ALIenergy CONNECT
CEES project partners meet in Scotland
11 May 2022
ALIenergy was delighted to host the latest Community Energy for Energy Solidarity (CEES) meeting in May. After many months of zoom meetings and restricted travel the partners from all over europe were able to get together for a very productive few days discussing the various work packages. The CEES project has brought together energy agencies and organisations from across Europe to share best practice on tackling fuel poverty. The main …
Worried about the rising cost of living and how you're going to pay your bills?
10 April 2022
Listen here to Pippa’s Podcast with Pippa Milne, Chief Executive of Argyll and Bute Council, in conversation with local people and organisations that are here to help; including Fergus Walker from the Council’s Revenues and Benefits team, our very own Dr Lynda Mitchell, Jen Broadhurst from Argyll and Bute Citizens Advice Bureau, Julie Semple from Bute Advice Centre and Mary McGinley from Helensburgh and Lomond Foodbank. Further …
Caledonian MacBrayne Community Fund
25 February 2022
The CalMac Community Fund announced 59 new awards to community groups to help restart or continue their services since the pandemic. ALIenergy was very pleased to be one of the organisations selected. The funding is being used to provide health and wellbeing support to the affordable warmth advisory team, strengthening them in their continued efforts to offer the best possible service and outcomes for ALIenergy clients. The affordable …
Education Officers welcomed back to schools
21 October 2021
After the long break from in-person delivery of workshops to S1 pupils, the lifting of restrictions by Scottish Government allowed our Climate Quest sessions to go ahead this month. Engaging with over 140 S1 pupils in Campbeltown Grammar, Lochgilphead Joint Campus and Tarbert Academy, the face-to-face workshops provided an opportunity to discuss the global challenges at the centre of the COP26 agenda and add to the ongoing international …
Excellence in Innovation Award Success
11 October 2021
Last month Argyll and Bute Council in partnership with Bute Advice Centre, ALIenergy and the Community Food Forum’s Argyll and Bute Flexible Food Fund project was highly commended at The IRRV Performance Awards 2021 in the category Excellence in Innovation (Service Delivery). ALIenergy's Rachel McNicol, Julie Semple from Bute Advice Centre, along with Fergus Walker and Lorna Byrne from Argyll & Bute Council attended to accept the award …
Experience a "Day in the Life" at a local STEM business
1 September 2021
ALIenergy are looking forward to being part of a new education initiative that will invite older high school pupils to apply for a Day in the Life visit to a company operating locally with roles relating to STEM subjects. The scheme will coincide with careers and jobs events at local schools and Argyll and Bute’s first ever Education Climate Summit. With support from Developing the Young Workforce in Argyll, Skills Development Scotland …
In-school face-to face STEM sessions to begin once again
22 August 2021
ALIenergy’s Education Officers have been monitoring and adapting to COVID restrictions and announcements from the Scottish Government to help them plan the continued STEM work with high schools in Campbeltown, Lochgilphead and Tarbert and are delighted that the most recent guidance has allowed the agreement on dates for delivery of in-person sessions in the two weeks running up to the October break. Working with S1 pupils, the Climate Quest …
Flexible Food Fund project shortlisted in the IRRV Performance Awards 2021
4 August 2021
Argyll and Bute Council in partnership with Bute Advice Centre, ALIenergy and the Community Food Forum’s Argyll and Bute Flexible Food Fund (FFF) project has been shortlisted as a finalist in The IRRV (Institute of Revenues Rating and Valuation) Performance Awards 2021 in the category Excellence in Innovation (Service Delivery). The FFF project operates on a cash first principle making grant payments to households that have limited monies to …
STEM@home Workbook available
29 July 2021
Following the success of the online STEM Journeys in Argyll video and a series of in-depth profiles from local professionals detailing their STEM career journeys, our Education Officers have been busy working more directly with schools once again distributing our new STEM activity book. S1 pupils and teachers at the high schools in Mid-Argyll and Kintyre have been delighted to receive the fun and interactive STEM@Home Workbook. S1 teacher, …
Tackling fuel poverty with innovative technology
16 July 2021
ALIenergy and Connected Response are working together to reduce heating bills and improve the heating experience of Oban’s residents. To achieve this, Connected Response’s HeatSage technology is being offered for installation in properties across the town. Oban was selected as nearly 60% of households have electric storage heating and feedback from the Local Energy Plan indicated that people were unhappy with both the cost …
ALIenergy to partner in new Community Energy for Energy Solidarity project
25 June 2021
ALIenergy is delighted to be a best practice partner and work package leader in the new 3-year Community Energy for Energy Solidarity (CEES) project assessing different approaches to fuel poverty within local communities. Working with partners from Portugal, France, Belgium, Croatia and UK, this project aims to identify and analyse successful community energy initiatives to tackle fuel poverty and create a toolkit of best practices for …
Smart Energy GB
24 May 2021
We’re delighted to be working with Smart Energy GB to help people understand the benefits of smart meters. The Smart Energy GB project runs until December 2021 and ALIenergy’s Affordable Warmth Advisors will be delivering smart meter information and advice alongside their energy advice. Smart meters are the next generation of gas and electricity meters. They are being installed in homes across Scotland, at no extra cost, to replace the …
Helping to alleviate energy debt with the Home Heating Support Fund
14 May 2021
In March the Scottish Government allocated £4 million to the Home Heating Support Fund in response to increased financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown. This fund was aimed at helping customers with energy debt and those who were self-rationing. In the 5 weeks of the Home Heating Support Fund being available, our Affordable Warmth team made 106 applications, obtaining a total award of £60,010.80. This money was paid …
Our Argyll Community Lottery page is now live!
