Totally Renewable Beechworth call out for volunteers

A Beechworth volunteer-run organisation is looking for like-minded-people to join the committee. Totally Renewable Beechworth (TRB) founded eight years ago has been working towards the uptake of renewable energy within the town and for it to be powered by renewable energy by 2030. With skyrocketing costs in electricity bills together with a roll-out of home electrification across Victoria, renewable energy offers affordable electricity. TRB management committee member Peter Anfruns said Beechworth has a relatively high intake of solar energy with around a 40 per cent uptake. “Engaging with the community has also heightened people's awareness of renewable energy,” he said. Working with professionals from the renewable energy sector, TRB has run a variety of community events since the group started. Among them have been information sessions on solar panels, home energy efficiency strategies, and battery storage. Guest speakers at renewable energy events have included Indi MP Helen Haines and engineer, inventor and advocate on a global scale for climate change mitigation, Saul Griffith. Other events have included community batteries, electric vehicles as well as training people to become volunteer home energy efficiency advisors. “We've also been part of the Community Energy Network originally coordinated by local community energy retailer Indigo Power to engage with other like-minded energy groups across the region,” Mr Anfruns said. Some of these include Totally Renewable Yackandandah (TRY), Wangaratta Landcare and Sustainability, Sustainable Upper Ovens (a group in Bright) and the Benalla Sustainable Future Group. “We supported a submission for a grant from Sustainability Victoria awarded to Goulburn Valley Community Energy for the community electrification engagement program that is now being rolled out across the Hume region,” Mr Anfruns said. TRB management committee member Garry Wallace said an incentive for joining TRB is gaining up to date accurate information to make decisions for the right choices. Mr Anfruns said battery storage is now a real focus particularly with the weather and power outages several times a year. TRB management committee member Bob Bath said batteries help lower electricity bills with a 30 per cent rebate from the federal government still in play. Mr Anfruns said there is an appetite in the community for renewables and batteries particularly with the advent of the rebate. “People have become much more interested in installing batteries because they've become more affordable," he said. “Community batteries will also become more important with a warming climate and helping to keep electricity costs down.” Mr Anfruns said belonging to a group such as TRB is one of the drawcards connecting with like-minded people. “It’s important to connect with people who have similar especially in a small town,” he said. “Having new members across different generations bring new ideas too." TRB has also been a recipient of local and government grants to achieve its renewable energy goals for the town. If community members are interested in driving TRB forward by joining the committee and to help retain TRB’s viability, contact Peter Anfruns on 0427 082 873. Mr Anfruns said the committee will also be interested in hearing from people with IT and social media skills. Visit www.totallyrenewablebeechworth.com.au for more information about Totally Renewable Beechworth.

Totally Renewable Beechworth call out for volunteers

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