Regional heats

This page provides you with information, hints, tips and links to help you get ready for the Big Green Challenge.

Many thanks to all of the schools who have signed up to participate and an exciting few weeks lie ahead as the regional heats take place across the Highlands and Islands. Coaching sessions will soon be underway at schools, so teachers and pupils can ask our experts any questions they have ahead of the debates.

The motions for the 2012 Big Green Challenge will soon be published, but to give you a taster here is the first round motion from 2011:

Motion for the first round 2011:

'This house believes that renewable energy will bring lots of benefits to communities'.

Schools will go head to head to debate both sides of the argument.  To help you on the right track, read on...

Renewable energy - a step in the right direction or a blot on the landscape?

The Highlands and Islands have been identified as a key area for the development of renewable energy due to the abundance of natural resources which can be found in the area. This along with the solid skills base, established supply chain companies working in the energy sector, IT and transport infrastructure make the area a desirable location to do business. A significant level of inward investment has been generated in the area, with several leading renewable energy projects planned or in development.

So what does this mean for communities in the Highlands and Islands?

More Jobs: The development of renewable energy projects in the area creates jobs during the planning and construction phases and thereafter for operations and maintenance.

Renewable energy is creating jobs in some of our more rural areas, such as Campbeltown where previous expertise in shipbuilding has been turned to wind turbine tower manufacturing. In Orkney, the European Marine Energy Centre employs 18 people and the wider marine sector supports around 100 Orkney jobs.

More than 2000 offshore wind turbines are expected to be constructed off Scotland's coast over the next decade. The operations and maintenance of offshore wind farms make up to 25% of total wind farm costs and have the potential to create up to 1000 direct jobs alone.

Social benefits and cost efficiency: The development of renewable energy technology can also bring financial, as well as social benefits for communities. The Findhorn Ecovillage in Moray operates four 750kW wind turbines which produce more than enough electricity to power the whole village. The excess electricity is then fed back to the national grid, making a profit for the community. Small scale technologies such as ground source heat pumps can also provide a cost effective solution for reducing the costs of operating public buildings, such as community halls.

Safeguarding the future energy supply: Renewable energy is the answer to securing a green and sustainable energy supply. At present, 40% of UK energy requirements rely on Russian gas imports. Fossil fuels are running out and as they do, the associated costs will rise. A stable, cost-effective energy supply, preferably from our own sources is needed and renewable energy offers a secure, long term alternative.

We can lead the way: Renewable energy development will further the region's position as a leader in green energy and a range of ground breaking projects in hydro (Glendoe), deep-water offshore wind (Talisman Beatrice), hydrogen fuel cells (PURE), community energy (Gigha and Eigg) and marine testing (EMEC) are helping to put the area on the renewable energy map.

Dividing communities: The development of large scale renewable energy developments can cause disharmony and divide the community between those who want to see renewable energy developments in the area, and those who don't. A recent example is the Argyll Array offshore wind project being proposed off Tiree.

What about wildlife? Onshore wind projects will impact upon the landscape and can lead to homeowners based close to onshore projects, objecting to plans. The development of these projects could in turn affect house prices and tourism to the area. Concerns will also be raised about the effect of these on the surrounding wildlife, for example onshore windfarms could impact local birds. The development of the Dunmaglass wind farm, 20 miles south of Inverness, has sparked fierce debate with concerns about its potential impact on Golden Eagles.

Will we see the real benefit in our lifetime?  It can be argued that some renewable energy projects will take several years to develop, which means the local communities won't see any real benefits for many years to come. Technologies which are in the early stage of development will take longer for real benefits to come to fruition. Questions have also been raised as to whether communities will directly benefit as the majority of energy generated in the Highlands and Islands will be exported elsewhere. Issues can also arise amongst communities about how revenues generated by renewable energy projects are spent.

For further information visit www.hi-energy.org.uk

Tips from the experts

Our renewable energy experts offer their top tips for the first round debates:

  • Brid McKibben, Development Officer with Community Energy Scotland:
    "Teams should give thought to small-scale community-based projects. These not only benefit local communities financially, but also form strong community bonds.

    "They give the community ownership of the installations, and often it's the committee, who are able to switch turbines on and off, rather than a distant consultant or engineer."
     
  • John McClatchey, Environmental Research Institute UHI:
    "The cost of renewable energy is often raised. It is important,t but do not spend too much time making a case about cost (for or against) unless it is central to the topic concerned, as it is easy to spend too much time on this subject."
     
