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.
Renewables International: German energy coops hold first national meeting
By
Craig Morris
Perhaps the biggest difference between the way Germany is switching to renewables and the way many other countries are doing so (China, the US, the UK, France, etc.) is the focus on citizen involvement. Not only does the German solar market consists of a large number of small roof arrays, but the biogas market also consists of a large number of relatively small facilities on individual farms, and small investors are even the driving force behind large wind turbines in “energy cooperatives.” . .
Reuters: France needs more local power for green energy shift
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A failure to empower local authorities on energy issues in the next few years could put a brake on its ambition to cut the share of nuclear power in the electricity mix to 50 percent by 2025, down from 75 percent now, green energy experts and local players say. . .
Bloomberg: Germany Gives Citizens a Stake in Clean Energy Switch
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“Our big utilities completely ignored renewables,” he explained. “In the beginning, the Energiewende was driven almost entirely by individuals. Over half of our renewable power is still produced by small operations.”. .
Greg Pahl’s Power from the People–A review
By
Paul Gipe
Greg Pahl’s Power from the People is an inspirational guide to the burgeoning community power movement. His case studies of people who are making a difference is often a tale of endurance and survival, but also a powerful testament to the human spirit. . .
Co-operative energy benefits highlighted
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Growing numbers of local communities are launching their own renewable energy co-operatives in an effort to slash the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions, the Guardian reported. . .
Guardian: Community energy is on the up. But will the government hobble it?
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Government energy reforms could make it impossible for new community energy projects to scale up . . .
ICM: Community owned renewable energy
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Of the 2027 GB adults interviewed 68% said they would be likely to support local renewable energy projects, including wind turbines, if they were 100% owned and controlled by the community with all the profits benefiting the community. Only 7% of respondents said they would be unlikely to support a project such as this. . .
Manifesto published to accelerate ‘community energy revolution’
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A high-profile alliance of charities, co-operatives and organisations has published a manifesto to help advance community-owned renewable energy in the UK. . .
Euractiv: Power to the people: The community-based energy transition in Europe
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Generating all energy from renewable sources is no longer a pipe dream in Europe. From Denmark to Austria, we can see examples of a successful energy transition. Germany is clearly seen as the front-runner and an important driver – especially due to its nuclear phase-out. But the energy transition is not only “made in Germany” but also “made in Europe”, says Anna Leidreiter. . .
Power to the people: Community-based energy transition surest and most effective strategy for the European energy sector
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“In order to see developments in Europe similar to those we have experienced in Germany and Denmark we need national political frameworks that enable citizens and municipalities to profit from this transition,” says Preben Maegaard, Director of the Nordic Folkecenter and President of the World Wind Energy Association. “Powering a region with 100 per cent renewable energy has been technically and economically feasible for a long time. But what is urgently needed are enabling political frameworks – such as the German EEG – as well as the combination of the electricity and heat sector.”. .
