DIY Renewable Energy Systems course in Wales

[Joe]

Right, I've just spoken to C.A.T. and the only dates they can run this course next year as a special would be:

1. The week commencing January 30th or
2. Running it as a long weekend on 10/11/12 of February.

Given those dates, can people who are definitely interested post a reply in this topic stating which of the above are preferable so I can get an idea of whether it's a goer or not? Remember, we need to get at least 10 people together for the same dates.

Thanks.

Oh, alternatively, according to their brochure, they're running this course the week commencing May 22nd (I can't make this week, but it may be of interest to everyone else) although they did say that they're already quite heavily booked up for next year already, so anyone wanting to do this should get a move on...

[Bandidoz]

How much will it cost, roughly?

w/c Jan 30th would probably be better; I'd hate to rush this.

[Joe]

They typically charge on an ability-to-pay basis; this course last year was ?550/?400/?250 for high waged/low waged/non-waged & students (I'll check the brochure for this year's price when I get home - still in the office at the moment).

They said they'd offer a 10% discount for groups, citing a previous course they'd run where one delegate out of of 11 went for free.

[Joe]

This years prices: ?575/?450/?260.

[bigjim]

I'd prefer the three days in February.

If it's w/c 30 Jan I'd have to look at my term dates

[RevdTess]

I can't do a week but the long weekend in Feb should be fine. Did we decide on the course content?

[Joe]

The C.A.T. brochure for the Renewable Energy Systems course simply states:

This course, led by CAT engineers, will look at the potential for generating your own electricity from wind, water and solar power and also at the possibilities for reducing energy consumption. There will be practical sessions in solar, wind and water and tours of CAT's renewable displays.

[Blue Peter]

I think that a weekend course is better (the long weekend courses that they run seem to have you turning up on Friday and then not doing anything until eating in the evening; the course proper doesn't seem to begin until Saturday morning). They are also quite expensive,


Peter.

[RevdTess]

The C.A.T. brochure for the Renewable Energy Systems course simply states:

This course, led by CAT engineers, will look at the potential for generating your own electricity from wind, water and solar power and also at the possibilities for reducing energy consumption. There will be practical sessions in solar, wind and water and tours of CAT's renewable displays.

Is there a concensus for this sort of course? Obviously energy is the most relevant to Powerswitch, but I'd be interested to see whether this is the preferred option among those eager to participate.

Personally I doubt that this course will be immediately useful to me, though I'd still be interested in going if only for the community-building side of things. Of course we all have our particular interests and focus. At the moment mine are "building intentional community" and permaculture and timber-frame construction (just becos ).

Perhaps we could consider a few options and have a poll.

I'm not tied to the idea of a CAT course either - it may be that some other organisation can offer something as or more interesting (and/or cheaper)

What is our goal for this course? Is it to learn some specific skills, or gain an academic understanding of energy production, or to build community amongst powerswitch people with a view to setting up a future intentional community?

With ten people I'm sure we could even build our own course by hiring space at an existing intentional community and inviting some experts/teachers we respect to impact their wisdom to us. What do we really want to learn? Or do we just want to be together and brainstorm ideas?

[revdode]

I should be ok for either date.

I have an interest in Renewable energy systems although primarily in wind and water, I've played with solar (PV) and although it has a place I feel that place is probably nearer the equator.

I think my goal is primarily to start making connections, we are probably widely spread across this wee Island, all with our own communities and plans. I'm keen to carry on the activity we see in the forums here, share experience, ideas and enthusism, or lack thereof. If we can do this while learning something new so much better, CAT seems like a good location because AFAIK this is actually what it used to see as one of its roles. I'd guess the Low Impact Living Initiative or any other practically focussed group would suit me just as well.

[jwanders]

I'd much prefer the week long course but could do either. If it's the same price, it seems a bit silly to chose the shorter course, but I'm luckly enough to be less bound by real-life than others...

Re: CAT vs somewhere else/homebrew: I'm not sure we'd get around to it; I'd rather pay a bit a actually do a course than save money by waiting for a course that never happens... but if anyone has leads for a cheaper/more local equivalent, feel free to suggest it.

Also, I was at CAT for the first time two days ago, was completely blown away and can't wait to get back.

Re: This subject vs something else: What are the other options? I rather do this than, for example, a gardening course, but I could probably be talked into doing a house-building course. It sounds like Joe's already laid the ground-work for this one, though, so we might have to leave any other subjects until a later course.

[RevdTess]

It sounds like Joe's already laid the ground-work for this one, though, so we might have to leave any other subjects until a later course.

Tis just that one or two of us aint so interested in a vague course on renewables that we wont really be able to put to use.

[Joe]

Tis just that one or two of us aint so interested in a vague course on renewables that we wont really be able to put to use.

Tess, I'd be well up for permaculture, timber frame self build and intentional community (and survival!) courses too and I certainly wouldn't want people to feel that their attendance on this course would preclude their going on others that they might find more interesting/useful. I'd kind of hoped that this would just be the first of several such PowerSwitch outings.

Set up another poll and get something organised - chances are that you'll be able to count me in!

[RevdTess]

Set up another poll and get something organised - chances are that you'll be able to count me in!

Joe, I'm not trying to start a mutiny. I'm more than happy for you to organise the thing at CAT. I'm way to busy to organise anything at the moment. I just wanted to gauge whether the course was open to debate or whether it was pretty much settled. Sounds like there are as many people want to do this one as do any others, so I'm all for it continuing. As you say, there will be others.

[Joe]

Joe, I'm not trying to start a mutiny.

Don't worry, I didn't take it that way at all I'm not trying to take over or set myself up as some kind of "leader" type character*, but I do sense that a few people are beginning to feel ready to move onto the next phase of preparations and thought I could help facilitate part of that.

I'm more than happy for you to organise the thing at CAT. I'm way to busy to organise anything at the moment. I just wanted to gauge whether the course was open to debate or whether it was pretty much settled.

Yeah, I set the poll up purely to gauge interest levels in this particular course. The way I see it, everything in these forums is open to debate; that's the beauty of it.

Sounds like there are as many people want to do this one as do any others, so I'm all for it continuing. As you say, there will be others.

I certainly hope so.

*Although I'm sure the more cynical members will assume that the very the fact that I'm saying so means that I am