The Community Energy Congress held in Canberra on June
16-17 brought together about 350 people from around Australia – from Mareeba in
North Queensland to Perth in Western Australia.
Many of those attending had experience with community energy projects
while others were anxious to learn how to advance them in their own areas.
Community energy projects take many forms. Many involve energy generation from sources
such as wind, the sun or biomass. Some
involve other tools such as energy efficiency, energy storage or demand
management. Some community projects
involve connection to the grid while others are stand-alone.
"Community energy projects are
collaborately-spirited, as well as being commercially-driven and
environmentally beneficial. They
contribute to a bigger picture of regional development, action on climate
change and progress towards sustainability, community empowerment and energy
advocacy." (p. 4, Community
Energy Congress Program)
One of the most inspiring addresses at the congress was
given by Arno Zengle, Mayor of the German village of Wildpoldsried, who spoke
about his village's renewable energy achievements
This Bavarian village, with a population of around 2500
people, is situated 100 km from Munich.
It produces more than four times its energy requirements through a mix
of renewable technologies. The excess
electricity is fed into the grid, providing the village with an income of
around 5 million euros a year.
The move to renewables started in the late 1990s when the
mayor and council engaged in consultation with the local community about what
was possible for the village in the next 20 years.
Photo-voltaics are a major contributor to
Wildpoldsried's power generation. Solar panels have been installed on public
buildings and on around 250 private residences.
Another important source is wind.
The seven wind turbines were financed by local citizens and there are
plans for several more.
Other power sources are biogas digesters and three small
hydro systems.
In addition the village has embraced energy efficiency
with incentives provided to residents who incorporate passive solar design in
their houses.
Examples like Wildpoldsried will inspire many of those
who attended the congress to move forward with their plans to promote community
energy.
- Leonie Blain
This
article was published in the "Voices for the Earth" column in The
Daily Examiner on June 23, 2014.
More
information about the congress and the organisers is available on the Coalition for Community Energy website
