What is community renewable energy Based on localised energy literature from the 1970s Started in the Netherlands in the late 80s In the UK mostly since the 2000s Many different definitions amp practices ID: 816273
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Slide1
Community Renewable Energy
Slide2What is community renewable energy?
Based on
localised
energy literature from the 1970sStarted in the Netherlands in the late 80s. In the UK mostly since the 2000sMany different definitions & practicesDecentralised, cooperative, local, communityIncludes assumptions about process and outcome
(Walker and Devine-Wright, 2008)
Slide3Why is it worth researching?
1. Developments on ‘the ground’
2. Policy developments
3. Academics – filling the ‘gap’
Slide4Why the Netherlands and Scotland?
The Netherlands often considered a pioneer of ecological modernisation policies. Now lagging behind others:
Dutch 2020 Renewable Electricity target: 37 %
Scottish 2020 Renewable Energy Target: 100%Energy cooperatives started in the 80s, then nothing, until +/-5 years ago.Different policy approaches by central governmentAllows for debate regarding social justice & negotiation of power in societyDifferent operational models Cooperatives versus Development Trusts
potential differences in procedural and distributive justice.
Slide5Two broad categories
What: Cooperatives
Where: England, Wales, continental Europe
Who pays: members, bank loanWho benefits: Individuals (members) and community benefits. Trade off between the two.What: Development companiesWhere: ScotlandWho pays: the government, bank loanWho benefits: Community benefits
Slide6Why are people setting up initiatives?
Independent, 28/10/13
Guardian, 27/10/13
Slide7Why are people setting up initiatives?
Environmental
Reduce carbon emissions
Wanting to become a carbon neutral communityEducating young people about the environmentSocialSomething to bring people together, work to a common goalBeing in control of developmentEnhance local distinctivenessDevelop new skills, confidenceEconomic reasonsCreate employment
Bring money into the local economy / fund other community projectsReduce energy bills
Slide8The role of central government
You can call it liberalism. You can call it empowerment. You can call it freedom. You can call it responsibility. I call it the Big Society. The Big Society is about a huge culture change…where people…don’t always turn to officials…for answers to the problems they face…but instead feel both free and powerful enough to help themselves and their own communities.
(David Cameron 2010)
The classic welfare state is slowly but surely turning into a participative society. Anyone who is capable to do so, is asked to take responsibility for his or her own life and environment. When people shape their future, they do not just add value to their own lives, but also to society as a whole. (Dutch King Willem-Alexander 2013)
Slide9The role of central government
Scotland
Funding:
Grants & loans for community groupsFiTsAdvice: Community Energy Scotland, Local Energy Scotland, Highland & Island EnterpriseNetherlandsSigned a new Energy Agreement in SeptemberFunding: discounted energy tariff for members of energy coops. Advice: none.
Slide10Suggested benefits
Economic
Involves smaller & less risky
Create local employmentEnhance local economies SocialFosters behaviour changeEnhance community empowerment/resilienceContributes to a participative democracyEnhances social acceptability
EnvironmentalReduced carbon emissionsCan potentially contribute to greater energy awareness / reduced energy consumptionTechnicalFewer transmission lossesEnhances energy security
Slide11It’s not as straightforward as it seems…
Only limited critical evaluation of community/local energy initiatives so far
What is ‘community’?
Who?Where?Who participates?Who benefits?How are decisions made? By whom?How is policy made?Does government policy restrict or support the development of local energy?
Slide12MSc research
2 case studies in the Scottish Highlands
Both
currently developing renewable energy initiativesOne was looking at hydro, after having previously considered wind energyThe other was looking at hydro & wind energy.
Slide13MSc research framework
Aim: to establish the role contextual concepts of ‘place’ and ‘community’ play in the development of community energy developments
Slide14MSc research findings
Community energy can be just as controversial as large scale developments
Slide15MSc research findings
What is community?
“What we are trying to do…it is not about us [as individuals], it is about a sustainable future for the community.”Vs.“There is no such thing as community here.”The role of place“I think we ought to have a few places where nobody goes. I think it [a renewable energy development] is sort of morally wrong”Vs.
“Wild land, ‘we go there for the weekend’. There is no wild land here”.
Slide16PhD research
Focus on social & distributional aspects of community energy
‘Positive’ environmental justice
How to measure success?Different types of projects, different benefitsWhy do some projects get off the ground and others don’t?Local ≠ Socially justRole policy plays in thisLocalism as a response to, or part of, neoliberalismTaking inspiration from the broader literature on international development & participation.
Slide17Importance
Wrong to assume community or locally based projects are automatically better than large scale projects, but do they have the potential to be better?
Direct link developing
organisation – local residents.
Slide18Importance
Ensuring that differences within and between communities are taken into account
Ensuring local projects do not just benefit the more capable members of society
This may not be a quick process to reduce carbon emissions but should ensure long-term, locally appropriate solutions that have socio-economic as well as environmental benefits
Slide19Things to think about
Lots!