In October REB held a Benalla Business Breakfast with the support of Benalla Rural City, and the Benalla Business Network. The purpose of the breakfast was to open up communication with the business community about a renewable energy future for Benalla. Key elements of the BZE transition plan for Benalla were presented as were key findings from the Energy Survey of Benalla Businesses. It was also an opportunity for local businesses to share their experiences of reducing their energy use and/or generating some or all of their energy needs. Information was also provided on funding options and grants available to businesses to assist with costs of implementing options to reduce energy use and/or generate energy.

Transition Strategy

REB has been working with Beyond Zero Emissions (BZE) to develop a ten year transition strategy for Benalla to achieve 100% renewable energy. This transition plan was completed in November and details
three key strategies that need to be implemented to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and achieve zero net energy. These strategies are:
​
i) Energy efficiency measures to reduce energy use,
ii) Promote and install local roof top solar,
iii) Investigate utility scale renewables,battery storage and micro grids.

On 28th November, Renewable Energy Benalla and Beyond Zero Emissions, with support from Benalla
Rural City Council, held a community forum and workshop to launch the transition strategy and to explore opportunities for energy efficiency, roof top solar, bulk buy programs, community energy projects and the potential for utility scale renewable energy. As a result of this workshop a number of community members volunteered to form small action groups to help Renewable Energy Benalla implement each of the three strategies mentioned above.

John Lloyd

Source:  BSFG December Newsletter 2017

Media Release      

Launch of Renewable Energy Plan for Benalla 

A community forum to launch Benalla's Zero Net Energy Transition Strategy will be held on Tuesday 28th November.  The strategy is a plan for how all of Benalla's energy can come from renewable sources. This forum has been jointly organised by Renewable Energy Benalla and Beyond Zero Emissions with support from Benalla council.
 
The community group, Renewable Energy Benalla (REB), was established after the successful community forum held in October 2016 to discuss a renewable energy future for Benalla. The major objective of REB is to have Benalla become a zero net energy town by reducing energy use and balancing local energy needs with a 100% renewable energy supply.
 
In December last year Beyond Zero Emissions (BZE), a national not for profit research and communication think tank, whose goal is to have Australia become a renewable energy superpower, selected Benalla as one of the three Victorian communities they would work with to help develop a transition strategy to zero net energy.
 
In May this year REB conducted a community stakeholder workshop in conjunction with Beyond Zero Emissions to seek community input into the development of a transition strategy to 100% renewable energy for Benalla.  Many ideas about possible actions to achieve zero net energy for Benalla were put forward under the three headings of: Buildings and Energy Efficiency; Solar and Community Energy; Large Scale Solar and Storage. These ideas have formed the basis of the transition strategy.
 
John Lloyd, Convenor of Renewable Energy Benalla, said, "As well as launching the transition strategy the purpose of the forum will be to explore opportunities for energy efficiency, roof top solar, bulk buy programs, community energy projects, battery storage and large scale energy projects. We will also be looking to establish action groups to help REB drive each of these opportunities. We will need the help of community members if we are to make this happen."
 
The forum will be held at BPACC on Monday 28th November from 7:00pm to 9:30pm. Everyone is welcome.

For further information contact John Lloyd at  andrewslloyd@iinet.net.au
 
 
John Lloyd
President, Benalla Sustainable Future Group
Convenor, Renewable Energy Benalla

Renewable Energy for Benalla Action Group

The REB Action Group was established from self-nominated interested members of the community who
attended the Benalla Renewable Energy Future Forum in October 2016.

The REB Action Group will work in collaboration with the community and relevant organisations to achieve the following objectives:

• Promote energy efficiency and reduce energy use within the community
• Create awareness, promotion and support for renewable energy by the community
• Develop a Future Energy Plan for Benalla to transition to zero net energy
• Achieve a significant increase in local renewable energy generation
• Keep increased financial benefits locally

As well as these major objectives the REB Action Group has developed an Action Plan which identifies key tasks to be achieved over the next 6 months and the members who are to undertake the tasks.

The REB Action Group will make regular reports to the community.

Beyond Zero Emissions Support

Benalla has been selected as one of the three Victorian communities to be part of the BZE Zero Carbon
Communities Project.  BZE will support Benalla to develop a 10 year 100% renewable energy transition strategy in the energy use and building sectors. BZE will work with our community over the next 10 months (until October) to develop this strategy.

The BZE contribution will include:

• Developing a baseline of emissions across energy consumption and buildings
• Two community engagement workshops, one of which will focus on businesses
• Reports for potential for renewable technologies in the region.

New Energy Jobs Fund

BSFG (REB), with the support of Benalla Rural City Council, (which includes a co-contribution of $20,000 if successful), has applied to the Victorian government's New Energy Jobs Fund for $50,000 to fund the development of a Benalla Future Energy Plan which will outline how to achieve becoming a zero net energy town by:
​
• Following the established Z-Net Blueprint least cost approach. (for further information see www.z-net.org.au
*Identifying the characteristics of Benalla and the community and existing energy use.• Defining current and likely future energy requirements
• Identifying options for reducing energy use.
• Investigating which renewable energy options are feasible, viable and desirable by the community
and therefore will work best in Benalla.
• Assisting low income households, renters and businesses to invest in energy efficiencies and
access renewable energy opportunities.
• Undertaking two feasibility studies for renewable energy projects which can be replicated for
additional future projects (small and large scale opportunities).

John Lloyd

Benalla Sustainable Future Group is organising a community forum to discuss a 100% renewable energy future for Benalla.

While a significant number of households and businesses in Benalla have installed rooftop solar panels, it is time to look towards becoming a clean energy community. This would mean that Benalla would no longer rely on fossil fuel based energy which is a major contributor to green-house gas emissions.
 
The community forum will consider the development of a renewable energy future for Benalla.  Guest speakers will explain how other towns are planning for a renewable energy future, the benefits of community renewable energy, and what some of the options are for Benalla. Community members will be invited to provide input into the discussion and also invited to get involved in shaping a future clean energy plan for Benalla.
 
This is an important development for the Benalla community and I would encourage everyone to attend the public forum and become involved in helping to develop a future clean energy plan for Benalla.
I have attached a publicity flyer about the forum. Please pass this information on to others who may be interested.  Or you can download the flyer here, Community Energy Forum Flyer.

​John Lloyd
President, Benalla Sustainable Future group