Greetings all,

Our first meeting was as part of the SDC Focus Groups evening, and when we broke into groups there were only the convener plus one in the Energy and Electricity group. brenda joined us half way through - so we need more members!

Convener : Dave Tucker 467-5570 <dht+_nz@xtra.co.nz>
Members : Jens Rekker 473-0995 <jensandadrianne@ihug.net.ne> (from 25 September.)
Brenda Stebbings 474-5513 <brendasimon@doctors.org.uk>

to continue :

The two topics discussed by this Focus Group were :

1. Waste to Energy - Landfill and sewage gases are methane based and can be used to generate electricity or upgraded to vehicle fuels. Other potential fuel sources are available, e.g. used cooking oils, tallow, whey (ethanol) and energy specific crops, all of which are used for these purposes in Europe and Scandanavia.

2. Household Energy efficiency - Many of Dunedin's older houses are cold, damp and unhealthy, with the occupants unable (financially) to do anything about it. Thermal insulation, double glazing and passive solar heating need to be better utilised. Solar water heating should also become the norm, not the exception.

Projects to study the size of the local problem, and means to correct it can be undertaken on both topics.

But first this focus group needs more members! So please sign up if you are at all interested and can contribute.

Dave Tucker