  • Audrey MacIver, Head of Energy, Highlands and Islands Enterprise:
    "Begin with a strong, clear introduction, making eye contact with your audience and try not to rely too heavily on your notes during your speech. 

    "Be prepared to challenge and be challenged, be confident to make a point of information and interrupt the opposing team.  But, make sure you acknowledge the point of information before carrying on with your speech."
     

Renewable energy in action

Find out about how community based renewable energy projects have impacted communities by following these links:

Links to further your research:

www.communityenergyscotland.org.uk/

www.emec.org.uk/

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/4378603.stm

http://www.ecovillagefindhorn.com/findhornecovillage/renewable.php

http://www.hi-energy.org.uk/HI-energy-Explore/News/news-archive.htm

http://www.hi-energy.org.uk/Renewables/Communities/Communities.htm

http://www.hi-energy.org.uk/HI-energy-Explore/Case-Studies.htm

http://www.hi-energy.org.uk/Education/Education.htm

http://www.highland.gov.uk/livinghere/communityplanning/communitybenefit/

http://www.hi-energy.org.uk/HI-energy-Explore/Energy-in-the-Highlands/Energy-in-the-Highlands.htm

http://www.hi-energy.org.uk/HI-energy-Explore/Energy-in-the-Highlands/Energy-in-the-Highlands.htm

http://www.bailliewindfarm.co.uk/benefits.html

http://www.forres-gazette.co.uk/news/fullstory.php/aid/1488/Wind_farm_threat_to_beauty_of_Dava.html

http://www.snh.gov.uk/planning-and-development/renewable-energy/
 

Take the challenge

Do you think your teams are ready to take The Big Green Challenge?  Register today for your chance to win the best debate surrounding green and renewable energies!

Take the challenge »

 

Latest tips from our judges

The judges from the 2011 regional debates have put together some top tips to help you in the next rounds.

Katharine Usher - Project Worker for the GRAB Trust (Group for Recycling in Argyll and Bute)

"I think standing to speak gives the speaker far more impact as well as being helpful in terms of voice projection, breathing etc.

"All of the teams could earn more points by making more of an effort to answer points made by the previous speakers. This is obviously hard to do under pressure, but even a fairly token addressing of points made would make the proceedings feel more like a real debate and less like individuals reading out prepared speeches.

"More 'points of information' would be good."

Brid McKibben, Scottish Renewables Development Officer - Community Energy Scotland

"I would say that the teams should try to use their notes less. They all seem to have practiced their talks which they've written out in full. So on the day, points on cards will make it sound more natural.

"They should think about what the opposition may be saying and structure their talk around that.

"Get fully up to speed with how to make AND accept points of order."

David Priest, Senior Development Manager, HIE

  • Be clear
  • Try to get away from your written notes and speak using your head or your heart.
  • Try not to preach or suggest that the other person is unreasonable
  • The use of numbers or statistics - if you can justify them or explain where they come from - is really good.
  • Don't be frightened to look people in the face it shows that you are sincere.
  • Pretend that it is like talking to someone that you know and be friendly.

 

Tony Philpin, Energy Education Officer, AlIenergy

"Be argumentative to raise the points of information and challenge the opposing team's key points."

Graham Bibby, Owner, Motehill Solutions

  • Look at the judges and the audience when you are introducing yourself. Smile! Surely you can do that bit without reading it. Try to engage with as many people in the audience as possible during your speech. That means eye contact again - difficult, but it engages.
  • Use cue card notes, A5 card, held at the corner with a treasury tag. Bend the corners so you can turn over the cards easily.
  • As a team, construct your opening, middle, close. Make sure you know what each other is going to say.
  • If you are proposing the motion, make sure you address carefully the wording of the motion.
  • Look for the arguments against the motion, and be ready to defend them.
  • If you are arguing against the motion, listen carefully to the proposers. Be ready to pick up on their arguments and shoot them down.
  • Don't be afraid to behave as a team, especially for the opposition. You really need to think on your feet. Pass notes, whisper to each other, communicate the arguments to the best person to present them.
  • Refusing a point of information early in the speech is quite unnerving to the person who offers it - but don't refuse them all if offered.
  • Know your subject - as it affects you locally - not just the info in the briefing packs.
  • Better to speak about a small issue with passion and conviction than a big subject in a sterile way.