Implementing a just renewable energy transition: Policy advice for transposing the new European rules for renewable energy communities

Hoicka, Christina E.; Lowitzsch, Jens; Brisbois, Marie Claire; Kumar, Ankit; Camargo, Luis Ramirez

doi:10.1016/j.enpol.2021.112435

Cited by 153 publications

(72 citation statements)

References 51 publications

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“…Key to success, however, is large-scale participation in such energy communities irrespective of socio-economic circumstances, as this is the only way to involve large segments of the population and geography, thus helping to ensure a just energy transition [12]. Energy communities do indeed hold the potential for such social inclusion of lower-income social groups [3].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

On the Future(s) of Energy Communities in the German Energy Transition: A Derivation of Transformation Pathways

et al. 2022

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Active participation of citizens in the sustainable energy transition—particularly in energy communities—is explicitly desired by the European Union and considered vital for a successful transformation of Europe’s energy system. Currently, energy communities, i.e., citizen-led groups generating energy from renewable sources can be found across Europe, though current numbers are small. However, it is expected that the majority of EU households will be active in some form in the generation of energy by 2050. In order to understand how such a development could come about, and if desired, how it could be ensured, we developed and applied a quasi-dynamic model using the Cross-Impact Balance (CIB) approach and with it analyzed and assessed such a transition in detail. Data for the CIB model was derived from case studies, interviews, three surveys including two discrete choice experiments, expert workshops, and complementary secondary data. A central consideration of the model is a differentiated representation of the heterogeneity of actors in society and their interactions. Main results obtained from the application of the model are possible transformation pathways of citizen participation in the energy transition of Germany. A key finding was that if current trends continue, a citizen-driven energy transition based on energy communities will unlikely be successful. We conclude that several framework conditions must change simultaneously from the status quo so that different social groups in society can be active in the generation of energy. These include changes such as the abolition of hindering regulations and the expansion of financial support schemes with a focus on lower socioeconomic groups. Furthermore, only in a combination of conducive social factors such as neighborhood cohesion and conducive social influence, as well as favorable economic conditions, can energy communities become an important player in Germany’s future energy system.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

On the Future(s) of Energy Communities in the German Energy Transition: A Derivation of Transformation Pathways

et al. 2022

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“…The RED II enables the acceleration of an equitable and sustainable energy transition by facilitating the implementation of "Renewable Energy Communities" (RECs), key to combating climate change and energy poverty. [18]…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Urban Renewable Energy Communities and Energy Poverty: a proactive approach to energy transition with Sun4All project

Cumo

Maurelli

Pennacchia

et al. 2022

IOP Conf. Ser.: Earth Environ. Sci.

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The transition to an environmentally sustainable, low-carbon economy requires fundamental transformations in various sectors such as industry, technology, and especially in society as a whole. Adopting and encouraging community energy are the key policies to facilitate sustainable energy and ecological and social transition. The Sun4All methodology aims at the design, promotion and building of energy communities based on solidarity, to contrast energy poverty and foresee the engagement of vulnerable households that normally have many difficulties in becoming active members of an energy sharing project realising PV plants. The selection of the beneficiaries’ families in the urban context is a process both technical, including socio-territorial GIS-based analysis, and social, activating the participation of grass-root associations, local schools, and facilitators. The strategic role of the municipality is coherent with the SECAP and results in the offers of several public building roofs with PV plants that are the cores of the Sun4all Energy Communities and will ensure the delivery of economic benefits for the vulnerable households, while through workshops, site visits to the plants, and communication activities will increase the citizens’ knowledge. The purpose of this paper is to explore the benefits that go far beyond energy efficiency, which is only the starting point.

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“…Their objectives are to create economical, environmental and social benefits to the community members, as well as to increase local acceptance of renewable energy projects [2]. Although the RED II provides a framework for the implementation of RECs, the specific conditions for each country depend on the transposition at the individual EU member state level, meaning that there are still uncertainties on the conditions for an extensive uptake of RECs [3]. Ines et al [4] highlight the transposition problem by comparing regulations of nine different European countries or regions.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Renewable energy communities: do they have a business case in Flanders?

Felice¹,

Rakocevic²,

Peters³

et al. 2022

Preprint

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Renewable energy communities (RECs) are prominent initiatives to provide end consumers an active role in the energy sector, raise awareness on the importance of renewable energy (RE) technologies and increase their share in the energy system thus reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The economic viability of RECs though, depends on multiple interdependent factors that require careful examination for each individual context. This study aims at investigating the impact of electricity tariffs, ratio of electrification of heating and transportation sectors, prices of RE technologies and storage systems, and internal electricity exchange prices on the annual cost for electricity provision of a REC. A mixed-integer linear model is developed to minimize energy provision costs for a representative REC in Flanders, Belgium. The results indicate that RECs have the potential to reduce these costs by 10 to 26% compared to business-as-usual. This cost reduction depends on the type of electricity tariffs and the level of uptake of flexible assets such as heat pumps and electric vehicles. The shift towards a higher power component in the electricity tariff makes electricity storage systems more attractive, which leads to higher electricity self-consumption. The introduction of flexible assets adds the possibility to shift demand when tariffs are lower and makes larger sizes of photovoltaic systems economically viable due to the increase in the total electricity demand. However, RECs cost reduction compared to individual smart-homes amounts to only 4% -6% in the best cases. Uncertainties stemming from the regulation and the costs of setting up a REC may reduce the estimated benefits.

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Implementing a just renewable energy transition: Policy advice for transposing the new European rules for renewable energy communities

Cited by 153 publications

References 51 publications

On the Future(s) of Energy Communities in the German Energy Transition: A Derivation of Transformation Pathways

On the Future(s) of Energy Communities in the German Energy Transition: A Derivation of Transformation Pathways

Urban Renewable Energy Communities and Energy Poverty: a proactive approach to energy transition with Sun4All project

Renewable energy communities: do they have a business case in Flanders?

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