof

Closest view of church across the lake Closest view of church across the lake (Noon: 27 Jan 2011 (50mm lens, equivalent to human eye)(Noon: 27 Jan 2011 (50mm lens, equivalent to human eye)

This is a lead panel, not a solar panel. Aisle roof is totally hidden

Timeline…Timeline…June 2010 – Presentation to Friends of Melbourne Parish Church,

August 2010 - Energy survey report recommends solar PV

Sept 2010 - PCC gives unanimous support for project

Sept-Dec 2010 - details /costs explored and wide consultations

Dec 2010 - Planning and grant applications submitted Jan 2011 - Objections from English Heritage - Demonstration panels on roof for planners etc

Feb 2011 - Planning permission received

Mar- May 2011 - Suppliers selected, funding established

June 2011 - Solar PV system installed

John Joseph Briggs 1829-1875 John Joseph Briggs 1829-1875 Melbourne resident and diarist

“We have endeavoured in our day and generation to leave the world better than we found it…I hope those who come after us will strive to accomplish the same object…”

Given the very serious threats in the early 21st century, why would we only aspire to leave it the same ?

The question for us today ? The question for us today ? Parts of the roofs, with panels installed, may be just visible

from a distant viewpoint (in winter, even less in summer)

If so, is this change – neither better nor worse - more important than addressing climate change and energy security urgently here ?If we are wrong about climate change and energy problems and these are not urgent, critical issues, the panels can be removed with no harm to the building…