Community Supported Energy
Grassroots green projects said to be the way
The Guardian / Fiona Harvey / 01 February 2012
Community-owned green energy projects present the best chance of converting the UK to a low-carbon economy and should receive more government support, civil society groups representing 12 million people said on Wednesday.
Giving local people a stake in energy generation often overcomes planning objections to structures such as wind and solar farms, and dozens of communities across the UK have seized the opportunity to create their own power. But the move has not been fast enough, according to the coalition of community groups, which adds that many places are missing out on the chance to produce their own low-carbon and low-cost energy, supported by government subsidies.
The civil society groups include some of the leading non-governmental organisations in the UK, including the Co-operative, the National Trust, the Church of England and the National Federation of Women's Institutes.
N.S. aims for big results from small power projects
Globe and Mail / Richard Blackwell / 30 January 2011
Ontario’s controversial green energy program may get more attention, but Nova Scotia has also embarked on an ambitious plan to wean the province off its dependence on coal-generated electricity.
Nova Scotia has a target of generating 25 per cent of its power from renewables by 2015, and 40 per cent by 2020. Coal-based power will drop from 75 per cent to 40 per cent.
A key component of the plan is to light a fire under community-based renewable projects, by offering them a substantial pricing subsidy.
Attention, Wal-Mart shoppers: Community sustainability requires community's support
The Union / Eric Dickerson / 14 January 2012
Character and individuality are just nice side effects of local sustainability. The real reason we should all care about local sustainability is the strength of our local economy. A strong local economy makes us more resilient to the ups and downs of the national economy.
It also creates a safety net for the future should we for some reason not have daily delivery of food and other essentials. If we are headed into peak oil, or a depression, we will find ourselves asking: “Why, in an area so perfect for growing food, don't we have any local farms?” and “Where did all those local shops and restaurants go?”
Co-operative renewable energy in the UK
Co-operatively-owned energy generation is a vibrant and growing sector in the UK. The first co‑operatively-owned wind turbines, Baywind in Cumbria, started turning in 1997. Since then, over 7,000 individual investors have ploughed over £16 million into community-owned renewable energy.
This report summarises insights gained from visits to five co-operatively owned energy projects during the summer of 2011.
German Village Produces 321% More Energy Than It Needs
inhabit / Timon Singh / 21 August 2011
The small agricultural village [of Wildpoldsried] in the state of Bavaria is generating an impressive $5.7 million in annual revenue from renewable energy.
It’s no surprise that the country that has kicked butt at the Solar Decathlon competition (to produce energy positive solar houses) year after year is the home to such a productive energy-efficient village. The village’s green initiative first started in 1997 when the village council decided that it should build new industries, keep initiatives local, bring in new revenue, and create no debt. Over the past 14 years, the community has equipped nine new community buildings with solar panels, built four biogas digesters (with a fifth in construction now) and installed seven windmills with two more on the way. In the village itself, 190 private households have solar panels while the district also benefits from three small hydro power plants, ecological flood control, and a natural waste water system.
All of these green systems means that despite only having a population of 2,600, Wildpoldsried produces 321 percent more energy than it needs – and it’s generating 4.0 million Euro (US $5.7 million) in annual revenue by selling it back to the national grid. It is no surprise to learn that small businesses have developed in the village specifically to provide services to the renewable energy installations.
[ FULL ARTICLE HERE ]
[ Hat tip to Chris W.! ]
Video: OSEA Community Power 2011 and the FIT Review
Green Home TV took in OSEA's Community Power 2011 conference. This years conference focused on the OPA's review of the FIT program as well as looking at other industry developments and ways to grow community involvement in power projects. GHTV interviewed Kris Stevens, Executive Director of OSEA, who hosted the conference and discussed the conference's direction.
Want to invest ethically? Look to your own backyard
The Guardian / Joanne O'Connell / 22 October 2011
Putting money into a community project gives ethical investors the chance to do everything from cutting carbon emissions to buying a stake in the village pub.
That's not to say they don't want a return on their cash but they'd rather it came from this kind of venture than traditional stocks and shares.
Colin Mather is a 67-year-old retired civil engineer. He's put £1,000 towards a 50kw hydroelectric turbine shortly to be installed on the River Esk, near Whitby. He wants his money to help cut carbon emissions, produce renewable energy and fund green energy education programmes.
"We're right beside a river, so a hydroelectric turbine was an obvious choice," he says. "A group of us applied for planning permission and funds and we've had a lot of support locally."
It's taken four years but the Esk Valley Community Energy Group has finally received the go-ahead to install a small-scale generator, known as an Archimedes screw. It's an expensive project: grants and loans total £240,000, and 75 investors have ploughed in £120,000, yet it still needs to raise a further £200,000.
The group received advice and support from The Co-operative Enterprise Hub which provides training and advice on member-owned enterprises. They launched community shares (they are not listed on the stock market).
