What is community energy?
Community Energy refers to energy related projects that are for the benefit of, or owned by local communities.
Community energy groups have a wide range of activities – some are focused on renewable electricity generation such as solar panels, hydropower or wind turbines. Others are more about education on how to make homes more energy efficient. Some develop complex projects with batteries and smart metering. Yet more aim to reduce fuel poverty in their area. There is a UK wide ecosystem of community energy groups, which come together in umbrella organisations such as Community Energy England.
Unlocking Local Energy
One of the biggest challenges for the community energy sector is that unlike food, which can be sold directly to consumers through markets, veg box schemes, sale to restaurants etc; the energy system is highly regulated. National and local community energy groups are lobbying to change the regulatory system to allow ‘local supply’, so that in the future you might be able to buy your electricity directly from your local wind farm, which you co-own.
Some great examples include:
ALM (Ambition Lawrence Weston)
BEN energy champions or energy help desk
BEC Bottle Yard
Other local and national community energy organisations we are collaborating with:
Community Energy England
Bristol Energy Network
Wessex Community Energy Network
Bath and West Community Energy
Bristol Energy Coop
Stroud Area Community Energy Network
More Reading:
DECC report on Community Energy definition from 2014 www.gov.uk/government/publications/community-energy-strategy