Watt a challenge to create electricity by pedal power!

GENERATING electricity by pedal power was just one example of energy awareness at the Louth County Council ‘Energy Awareness’ day last week

The ‘watt challenge’ saw power being created by the push of bicycle wheels.

The public event also featured the ‘Watts it all About?’ interactive stand which allowed householders to see at first hand how much energy our everyday appliances consume and how savings can be made.

The overall aim of the day was to encourage people to reduce their household and community carbon footprint by learning how to manage energy better!

Mentors were on hand with a wealth of knowledge to help explained the simplest and best ways to save energy in the home and the workplace.

A spokesman for the local authority said: ‘It is timely, during EU Sustainable Energy week, that Louth County Council’s Corporate Buildings and Facilities Management Service and the Sustainable Energy Office have combined their efforts to fit new LED lighting in the council’s car park outside Millennium Hall, Dundalk.’

He explained that the new 35-Watt LED light bulb replaces the original 100-Watt Son bulbs, reducing energy usage by 65% and saving around €1,600 a year in electricity usage.

‘In addition this will also help Louth County Council achieve it’s nationally set 2020 energy and emissions targets, to reduce energy consumption by 33% by 2020, by providing energy savings of over 8,300kWh per annum and a reduction in the council’s carbon footprint by 4.3 tonnes each year.’

The local authority also has a dedicated ‘ European and Sustainable Energy’ department who hosted this event.

‘ They are always happy to deal with any queries or indeed ideas you may have for Sustainable Energy Management.’

For more information email europeanoffice@louthcoco.ie or phone 042-9353130.