An electric delivery van with a solar powered fridge and a suite of electric appliances to replace gas at a not-for-profit retreat are the latest two projects to be funded through national climate action charity, CORENA.
CORENA, or the Citizens Own Renewable Energy Network Australia, has provided interest-free loans totalling more than $1.85 million for 60 community climate action projects since its inception in 2013.
The group this week launched its first “getting off gas” and electric vehicle (EV) initiatives in Victoria, with loans awarded to the Commonground Training Centre in Seymour, and the CERES Fair Food enterprise in Preston.
CERES Fair Food – a social enterprise delivering locally sourced and ethical groceries across Melbourne, and which already has rooftop solar installed – will get a loan of around $85,000 to help buy an electric delivery vehicle, fitted with a solar-powered refrigeration unit, to replace an existing diesel van.
Once operational, CERES Fair Food expects the van will help to reduce fuel costs by around $7,800 per year.
“Being able to access a CORENA loan represents a huge step forward for the delivery system at CERES Fair Food,” said Jesse Hull, operations and logistics manager for CERES Fair Food.
“This is the support CERES needs to be able to transition the delivery fleet away from fossil fuels while simultaneously upholding CERES values and place as a leader in sustainability in the community. We are so lucky to have a champion like CORENA to help us achieve our goals!”
The Commonground Training Centre, a not-for-profit residential retreat and training venue located north of Melbourne, is phasing out LPG gas and replacing their existing infrastructure with a solar system to power hot water, cooking, and energy storage.
Commonground already boasts a solar system, as well as solar hot water.
A total of over $41,000 will be loaned to Commonground, with the first phase already funded to help purchase a heat pump, induction cooktop, and switchboard upgrade, the first CORENA “Getting off Gas” project.
A second phase will support the purchase of a 13.2-kilowatt (kW) solar system and 16-kilowatt-hour (kWh) battery storage system.
Once both phases are completed, Commonground expects to reduce its carbon emissions by around 17 tonnes a year and save $4,725 annually on their energy bills.
“Working with CORENA means that we will be able to eliminate the reliance on LPG for hot water and cooking across our residential venue,” said Mani Heck, hospitality manager for Commonground.
“We will also triple our solar energy production of the venue and install our very first battery significantly reducing our reliance on grid sourced electricity.
“Commonground is excited that we are able to take such a significant step toward reliance on renewable energy so quickly. This would not have been possible without the amazing work of CORENA! “
CORENA is calling for donors to participate in the fundraising for both projects, with tax-deductible contributions going directly towards the two projects, and then being reused again and again under the organisation’s revolving loan model.
“On behalf of our donors, CORENA is proud to support two more inspiring organisations in Victoria to reduce emissions and take community climate action,” said Georgia Cooke, chair of CORENA.
“These projects mark an exciting new chapter: our first EV and all-electric transitions. We invite Australians to get involved to help bring them to life and to recommend new community projects.”
