This document outlines an agenda and information for the "Better Energy Communities 2014" event. The agenda includes presentations on the technical workbook, area based schemes, funding and costs, and the application process. The program aims to test new approaches to achieving high quality energy efficiency improvements in Irish communities. It builds on previous Better Energy Communities programs from 2012 and 2013. Statistics are provided on the number of applications, projects funded, grants approved, and estimated energy savings from those previous programs. Eligible project types, measures, funding levels, key definitions, evaluation criteria, and important dates are also summarized.

1. Better Energy Communities 2014
To support innovative delivery approaches at a community level
Portlaoise - 18th February 2014

2. Agenda:
9.00-9.30
Registration
9.30-10.00:
Better Energy Communities:
Joe Durkan
10:00-10.15:
Technical Workbook:
Orla Coyle
10.15-10.45:
Area Based Schemes:
Ruth Buggie
10.45-11.15:
Coffee
11.15-11.45:
Funding and Eligible costs:
Siobhan Howarth
11.45-12.15:
Application Process:
Kieran O’Connell
12.15-12.45:
Questions and Answers session

3. Programme Aim
The programme will test new approaches to achieving high
quality and efficient delivery of improvements in energy
efficiency within Irish communities.
Builds on BEC 2013

4. 2013 Review

5. Better Energy Communities 2012 / 2013
BE Communities
Pilot 2012
Number of applications
47
Number of Projects Funded
18
Total Grants approved €M
Average Government Contribution
€1.8M
66%
Total Estimated Energy Savings
7.4 GWh
Projects with Energy Supplier
11 (61%)
Energy Credits to Energy Supplier
3.2 GWh
Gap
4.2 GWh
BEC Communities
2013

6. Better Energy Communities 2012 / 2013
BE Communities
Pilot 2012
BEC Communities
2013
Number of applications
47
65
Number of Projects Funded
18
50
€1.8M
€10.7m
66%
51%
Total Estimated Energy Savings
7.4 GWh
29GWh
Projects with Energy Supplier
11 (61%)
31 (62%)
Energy Credits to Energy Supplier
3.2 GWh
> 15 GWh
Gap
4.2 GWh
c. 15 GWh
Total Grants approved €M
Average Government Contribution

7. Areas project - NABCO
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National Assoc. of Building Co-operatives (5,000 homes)
Grant of €567,118 (69%)
77 homes - 83% (vulnerable homes)
Deep retrofits
Trial Pay as You Save project
€6 per week for 5 years
Identifies PAYS challenges

8. Better Energy Community Project 2013
• Musgraves Supervalu GAA
– 24 Stores
– 22 GAA Clubs

9. Better Energy Community Project 2013
• Kilkenny Partnership
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Local Authority
Local energy Agency
Housing Associations
Local Business
Upgrades to
– 250 + Homes
– City Hall, GAA Club, 3 Hotels & 2 community buildings
Total investment of €3.3M
– Grant €2.5M
– Annual Savings of €250,000

10. Better Energy Community Project 2013
• 6 sports clubs
– 3 GAA
– 2 Basketball
– 1 Golf
• Total estimated savings of €36,000
• BEC grant of €100,000
• Savings on maintenance & waste
• Actual jobs created
• Knock on benefits

11. 2014 Application Information

12. How is it done?
• Top level commitment
– Clear mandate and intent
• Structure and process
– Embedding energy within the management discipline
• The value of networks
– Sharing, learning, replicating practical experience
• Resources
– Skills - specialist advice, tools, training . . .
– Smart investment

13. Maintaining the momentum
• Finding and training the Champions:
– Individuals, networks, organisations, business, utilities.
• Building trust & understanding:
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Finding good project co-ordinators willing to work hard.
Demonstrating their value.
Brokering partnerships.
Developing funding solutions.
Building trust across communities.
Understanding the process.
Access to data.

14. Key objectives
• Improve the thermal and electrical efficiency of the building stock
and facilities encouraging the implementation of deeper and
more technically/ economically challenging measures.
• Provide cost effective and innovative partnership approaches to
deliver sustainable energy projects of scale that will continue to
build momentum within the community and region.
• Mobilise local resources to provide additionality and demonstrate
how resources from existing projects and organisations can be
leveraged.
• Stimulate employment activity through labour-intensive
sustainable energy upgrading projects

15. What is it?
The programme allows for a mix of technologies and a blend of
domestic and non domestic elements spanning multiple sectors,
focusing on energy efficiency and integrated renewable energy
technologies and infrastructure
Closing date: 30/04/2014
This is a competitive call:– first come / first served until all funds
are committed

