CERES ZERO EMISSIONS BY 2012 GREEN PRECINCTS FINAL REPORT

CONTENTS 1. Introduction 32. Overview of Water and Energy Saving Initiatives 43. Detail on Water an Energy Saving Initiatives 64. Community Engagement 155. Projected Water and Energy Savings 18

6. Bene!ts and Lessons Learnt 22

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INTRODUCTION The CERES Green Precincts Project has resulted in probably the broadest and most innovative array of water and energy saving techniques and technologies available anywhere in Australia.

This project aimed bring to life across the CERES 4 hectare site an array of the latest advances in water and climate friendly action - to excite people to engage in transforming their lives to be part of the movement towards a zero emissions future.

This project has added new water conserving features into six of CERES most visited buildings – including rainwater harvesting, storm-water treatment, and grey-water onsite treatment.

It has added to CERES renewable energy generating capacity with wind, PVs, solar thermal, Electric-Vehicle charging station, and biogas.

It features best practice in well known energy conservation measures such as passive solar design, double glazing, insulation, natural lighting, natural heating and natural ventilation – while opening the way for completely new options eg aquaponics, solar cooking, solar refrigeration, roof gardens, and Electric Vehicle transport.

The innovations created in this project were made possible by Australian Government funding of $ 1.1 million under the Green Precincts Fund. Other funding bodies, partners, and volunteers also made invaluable contributions.

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Water Saving Initiatives 1. Van Raay Centre - All rainwater harvested, stored in tanks, distributed to toilets and gardens. E!cient water appliances installed – waterless urinals, low "ush cisterns, timed "ow taps2. Education Centre – Rainwater is harvested, stored in a tank, distributed to toilets. Excess rainwater from Education Centre and nearby Storage Shed are diverted to main CERES underground storage tank. 3. EcoHouse - Rainwater falling on the carport is fed into a ‘Rain Garden’ Grey water from the washing machine is delivered to a ‘Wicking Garden’ 4. Cafe Toilets - Upgraded, connected to tank water, #tted with water saving #xtures. 5. Cafe Grey Water – Treated with a Rootzone system comprising of septic tanks, horizontal and vertical reed beds 6. Aquaponics - An intensive system of food production claiming to use 1% of water used in soil grown food. Uses the manure of #sh for nourishment of plants.

Energy Saving Initiatives 7. Wind Generator - Installed a 4 KW state-of-art vertical axis wind generator 8. Solar Pavilion - Created a shelter featuring the latest in "exible photovoltaics 9. Solar Powered Electric Vehicle Charging Station - A bank of photovoltaics demonstrating what’s needed to charge an electric vehicle for zero – emissions electric vehicle transport. 10. Solar Thermal - A 16 square meter Sche$er Dish – which concentrates the sun’s energy to a point. 11. Biogas BBQ - Takes vegetable waste – feeds it into a digestor which produces gas for cooking. 12. Van Raay Centre, Education Centre, and EcoHouse. Many energy saving features incorporated into these building projects including excellent passive design, insulation, double glazing, airlock and air curtain, e!cient lighting, hydronic heating, heat pumps for hot water, e!cient refrigeration and cooking equipment. 13. Aquaponics - Solar powered pumping system 14. Electric Vehicle Conversion – A Mercedes Sprinter van has been converted from petrol to electric engine15. Solar Cookers – A 2.8 Sche$er dish and an evacuated tube steam cooker have been constructed16. Solar Cooling – A Cafe food storage room has been installed with geothermal cooling drawning air from below the building. 17. Green Roof – Installed on the roof of CERES Organic Market cool-room

Education and Behaviour Change Initiatives 18. Interpretation - Signs and website information are used to convey information about the initiatives 19. Schools visiting CERES – Initiatives developed as part of this program have been included in the activities o%ered to the 60,000 school students who visit CERES each year 20. CERES visiting Schools – Initiatives developed as part of this program have been incorporated into the activities o%ered to over 600 schools CERES supports in sustainability education each year. 21. Behaviour Change - A vast array of community engagement activities have been conducted to communicate innovations to the broader community, enthuse them to adopt them where appropriate, and excite them in making transformations in their lives towards a climate-safe future.

2. OVERVIEW OF WATER AND ENERGY SAVING INITIATIVESThe Green Precincts Grant enabled CERES to implement 21 energy & water saving initiatives on the site. Below is a summary of the initiatives undertaken.

