Tag: renewables

SEASONAL HYDRO GREETINGS

Erica PurvisLeave a comment
Happy Hydro Festivities! – gif Hydro Sparkle – credit volunteer Nicky Johnson Designs

A huge thanks to all our volunteers, members and supporters for helping Reading Hydro progress so much in 2017.

Here’s to an amazing and energy filled (renewable) 2018 where we’ve already got some exciting plans in the “pipeline” from your ideas (so better recharge those batteries before):

  • Working with schools on educational resources and activities
  • Building awareness through open data and signage in collaboration with The Things Network Reading
  • Supporting the environment through enhanced Fish Passes
  • Ensuring financially and environmentally viable by finalising the preferred tech
  • Monthly Open Action Evenings and  Socials
  • Community and fundraising events – quiz’s, walks, runs, picnics, riverside photography competitions……and?

Don’t forget, there are loads of ways you can get involved and support bringing Renewable Hydro Community Energy to Reading.

Christmas Party and Festive Cards – 7pm Tuesday 12th December

Sally WatermanLeave a comment

Reading Science & Tech Meetup Groups Christmas Gathering – Tuesday 12th December 2017

We’ve progressed a long way this year, down to the help and support of so many wonderful members, friends and family, so what better excuse to get together to celebrate? Oh yes and Christmas is coming….

As part of Reading Hydro’s aim is to grow awareness of the scheme and the joy of renewable Hydro energy, we’re teaming up with a whole host of other Science, tech and startup groups around the Thames Valley for an evening of sharing, learning, merriment AND a themed Pub Quiz on the evening of the 12th of December.

So get the evening of the 12th of December in the Diary and join us upstairs in Walkabout from 7pm.

Special Edition Reading Hydro Festive Cards

It’s that time of year again, time to get the pen out and reconnect with friends and family all over the world in a good old handwritten personal style. Reading Hydro are delighted that this year we will be offering Festive Cards (with a not to subtle Reading Hydro theme of course).

All profit from the sale of these will go to the development of the Community Benefit Society and growing awareness of the scheme which is voluntarily run. 

We’d like to get an idea of demand and numbers to order (as this can also lower the cost). So if you think you’d probably buy a few or more*, then it would be great if you could let us know – either in the Facebook group feed or email Erica directly by this Thursday (23rd of November).

We have the draft design (by Nicky Johnson Designs), however this may be tweaked.  The inside is blank. We expect the cards to cost £1 or less and discounted when buying more.

*Indicating how many you may buy does not commit you to having to buy them,  but will help us get a feel for numbers and we can make sure you’re notified when they’re available at the beginning of December.

What Could Reading Be Like In 2050?

Erica PurvisLeave a comment

Reading 2050 was established in 2013 by the School of the Built Environment, Barton Wilmore and Reading UK CIC to deliver a strategic, long-term vision that will support the delivery of Reading’s legacy of a truly smart & sustainable city. 

The Reading 2050 lecture series  was recently launched at the newly opened Thames Lido,  as a platform to further some of the visions created and the potential around these.

As you can imagine Reading Hydro are excited to see sustainability and energy such a key focus alongside connecting this with “smart“, so also recognising the potential possibilities linked with integration of Iot and opendata (bottom up and top down) to support a more sustainable Reading.

As with so many sustainability initiatives, it is important to make sure considerations on technology and the surrounding infrastructure are made alongside that of the community and the environment.  As well as this, all with a view to the longterm. This is similar to Reading Hydro, where we are looking at both the short and longer term steps to bring hydro electricity generation to the river Thames at Reading, considering:

SMART TECHNOLOGY 

Integrating building up further knowledge, education and resources for schools on renewable energy generation, through data, sensing and communication. In collaboration with The Things Network Reading and open commuication and collaboration with the local community and organisations.

SUSTAINABLE

Showcase sustainable renewable energy production via practically doing! Alongside this, improving the local biodiversity by an enhanced fish and eel pass, as well as increasing care for the area by our growing supporting hydro  community.

FINANCIALLY VIABLE 

Exemplify a sustainable Community Benefit Society business model that both pays for itself and is able to support the community projects through supplying funding.

Back to Reading 2050 Public Lecture series and highlighting two of the talks we’ll definitely be attending: 

Public Lecture Series
  • The Future of Energy in Reading on the 16th of November
  • Climate Change and flooding in Reading: Current and future risks on the 14th of December

Perhaps see you there, to work on Readings’ sustainable future, or one of our other meetups?