Dr Orla Nic Suibhne. Sustainable Energy Communities in Ireland: Lessons learnt from European Best Practice Models. ESRI/UCD Policy Workshop 2017

Transcription

1 Dr Orla Nic Suibhne Sustainable Energy Communities in Ireland: Lessons learnt from European Best Practice Models ESRI/UCD Policy Workshop 2017

2 Research Objectives What is an SEC? Role of Communities within the Transition Research Framework Critical Success Factors of SEC Implementation Conclusions

3 Research Objectives This study starts from the hypothesis that the implementation of an SEC offers a solution to the inevitable energy transition of the future. The objective of this paper is to investigate if the Irish SEC model is a Best Practice model following lessons learnt from several European countries namely Scotland, Denmark and Germany.

4 Sustainable Energy Community A Community in which everyone works together to develop a sustainable energy system for the benefit of the community (SEAI, 2016). This is achieved by: - Aiming, as far as possible, to be energy efficient - Using renewable energy where feasible - Embrace smart energy technologies

5 Role of Communities within the Energy Transition Move from centralised, economically attractive, carbon based energy production to decentralised, low carbon, locally focussed energy systems New roles for local communities are emerging; transitioning them from passive consumers to active prosumers with local generation, demand response and energy efficiency measures possible Complex mix of policy instruments force, incentivise and empower people to achieve sustainability

6 Role of Communities within the Energy Transition

7 Research Framework: Transition Theory Complex processes of long term structural changes within society (Loorbach, 2010) These complex changes can be viewed as multi-level, multiphased and involved multiple actors, and typically unfold over considerable time-spans (e.g., 50 years and more) From a systems perspective, an energy transition can be understood as the emergent result of changes in the dominant structures, cultures and practices of a societal system

8 Research Framework: Multi Level Perspective The Multi Level Perspective is a theoretical framework for understanding sustainability transitions that provides an overall view of the multi-dimensional complexity of changes in sociotechnical systems (Rip and Kemp, 1998; Geels, 2002; Geels, 2004; Geels and Shot, 2007) The MLP distinguishes between three interdependent analytical levels through which transition occurs: Niches, Regimes and Landscape

9 Critical Success Factors of SEC Implementation 1. Community engagement and social acceptance 2. Scarcity of community resources 3. Trusted intermediary in place 4. Energy efficiency and renewable energy demonstration sites available 5. Navigation of political environment 6. Community ownership options and local benefit framework

10 Research Methodology Case study analysis Denmark: As much as 80% of Denmark s wind energy capacity is owned by some sort of community partnership Germany: In 2017, approx SECs set up in the legal form of Co-ops; more than half of renewable energy capacity is owned by citizens and cooperatives (25GW) Scotland: 595MW of locally owned renewable capacity in Scotland, of which 67MW is community led Ireland: Starting the community energy journey

11 Overview Denmark Germany Scotland Ireland Population 5.6m 81.4m 5.3m 4.7m Landscape forces: Strong anti-nuclear Strong anti-nuclear Overall anti-nuclear: 35% Strong anti-nuclear Legislation of electricity produced 1. EU Energy Directive YES: NREAP YES: NREAP YES: NREAP YES: NREAP targets 2. Climate Change : Paris Agreement : Paris Agreement : Paris Agreement : Paris Agreement Economic 1. Electricity Prices Most expensive in EU 2 nd most expensive in EU 6 th most expensive in EU 4 th most expensive in EU 2. Oil crisis and changed policy and changed policy but no policy change as a result as a result Environmental: 1. Climate Change 2. Biodiversity loss 3. COP 22 Socio-Political 1. War 2. Energy Insecurity No No: 12% of all primary energy is IMPORTED No : 67% of all primary energy is IMPORTED No No: 73% of all primary energy is EXPORTED No : 88% of all primary energy is IMPORTED

12 Critical Success Factors (Barriers to overcome) Community Engagement and social acceptance addressed Denmark Germany Scotland Ireland YES: combined topdown and bottom-up approach YES: combined topdown and bottom-up approach YES: Community Energy Scotland (CES) Local Energy Scotland YES: community defines the parameters, drives the process Scarcity of Community YES: YES: YES: YES: Resources Addressed - Time Energy Agency Local government CES Mentors in place - Expertise Community energy supports CES Technical panel - Finances broker Availability of loan capital CARES Programme SEC grants available - Equipment and technical Loan guarantees Important role of CES Technical mentor panel and knowledge Energy Agency staff municipalities core competency training Trusted Intermediary in YES: Danish YES: Specialist support YES: Community YES: Community and place Government established organisations in place and Energy Scotland, and Technical Mentors the Danish Energy actively propagates the Local Energy Scotland Agency, and the Wind establishment of energy Turbine Task Force co-ops

13 Critical Success Factors (Barriers to overcome) Denmark Germany Scotland Ireland Energy efficiency and YES: lots of examples of YES: lots of examples of all YES: EVs, hydrogen YES: BECs renewable energy all types of technologies types of technologies storage, controllable lots of examples of all types of demonstration sites available response and energy technologies storage Navigation of Political Environment (knowledge) RE and EE Policy 1. REFITs 1. YES 1. YES 1. YES 1. Not yet and positive (microgeneration) 2. National Retrofitting 2. YES 2. KfW loan programmes 2. YES 2. YES BEC Programme for households 3. Tax relief schemes 3. YES 3. YES 3. YES 3. YES 4. Priority Grid access 4. YES 4. YES 4. YES 4. Not yet and positive 5. Planning assistance 5. YES 5. YES 5. YES 5. YES 6. Feasibility assistance 6. YES 6. YES 6. YES 6. YES Community Ownership Options and Local Benefit Framework YES: In 2008, the Promotion of Renewable Energy Act, which requires developers to offer 20% of overall ownership shares of wind projects larger than 25m in height YES: Now a similar approach to Denmark YES: Target of 1GW of locally owned renewables by 2020 Not yet but a target of 20% community investment is proposed as part of RESS.

14 Critical Success Factor Analysis Community Engagement and Social Acceptance Scarcity of community resources Trusted intermediary in place Conclusions C Energy efficiency and renewable energy demonstration sites available Navigation of political environment Community Ownership Options and Local Benefit Framework Irish SEC Model Addressed throughout the entire process Bottom up approach, grassroots approach SECs are community led, community ran and community focussed 3 year partnership agreements in place with SEAI Addressed Financial support: throughout the entire process (look at funding available) Access to Expertise: technical mentors are available throughout Core competency Skills development Community Mentor Technical panel of mentors BEC : lot of examples throughout the country Sharing of experiences through the SEC network Can visit PV arrays, wind turbines, heat pumps, biomass boilers, solar hot water systems, EVs, retrofitting projects Mentors SEC Network RESS public consultation Ownership (Community Charter and Master Plan) RESS public consultation

15 Thank You