News & Articles on Community Power
Developing renewable energy on the scale needed to make the energy transition will require public acceptance. Unlike nuclear power, where society can force a single plant on a community for the benefit of society at large, renewable energy will have to become ubiquitous in our communities and on our landscapes. This can only be possible when the majority accept this transformation. Experience has taught that acceptance is greatest when neighbors and the community at large can participate in the renewable energy revolution. The beauty of renewable energy is that everyone can take part–and own a stake in their future–when given an opportunity to do so. The challenge is creating the policies that make this possible, whether it’s for a community wind project or a solar garden.
Launch of Largest Community-Owned Wind Plant in Bavaria
By
Bwe
The citizen-owned wind farm is capable of generating 40 million kWh annually from the 19 MW project and has become a beacon for community ownership in Bavaria. The eight Nordex turbines are owned by 6 different projects with 600 private investors and financing by Volks und Raiffeisenbanken. . .
Guardian: Brittany villages blazing a trail in energy self-sufficiency
By
Hervé Kempf
The co-operative investment company Cigale was established in 2008, and there are now 127 individuals who collectively own a 30% share in the venture. But the participatory windfarm is just one aspect of the energy policy being deployed by Mené district council, which represents Saint Gouéno and six other nearby localities (overall population 6,500).
Niagara: Local co-operative looks to spin out 12 megawatts of power
By
Amanda Moore
A new association is prepared to submit at least 15 applications for wind projects, including at least one in Niagara, when the government opens the next window for its Feed-in-Tariff program. . .
Ottawa energy co-op connects third solar project to grid
By
Aaron L. Pop
Ottawa’s first energy co-op has announced it connected its third 10-kilowatt solar project to the grid on Wednesday. . .
Canadian Auto Workers Owned and Operated Wind Turbine Begins Operation in Port Elgin, Ontario
By
“This is an important day as the start-up of this wind turbine marks an environmental milestone for our union – this is the first union owned and operated wind turbine in Canada,” said CAW President Ken Lewenza. The start of the turbine comes after nine years of planning, preparation, construction and testing. . .
Le Parc éolien Pierre-De Saurel
By
Le Parc éolien Pierre-De Saurel est un projet 100 % communautaire résolument tourné vers le développement durable. Il permettra de diversifier les sources de revenus de la MRC et de vitaliser l’ensemble du territoire. . .
Putting the Energy Transition into the Hands of Citizens
By
Charter for the campaign to put control of Germany’s Engergiwende into the hands of the people. . .
Saskatoon Community Wind
By
We are a community-led initiative. We want to build a 10-turbine wind farm which will be developed and owned by thousands of individuals from the Saskatoon region.
Write to your MP to demand a decent deal for community renewables!
By
Dave Toke
You can see some arguments in favour of a ‘Fixed’ Feed-in Tariff on the FOE website, http://www.foe.co.uk/blog/energy_bill_will_give_more_38654.html, and a report I wrote for Friends of the Earth on http://www.foe.co.uk/resource/briefings/david_toke_fits.pdf. There are other arguments to suggest that sooner or later we will need a Fixed FIT, and that CfDs need to be replaced. . .
IGov: Something stirring down on the farm
By
Matthew Lockwood
Out of sight of the mass of people living in towns and cities, a quiet revolution is underway in the British countryside as more and more farmers are investing in renewable energy. According to the National Farmers Union, one in five of its members had produced clean electricity from solar or wind by the end of 2012. Between 2011 and 2012 there was a 28% increase in the number of biogas plants, capable of providing both renewable electricity and heat from farm waste. . .
