Energy Cooperatives Local sustainable energy supply as a lever for thriving local communities Marina Petrović – Green Energy Cooperative (ZEZ) Zelena Akcija, Šolta, 2th June 2014

– Crisis – ECONOMICAL-POLITICAL-ENERGY-FOOD - the time has come for a different way of managing resources based on the single outside source we have … the SUN –growing organic food –using renewable energy sources –harvesting materials Local, grassroots movements are calling for the establishment of energy cooperatives

RE-connecting citizens Harvesting values ENERGY COOPERATIVES RE-connecting citizens and using renewables as an instrument to reconnect people Harvesting values for the benefit of local communities Joint investments in renewable energy sources, where capital primarily comes from local communities, while the generated revenue is also kept and used locally could be the turning point in managing of natural resources, thus providing triple wins solution – bringing benefits for society, economy and the environment

Energy Cooperatives – The need to mobilize people SocietyEnvironment Economy

Energy Cooperatives –Bottom up approach –Using local resources –Feed the profits generated back into the local community –‘The money of the village for the good of the village' –Boosting the region’s profile –Local, grassroots movements –A call for direct democracy –This type of management develops corporate social responsibility and concern for the environment, rather than profit at any cost

Energy Cooperatives as part of solution Groups and cooperatives of citizens for renewable energy Baseline 7 international cooperative principles –voluntary, open membership –democratic member control –member economic participation –autonomy and independence –education, training and information –cooperation among cooperatives –concern for the community

Power to the people – ■■ A valuable new source for much-needed investment in renewables, energy transmission and storage, and energy savings. – ■■ Promotion of the efficient use of energy. – ■■ Fair and transparent energy bills for citizens. – ■■ A reduction in carbon emissions and contribution to tackling climate change. – ■■ The creation of green jobs contributing to more sustainable economies. – ■■ The benefits of investments are kept in the local economy

Renewable energy supporting Europe Annual solar irradition European Union (1000 kWh/m²/year or 1TWh/km²/year at 4,381,376 km²) 4,381,376 TWh/year Total fossil fuel consumption in Europe Based on average 10 ton CO 2 /capita.year 20,316 TWh/year Total fossil fuel consumption as share of solar irradiation 0.46% Value - CO 2 : 5 billion ton x 15 €/ton 75 billion €/year - Fossil fuel : 5 billion ton x €/ton 952 billion €/year 1 TWh is 1 billion kWh 1 barrel crude oil = 100 $/barrel= 75 €/barrel 1 ton CO 2 = 4000 kWh = 400 l crude oil = 2,5 barrels of crude oil = €/ton EU population estimate 2012 : 507,890,191

Cost coming down rapidly

Oil 100$/barrel>75€/barrel ( ) 1 liter petroleum>2,5 kg CO 2 >10 kWh 1 ton CO 2 >400 liter petroleum>2,5 barrels (159 liter/barrel)>4000 kWh>187,5€ Cost of 1 kWh of crude oil at current prices: 0, €/kWh PV 1 kWp of PV>1500 € At 1600 full solar hours (nearly everywhere in between 40° latitudes) 1kWp produces kWh in 20 years 1500 €/ kWh>0, Cost of 1 kWh PV: 0, €/kWh Preserve solidarity

Good examples: Energy Independent School Ostrog, Kaštel Lukšić, Croatia

independent-school

Multiplying good examples Energetska zadruga ‘Otok Krk’ –Registered september 24th 2012 –19 founding members, 300 by October 2013 –The cooperative offers support for the purchase and installation of solar PV and thermal installations –Interest in electric vehicles –In a national project on the creation of REScoops UNDP selected 4 new cooperatives to be supported Solar PV and energy renovation project launched with 7,500 € crowd funded capital collected by joint action of newly established Energetska zadruga Kastela and UNDP national project –UNDP wrote a recommendation note on renewable energy and citizen cooperatives that DGRV, REScoop.eu and REScoop.be. endorsed. One of the effects is that it is now allowed to install wind turbines on islands. –Basis for the development of a REScoop.hr

Inspiring example Güssing Austria

Inspiring example Güssing Austria inhabitants -6 million € purchase of fossil fuels jobs created -50 businesses attracted -13 million € production of energy from local renewable resources -Promotion activities worldwide

Sustainable Energy Youth Network Local sustainable energy supply as a lever for thriving local communities Dirk Knapen - REScoop.be FUTURE...