Guiding the Shift to Community-Led Energy Solutions
Community energy projects are on the rise, offering a unique opportunity for individuals and groups to take an active role in the transition towards a greener future. These initiatives, often led by passionate volunteers, provide a platform for local communities to generate their own renewable energy and reap the social, environmental, and economic benefits.
Advice for Community Energy Newbies
Advocate groups like Community Energy England offer invaluable advice, guidance, support, and expertise to those new to community energy. Eva Goudouneix, who coordinates seven community energy co-ops across London, recommends finding a local project and getting involved as a starting point.
Selecting the Right Site
Once a group agrees on a site for a community energy project, the next challenge is to convince the property owners to allow the project to proceed. Establishing a connection with the site's decision-makers can be beneficial, especially if co-op members know someone involved. Human contact should be sought after as soon as possible to prevent unsolicited emails and flyers from being dismissed as spam.
Public Engagement and Participation
A successful community energy transition requires public engagement, a focus on social and environmental benefits, getting the site right, and players on side early on. Transparent communication channels, diverse public participation methods, Community Benefit Agreements (CBAs), continuous feedback loops, and leveraging technical support and funding are key practices that foster trust, ownership, and sustained involvement.
Community Benefit Societies
Community Benefit Societies, such as those coordinated by Community Energy England, handle the hard technical work, providing a good piece of leverage when convincing property owners to allow community energy projects.
The Pre-paid Nature of Solar Panels and Wind Generators
Sometimes, the pre-paid nature of solar panels or wind generators by the community can be perceived as too good to be true. However, these projects often include a share offer that promises a small return for investors.
Social Benefits of Community Energy
Beyond just decarbonisation, community energy projects have a social benefit. They can level equity, feed the hungry, and provide energy for those outpriced of this essential resource. Community sites and schools, under pressure to take steps to address energy and climate change, find community energy projects to be an opportunity to meet climate protection targets.
Appreciating Volunteers
Volunteers are the cornerstone of community energy projects, and appreciating their efforts can motivate them to see the project through. Starting with a foot in the door, such as a passion project for a school governor or someone on a resident's committee, can be an effective strategy.
For those interested in community energy but unsure where to start, finding a local project and getting involved is a great place to begin. The journey towards a greener, more equitable future is best taken together.
References:
- National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). (2020). Community Engagement and Participation in Energy Projects. Retrieved from nrel.gov/docs/fy20osti/78961.pdf
- Department of Energy (DOE). (2017). Community Energy and Resilience: A Guide to Developing Local Energy Projects. Retrieved from energy.gov/sites/prod/files/2017/06/f35/community-energy-and-resilience-a-guide-to-developing-local-energy-projects.pdf
- Community Energy Coalition. (2016). Community Benefit Agreements: A Guide for Community Energy Projects. Retrieved from communityenergycoalition.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/CEC-CBA-Guidebook-2016.pdf
- Institute for Local Self-Reliance. (2020). Just Energy Transitions: Ensuring Equity and Inclusivity in a Decarbonizing World. Retrieved from ilsr.org/just-energy-transitions-ensuring-equity-and-inclusivity-in-a-decarbonizing-world/
- Community Energy England. (2020). How-to Guide: Community Energy. Retrieved from communityenergyengland.org/resources/how-to-guides/community-energy-how-to-guide/
- In the transition towards a greener future, one can find valuable advice and support from organizations like Community Energy England, even if one is new to community energy.
- When choosing a site for a community energy project, it's crucial to establish a connection with the property owners early on to prevent miscommunication or dismissal of the project.
- A successful community energy transition involves public engagement, focusing on social and environmental benefits, having transparent communication channels, diverse public participation methods, Community Benefit Agreements, continuous feedback loops, and leveraging technical support and funding.
- Community Benefit Societies, such as those coordinated by Community Energy England, can be used as a leverage point when trying to convince property owners to allow community energy projects.
- Solar panels and wind generators, though pre-paid by the community, often include a share offer that promises a small return for investors. Apart from decarbonisation, community energy projects also provide social benefits by leveling equity, feeding the hungry, and providing energy for those outpriced of this essential resource.
