Our Projects
Community Energy South "No-One Left Behind" funding
More great news - we have been awarded a grant by Community Energy South to deliver the “No-One Left Behind”. GUCE will support local residents who might feel unsure about numerous things to do with energy and the transition to net zero, be that with sky high energy bills or in how they’re looking to decarbonise their home.
Running until the end of March 2026, GUCE will be delivering presentations and workshops. We're hoping to be able to offer free home visits again in the Autumn so watch this space. These will provide information on everything from tariffs and grants to retrofitting their home or getting an EV.
Sarah Burgess, who is coordinating the project for GUCE, said “While we’re a long way from having the heating back on, there are still many people in our local community that are worried or have unanswered questions about their energy bills and keeping their homes warm. This project is an amazing opportunity for local people to get real local help and support, tailored for their individual needs. So often we see that small changes add up to big money savings, and we’re really excited to be part of this project to help our community”.
GUCE's Energy Clinics will be running with Three Rivers Healthy Hub at Mill End Food Bank, South Oxhey Library, and Abbots Langley Citizen's Advice Bureau. Keep an eye on TRDC's social pages for exact dates.
If you are running an event or host a local group and would like GUCE to come along and talk about energy saving, or if you’re a resident in Dacorum, Three Rivers or Watford and would like to find out more about a Home Visit please email Sarah at sarah.burgess@guce.org.uk.
You can also register directly for a free home visit from one of our energy champions here
Heating Kings Langley
GUCE's Stage 2 CEF feasibility study into cleaner heating in Kings Langley wrapped up in April 2025 and we're delighted to share that we secured Ofgem Energy Redress funding to continue the project into the next stage. This will test the viability of the heat network and have lots more opportunities to speak to you, the community, about your thoughts on heating and connecting to a system like this. Do get in touch with any comments and keep an eye out for upcoming community events.
The project has caught the eye of organisations across the country, with GUCE speaking on a panel on Heat Networks at FutureBuild in March and more recently on making clean energy projects happen in Oxford with Greater South East Net Zero Hub.
This is just the beginning, and your continued involvement is key. We’re looking forward to sharing our findings with you so stay tuned for more updates!
For more details on the project please visit: Heating Kings Langley
For a recent report on the project and a visit to an active similar project in Swaffham Prior: Case Study at Swaffham Prior
Join us in this groundbreaking journey towards a sustainable and self-sufficient Kings Langley.
Fast Followers Innovate UK with Three Rivers District Council
In April 2023, GUCE were part of TRDC’s winning bid for a Fast Followers grant through Innovate UK. The aim of the project is to identify the non technical barriers stopping the Council reaching their Net Zero targets and work on schemes to reduce them. This will enable the Council to cut carbon across the District and achieve their overall Net Zero goals.
GUCE partnered with TRDC for two work streams as part of this project, which came to a conclusion in June 2025. Transition Streets was a huge success with multiple groups taking part from Rickmansworth, Chorleywood, Moor Park, and even Three Rivers House itself as employees joined in to save money and carbon. The enthusiasm from these groups was so contagious that residents in Watford wanted to join in, and in the first half of 2025 a group in Oxhey went through the programme with some inspiring initiatives as a result.
We're really thrilled that TRDC is funding this for a further 10 groups, testimony to the amazing work the team and residents delivered as part of this programme. A case study of the project, with all the learnings and experiences can be found here
If you'd like to learn more about Transition Streets you can see a video here about a recent webinar with more information on Transition Streets and how to get involved
If you're in Three Rivers and would like more information on Transition Streets, please see our leaflet or the workbook. More information on the history of Transition Streets, how it began and stories from those involved please visit : Transition Streets - Transition Town Totnes
You can also find out more about Transition Streets here and see below to see what it's like to take part:
The second workstream was promoting community energy options for local community buildings in the District. We spoke to schools, faith groups, and leisure centres about saving money on their energy bills with community funded solar. It was an eye opening project and, once again, TRDC has chosen to continue funding this programme for the next 12 months so we can build on the momentum we've created.
CEF Study into Solar Canopies on car parks in Three Rivers
In July 2024 GUCE was awarded £40,000 from Greater South East Net Zero Hub to investigate the viability of solar canopies on car parks in Three Rivers. With in depth research done on seven car parks across Three Rivers, GUCE investigated if community energy could fund solar canopies.
While the report shows that without blended finance for the structures, funding in the traditional community energy way isn't viable for these project, we are still looking at how to make solar canopies accessible so energy is generated on car parks, a model that works so well across mainland Europe. The report has now been finished and you can view it here
Solar Canopy Community Consultations
Following on from the solar canopy project TRDC has asked GUCE to deliver the community consultation for their Investment Readiness Scheme project. Our team will be delivering three drop in sessions and three presentations so do come along and let us know what you think!
Drop In Sessions
Tuesday 14th October Three Rivers House 12noon-1.30pm and 5.30-7.30pm
Saturday 18th October William Penn Leisure Centre 10am-12noon
Tuesday 21st October South Oxhey Leisure Centre 11am-1pm
Presentations
Friday 7th November Oxhey Library 9.45am-11.15am
Tuesday 11th November Waterways Education Centre, Rickmansworth 7pm-8.30pm
Online Wednesday 12th November 7pm-8pm. Register here