Solar SOAS
Hannah Short
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11-min TED-style summary talk about the successful installation of solar panels at SOAS buildings, led by students..
Talk held in May 2017 at the 'Changing Systems: Not Just Changing Lightbulbs' workshop. |
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Talk summary:
How can university students get involved in the coming renewable energy revolution? This remarkable video presentation tells the story of students of the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) in London, who have found an answer - which they want to share. They have set up the first Community Energy project at a university in the UK. The electricity-generating equipment is owned by the community – in this case, a Student Society.
The project grew out of SOAS’s 'Energy and Climate Justice' society. Initially, the focus was on the problems – “how terrible it all is”, as Hannah put it. They worked on divestment from fossil fuels, and the campaign was successful – SOAS became the first London university to fully divest. As a next step, they wanted to find an active way of helping to create a clean energy future.
Hannah recounts (in her own unique style) the story of a two-year journey, from concept to the installation of 114 solar panels, with many lessons along the way, lots of new skills acquired, the inevitable disappointments… and ultimate success. The key learnings are neatly summed up in this 15-step guide to setting up a University Community Energy Project, which includes links to lots of resources.
How can university students get involved in the coming renewable energy revolution? This remarkable video presentation tells the story of students of the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) in London, who have found an answer - which they want to share. They have set up the first Community Energy project at a university in the UK. The electricity-generating equipment is owned by the community – in this case, a Student Society.
The project grew out of SOAS’s 'Energy and Climate Justice' society. Initially, the focus was on the problems – “how terrible it all is”, as Hannah put it. They worked on divestment from fossil fuels, and the campaign was successful – SOAS became the first London university to fully divest. As a next step, they wanted to find an active way of helping to create a clean energy future.
Hannah recounts (in her own unique style) the story of a two-year journey, from concept to the installation of 114 solar panels, with many lessons along the way, lots of new skills acquired, the inevitable disappointments… and ultimate success. The key learnings are neatly summed up in this 15-step guide to setting up a University Community Energy Project, which includes links to lots of resources.