Socio-Economic Benefits in Community Energy Structures

Lorna Kiamba,Lee Empringham,Julian Marsh,Mark Gillott,Liliana De Lillo,Mark Sumner,Eldar Naghiyev,Lucelia Rodrigues

doi:10.3390/su14031890

Abstract

In this paper, the authors examine how a community energy group in the Meadows area of Nottingham in the UK adopted a model of local energy generation and storage as a means of combatting climate change, improving energy efficiency, enhancing energy security, and reducing fuel poverty. By prioritising local needs and managing expectations, this approach was seen to unite community members in acting on energy challenges while increasing knowledge, understanding, and awareness of energy issues in general. The results of the survey indicated that the respondents had a significantly high level of climate awareness (94%) and support for community energy (90%). Furthermore, evidence of the impacts and efficiencies of community energy and subsequent socio-economic benefits were identified, including 89% of respondents reporting a reduction in energy costs and 67% of respondents increasing their self-consumption. Importantly, the barriers experienced when trying to maximise the identified socio-economic benefits are highlighted and general recommendations given.

Highlights

There is a stark realisation that time is running out to implement ways to counteract climate change and its impacts
It has been suggested that a suitable solution to this is the integration of distributed energy storage within community energy schemes [4]
By taking democratic control of local energy projects, community energy groups can create a strong base for the significant infrastructural and social change that is needed to reduce the impact of climate change through decarbonisation, and work towards building community resilience and cohesion and improving energy security [4]

Summary

Introduction

There is a stark realisation that time is running out to implement ways to counteract climate change and its impacts. As a variety of renewables such as wind and solar energy are key components of the UK’s commitments to reducing carbon emissions and increasing security of supply [2], challenges associated with their intermittency and variation need to be addressed [3]. Growing interest in community energy schemes has been driven by the view that they are suitable vehicles for tackling energy-related issues from a local needs-based perspective that have wider national implications [3]. By taking democratic control of local energy projects, community energy groups can create a strong base for the significant infrastructural and social change that is needed to reduce the impact of climate change through decarbonisation, and work towards building community resilience and cohesion and improving energy security [4]

Methods

Results

Conclusion