Guide for Inspiring the Shift towards Community Energy Powered Systems
In the heart of London, Eva Goudouneix coordinates seven community energy co-ops, working tirelessly to engage people as investors, directors, or volunteers in these sustainable initiatives. Community energy projects, beyond their decarbonisation benefits, offer social advantages such as levelling equity, feeding the hungry, and providing energy for those outpriced of this essential resource.
Getting the site right and players on side early on is crucial. Stakeholders, including property owners and decision-makers, need to be aware of the importance of their role, the extent of their commitment, and know they are sufficiently supported. This approach motivates them and keeps team retention high.
Community Energy England provides a helpful how-to guide, offering an introduction to topics like governance, ethical issues, and the role of data in community energy. Following these steps makes you a valuable asset to the community energy group.
For some, the tangible aspect of community energy projects is the opportunity to own and generate energy themselves. Volunteers are the cornerstone of the community energy program, and their appreciation could be what makes them see the project through to the end.
When a suitable site for a community energy project is identified, the co-op members need to convince the property owners to allow the project to proceed. Arms-length contact can sometimes attract attention, but it's important to follow up with human contact as soon as possible to prevent being dismissed as spam.
It's essential to read up on the project before contacting them, consider what skills you possess, be honest about your skills and time commitment, and let the team know where your strengths lie.
Community energy projects often include a share offer, which promises a small return for investors (about 3%). These projects can effectively engage and motivate marginalized groups, such as low-income households and those experiencing deep energy poverty, by adopting inclusive, tailored approaches that address the specific barriers these communities face.
Effective engagement requires holistic approaches combining capacity building, respectful inclusion, financial support, appropriate technology deployment, and equitable policies to motivate marginalized groups’ participation in community energy transitions.
Resources for finding community energy projects include the Community Energy England website, Community Energy London, and other international organizations like Local Energy Scotland, Community Power, Repowermap, Community Power Agency, Institute for Local Self-Reliance, Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, Indigenous Clean Energy, and more.
Eva recommends finding a community energy project that is nearby for easy access and benefit to your community. Engaging community members at markets, fairs, neighborhood meetings, tenant residence associations, festivals, and community events is also crucial to spreading awareness and gaining support for these sustainable initiatives.
- Eva's tireless efforts in London involve coordinating community energy co-ops focused on science, climate-change, and renewable-energy, aiming to engage people as investors, directors, or volunteers.
- Community energy projects provide decarbonisation benefits and social advantages, such as leveling equity, feeding the hungry, and offering energy to those priced out of this essential resource.
- To successfully execute these projects, securing the support of stakeholders like property owners and decision-makers is crucial, requiring awareness of their role, commitment level, and assurance of support.
- Following the guide provided by Community Energy England on topics like governance, ethical issues, and data's role can make you a valuable asset to community energy groups.
- Volunteers are the foundation of community energy programs, and their appreciation might be what keeps them involved until the end.
- To secure a site for a community energy project, it's necessary to convince property owners, and human contact should be established immediately to prevent being dismissed as spam.
- Ahead of contacting property owners, it's essential to familiarize yourself with the project, highlight your skills, be truthful about your time commitment, and share your strengths.
- Inclusive, tailored approaches can effectively engage and motivate marginalized groups, such as low-income households and those experiencing deep energy poverty, by adopting financial support, capacity building, and appropriate technology deployment.
- Finding the right community energy project, preferably local, is Eva's recommendation, while engaging community members through events like markets, fairs, and community gatherings can help spread awareness and gain support for sustainable initiatives.
