Author: Ursula Hogben

There was an ‘electric atmosphere’ in the Avalon Rec Centre on Sunday 30th July when ZESN joined with some 12 other exhibitors and an estimated 300 participants at the Life Electric Expo. The ZESN team of Kate, Alan and Chris supported local ‘Go Solar Mackellar’ group with Solar Made Simple flyers and jointly discussed rooftop solar with the steady flow of interested visitors. It was great to see another local solar group mobilise an enthusiastic team of 7 volunteers. This showed the value of working together to share ideas and resources in the common goal of emissions reduction through rooftop solar. Other local community groups included Clean Energy for Eternity, and Electrify Mackellar, with stalls by local installers and equipment suppliers. Sophie Scamp interviewed Saul Griffith of Rewiring Australia, and John Grimes of the Smart Energy Council for a panel discussion. Both strongly promoted rooftop solar and batteries as the key contribution we can all make to decarbonising the grid, together with getting off fossil gas by fully electrifying our homes.

Middle Harbour Public School hosted the first Zero Emissions Schools Network meeting of 2023. It was great to hear about all the great things they are doing and see first hand their recycling station that won them third prize at the Taronga Zoo event last November. They also shared their 2023 plans and heard about their Power Off, Earth On initiative. This initiative tries to include a 40 minute learning session outside every week and try not to use any electricity. School wide that equals 800 minutes! Well done Middle Harbour Public School!

We also had guest speaker Dennis Hensman present to us from Optimum Control Technologies. We learned how live energy data can help you see problems in your schools energy consumption and pinpoint ways you can save money and energy.

It was great to see participation from all the area schools including: Queenwood School for Girls, Redlands, Mosman Prep, Beauty Point PS, Blessed Sacrament, Sacred Heart, Mosman PS and Middle Harbour PS!