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While public transport, walking, and cycling are best – the great thing about electric vehicles is that they make zero emissions road transport a possibility

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3. DETAIL ON WATER AND ENERGY SAVING INITIATIVES Water Saving Initiatives 1. Van Raay Community Centre This Centre consists of 3 newly constructed buildings incorporating best practice in water and energy management – providing o!ce space, community meeting space, and restaurant and a community kitchen. Each of these spaces required specialised consideration regarding energy and water usage patterns and management needs. All water from rooves in the Van Raay Centre is collected in two 20 kilolitre tanks. Water is pumped from these tanks into toilets in the Centre – and to gardens in the surrounding area.

2. Education Centre CERES Education ( or Learning Centre ) has been doubled in size and had water and energy saving features incorporated into the upgrade. Rainwater is harvested into a storage tank and used to provide water for toilets. Toilets had been previously #tted with Caroma Pro#le 5-star toilets in which hand-wash water "ows directly into the cistern to "ush the toilet. Rainwater in excess to toilet needs , as well as rainfall on the nearby Storage Shed, is diverted into CERES main underground storage tank further down the site near CERES Cafe.

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3. EcoHouse CERES EcoHouse had an extensive renovation in the course of this project. This provided an excellent opportunity to install new water conserving and managing features. The building already harvested water into a 10 Klitre tank. Added to this is a grey-water system treating water from the washing machine and distributing it to surrounding gardens. A new ‘Wicking Garden’ was created to receive the treated grey-water. This is a garden which has water fed from below the plants - thus saving considerably on water needs. Rainfall from the EcoCentre carport was directed into a newly constructed ‘Rain Garden’.

4. Cafe Toilets and Grey-Water TreatmentCERES Cafe toilets are the heaviest used toilets on-site – catering with the bulk of the 500,000 visitors to CERES each year. The Cafe toilets were previously an in-house designed and built composting system. Unfortunately Government regulations rendered these illegal so CERES was forced to close them down and use portaloos which used mains water. As part of the Green Precincts Grant CERES has modi#ed the original toilet block to use rainwater from CERES main underground water tank. The new toilet block also demonstrates low "ushing options and timer controlled hand washing taps.

5. AquaponicsAquaponics is a form of intensive urban agriculture – using the manure from #sh to fertilise plant growth. A new medium sized Aquaponics system has been created which is believed to require 1% of the water required by soil grown plants. Silver perch #sh are used to produce Asian greens, herbs, lettuces, and tomatoe

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The great thing about Aquaponics is that it uses one hundredth the amount of water as growing plants in soil

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Energy Saving Initiatives

6. Van Raay Centre , Education Centre and EcoHouse Thanks to the Green Precincts Grant these building projects have all included the best in passive design taking best advantage of northern orientation, insulation, double glazing, natural light and heating, thermal mass to store heat, natural ventilation, and shading via eves or landscaping. The Van Raay Centre is #tted with an e!cient hydronics heating system, heat pump units for water heating, an e!cient refrigeration design, and the latest in e!cient kitchen equipment.

7. Wind Generator A 4 kwatt Urban Green Energy vertical axis wind generator has been added to CERES energy generation capacity. This variety of generator is particularly quiet – and so suitable for an urban context. The vertical axis is particularly e%ective at responding to low wind speeds from any direction.

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8. Photovoltaics Three new photovoltaic displays have been added to those already in existence at CERES. Photovoltaic technology is rapidly improving – so it is important for a demonstration Centre like CERES to be constantly updating with the latest available.

The Solar Pavilion in CERES Energy Park is a shelter for many of the 60,000 school students who visit the site annually. The roof of this structure is made of vinyl which incorporates the latest "exible, light-weight, thin-#lm photovoltaics . This is a 1.4 kW system which is grid connected.

The Solar Electric Vehicle Charging Station demonstrates the size of photovoltaic array required to charge an electric vehicle for a whole year’s travel – thus enabling zero emissions personal transport. The Charging Station has been #tted with a Charge Point as part of the Victorian Government Electric Vehicle Trial program – thus forming part of a network which is expected to usher in electric vehicles to Australia. The Charge Station has a 2.8 kW photovoltaic array of Q-cells.

The Aquaponics farm has its water pumping and heating systems powered by photovoltaics.

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9. Solar Thermal A 16 sq meter Sche$er Dish has been designed and constructed capable of concentrating the sunlight to one point to provide 12 MW h/yr of thermal energy. This energy can be put to use in several ways such as heating water ( eg for CERES hydronic heating ), or electricity generation ( via a Rankine or Stirling engine ) or both of these ( ie COGEN ). CERES will be working with Universities to explore the most e%ective uses for the power generated in future years.

