Monica Eggers

The impacts of climate change: experiences of two visionaries

I met Tony Marmont last May, during a visit to West Beacon Farm - his home in Leicestershire - with a group of Chilean companies interested in renewable energy.  Tony's farm is a model of sustainability, functioning mostly off-grid.  Some of the applications on the farm are two small wind turbines, solar photovoltaic panels and two mini hydro turbines.  Surplus energy is stored in a hydrogen storage system.   To reduce heat loss in his home Tony has isolated walls and roof, and added double glazing to windows.  A natural spring 50 m deep provides clean water.  In addition, rainwater is collected and filtered for use in the house.   His company – Beacon Energy – works from reconverted farm buildings at Whittle Hill, Leicestershire, likewise a model of sustainability.  In the last few years, Tony has been working on the development of carbon neutral aviation fuel.

An entrepreneur and a visionary with a deep concern for climate change, Tony has also been involved in several university initiatives related to renewable energy, including the donation of funds to set up two research centres in De Montfort and Loughborough universities.

In early October, Tony and his wife Angela visited Santiago for a few days, and Tony offered to give a presentation at the Embassy on a subject he feels passionate about:   climate change and its consequences.  We organised an event with his participation and that of Professor Roberto Román, a Chilean academic involved in climate change and renewables.  The event was aimed at a general audience and was very well attended, including various representatives of the business community.  Tony’s presentation had the full attention of the public, generating a great amount of interesting questions and debate.   It was an excellent event which gave a positive and practical example of the use of renewable energy technologies and which helped raise people’s awareness about climate change.

Posted at 17:19 26 October 2009 by Monica Eggers  |  Comments[0]