Shining a Light: The Power of Communities

Emma has over fifteen years’ experience in sustainable development, working for the public, private and community sectors. She has on the ground experience of community energy, as previous to her role at CEE, Emma was General Manager of Sheffield Renewables from 2012 to 2014. Her role included project management of community renewable energy schemes, developing and managing community share offers and supporting the development of community energy across the South Yorkshire region.

Emma’s expertise in sustainable development has meant she is widely sought to share her knowledge on local, national and European levels. Emma has supported a number of European best practice projects on green infrastructure, governance and renewable energy. She is currently on the expert panels of three EU projects focussed on community energy and sits on a number of national energy advisory groups.

Chris has been involved with the Wadebridge Renewable Energy Network (WREN) ever since she moved to Cornwall in 2014. An industry recognised and well-respected specialist with over 10 years’ experience in the field of solar photovoltaics (PV) and associated smart and flexible technologies, she took up the role of Technical Director for WREN in 2017. As a STEM Ambassador for Cornwall, Chris is passionate about giving the next generation an opportunity for a sustainable low carbon future and encouraging women into engineering roles.

A dynamic, driven and positive person, with extensive and diverse experience, from the practical delivery of designing, installing and commissioning solar power & hybrid systems for the International aid and development market, delivering multi-disciplinary research projects and providing technical expertise for a wide variety of public and private sector clients. Chris works for the Governments innovation & research agency, Innovate UK, supporting businesses to develop next generation technologies, products and processes, that make a positive difference in the built environment. Chris brings her passion for pushing boundaries to WREN and is currently leading their Energy Equality project, a feasibility study of a local P2P energy market that can support the development of new community owned renewable energy assets whilst alleviating fuel poverty.

After decades in the petrochemical industry as a chartered electrical engineer and IT consultant Mike rekindled his interest in renewable energy and energy saving.
He joined the Esk Valley Community Energy Group and became a founder member of Whitby Esk Energy in order to commission, build and run a community-owned hydro turbine near Whitby.
As a strong proponent of education and learning Mike worked with WEE's Peer Mentoring project to support other community groups and currently works with educational establishments to use the turbine for educational projects.
Mike also renovated his Victorian house to be carbon neutral (by using insulation and renewable technologies) and opened it as a Green Open Home to help others become greener.
Mike was the recipient of the UK Community Energy Awards - Green Energy Champion in 2014 and keen supporter and promoter of decarbonising electricity, heating and transport.

Agamemnon is a founding director of Repowering, Energy Garden and Brixton Energy. He co-founded industry advocacy body Community Energy England and sat on the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Office’s Community Energy Contact Group. He has a M.Sc Architecture: Advanced Environment and Energy and previously worked as the director for Renewable Energy Project Finance and Social Responsibility at a financial institution. In 2014 was made a London Leader, in 2016 he was awarded an MBE for services to community energy and in 2017 was named one of the 51 Most Impactful Green Leaders globally by the CSR Congress.

Ric Casale is one of the founding trustees of Carbon Copy – a solutions hub that helps bring together the initiatives needed to accelerate climate action, connecting local communities, councils and companies who share the goal of a carbon zero future. He is an entrepreneur with a track record in taking ventures from concept to market. Ric has studied renewable energy with the European Institute of Innovation & Technology (EIT) and urbanism at London School of Economics. He is the author of "Civic Revolution. A Citizen's Guide" about the power of place-based civic action in leading transformative environmental change.

As the host of this event series on accelerating local climate action collectively, Ric would like us to be inspired by the variety of practical projects and the different ways people collaborate to get things done.