10. Solar Cooking CERES was keen to explore the feasibility of cooking with solar power to provide insights into options for the huge hospitality industry to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels. As part of the Green Precincts Fund CERES has created two varieties of solar cookers – a 2.8 sq meter Sche$er dish and an evacuated tube steam cooker. As part of this project a design for cooking in CERES Cafe and Restaurant has been developed. The cost of implementing this design will form the basis of future submissions for funding.

11. Solar Cooling A geothermal heat exchange cooling system has been installed in CERES Cafe food storage coolroom. This system uses a solar powered forced air-exhaust system to draw air from below the coolroom inside to cool food. A design has also been developed for a solar powered refrigerated drink fountain. This will form the basis for future submissions by CERES. Several Universities are keen to assist with the construction of this u

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This converted Mercedes Sprinter van has 90 3 Volt lithium ba!eries and can travel about 100 km on full charge. Ba!ery technology will revolutionize this in only a few years.

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12. BiogasA BBQ powered by biogas has been designed and constructed. This plant takes food waste from CERES Cafe and visiting schools – chops it up and puts it into a digester tank where it is broken down by bacteria. The bacteria produce biogas which can be used for cooking, heating, or electricity generation.

Within the community approximately a third of all household waste is food waste – and is currently disposed of in land#ll sites. This represents a vast resource for energy to be provided by biogas digesters.

As part of this project a larger scale digester has been designed that would process organic wastes from local markets or the community. Electricity and organic fertiliser would be created by this plant. This provides a model for distributed organic waste recycling in the urban context. CERES is currently seeking #nancial support to enable realisation of this design.

13. Electric Vehicle Conversion Private cars and transport vehicles are one of the largest contributors to carbon emissions. Finding an alternative zero emissions alternative to fossil fuel powered vehicle would therefore be a great contribution to lowering carbon emissions. CERES has been a leader since 2007 in converting petrol powered transport vehicles to electric power. If the electric vehicles are powered with photovoltaics – then transport is zero emissions.

In this project CERES has converted a Mercedes Sprinter van from petrol to electric engine – introducing the latest in electric vehicle technology .

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14. Green Roof A green roof was installed on top of CERES Market’s refrigerated cool room. It was felt that this was a particularly appropriate location for the green roof as refrigeration in summer is a major energy consumer at CERES.

The green roof was constructed by cutting o% the base of a shipping container and placing this on top of the cool room. Waterproo#ng and drainage systems were installed – soil added – and drought resistant plants sown. Six months later a "ourishing garden adorned the cool room.

15. Smart Metering and Energy Management Smart meters are installed on many of the major energy using projects on the CERES site. These meters relay information on energy use all over CERES site – enabling us to identify major sources of energy usage and where to target management and improvement strategies. The meter displays are a major tool for education – for school groups, CERES sta%, and the public.

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CERES has around 500,000 visits per year. 65,000 of these are school students. CERES works out in 600 schools.

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4. Community Engagement

Every day of the year CERES is a-buzz with a myriad of community engagement activities. This is what CERES excels at.

Whether it be school groups visiting CERES, volunteers assisting with projects, enquiries at Reception, regular visitors to the Cafe, Nursery, or Organic Market, or interstate or overseas visitors , groups renting spaces, organised courses and training programs – the site will always be bustling with people of all ages, all cultures, all interests, coming from near and far.

In addition to groups visiting us – CERES also goes out into the community – working in over 600 schools – delivering food boxes to over 600 households – taking groups to Aboriginal communities and Indian and Indonesian villages – and covering a broad network via our website, facebook, and e-newletters.

This broad network of engagements is used to communicate the innovations created in this project.

Particular community engagement activities carried out speci#cally as part of the Green Precincts funding included:

a) Integrating the initiatives developed as part of this grant into activities and tours for Schools and Adult Groups visiting CERES. CERES has around 65,000 school visits pa.

b) Integrating the initiatives developed as part of this grant into activities conducted out in the 600 Schools CERES delivers programs to.

c) The establishment of a Green Tech Notice Board at CERES – providing the latest information on projects being developed.

d) Having information available for the 500,000 visitors who come to CERES each year – via signs, tours, Reception/ Information O!cer.

e) Green Tech forums – updating the public on plans and progress

f) Workshops – involving the public in

g) Demonstrations at CERES Festivals

h) Featuring energy and water saving initiatives in Courses and Training conducted at CERES eg Permaculture, Urban Farmer, VET courses.

i) CERES Information/ Reception O!cer - available every day to answer questions on all projects at CERES. Energy and Water saving technologies are popular themes for people’s questions.