27 April 2021
Argyll Community Lottery is an exciting weekly lottery that enables the local community to support great local causes. A ticket for Argyll Community Lottery costs £1 a week and 60p will go directly to good causes, thereby providing a fun and effective way to raise money and empower local organistions in Argyll. All the good causes supported by the lottery will benefit Argyll and Bute and its residents. Funds raised for ALIenergy will …
"Cosy Kits" campaign continues to spread warmth across Argyll
22 March 2021
Over the last few months ALIenergy has delivered 160 Cosy Kits to Foodbanks across Argyll and Bute. From Helensburgh & Lomond Foodbank, all over the west coast including Hope Kitchen in Oban, Hub Grub Hub in Dunoon, The Pantry in Tarbert, Kintyre Foodbank, Moving on Mid Argyll, and on the surrounding islands like Isle of Bute Oasis, Mull & Iona Community Fridge, Solar-Tiree Foodbank and ACHA tenants on Islay. These kits included a …
GeoAtlantic project shows potential of water and ground source heat pumps for Scottish Canals
16 March 2021
The three year GeoAtlantic project involving 12 partner organisations from across Europe and including Argyll-based organisations ALIenergy and Islay Energy Trust was completed in February 2021. The project aimed to encourage the transition away from fossil fuel dependence for heating, by promoting the use of renewable heat from the ground: geothermal, ground or water source heat pumps. As part of this project we’ve been delighted to work …
We’re here to help: Latest on energy support available in Argyll
23 February 2021
Over the last few weeks there have been various announcements of new energy and fuel poverty support available. We can help with access to some of these funds. Fuel Vouchers: ALIenergy are partners of the Fuel Bank Foundation-through this partnership we can access fuel vouchers for customers on pre-payment meters. These vouchers are valued at £49 in winter and £30 in summer. If successful, within 24 hours the client will receive a text with a …
Inspiration for a new generation
17 February 2021
In collaboration with a Dunoon-based videographer and a diverse group of STEM professionals, the Education team are putting the finishing touches to a resource aimed at helping raise awareness and inspire secondary school students’ interest in the key subject areas of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths. In early March a virtual premiere-style event is to be held with the video participants and other people involved in its production, …
ALIenergy welcomes new Affordable Warmth advisor
17 February 2021
ALIenergy is delighted to welcome an additional advisor to their affordable warmth team – Eamon King. Having worked in an energy advisor capacity for a number of years Eamon is bringing a wealth of experience to help with the increasing workload on the team. ALIenergy deputy manager Rachel McNicol said “ we are very grateful for the continued support of Argyll and Bute council,.. this has enabled us to expand our advisory team to meet …
Argyll and Bute Flexible Food Fund
19 January 2021
ALIenergy is pleased to be working in partnership with Bute Advice Centre, The Argyll & Bute Community Food Forum (foodbanks) and Argyll and Bute Council to deliver the new Argyll and Bute Flexible Food Fund (ABFFF). The fund, launched in January by Argyll & Bute Council, is aimed at tackling financial insecurity for adults and families across Argyll and Bute and offers financial support and wider confidential professional help …
"Cosy Kits" help families stay warm this winter
5 January 2021
As part of a 6-month COVID response project, ALIenergy is helping to provide and deliver "Cosy Kits" to vulnerable families in Argyll. The "Cosy Kits" contain items to help keep out the cold and stay warm, such as blankets, hot water bottles, thermal socks, cold alarm and night light torch, along with energy advice leaflets and other family learning resources. Currently the ALIenergy office is full of boxes and kit bags ready for …
Local energy project in Oban offers better consumer comfort and choice
10 December 2020
More than half of Oban residents rely on electric heating, and a feasibility study completed earlier in 2020 highlighted high levels of discontent. ALIenergy has secured funding from the Scottish Government’s Community and Renewable Energy Scheme (CARES), alongside industry match funding via technical partner Connected Response, to introduce smart control systems for electric storage heaters in around 100 homes in Oban. The new …
New Home Energy Advice Service for Argyll and Bute
2 October 2020
ALIenergy has started a new, two year project, working with Home Energy Scotland, funded by the Energy Industry Voluntary Redress Scheme – www.energyredress.org.uk. Argyll Energy Advice Service delivers a home energy advice service to households across all of Argyll and Bute. Assistance is available for anyone suffering from fuel poverty with special focus on off-gas households. Families not connected to the gas grid are often particularly …
Fighting Fuel Poverty with Energy Advice in Food Banks
16 June 2020
With support from The Robertson Trust, ALIenergy is now able to offer energy advice and assistance to people visting local food bank facilities. The advisory service runs alongside our Energy Redress project and focuses particularily on advice and assistance for people using food bank support. Being on hand to chat to clients means our advisors can provide knowledge and understanding around energy use that helps to alleviate the "eat …
Paul Wheelhouse, MSP, visits ALIenergy at European Marine Science Park
9 July 2019
ALIenergy was delighted to host a visit by Paul Wheelhouse, Minister for Energy, Connectivity and the Islands. ALIenergy Manager Lynda Mitchell, Business Development Officer Carole Shellcock, and Affordable Warmth Advisor Jenny McLeish kicked off with a presentation showcasing some of ALIenergy’s award winning projects. These include the pioneering ENBIO (Energy and the Bioeconomy) project with partner Xanthella Ltd developing the …