Renewable energy communities and Degrowth: participative governance for energy management

Abstract

Degrowth scholars argue that to reach long-term sustainability goals, it is necessary to reduce energy and raw material consumption by limiting economic growth. Renewable energy communities (RECs) are developing new models of energy production in line with sustainability and Degrowth. RECs produce renewable energy and exchange it locally and in real-time within a community. Participants redistribute energy production between many buildings using a microgrid system Although many researchers have analyzed this topic, they have not considered the governance implications of RECs in terms of critical management and new organizational forms. In a cross-case study of nine RECs in Italy using the nine dimensions of the Degrowth organizations framework, we want to show how RECs could adhere to Degrowth principles. Therefore, this article provides two main contributions. From a theoretical perspective, it contributes to the literature on Degrowth and responsible innovation for achieving long-term sustainability. From a managerial perspective, this paper aims to stimulate the creation of policies that favor the birth of Degrowth practices in the energy sector.