25.05.2006
Sustainability: Microgeneration - conference and exhibition 28-9 June 2006
The Minister for Energy, Malcolm Wicks will be visiting the University of Brighton on 28 June to open a conference dedicated to Microgeneration. In the last budget, the development of Microgeneration within the UK was supported by the Chancellor Gordon Brown with a funding boost of £50 million. Professor Ali Sayigh, Director General of the World Renewable Energy Network will also be providing a key note presentation. Tony Juniper, Executive Director of Friends of the Earth will be providing the closing address.
Malcolm Wicks has responded to recent disappointment that the Government's original targets of a 20% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions from 1990 levels by 2010 would not be met by suggesting the use of Microgeneration would enable more efficient use of energy as consumers would be more aware of the connection between supply, demand, and resource use. (Source: Guardian, 29 March 2005)
The conference, the second to be run in collaboration between the University of Brighton's Centre for Sustainability of the Built Environment (CSBE) and Business Link will follow on from the successful 'Sustainability: Taking Action' conference held in June 2005. This year's conference will have dedicated sessions focusing on a number of Microgeneration technologies; solar energy, wind, ground source heat pumps and combined heat and power. Local examples of development projects which include these technologies will also be covered in a case studies session.
One project, which is receiving an increasing amount of attention, the Brighton Earthship, will be presented by project manager Mischa Hewitt. The Energy Minister, Malcolm Wicks will also enjoy a guided tour of this innovative self sufficient building before visiting fuel cell specialists Ceres Power. Mike Reynolds, who is the inventor of the Earthship concept from the USA and a world leader in autonomous housing for over 35 years will also be speaking at the conference.
The conference will include an evening dinner event at which BBC News presenter and environment enthusiast Declan Curry will be speaking. Tickets for the dinner will also be available separately from the conference package for those wishing to attend an enjoyable evening of networking.
The CSBE was set up in 2003 under the flagship project EU funded project 'Durabuild' and is continuing to undertake research, and dissemination of good practice throughout both the academic and professional community. This conference is aimed at both academics, industry professionals and this dual focus is strengthened through the collaboration with Business Link, the main body in the area for promotion and support of business excellence. The conference will also be of interest to building designers and users, and anyone wishing to act to reduce the impact of our buildings on the environment.
The event, to be held at Westlain House at the Falmer campus of the University of Brighton, will also include an exhibition for organisations and companies with an interest in microgeneration and sustainability.
Head of the CSBE, Professor Andrew Miller, based at the University of Brighton is keen to see successful collaboration between professionals and academics:
"Bringing together both academics and industry professionals to discuss microgeneration at a time when the future of the UK's energy supplies and national strategy to deal with climate change are under scrutiny. It will provide a valuable opportunity to enrich the debate both within and across the professions and in such a way that the understanding of the different types of microgeneration can be enhanced".
Further details and booking arrangements for the conference, conference dinner an exhibition are available from the bookings team on 01243 838421 or e-mail microgenerationconference@sealevents.co.uk.
Centre
for Sustainability of the Built Environment: www.brighton.ac.uk/csbe
Sussex Enterprise: www.sussexenterprise.co.uk
Contact: Marketing and Communications, University of Brighton, 01273 643022
