Edinburgh based renewable energy firm Renewable Devices has joined up in partnership with fuel poverty charity Energy Action Scotland to boost their SWIFT Warm Winter Challenge.  The Challenge has also won the backing of Sarah Boyack MSP.

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In a bold move to help combat increasing levels of fuel poverty within Scotland, Renewable Devices have set a challenge to the corporate sector offering to donate their profits from the entire financial year to fuel poverty charity Energy Action Scotland if a socially conscious and environmentally aware business is found to fund the installation of 250 of their SWIFT home energy systems for fuel poor homes.

Norman Kerr, Director, Energy Action Scotland said “This is an exciting and innovative project and we are delighted to be involved”. 

Sarah Boyack MSP visited the Renewable Devices premises in Edinburgh today together with Norman Kerr.  Ms Boyack, who is currently steering a members’ bill through parliament in support of micro-generation for all households said “enabling fuel poor households to generate their own electricity is part of a long term solution.   The value of micro-generation cannot be underestimated given recent rises in energy costs”  

Renewable Devices, directed by Edinburgh University Engineering graduates Dr Dave Anderson and Dr Charlie Silverton, has won numerous sustainability and design awards including the prestigious Ashden Award for Sustainable Energy, for their patented SWIFT Rooftop Wind Energy System. The SWIFT is the world’s first silent, building mountable, small scale, wind turbine designed specifically for use within urban areas.

“Installing a SWIFT in a fuel poor home will not only reduce the immediate household energy bills, but will continue to generate sustainable green electricity for many years to come”  said Dr. Anderson. The SWIFT system will produce up to 2000kWhs and displace 1.4 tonnes of CO2 annually making it not only financially beneficial for the fuel poor recipients but also contributing to the Scottish Government’s ambitious target to source 50% of Scotland’s energy from renewable sources by 2020.   

Any company interested in finding out more about the SWIFT Warm Winter Challenge should contact Dave or Charlie direct on 0131 535 3301, or go to www.renewabledevices.com/swift/ .
 

Notes to Editors:

1. RDST was set up in 2002 by Dr Dave Anderson and Dr Charlie Silverton to make renewable energy accessible to all by making it affordable, easy to install and reliable.
2. RDST has developed a worldwide reputation for excellence in its engineering and design, and has won numerous international awards for the SWIFT Rooftop Wind Energy System: including SMART technology, Scottish Best Green Energy Business and the Ashden Award for global sustainability.
3. Renewable Devices SWIFT Turbines Ltd has recently contracted US sales in excess of £14M which are set to grow exponentially in the short term, making the SWIFT the worldwide market leader in the emerging multi-billion pound Renewables market
4. Energy Action Scotland is the national charity which campaigns for an end to fuel poverty and works to promote warm, dry homes for all: www.eas.org.uk
5. Fuel poverty is the inability to afford adequate warmth.  The three main causes are poor energy efficiency of the home, low disposable household income and high energy prices.  It is defined as having to spend more than 10 per cent of household income on energy bills.
6. For every 1 per cent increase in fuel prices, approximately 8,000 more dwellings enter fuel poverty (all else being equal): Scottish House Condition Survey, Scottish Government, March 2008