Author: KSEC

Calling all KSEC Members/Shareholders!

KSEC AGM will take place on Saturday April 5th @11am in Tralee Bay Wetlands.

Now’s the time to renew your annual membership fee, €10 Individual and €50 Group.

We need to have a minimum of 20 members present to achieve a quorum, so we look forward to seeing you. Check your email in- box for your invitation and kindly RSVP.

This will be followed by a short talk on Anaerobic Digestion by Tim Leahy, KSEC Member.

KSEC has five Energy Savings leaflets, with information on lighting, insulation, ventilation and one with really practical points for actions at home.

These are available in some libraries but are now right here on the website.

Click the link and scroll to the end of the page.

Energy Saving Information Sessions – Kerry Sustainable Energy Co-operative

Dingle Solar Event Wed 5th March

7pm -8.30pm Benners Hotel

Fáilte roimh cách.

Community-Climate-Nature

Sunday 23rd February, Tinteán Theatre, Ballybunion

10.30am-4.30pm

KSEC was delighted to take part in two recent events:

Fossa Sustainability Fair on 2 February and an ‘Energy Workshop’ in Cahersiveen on 8 February organized by Future Focus 21c.

The SEAI Sustainbility Energy Community (SEC) mentor Catriona had the adjoining table in Fossa and two mentors, Martin and Catriona  presented in Cahersiveen focussing on what is an SEC, the benefits and support available while KSEC spoke of its experience as an SEC and had an information table.

The SEC mentors are based in the Dingle Hub.

Calling Farmers

Teagasc & NEWKD ‘Energy in Agriculture Workshop’

Wed 15th Jan ’25 (11am.-2pm).

The Rose Hotel, Tralee.

Speakers: Barry Caslin Teagasc Specialist Renewable Energy, Dinny Galvin West Kerry Dairy Farmers SEC Dingle ESB Project

Topics:

-Reducing Energy Usage & Costs

-Renewable Energy & Opportunities on Farm

-Where to next-discussion.

ALL WELCOME/ FÁILTE.

1.Upgrade to LED Christmas lights– They range in price from €3.50 to €50 

2.Decorate the garden with solar lights– A variety of solar lights or LEDS (with a timer) range in price. 

3.Be smart about your cooking– Use pot lids when boiling, cook several items at a time while the oven is hot and cook extra food on Christmas Day to avoid /reduce energy use next day.

4.Clean your oven door and keep it closed-make sure your oven window is clear enough to peep through to see how dinner is coming along.

5. Track your electricity usage- e.g. Electric Ireland’s Smarter Pay As You Go plan.  Borrow and use an energy use meter from your local library.

6.  Avoid the use of standby on TV, laptop etc. (It accounts for 10% of electricity costs in an average household).

7. Use your thermostats to regulate your heat. Have throws available for watching TV

8. Get the most out of your dishwasher and washing machine– Use with a  full load and eco setting.  

9. Use rechargeable batteries

10. Learn more at: https://www.electricireland.ie/residential/news/detail/6-energy-saving-hacks-that-everyone-can-do-this-christmas

Nollaig Shona!

Kerry Sustainable Energy Co-Operative

www.ksec.ie

The Corca Dhuibhne Tourism and Hospitality Sustainable Energy Community (SEC)

Read the full Energy Master Plan here: https://dinglehub.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Corca-Dhuibne-Tourism-and-Hospitality-SEC_FINAL.pdf

Here’s a precise summary of the plan in four slides:

KSEC’s Field Trip to Astellas, Killorglin.

Fourteen KSEC members including two Board members and our CE Admin Support enjoyed an amazing Field Trip to the Astellas plant in Killorglin on November.5^th.

Following a very informative slide show, we were given a tour by Daniel Walsh, engineer, which focussed on the energy management aspects of the company ie the solar array, wind turbine, wood chip boiler, and more.

As Daniel explained their mission is always to ‘close the loop’ to work toward the business being sustainable at every level.

One very interesting example includes management of canteen food waste which is turned into a ‘digestate’ and used in the ‘garden’ on site. Even the empty gelatine capsules can be composted here. Eamon Foley (yellow jacket) demonstrated this composter. He also showed and told us of the various biodiversity actions undertaken and planned both on site and in the adjacent area of special protection.

It was a very inclusive three hours with KSEC members delighted and very grateful to both Daniel and Eamon for the opportunity. 

KSEC will plan another field trip in the future to a different location.

Thanks to all who came and to those who welcomed us to Astellas.

Our new CE worker Lisa Stackpoole joined the KSEC team as our ‘Admin Support’ on 16th September 2024. Lisa is now based in the Pastoral Centre, Rock Road, Killarney (Mon – Wed),  9:00 – 4:00, and will work closely with Sylvia, KSEC Secretary.

KSEC wishes to thank Ballymacelligott Community Employment (CE) Scheme for sending us such a dedicated worker and the Pastoral Centre for an office for Lisa. As Lisa takes up the new role, we say ‘thank you’ again to Agnieszka Maj, our first CE worker.