Resilience and Innovation: the Islands’ Challenge
September 2, 2012 | 
Author Friday 21 Sept: ESIN/SIF Conference on Mull
This one-day conference forms the final day of the three-day ESIN AGM and Annual gathering. It is being held in Craignure Hall on the Isle of Mull on the 21st September.
The conference features a number of interesting speakers and workshops on renewable energy projects and approaches for small communities.
Programme
9.00 – 9.30 - Registration / Tea and coffee
9.30 – 10.00 – Welcome to Mull
Bengt Almgvist, ESIN Chair and Sandy Brunton, SIF Chair introduce the seminar topics: in these times of austerity, are islands needs taken into account? Is their resilience taken for granted? If there really is a renewable energy bonanza for island communities, how can they cash in on it?
10.00 – 10.45 - Keynote Speakers
Keynote speaker 1: Mike Russell, MSP: Islands and the renewable energy bonanza , the view from Holyrood.
Keynote speaker 2: Alyn Smith, MEP, Chair of the Group 174: can Europe deliver for the islands, and the smaller islands in particular?
10.45 – 11.00 – Coffee break
11.00 – 11.45 – Presentations on island innovations :
Biomara: algae for biofuel, how can island communities cash in?
MICT: how we are doing it! With Moray Finch from the Mull and Iona Community Trust
Tiree Community Development Trust: Wind energy, how does the community benefit? Lynne Kerr, Isle of Tiree
IRDA: Irish and Danish islands cooperation on renewable project. Morten Priesholm (Denmark) & John Walsh (Ireland)
11.45 – 12.30 – Workshops
Workshop 1: How can the smaller islands cash in on Renewable Energy?
With Felix Wight , Community Energy Scotland TBC
Workshop 2: What do we need in terms of infra-structure?
With Moray Finch from the Mull and Iona Community Trust TBC
Worskhop 3: How can islands achieve lasting impact from renewables?
With Brid MacKibben
12.45- 13.00 – Plenary session:
Summing up of workshops and discussion, chaired by Felix Wight, Community Energy Scotland (Argyll and Bute).
13:00-13.45 - Lunch
13.45 – 14.30 - Workshop 4:
What is our experience of the EU and of the support offered by our national governments? Speaker: TBC – Western Isles Council: ” the Islands Pact, pros and cons.”
14.30 – 15.00 – Coffee break
15.00 – 16.00 - Summary and Discussion
Summary of workshop 4 and panel discussion with questions from the floor, chaired by Alyn Smith, MEP.
16.00 – 16.30 - Conference close
Attendance is free and assistance with travel costs may be available.
There is a complete programme of the three days plus a booking form available HERE
Posted in Exhibitions and Conferences