16. Key Ingredients
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Energy efficiency savings
Collaboration and partnership – Energy Utility
Commitment from lead organisation
Matching funding.
Project Management capability.
Good monitoring and measurement.
Good technical projects.
Innovation in partnerships and funding blends.
Potential for trialling of new projects and smart
technologies. (e.g. Smart Grid Test Bed)

17. Who can apply?
• Participating Energy Suppliers (or designated delivery partner)
acting in partial fulfilment of its energy saving target;
• The Public sector, including local authorities
• Community-based organisations (with an established service
for delivering the required measures) or other community type
and voluntary organisations
• Private sector
• Leader groups, ESCOs, Energy Agencies

18. Key Measures supported
Typical measures include
Fabric upgrades to buildings including insulation (Roof/Wall/Floor), windows, doors and
ventilation and heat recovery systems (in conjunction with air tightness measures).
Systems upgrades to buildings including boilers (fossil fuel, biomass and electricity),
controls, and lighting, and demonstration of energy storage (both thermal and
electrical).
Integration of renewable energy sources focusing on the balance of energy demand.
Innovative use and integration of wind power for the supply and storage of energy
transport (i.e. electric vehicles) and / or heat (using pumps with high energy density
storage) will be considered.
Integration of monitoring and control systems for one or multiple buildings that will
contribute to the implementation of replicable measures such as energy management,
demand reduction and load control.
The setting up of Community activities /organisations that will promote and track long
term behavioural change and provide evidence and verification of savings.

19. Funding Levels
Maximum Funding Levels
NonDomestic
Residential
Home Ownership
Energy poor
Private, Housing Association,
Charitable Ownership
Up to 100%
Non Energy Poor,
Unoccupied, Voids
Up to 30%
Private Sector
Up to 30%
Public Sector
Up to 50%
Exemplar Public sector
May be > 50%
Local Authority
Owned
Up to 55%

20. Key Definitions (1)
Community:
• a group of people or organisations wishing to develop a single (thematic)
project in one location or across multiple locations. - Diversity - E.g.:
A neighbourhood with clubs, community centre, houses and small businesses
a chain of shops or commercial buildings
A network of clubs, halls, churches, libraries etc
Lead Applicant (e.g. the LA, CBO or voluntary organisation):
• responsible for ensuring that all requirements are met (e.g. supply all relevant
certificates, financial details / guarantees etc).
• must demonstrate that there are sufficient financial and economic resources in
place to complete the project.
• must ensure the veracity of all claims submitted to SEAI in respect of the
project and is responsible for the distribution of grant payments from SEAI to
the Beneficiaries.

21. Key Definitions (2)
Project Co-ordinator:
• Primary point of contact for SEAI (all queries, documentation etc)
• Manages the day to day running of the project,
• Responsible for coordination and delivery of the project (in a timely manner)
Beneficiary:
• a project participant who will incur and pay for costs in carrying out the project.
Energy Supplier:
• An Energy supply company acting in fulfilment of their energy saving target
obligation as set out in legislation and in compliance with any Energy
Efficiency notice issued by the Minister for Communications, Energy and
Natural Resources.
• A project partner who is demonstrably material to the achievement of the
savings claimed.
(In 2013 Energy Suppliers participated by providing one or more of the
following: Financing, Works, Energy advice, pre-grant audits, monitoring. )

22. Ineligible Projects
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Projects without demonstrated community benefits.
Single element projects.
Dwelling only projects
Renewables only projects.
Auditing projects.
Monitoring only projects.

23. Evaluation Criteria (1)
Applications will be assessed against the following
Value for money (25):
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Energy savings demonstrated (kWh and € / Kwh)
Additional funds leveraged
% State investment required
Clarity of methodology
Partnership (25):
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Number, diversity and innovation of partners – demonstrated community
collaboration
Contractual mechanisms
Devolved delivery model
Potential for replication of partnership

24. Evaluation Criteria (2)
Innovation (25)
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Organisational innovation – networks
Technological innovation.
Economies of scale
Financial, procurement, contractual mechanisms
Addressing barriers to progress towards energy targets
Quality and delivery (25)
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Organisational commitment,
Experience and capability of project management team
Quality of Project Management & M&V Plans
Replication potential.
NB. Projects must score a minimum of 50

25. Technical Workbook

26. BEC 2014 – Key Dates
Timelines
• Programme Launch – Today
• Energy Show 12th / 13th March – Workshop
and 1:1 advisory session – MCO
• Pre-application vetting- MCO
• Applications accepted online – 18th March
• Application Deadline - 30th April
• Project completion – Oct 31st
LinkedIn Love In

27. Thank you
bec2014@seai.ie
joe.durkan@seai.ie