Is social cohesion decisive for energy cooperatives existence? A quantitative analysis

Assessing the relevance of renewable energy resources availability for the existence of Energy Cooperatives in Europe

“…In general, we follow the methodology proposed by Lode et al [9] to make an exploratory spatial data analysis that sheds light on the co-occurrence of selected indicators and ECoops at the NUTS2 and NUTS3 levels across Europe. In our case, the indicators are related to RES availability and quality.…”

“…Studies dedicated to the drivers and conditions for the emergence of ECoops are usually based on qualitative research methods [3] and focused on single or small groups of European countries. It was only recently that a first attempt for a European wide qualitative analysis of the relationship of ECoops with potential drivers was made [9]. That study uses an exploratory spatial data analysis to evaluate the co-existence of ECoops with over a hundred indicators from the social progress index and the quality-of-life index.…”

“…That study uses an exploratory spatial data analysis to evaluate the co-existence of ECoops with over a hundred indicators from the social progress index and the quality-of-life index. The authors find that from all of the indicators "life-long learning" has the largest correlation and explanatory value and that at the local level some spatial clusters appear that relate the number of ECoops at the NUTS2 and NUTS3 regions level with the indexes [9]. Moreover, that study proposes as future work e.g., to replicate the methodology for the analysis of economic indicators and RES availability to have a full picture of factors that might contribute to the existence of ECoops.…”

Energy communities in sustainable transitions - The South American Case

“…Also, renewable and distributed small-scale technologies off er broad opportuniti es for social empowerment. Moreover, collecti ve, decentralised, and democrati c energy projects are criti cal in the quest for sustainable futures and a just and inclusive energy transiti on (LODE et al, 2022;THOMBS, 2019). Finally, Lode, Coosemans, and Ramirez Camargo (2022) pointed to sociodemographic factors as criti cal drivers in developing European energy cooperati ves (a type of ECs).…”

“…Moreover, collecti ve, decentralised, and democrati c energy projects are criti cal in the quest for sustainable futures and a just and inclusive energy transiti on (LODE et al, 2022;THOMBS, 2019). Finally, Lode, Coosemans, and Ramirez Camargo (2022) pointed to sociodemographic factors as criti cal drivers in developing European energy cooperati ves (a type of ECs). Thus, access to advanced educati on, informati on and communicati on, and sati sfacti on with housing and authoriti es correlate with the energy cooperati ves' emergence.…”