Community-based Renewable Energy Research Articles

Explaining the diversity of motivations behind community renewable energy

Community-based renewable energy initiatives may be important actors in the transition toward low-carbon energy systems. In turn, stimulating investments in renewable energy production at the community level requires a better understanding of investors' motives. This paper aims to study the heterogeneity of motivations that drive individuals to participate in community renewable energy projects and the underlying explanatory factors behind this, as well as the implications for their level of engagement in initiatives. Based on quantitative data from an original survey conducted with two renewable energy cooperatives in Flanders, the statistical analysis shows that cooperative members should not be considered as one homogeneous group. Several categories of members with different motives and levels of engagement can be distinguished. This heterogeneity is explained by contrasts in terms of institutional settings, spatial patterns and attitudes to the diffusion of institutional innovations. Regarding policy implications, the findings suggest that this heterogeneity should be taken into account in designing more effective supporting policies to stimulate investments at the community level. The activation of social norms is also shown to be a promising mechanism for triggering investment decisions, although the implications of its interplay with economic incentives should be further explored.

A Study of Socioeconomic Impacts of Renewable Energy Projects in Afghanistan

Energy is the foundation of modern economies and the central need for modern life. It is a prerequisite for economic growth, improving living conditions and alleviating poverty. Therefore, access to energy is considered an important development goal. Obstacles such as high energy costs, unaffordable energy grid infrastructure and disperse population makes providing access to a majority of the world's population in developing countries a daunting task. Meanwhile, renewable energy technologies offer a unique opportunity to provide affordable and sustainable energy to millions of people. Renewable energy technologies, in particular, offer diverse and economically attractive options for rural electrification. This paper evaluates the economic and social impacts of community based renewable energy (CRE) projects on towns and communities. It investigates whether implementing such programs lead to considerable improvements in economic and social conditions of targeted communities and provide a sustainable energy solution. Relevant literature was reviewed and a comprehensive survey was developed to collect data from two towns in Afghanistan where renewable energy based electrification projects were implemented. Initial research findings provide strong indications that renewable energy projects are linked to improvements in economic conditions of the two pilot towns; both at the town and household levels. This research finds that economic impacts of CRE projects are rather modest as they lead to limited improvement in job creation and flourishing of businesses. Finally, CRE projects are found to be responsible for improving on sustainable supply of energy to the targeted communities. Policy makers and planners can use the findings of this paper as a guide to develop alternative sustainable solutions for energy production while using them as a tool for development of the recipient communities.

Citizens’ willingness to participate in local renewable energy projects: The role of community and trust in Germany

Citizen participation can be an important means for energy transitions at the local level. However, little is known about citizens’ willingness to engage in community-based renewable energy projects, and its determinants. This paper analyzes how community identity, social norms, trust and environmental concern foster or constrain citizens’ willingness to take part in community energy schemes. We survey individuals who are in charge of energy-related and financial decisions in their households, and owners of renewable energy systems. We find that the general attitude toward community energy is positive. Willingness to volunteer is higher than willingness to invest money. Regression analyses show that social norms, trust, environmental concern and community identity are important determinants of willingness to participate in community energy. However, using mediation analyses we find that the effect of community identity occurs through changes in social norms and trust. Both ownership of a renewable energy system and living in a rural, rather than urban community, increase the likelihood of participation. This study helps to understand the principles underpinning the willingness to participate in community energy and underlines its potential. Our insights emphasize the importance of social, rather than merely environmentally motivated aspects, and extend literature on pro-environmental behavior.

The Possibility of Building Social Capital through the Community-based Renewable Energy Project

The Possibility of Building Social Capital through the Community-based Renewable Energy Project

“They made gunpowder … yes down by the river there, that's your energy source”: attitudes towards community renewable energy in Cumbria

Community-based renewable energy could help in achieving energy targets and altering energy behaviours. It has been found in other studies that the extent to which local residents are involved in a scheme, either through ownership or active participation, can be the key to acceptance and increasing energy awareness. Here, we explore motivations and barriers to involvement with residents in three communities in Cumbria, UK. The study uses questionnaires and semi-structured interviews to explore themes of ownership, levels of involvement and community cohesion, and examines how these influence residents’ willingness to accept or participate in a local initiative. Through exploring these themes we additionally find that residents hold place-based attachments to both physical attributes and social interactions within the community. These attachments appear to be influential in residents' willingness to participate in local renewable projects and in acceptance of certain renewable technologies. For instance, there was overwhelming support for localised hydropower due to the historical legacy of industrialised water-power use in the region.