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j) Organised a Launch of Solar Charge Station for Electric Vehicles with several sponsors and donors as well as the State Govt Electric Vehicle Trials team.

k) Website

l) Signage

m) Other Community Engagement activities include: various community workshops ( eg focussing on aquaponics, green roof construction, electric vehicle and electric bike conversion ), volunteer involvement in constructing innovations ( eg many NAB volunteers involved with Solar Pavilion, Sche$er Dish, EV Charging Station ), CERES Behaviour Change Program, inclusion of innovations in many Courses conducted at CERES ( eg Permaculture Design Course, Urban Farmer Course, VET Courses, Hospitality Courses ), public launches ( eg Solar EV Charging Station ), conferences ( eg EV conversion ), organising Green Tech Public Forums, organising forum for political candidates for State Elections on Climate policy, innovations on display at CERES festivals ( eg Harvest Festival, King#sher ), weekly opening of EcoHouse, Green Tech information hub outside Cafe, involving numerous business organisations in inkind support/ sponsoring/ partnering, presentations to CERES Global re appropriate technologies for Developing Countries.

n) CERES has also supported MEFL ( Moreland Energy Foundation Ltd ) in implementing their Zero Carbon Moreland Program.

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While innovative technologies are vital for tackling climate change – what’s also vital is a cultural transformation to oil-free, coal-free, gas-free, equitable living.

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2. Education Centre – water from rooves to big tank The area or rooves collecting water is 105 sq m. The potential water collected from such a system is 65kL pa . This is the potential savings of water – but depends on e%ective use of water. The water will be used for CERES toilets and gardens.

3. Solar Pavilion – rain garden Rain Garden takes water harvested from EcoHouse carport roof 12 kL savings based on 20 m2 roof area. The Wicking Garden would reduced water use via more e!cient underground watering.

4. Cafe Toilets – beauti!cation and tank to toilet CERES Cafe toilet block – the heaviest used toilet block on the site – were previously composting toilets using no water ( except for hand washing ). Unfortunately Govt regulations changed and made the composting toilets illegal – so CERES was forced to close them and for some time used hired portaloos ( which were #lled with mains water ). The present system using tank-to-toilet eliminates the use of mains water altogether. The estimated use of water in the toilets is 420,000 litres pa – which is the estimated amount saved in the beauti#cation and modi#cation of the toilet block.

5. Projected Water and Energy Savings5. Cafe – greywater treatment and dispersionMeasurements of Cafe greywater output indicates that 1000 litres of water will be treated by the system per day – ie 365kL pa.

This water would be used to water CERES Village Green lawns and gardens – and the Cafe Ampitheatre gardens. Water savings 365 kL pa.

6. EcoHouse – greywater – washing machine to garden Washing Machine usage :Water used per wash 51.5 litres Number of washes per week = 3 Water produced ( and so saved from mains water in water gardens ) 6.2 kL pa

15. Aquaponics food production Aquaponics claims to produce food with 1% of water used by regular soil based agriculture. The aquaponics unit produces about 40 kg of food per week – or 2,080 kg per year – which by conventional soil agriculture would require 8,000 kL pa. ( using 4,000 kL water per tonne as conventional water use). CERES aquaponics system uses 20L per day ie 7,300 litres pa or 7.3 kL pa. So savings in water use pa is 7,993 kL or 8 ML pa.

Water SavingsTotal projected reduction in water usage is 1,022 kL per annum.

Most of the water saving innovations have been recently installed – so we do not have actual measurements on savings as yet. Savings included below are our best estimates.

1a) Van Raay Centre – water collect, reticulate, manage and meter 50kL pa

1b) Van Raay Centre – Rainwater harvest and storage The area of roof providing rainwater to tanks is 421 sq m. With 2 tanks of 22,700 litre capacity ie total 45,400. This system has the potential of capturing 260 kL pa. This is the potential water saving from mains water.

1d) Van Raay Centre – E!cient Water Appliances Projections of water use for the Centre without water-saving measures is 4 ML pa. We would expect that with low "ow water #ttings, low "ush cisterns, waterless urinals, and timed "ow tap outlets that in the order of 5% of water should be saved – ie 200 kL pa.

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Hundreds of volunteers have helped – ushering in a climate-safe future

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Energy Savings Total potential for Energy reduction through Green Precincts initiatives is 67,000 kWhr per year.

