The Energy Cafe
The Energy Cafe Project
In November 2008 I heard about a new project in Waltham Abbey, to provide an off-grid cafe located in the
grounds of Gunpowder Park. I had heard that they were just setting up camp and were desperate for materials
and equipment. Second hand and salvaged materials was the priority so I took along a van load of bits and
pieces that I thought might prove useful.
Part of the experiment with Energy Cafe was to research different woodstoves and determine their practicality
for cooking at an open-air field kitchen. I took along a Sunstove and also a cast iron chiminea, so as to quickly
provide a couple of usable sources of heat - both more efficient than cooking on open fires.
After the initial visit, we are now six months on and rapidly pulling out of the winter season. I revisited
Energy Cafe in late March 2009 to see how things were coming along.
In November 2008 I heard about a new project in Waltham Abbey, to provide an off-grid cafe located in the
grounds of Gunpowder Park. I had heard that they were just setting up camp and were desperate for materials
and equipment. Second hand and salvaged materials was the priority so I took along a van load of bits and
pieces that I thought might prove useful.
Part of the experiment with Energy Cafe was to research different woodstoves and determine their practicality
for cooking at an open-air field kitchen. I took along a Sunstove and also a cast iron chiminea, so as to quickly
provide a couple of usable sources of heat - both more efficient than cooking on open fires.
After the initial visit, we are now six months on and rapidly pulling out of the winter season. I revisited
Energy Cafe in late March 2009 to see how things were coming along.
| For More Information: Ken Boak can be contacted by email by anyone wishing further information on this project. Since starting on this Lister project, several other Lister engine enthusiasts and their CS engines have come to my notice. These links describe a few of them. We have recently started a Lister CS Owners Group, contactable via Yahoo Groups |
A year long experiment in sustainable surburban re-organisation.
March 2009. I have acquired 150W of solar pV. I was considering using them to top up my battery bank but
because of my current work commitments I have lent them to The Energy Cafe for the duration of the summer
- as their need is considerably greater than mine at the moment. Here they are on March 21st powering the
amplifiers of the blues band, for most of the afternoon. After sundown - pedal power took over provided by the
endurance team from Magnificent Revolution. If you are near the M25 - why not get along to the Energy Cafe -
a great experiment in urban re-prioritisation for the early 21st Century
because of my current work commitments I have lent them to The Energy Cafe for the duration of the summer
- as their need is considerably greater than mine at the moment. Here they are on March 21st powering the
amplifiers of the blues band, for most of the afternoon. After sundown - pedal power took over provided by the
endurance team from Magnificent Revolution. If you are near the M25 - why not get along to the Energy Cafe -
a great experiment in urban re-prioritisation for the early 21st Century
The Energy Cafe was
founded in November
2008 and in just 5 months
has grown from strength
to strength. As well as
great food and chat about
current alternative
energy and eco-culture,
Energy Cafe offers short
workshop courses for
those wishing to learn
more about what can be
done within the
constraints of an urban
community.
Why not have a day out
and learn about urban
alternatives?
founded in November
2008 and in just 5 months
has grown from strength
to strength. As well as
great food and chat about
current alternative
energy and eco-culture,
Energy Cafe offers short
workshop courses for
those wishing to learn
more about what can be
done within the
constraints of an urban
community.
Why not have a day out
and learn about urban
alternatives?
Blue skies over Waltham
Abbey and unusually warm
weather at the Energy Cafe
"Spring Banquet" allowed
this local band to power
their gig from 150W of
solar pV panels.
At 4pm as the sun sank and
lost much of its strength
power was provides by a
gang of three bicycle
powered generators
supplied by Magnificent
Revolution a London based
co-operative supplying a
very visual form of
eco-power generation.
Abbey and unusually warm
weather at the Energy Cafe
"Spring Banquet" allowed
this local band to power
their gig from 150W of
solar pV panels.
At 4pm as the sun sank and
lost much of its strength
power was provides by a
gang of three bicycle
powered generators
supplied by Magnificent
Revolution a London based
co-operative supplying a
very visual form of
eco-power generation.