Community-based renewable energy in the Lake District National Park – local drivers, enablers, barriers and solutions

Diverse communities are often considered to be more stable and productive. To mitigate and adapt to climate change and overcome energy insecurities, international, national and local communities need decentralised alternatives to complement and support traditional centralised energy systems. Policies with top-down targets promote the quick fix rather than the most sustainable scheme, and institutional and social barriers inhibit the local action needed to identify, plan and deliver the most valuable and appropriate alternatives. For diversity and sustainability, how can local community-based renewable energy (CRE) schemes be valuable and appropriate alternatives? Interviews and case studies with public, private and community-based stakeholders in the Lake District National Park reveal the drivers, enablers and barriers to CRE schemes. Two solutions designed to catalyse and coordinate local action are proposed: CRE plans and champions. Together from the bottom-up, they help to generate, coordinate and communicate the necessary local knowledge, resources and trust to promote positive data sets on energy capacity, opportunity and need. Thus, planning becomes suitably strategic for achieving sustainable energy futures.

Social impacts of community renewable energy projects: findings from a woodfuel case study

AbstractThere is much current interest in the potential of community-based renewable energy projects to contribute to transition towards low carbon energy systems. As well as displacing fossil fuel consumption by increasing renewable energy generation, projects are expected to have a range of social impacts which may result in additional positive sustainability outcomes. These include potential to increase: acceptance of renewable energy developments; awareness of renewable and sustainable energy technologies and issues; uptake of low carbon technologies; and sustainable/pro-environmental behaviours. To date however, there has been little investigation of whether and how these impacts occur. This paper presents results from qualitative research investigating the social impacts of a community woodfuel project as experienced by project participants and other local stakeholders. Findings show projects can raise awareness of renewable energy technologies and increase uptake of renewables. Overall the case study project successfully changed the local social context for development of woodfuel heating, reducing risk for all involved in the future development of this sector, particularly in the immediate locality. There was some evidence of increased engagement with wider sustainability issues but this was limited to direct participants, suggesting local projects need to be supported by wider systemic change to maximise impacts.

Public perceptions of opportunities for community-based renewable energy projects

It now widely acknowledged that the UK needs to increase renewable energy capacity and it has been claimed that community-based renewable energy projects, with high levels of public participation, are more likely to be accepted by the public than top-down development of large-scale schemes and may bring additional benefits such as increased engagement with sustainable energy issues. However, little research has investigated public expectations of how people would like to participate in such projects and why. The aim of this study was to explore one rural community's response to a proposed sustainable energy project. A questionnaire survey and semi-structured interviews provided quantitative and qualitative data. There was widespread support for local generation and use of renewable energy, with respondents expecting benefits from a project in terms of increased community spirit and conservation of natural resources. However, desire for active involvement was lower and residents viewed themselves participating as consultees, rather than project leaders. We suggest community renewable energy projects are likely to gain public acceptance but are unlikely to become widespread without greater institutional support.

Small Wind-Turbine Community-Based Renewable Energy Systems in the Philippines

SIBAT, a Philippine NGO, has developed a small wind turbine for use in remote, off-grid communities as a tool for sustainable development in the Philippines. Wind energy has recently been identified as an appropriate alternative to expensive solar photovoltaics and unsustainable diesel generation for such communities without access to a suitable water source for micro hydro systems. This is an account of how SIBAT implements small wind turbine technology, following their community-based renewable energy system model for sustainability. It describes the appropriate technology, the locally manufactured wind turbines, the SIBAT community assessment methodology and the small wind turbine projects implemented by SIBAT.