CIC Start Online Conference 2011 - Edinburgh Napier University

More information at our Website: www.cicstart.org

Energy co-operatives as a means of achieving sustainability within the housing sector

Sarah Borthwick
Sarah Deas
Douglas Prentice

Our dependency on energy is threatened by two realities: dwindling supplies of fossil fuels and rising levels of environmental pollution. With this in mind, alternative sources of energy are increasingly being turned to, including the technologies to harbour these. Various national and international targets have been set, focusing upon the limiting of climate changing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing the uptake of renewable sources of energy -- and Scotland is no exception.

The use of both solar and wind power are first of all considered as a means to facilitate the above scenario, focusing upon the application of solar photovoltaic panels and wind turbines for the generation of electricity and thermal water heaters for the provision of hot water in our homes and buildings.

These systems are evaluated in terms of their dynamics, structure types, strengths and weaknesses, plus a reflection of their current levels of adoption and potential for future application. The financial incentives offered at Government level to help encourage the uptake are also assessed, including that of the feed-in tariff and renewable heat incentive.

Leading on from this, the co-operative approach to renewable energy is thoroughly examined in which to achieve scale, manage risk and raise capital -- whilst maintaining the benefits locally.

A co-operative entity is one which is owned and controlled by the members, who can be employees, businesses or consumers. It has been observed that those countries adopting the co-operative approach, with individuals and societies getting involved and working together, have the greatest success with regards to renewable energy (Energy4All 2010). The three main business models which can be best applied to this sector are subsequently detailed; namely the co-operative consortium, employee owned business and the community co-operative.

The line of reasoning for the co-operative movement is strengthened by real life applications of the three models, including the Boyndie Wind Farm Co-operative in Aberdeenshire, Eaga in Newcastle, and the Edinburgh Community Energy Co-operative. Further consideration is given to the Isle of Eigg as a model community for renewable energy. Discussion is also accompanied by interviews with two business associates currently operating in the co-operative sector.

The co-operative model can be adapted to suit all types of situations, regardless of only two or two-thousand people being involved.

The video concludes with some final food-for-thought, in which to engage with the audience and help with the identification of areas within their own lives (business and personal) where co-operation could apply.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• CIC
• Start
• Online
• Edinburgh
• Napier
• University
• Sarah
• Borthwick
• Energy
• co-operatives
• as
• means
• of
• achieving
• sustainability
• within
• the
• housing
• sector