Kilkenny Library partners with SEEA on new Community Energy Hub

The South East Energy Agency (SEEA) has partnered with Kilkenny Library Services to launch the Community Energy Hub, a free resource that helps people across Kilkenny and the southeast improve their energy efficiency and save money.

The Community Energy Hub is a reliable, independent, and trusted resource that helps households, community groups, and businesses better understand their energy use and access grants and energy-saving information. Users will gain “practical tips and come away with the knowledge and resources needed to make a positive impact on the environment and your bank account!” according to the Project Coordinator, Michael Deen, Communications Officer, South East Energy Agency.

Loughboy Library is among four libraries in the southeast chosen to pilot the free resource, along with library services in Carlow, Wexford, and Waterford. Following the initial pilot phase, the partners hope to expand the service through all libraries in the southeast and beyond. 

The initiative includes free monthly Energy Drop-in Clinics at Loughboy Library. Everyone is invited to drop in for expert advice and to embark on an energy upgrade journey.

“The partnership with the libraries is incredibly important. Libraries are a central part of our communities and play a pivotal role in raising awareness of environmental issues. The Community Energy Hub is an additional resource our Libraries now have, providing meaningful ways we can make our homes cheaper to run, more comfortable and better for the environment," Mr Deens said.

The low-carbon website includes user-friendly tools, such as the Home Energy Grant Finder, to help people identify specific grants applicable to their homes. Other features include an energy jargon buster, energy saving tips and a guide to understanding energy bills with realistic examples from Ireland’s energy providers. The Energy Upgrade Journey guide helps break down energy usage and provides the steps anyone can take to make big savings on their energy bills.

“The Community Energy Hub will provide independent and trustworthy information to make well-informed decisions on how to reduce energy bills and reduce environmental impact. It’s not always about Home Retrofits, which can be expensive, the resources and tools on the Community Energy Hub will guide users through a step-by-step process from the small to the big changes we can make to make a real positive impact.” Mr Deen concluded.

The library offers a range of support services, including CODEMA Home Energy Kits to monitor energy usage at home, available on loan with a library card. The SEEA will provide additional kits as part of the initiative. Library staff are on hand to help people, especially those who are less tech-savvy, navigate the new Community Energy Hub.

“Through our network of eight branches in Kilkenny, we already deliver educational and awareness programmes on climate change, sustainability, biodiversity and the circular economy through workshops, information clinics, books, digital resources, educational resources and events," said  Josephine Coyne, County Librarian at Kilkenny Library Service. "This hub adds value to the services provided and will be accessible to all across the library network."

Kilkenny County Council Library Service is delighted to collaborate with SEEA on this worthwhile initiative. Working closely with SEEA allows us to access a range of relevant expertise and information around energy efficiency, energy upgrades and general energy usage. Previous public engagement shows a real appetite for clear, dedicated and trusted information that can be accessed from one place and this hub fulfils all those needs.”

The launch of the Community Energy Hub took place on Monday, September 9, in Loughboy Library with the first of its monthly Drop-in Clinics. Anyone wishing to embark on a sustainable journey can avail of a free one-to-one consultation with an energy engineer at the local library or call in to use the new money-saving resource. 

The Community Energy Hub is now live and available to all online at https://communityenergyhub.ie/or via the local library service.