What is Community Energy? Community energy is a low carbon and a renewable source of heat and power. It is produced locally and distributed via a heat network or private wire arrangement. As it is produced close to where it's needed, community energy reduces transmission losses and, over the longer term, lowers the cost of energy. Community energy covers aspects of collective action to reduce, purchase, manage and generate energy. Community energy projects have an emphasis on local engagement, local leadership and control and the local community benefiting collectively from the outcomes.

CASE STUDY : Germany (a bottom-up scheme) Germany has made radical changes to its energy economy in the last decade. In 2000, 6.4% of Germany’s energy was produced by renewable and by 2011 this increased to 20.1%. Zwabischall – a small town in Germany relies on its renewable energy sources through small scale hydroelectric stations along the river, which can powers up to 60 houses all year round. Jungdat – uses biogas as it’s energy source. The methane from cow dung creates energy and is sold into the National Grid. Excess heat is also used to heat water, which is then distributed into the community. 140 people have invested in small scale biogas plants, but in 2020 the debt will be paid off. This means that the consumer is becoming the supplier and distributor.

CASE STUDY : India (a bottom-up scheme) For the poor, there is a plentiful sustainable resource in the form of cow dung. This ferments, creates biogas and is better than natural gas for the rural population of India. International energy scheme funds the placement of 4 million gas tanks in India. Using biogas rather than collecting and burning firewood saves time that can be spent elsewhere (e.g. children can receive education). India’s goal is to generate 25% of it’s energy renewably by 2020 if they can get an energy solar scheme in place.

o Creates jobs with the local community in setting it up and maintenance. o Increases energy security as the communities don't have to rely on bigger energy companies to supply them with energy. o Takes less time and effort to make the energy which gives people more time to focus on other jobs. o Once its set up the local people have free energy and they only have to pay for the maintenance. o May be set up badly as they are not trained professionals which could increase health risks and cause accidents. o Big TNC energy companies will see this as competition in supplying energy which will cause them to raise there prices and other people wont be able to afford energy after the price increase. o Local communities don't own power lines so they can only use their energy in the immediate area as they have no way of distributing it.

OUR VERDICT As a group, we think that community energy is beneficial to most of those involved. The consumer becomes the producer and distributor, which allows communities to be self-reliant and have energy security. Moreover, most of the energy produced is sustainable and renewable, which naturally benefits the surrounding environment. However, if not managed properly, there could some problems in terms of disasters or conflicts within the community. On the whole, we would recommend community energy to be a part of the future energy mix.