Most of the energy saving innovations have been recently completed – so we do not have meaningful measurements on savings as yet. These will be available in the future. The amount of savings in some instances will depend on the e!ciency with which equipment is used. Below we give estimates of the potential for savings. Whether the potential is achieved will depend on our e%ective use of the equipment.

The reduction in energy use would occur through the following projects :

7. Wind Generator The new wind turbine is a 4 KW Urban Green Energy (UGE) Vertical Axis machine. Based on an average wind speed of 5km/hr – this would be expected to generate 4 MWhr pa.

8. Solar Pavillion The generating capacity is 1.44kW or 5.2 kWh per day = 1,892 kWhr pa

9. Solar Charging Station for Electric Vehicles 2.7 kw PV array – capable of producing 9.7kwh per day ( ie x by 3.6 ) or 3,540 kWhr pa .

10. Solar Thermal A 16 sq m Sche$er dish has the capacity to generate about 12 MWh of thermal energy per year.

This energy can be put to use in numerous ways eg generating electricity (through a Rankine or Stirling Engine) , heating water, both of these together ( Cogen ), focussing onto PVs for enhanced electricity generation. CERES has been working with RMIT on the Rankine energy possibility – but will invite other Universities and Companies to use the Sche$er for trialling and researching other uses of the energy generated.

11. Biogas BBQ The Biogas BBQ is expected to produce .1 cubic meters of gas per day – or 55 cubic meters per year. This would produce about 367 kWhr or energy per year.

12a) Van Raay – Smart Metering Because of the newness of the Van Raay Centre we do not have yearly energy usage #gures as yet. However the estimate of it’s use without e!ciency measures would be 50MWpa. We expect 15% saving with smart metering and EMS. So save 7.5 MWpa 12b) Van Raay – Hydronic Heating The total Energy use of the Van Raay Centre is expected to be about 50 MWpa without energy e!ciency measures. If we assume about 20% of this will be on heating then this would amount to 10 MWpa. If we assume Hydronic Heating can save 20% on energy use then this would be a saving of 2MWpa.

12c) Van Raay – E"cient Lighting The total Energy use of the Van Raay Centre is expected to be about 50 MWpa without energy e!ciency measures. If we assume about 10% of this will be on lighting then this would amount to 5 MWpa. If we assume e!cient lighting can save 20% on energy use then this would be a saving of 1MWpa.

12d) Van Raay – Double Glazing and InsulationDouble glazing and insulation are estimated to halve the number of days for which heating is required for comfort. Estimate of 3.36 MW pa savings.12e) Van Raay – Hot Water Heat Pumps Estimated 1 MW pa saved pa.

12f) Van Raay - E"cient RefrigerationThe total Energy use of the Van Raay Centre is expected to be about 50 MWpa without energy e!ciency measures. If we assume 25% of this is for refrigeration ( the VR Centre having 2 commercial kitchens ) this would amount to 12.5 MWhr pa energy used on refrigeration. We would expect a 30% reduction in energy use for our e!cient system – so a savings of 4 MWhr pa. 12g) Van Raay – E"cient Kitchen EquipmentThe total Energy use of the Van Raay Centre is expected to be about 50 MWpa without energy e!ciency measures. We estimate 15% of this would be in cooking ie 8 MWhr pa. E!cient Kitchen equipment would expect a 30% reduction in energy use ie 2 MWhr pa.

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13. Education Centre – passive design, double glazing, insulation Pre-renovation energy use for gas heating was 40,000 MJoule pa - or 11,200 kWhr pa.

Double glazing and insulation are projected to halve the number of days a heater is required for comfortable living. So the savings would be 5,600 kWhr pa .

14. EcoHouse – double glazing, insulation, airlock, aircurtain, e"cient hot water and heatingPre-renovation energy use for gas heating was 40,000 MJoule pa - or 11,200 kWhr pa.

Double glazing and insulation are projected to halve the number of days a heater is required for comfortable living. So the savings would be 5,600 kWhr pa .

15. Aquaponics PV power pump is .732 kw x 24 hrs x 365 days pa. = 6,412 kWhr pa saved. Solar Thermal heater – .4kW x4hrs x 90days = 144kWhr pa saved

16. Electric Vehicle Conversion A vehicle running on diesel for 15,000 km pa would use 17,500 kWhr of energy. It is expected that an Electric Vehicle travelling 15,000 pa would use 7,500 kWhr . So the savings expected would be 10,000 kWhr pa.

