Energy Courses

"Living with Renewable Energy"
A practical energy course

A hands-on opportunity to learn more about the fast moving topic of renewable energy generation and how this can be implemented in a practical situation. The Course is held at Leadon Court Farm, home of Julian Morgan, Chief Executive of 7Y Energy. Leadon Court is set in beautiful rolling Herefordshire countryside with views of the Malvern Hills. Course participants will be able to examine working examples of a wide range of green energy technologies and related activities such as woodland management and water conservation.

This course is aimed at a range of people including small holders, landowners and farmers and those people who have a general interest in energy generation and self-sufficiency. The aim is to give an overview of common renewable technologies and the costs and implications of installing these at your home or farm.

Courses are run on week days and weekends. Why not make a weekend of it and stay in a local B and B to see more of our beautiful County?

10.00am - An introduction to Renewable Energy

• Why now? The background and drivers behind distributed generation
• The Feed-in Tariff scheme and other incentives
• Electricity and grid connections for generation

11.00am - Energy from wind

• Measuring the wind and wind power analysis
• A guide to small to medium scale turbines
• Wind project from start to finish – what you need to know
• Planning and how to ensure success

11.45am - Sun power

• Explanations of how solar photovoltaics work and the technology profile
• Size, scale and costs
• Requirements for a successful installation

12.15pm - The benefits of wood for energy

• Biomass fuels and their uses
• Heating scenarios and solutions – different boiler types
• How to grown your own fuel including woodland management

1.00pm - Local pub lunch

1.45pm - The best of the rest

1. Heat Pumps – how they work and where to use them
2. Micro hydro – has your stream got potential?
3. Solar Thermal – hot water on tap

2.30pm - Interactive tour of Leadon Court technologies

• 11kW Gaia turbine
• 3kW Photovoltaic Array
• 40kW Wood chip biomass boiler
• Solar thermal hot water system
• Woodland planting and management
• Water management and conservation

3.45pm - Afternoon tea break

4.00pm - Optional tour to Euroheat Biomass Boiler demonstration facility

5.00pm - Close

About the Venue

Leadon Court is a 300 acre mixed farm situated on the border between Herefordshire and Worcestershire, near the beautiful market town of Ledbury. The farm enjoys an elevated position above sea level and views extend across Worcestershire and to the Malvern Hills beyond. Julian and his wife Patricia farm a small flock of Ryeland sheep and grow cider fruit, blackcurrants and cereal crops. The farm has a large acreage of carefully managed woodland

Julian is a self confessed renewable energy enthusiast and has strived to create a sustainable energy environment at his farm. Over the years he has installed a number of energy generating technologies at Leadon Court including a wood chip biomass boiler, solar thermal hot water, solar PV array and most recently an 11kW Gaia wind turbine.

We don’t think that there is a better place to see all these technologies working in a practical every day situation.

Course Lecturers

The course will be taught by members of 7Y’s Energy team who are very experienced in the delivery and management of successful renewable installations.

Julian Morgan heads up the Energy team and will teach on this course with one of his colleagues. Julian has planned and installed all the technologies at Leadon Court and therefore has first hand experience of the pitfalls and hurdles he came across along the way.

Food and Accommodation

We strive to support local businesses and producers wherever possible and the course lunch is served at the local pub close to Leadon Court. Home made cakes and biscuits are served for morning coffee and afternoon tea.

If Leadon Court is too far to travel in a day, we are pleased to recommend a range of local accommodation of very high standard.

Local Accommodation

The Old Rectory, Cradley, Worcestershire
http://www.oldrectorycradley.com

Royal Oak, Staplow, Herefordshire
http://www.bedandbreakfastledbury.co.uk/

Woodend Farm, Herefordshire
http://www.bed-breakfast-herefordshire.co.uk/

Olde Shop Bed and Breakfast – Bishops Frome, Herefordshire
http://www.theoldeshopbedandbreakfast.co.uk/

Other accommodation can be found on the Visit Herefordshire site:
http://www.visitherefordshire.co.uk/

Directions

Leadon Court is situated on the A4103 midway between Hereford and Worcester. It is approximately a ½ drive from the M5 motorway junction at Worcester.

Download detailed directions here

What to Bring

Please bring wet weather gear and strong footwear as the course is based on a farm and will involve some outside work. A notebook is also useful to jot down any helpful information.

Course Dates

Current available course dates are:

• Thursday 23 September 2010
• Saturday 9th October 2010
• Wednesday 3rd November 2010

Course Fees

The course fees are £85 + VAT including all materials and food.

To Reserve A Place

A £30 non-refundable deposit is required to secure your booking. Please book in one of the following ways:
By email: paula.strangwood@7y.co.uk
By phone: 01568 610077
By post: 7Y Services Ltd, Wharton Court, Leominster, Herefordshire, HR6 0NX
Cheques made payable to 7Y Services Ltd.

Payment Of Balance

After booking your place you will receive an e-mail confirmation (or postal copies if requested) and an invoice for the balance.

Cancellation Fees

• Deposits are none returnable;
• More than six weeks before the course – half the fee is forfeit;
• Less than four weeks before the course – the full fee is forfeit.
• 7Y reserves the right to cancel any courses. Should this be necessary, deposits and fees will be returned in full. 7Y also reserves the right to modify the published programme.

Places to visit in the area:

Hop Pocket Craft Centre
A large rural shopping village with gifts and local crafts galore.
http://www.thehoppocket.com

Malvern Hills
Walking, outstanding views, places to visit
http://www.malvernhills.org.uk

Market Town of Ledbury
http://www.visitledbury.org/

Frome Valley Vineyard
http://www.fromewine.co.uk

Holloways
Quality furniture, garden antiques, architectural salvage and excellent tea room
http://www.hollowaysgardenantiques.co.uk

Further places to visit and more information at:
http://www.visitherefordshire.co.uk