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.
Sierra Magazine Discovers Community Power
By
Paul Gipe
The magazine of the Sierra Club, the largest grassroots environmental group in the US, laudably featured community solar in a recent issue, but they missed the broader picture. . .
Renewables International: Community ownership of grids
By
Craig Morris
The government of the northernmost German state of Schleswig-Holstein and grid operator Tennet have launched a unique project to combat NIMBYism against new power lines. Now, citizens will be able to purchase shares of new power lines along the western coast. The project is the first implementation of a proposal made by German Environmental Minister Peter Altmaier last fall.
University of Oregon: Community Solar Tool
By
Thinking about starting a community solar project? No matter what your project’s stage of development, the Community Solar Tool (CST) can help you. . .
Nordfriesland–Germany’s Community Wind Capital
By
Paul Gipe
The model community of Friedrich-Wilhelm-Lübke-Koog is located within the kreis or county of Nordfriesland in the North German state of Schleswig-Holstein. Nordfriesland has 166,000 inhabitants within its 2,050 square kilometers. . .
Community-Owned Renewables in Germany’s Friedrich-Wilhelm-Lübke-Koog
By
Paul Gipe
Pioneers of the Bürger (Citizen’s) Wind Movement A model for a Renewable Future and an Engaged Population The Friedrich-Wilhelm-Lübke-Koog is …
Guardian: German energy consumers transform into local energy providers
By
Long before Germany decided to decommission its nuclear plants, its people were changing their relationship with energy. . .
Community Wind Power: Local Energy for Local People by BWE–A Review
By
Paul Gipe
In a densely populated country like Germany, wind turbines as a consequence are installed near people, as are all other forms of infrastructure. That’s one of the most striking observations North Americans make when visiting Germany – there are wind turbines, solar panels, and biogas plants everywhere. Thus, it’s critically important for the expansion of renewable energy in Germany that the public not only accept wind turbines in the landscape but endorse it. . .
Community Power Update for North America 2012
By
Paul Gipe
Community wind energy as found in continental Europe represents an extremely small niche market in North America, despite more than a decade of effort by proponents in Canada and the USA. Community wind represents less than 2% of the nearly 47,000 MW of wind in the USA, and an even smaller percentage of the slightly more than 5,000 MW of wind in Canada. . .
Danish Wind Turbine Owners Association 2012 Update
By
Paul Gipe
On a recent pilgrimage-and that’s the only word for it-to Denmark in September we stopped by the Danmarks Vindmølleforening (the Danish Wind Turbine Owners Association) to visit my colleagues Asbjørn Bjerre and Steen Andersen. . .
