Several of us went up to Regen's Smart Energy Marketplace on the 29th March in Exeter.
What a great event! Some really brilliant speakers and inspiring presentations from industry, government and other community energy groups.

One presentation from Tom Parkinson at Energy Local explained their project in Bethesda, North Wales, where residents are able to sign up to a 'time-of-use' tariff which offers cheaper electricity at certain times of day when the community owned solar is generating. They've recently added a community hydropower scheme so more low cost electricity is available. We'd love to make this sort of thing happen down here!
(A 'time-of-use' tariff is where you have a different type of meter which allows you to choose to use electricity at certain times of day. For example electricity is more expensive at peak times when there is higher demand.)

SDCE Director and Head of Renewables at Stephens Scown Solicitors, Sonya Bedford, also went through all the different options for selling electricity. It's one question people often ask us: "So, can I buy the electricity directly from local renewable energy schemes?" 

If you didn't make it to the event, you can check out all the presentations from the conference here, and the talks here.

There are some huge changes happening around how we buy electricity, it was great to hear the speakers talking about the important role of local community energy groups (like us!) helping people to make sense of it all, and ensure that vulnerable people don't lose out.

Thanks to Regen for a fab event, and to Jodie Giles for supporting a thriving network of community energy groups.