17. Solar Cooker A 2.8 m2 dish is capable of producing 1.2 kW of energy. With an average of 4.5 peak sun hours over the year – this would produce 5.4 kWhr /day x 365 days = 1,971 kWhr pa.

This is the amount of cooking energy which could be saved if cooker were used at maximum e!ciency.

18. Solar Cooling Savings are primarily arising from longer life of food stored. In the past vegetables for the Cafe deteriorated quickly – particularly in hot weather. We expect this to substantially improve with the new cooling. Estimated saving 500 kWhr pa.

19. Green Roof Energy usage of Market container coolroom is approximately 2,500 kWhr pa. A 20% savings would be expected from a green roof. So savings expected is 500 kWhr pa.

CERES has conducted it’s #rst ‘Carbon Footprint Report’ which will be used as a baseline for future carbon audits – and a baseline for measuring the impact of initiatives developed as part of this program.

The Smart Metering and Energy Management System developed within this program will be a major tool for measuring the e%ectiveness of initiatives introduced within the program.

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The great thing about the vertical axis wind generator is that it’s so quiet it can work its magic mingled with housing

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Bene!ts

The project has been of enormous bene!t to CERES in:

> Providing the largest array of innovative water and energy savings displays available anywhere in Australia. CERES is known widely as a place to visit to learn about the best ideas in sustainable practice. This grant has allowed CERES to expand and update the ideas it can present.

> Making water and energy savings within CERES – clarifying the pathway towards zero carbon emissions.

> Having displays available for CERES education programs with schools and adults – and having them available to about 500,000 persons visiting CERES site each year.

> Developing relationships with individuals and businesses working in the water and energy saving industries – and involving them in CERES innovations

> Providing projects for TAFE and Universities to work with CERES to test and develop initiatives

> Developing plans for initiatives which would lead to even greater water or energy savings – but were outside the budget for this project. CERES will use these plans/ designs for future submissions for funding from the Govt or Philanthropics or business partners. Eg Solar Cooking ( using evacuated tubes to produce steam – piped into the kitchen to cook with), Biogas (we have produced a design for a medium sized plant which would be suitable for treating 300 kgm of food waste each day – producing biogas and 300 litres of liquid fertilizer each day ).

> Enabling CERES to produce energy saving technologies which are a #rst in Australia eg the 16 sq meter Sche$er dish

> The innovations created in this program have naturally in#ltrated into a host of CERES educational activities – both with school groups and adults. CERES has many educational programs operating – schools visiting the site, activities out in schools, adult tours, Tertiary Institution tours, short and long-term courses, workshops, festivals. They are also accessible to the casual visitors to CERES which number about 500,000 pa – and people are constantly asking questions about them from our Information O!cer/ Receptionist who is available to the public 7 days per week.

6. BENEFITS AND LESSONS LEARNT

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Lessons Learnt

> Grants like this are invaluable for CERES in being able to expand and update its initiatives aimed at water and energy saving .

> To be at the forefront of innovation requires considerable time and access to expertise. For example Sche!er Dish, Electric Vehicle. For the Sche!er dish, which is a recently developed technology, there were no Engineering drawings to guide construction. So we had to create them ourselves. This was quite a detailed and long process – but resulted in CERES producing the "rst ever 16 sq m Sche!er in Australia. The detailed designs are also now available for anyone to use. Similarly with the Electric Vehicle – few have attempted to make conversions from petrol engine to electric – especially with transport vehicles ( vans – in contrast to people carrier cars ). The group working on CERES Mercedes Sprinter conversion have had to work from scratch – solving highly technical problems along the way. They have been praised by the Inspection Authorities for the high quality of their work – and have been called upon by commercial car companies for gaining insight into solutions to challenges they are facing in producing commercial electric vehicles.

> There is a lot of interest in water and energy saving innovations. We’ve had many volunteers eager to assist with most projects. We’ve had numerous Tertiary institutions interested to work with us on taking innovations further – testing their performance and replicability, improving their performance, etc. We’ve worked with numerous businesses – also enthusiastic about the innovative nature of our work – o#ering to provide inkind and professional support.

> Gaining permits from responsible bodies has been a major source of time delay and frustration – particularly for grey water systems. We underestimated this. It poses a problem for grant programs with a "xed timeframe. It also poses a major problem where innovation is involved. Our experience has been that often our innovations don’t easily "t into existing regulations – or that there is confusion within regulatory bodies about who’s responsibility it is to deal with issues.

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The great thing about renewable energies is that they will enable our grandchildren to live without traumatic climate

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